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Frank Williams (actor)
Frank John Williams (2 July 1931 – 26 June 2022) was an English actor best known for playing the Reverend Timothy Farthing in the BBC television British sitcom, sitcom ''Dad's Army'' (1969–1977). Often cast as a member of the clergy, Williams appeared in similar roles in sitcoms including ''The Worker (TV series), The Worker'', ''Vanity Fair (1987 TV serial), Vanity Fair'', ''Hi-de-Hi!'' and ''You Rang, M'Lord?'' and film ''What's Up Nurse!''. Williams reprised his role of the Reverend Mr. Farthing in the Dad's Army (2016 film), 2016 film adaptation of ''Dad's Army''. Early life Williams was born in Edgware, Middlesex, on 2 July 1931, to William Williams, a Welsh Nonconformist (Protestantism), nonconformist, and his wife Alice (née Myles). He was educated at a school which temporarily functioned in St Andrew's Church, Edgware, and two private schools before attending Ardingly College, West Sussex, and Hendon School (then Hendon County School). Williams was an only child an ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Edgware
Edgware () is a suburban town in northwest London. It was an ancient parish in the county of Middlesex east of the ancient Watling Street in what is now the London Borough of Barnet but it is now informally considered to cover a wider area, including parts of the boroughs of London Borough of Harrow, Harrow and London Borough of Brent, Brent. The district is located north-northwest of Charing Cross and has a generally suburban character. The urban-rural fringe includes some elevated woodland on a high gravel and sand ridge along the Hertfordshire border with Greater London. Edgware is principally a shopping and residential area, identified in the London Plan as one of the capital's 35 major centres, and one of the northern termini of the Northern line. It has a Edgware bus garage, bus garage, a shopping centre called the Broadwalk Centre, List of libraries in Barnet, a library, a community hospital, Edgware Community Hospital, and two streams, Silk Stream, Edgware Brook and Dea ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Guardian
''The Guardian'' is a British daily newspaper. It was founded in Manchester in 1821 as ''The Manchester Guardian'' and changed its name in 1959, followed by a move to London. Along with its sister paper, ''The Guardian Weekly'', ''The Guardian'' is part of the Guardian Media Group, owned by the Scott Trust Limited. The trust was created in 1936 to "secure the financial and editorial independence of ''The Guardian'' in perpetuity and to safeguard the journalistic freedom and liberal values of ''The Guardian'' free from commercial or political interference". The trust was converted into a limited company in 2008, with a constitution written so as to maintain for ''The Guardian'' the same protections as were built into the structure of the Scott Trust by its creators. Profits are reinvested in its journalism rather than distributed to owners or shareholders. It is considered a newspaper of record in the UK. The editor-in-chief Katharine Viner succeeded Alan Rusbridger in 2015. S ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Square Peg
''The Square Peg'' is a 1958 British war comedy film directed by John Paddy Carstairs and starring Norman Wisdom. Norman Wisdom plays two different characters: a man who digs and repairs roads, and a Nazi general. It was the last of six collaborations between Norman Wisdom and director John Paddy Carstairs. Producer Hugh Stewart, who made several films with Wisdom, argued this was the actor's best movie, along with '' On the Beat'' and '' A Stitch in Time''. Plot During the Second World War, Norman Pitkin, a roadmender with the St Godric's Borough Council, enjoys annoying the soldiers of the nearby British Army camp, even a general. Despite the efforts of his boss, Borough Engineer Mr Grimsdale, Colonel Layton (the camp commander) has both of them called up for service in the Pioneer Corps to exact retribution. They begin training at the same camp under the supervision of one of Pitkin's former victims, Sergeant Loder. The only bright spot for Pitkin is falling in love at first ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Norman Wisdom
Sir Norman Joseph Wisdom, (4 February 1915 – 4 October 2010), was an English actor, comedian, musician, and singer, best known for his series of comedy films produced between 1953 and 1966, in which he portrayed the endearingly inept character Norman Pitkin. He rose to prominence with his first leading film role in ''Trouble in Store'' (1953), which earned him the BAFTA Award for Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Roles. Wisdom’s appeal extended far beyond the UK, gaining popularity in countries as diverse as South America, Iran, and many nations within the former Eastern Bloc. He enjoyed particular fame in Albania, where, during the dictatorship of Enver Hoxha, his films were among the few Western productions allowed to be shown. He was once described by Charlie Chaplin as his "favourite clown". In later years, Wisdom broadened his career to include stage and television. He performed on Broadway theatre, Broadway in New York City alongside stars such as Mandy Patinki ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Extra Day
''The Extra Day'' (also known as ''Twelve Desperate Hours'' and ''12 Desperate Hours'') is a 1956 British comedy-drama film directed by William Fairchild and starring Richard Basehart, Simone Simon and George Baker. Plot After the final scene of a film is lost by the driver taking it to the printing lab, the cast and extras have to be rounded up for it to be re-shot. This proves to be quite an endeavour. The director, German exile Kurt Vorn, sends several people out to gather the required actors, who are mainly in theatres. Meanwhile Ronnie, a new Sinatra-style crooner, sings to crowds of adoring girls. His girlfriend Toni struggles to cope with this, until he announces to his adoring fans that he is going to marry her. The public proposal pushes Joe into also proposing, which is met with a slap on the face. However, once all are assembled, the driver Harry returns with a battered film canister, saying the reshoot is not needed after all. Cast Critical reception ''The ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Story Of Gilbert And Sullivan
''The Story of Gilbert and Sullivan'' (also known as ''Gilbert & Sullivan'' and ''The Great Gilbert and Sullivan'') is a 1953 British musical drama film dramatisation of the collaboration between Gilbert and Sullivan. Librettist W. S. Gilbert and composer Arthur Sullivan, portrayed by Robert Morley and Maurice Evans, co-wrote fourteen extraordinarily successful comic operas, later referred to as the Savoy Operas, which continue to be popular today. The film, directed by Sidney Gilliat, is based on Leslie Baily's ''The Gilbert and Sullivan Book'', and Baily co-wrote the screenplay with Gilliat. Shot in Technicolor, it was produced by Gilliat and Frank Launder for London Films in time to mark the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. The film was a box-office failure. Description In addition to describing the ups and downs of the partnership between Gilbert and Sullivan, and their relationships with their producer, Richard D'Oyly Carte, the movie depicts many of the people who perfor ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Mavis Pugh
Mavis Gladys Fox Pugh (25 June 1914 – 6 December 2006) was a British actress who made many appearances (typically playing upper-class women) in several sitcoms including ''Dad's Army'', ''Are You Being Served?'' and ''Fawlty Towers''. Her best known role was as Lady Lavender Southwick in all four series of ''You Rang, M'Lord?''. Before appearing on television, she had a long and successful career in repertory theatre, including with the Arthur Brough Players. Early life Pugh was born in Croydon, Surrey on 25 June 1914. Her father was a London solicitor, and her acting talent was first noticed while performing in school plays at Downs College in Folkestone, Kent. Pugh won a scholarship to the International School of Acting. Having worked in rep in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, Pugh toured in 1939 with ''My Wife's Family'' and in 1943 made her West End debut in ''Junior Miss''. As well as doing several years in rep, Pugh toured music halls and clubs with Hugh Paddick with the pair ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Donald Hewlett
Donald Marland Hewlett (30 August 1920 – 4 June 2011) was an English actor who was best known for his sitcom roles as Colonel Charles Reynolds in ''It Ain't Half Hot Mum'' and Lord Meldrum in '' You Rang, M'Lord?'', both written by Jimmy Perry and David Croft. He also had other roles in British film and television productions.It Ain't Half Hot Mum's Donald Hewlett dies at 90 ''BBC News'', 5 June 2011 Early life Hewlett was born into a wealthy family; his father was Conservative MP for[...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Colin Bean
Colin Bean (15 April 1926 – 20 June 2009) was an English actor. He was best known for his role as Private Sponge in the BBC comedy series ''Dad's Army''. Early life Born in Wigan, Lancashire, Bean's father played football for local side Wigan Borough, and he attended Wigan Grammar School. Bean's first appearance had been as a shepherd in a school play, and much against his parents' intentions, he took up acting professionally until being called up for National Service. He served for four years in the British Army after World War II, spending some time in Japan, and taking the opportunity to continue his acting by joining the British Commonwealth Occupation Force (BCOF). After graduating from drama school in 1952, he joined the Sheffield Rep as assistant stage manager; regular theatre work followed. Career His work in ''Dad's Army'' came as a result of working at Watford Rep in 1962 under series co-writer Jimmy Perry as the company's actor-manager, in addition to almost 20 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Michael Knowles (actor)
Michael Sydney Knowles (born 26 April 1937) is an English actor and scriptwriter who is best known for his roles in BBC sitcoms written by Jimmy Perry and David Croft (TV producer), David Croft. He often starred alongside Donald Hewlett with whom he first appeared in ''It Ain't Half Hot Mum''. They later appeared together in ''Rogue's Rock, Come Back Mrs. Noah'' and ''You Rang, M'Lord?'' In Knowles' writing career, he co-adapted (with Harold Snoad) the radio version of ''Dad's Army'' and writing with Snoad the ''Dad's Army'' spinoff series ''It Sticks Out Half a Mile'' for radio, which became the television series ''High & Dry (1987 TV series), High and Dry''. Early life Knowles attended Bemrose Grammar School for Boys, Derby (now The Bemrose School), where he stayed on into the 6th form and played the lead role in the school's production of William Shakespeare, Shakespeare's ''Henry V (play), Henry V.'' [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Jimmy Perry
James Perry (20 September 1923 – 23 October 2016) was an English scriptwriter and actor. He devised and co-wrote the BBC sitcoms ''Dad's Army'' (1968–1977), '' It Ain't Half Hot Mum'' (1974–1981), '' Hi-de-Hi!'' (1980–1988) and '' You Rang, M'Lord?'' (1988–1993), all with David Croft. Perry co-wrote the theme tune of ''Dad's Army'', "Who Do You Think You Are Kidding, Mr. Hitler?" along with Derek Taverner, for which Perry received an Ivor Novello Award from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors in 1971. Early life Perry was born in Barnes, Surrey on 20 September 1923.Simon Morgan-Russell, "Perry, James (Jimmy) (1923–2016)", ''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography'', Oxford University Press, Jan 202available online Retrieved 25 August 2020. His father, Arthur, was an antiques dealer, whose shop was in South Kensington, London. He was a founder of the British Antique Dealers' Association. His son was educated at two independent schools, Colet ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Watford Palace Theatre
Watford Palace Theatre, opened in 1908, is an Edwardian Grade II listed building in Watford, Hertfordshire. The 600-seat theatre on Clarendon Road was refurbished in 2004. It houses its own rehearsal room, wardrobe, cafe and bar. History The theatre was built for the Watford Hippodrome Co., Ltd. The foundation stone of what was to become the Palace Theatre was laid on 3 June 1908. Five days later Mr H.M. Theobald, the architect, lodged the notification of his intention to build the theatre. Construction was undertaken by Barker Brothers of Maidenhead, and took six months, opening on 14 December 1908. The opening proprietors were the Watford Palace of Varieties Co., the Managing Director: Mr. T.M. Sylvester. In early days it put on variety shows and plays, mostly imported from other theatres. Variety artists who appeared at the Palace included Marie Lloyd, Evie Greene and Lottie Lennox. The theatre also puts on regular Christmas pantomimes. For almost a decade (around the ear ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
