Charles Edward Underdown (3 December 190815 December 1989) was an English theatre, cinema and television actor.

Early Life

Underdown was the son of Harry Charles Baillie Underdown and Rachel Elizabeth Orr. Born in London, he was educated at

Eton College Eton College ( ) is a Public school (United Kingdom), public school providing boarding school, boarding education for boys aged 13–18, in the small town of Eton, Berkshire, Eton, in Berkshire, in the United Kingdom. It has educated Prime Mini ...

. There his looks resulted in him being nominated 'Pop Bitch' – the prettiest boy available to the senior students of Pop, the Eton Society.

Notable work

Underdown's early theatre credits include:

Noël Coward Sir Noël Peirce Coward (16 December 189926 March 1973) was an English playwright, composer, director, actor, and singer, known for his wit, flamboyance, and what ''Time (magazine), Time'' called "a sense of personal style, a combination of c ...

's '' Words and Music'' and '' Tonight at 8.30'';

Cole Porter Cole Albert Porter (June 9, 1891 – October 15, 1964) was an American composer and songwriter. Many of his songs became Standard (music), standards noted for their witty, urbane lyrics, and many of his scores found success on Broadway the ...

's '' Nymph Errant''; Moss Hart &

Irving Berlin Irving Berlin (born Israel Isidore Beilin; May 11, 1888 – September 22, 1989) was a Russian-born American composer and songwriter. His music forms a large part of the Great American Songbook. Berlin received numerous honors including an Acade ...

's '' Stop Press''; and ''Streamline''.University of Bristol Theatre Collection Database (2011). at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/theatrecollection, accessed 26 September 2011. His film credits include: '' They Were Not Divided'', '' Beat the Devil'', '' Wings of the Morning'', '' The Rainbow Jacket'', '' The Woman's Angle'', '' Her Panelled Door'', '' The Camp on Blood Island'', '' Dr. Terror's House of Horrors'', '' Thunderball'', ''

Khartoum Khartoum or Khartum is the capital city of Sudan as well as Khartoum State. With an estimated population of 7.1 million people, Greater Khartoum is the largest urban area in Sudan. Khartoum is located at the confluence of the White Nile – flo ...

'', '' The Magic Christian'' and '' Digby, the Biggest Dog in the World''. Television appearances include: ''

Dad's Army ''Dad's Army'' is a British television British sitcom, sitcom about the United Kingdom's Home Guard (United Kingdom), Home Guard during the World War II, Second World War. It was written by Jimmy Perry and David Croft (TV producer), David Crof ...

'', ''

Danger Man ''Danger Man'' (retitled ''Secret Agent'' in the United States for the revived series, and ''Destination Danger'' and ''John Drake'' in other overseas markets) is a British television series that was broadcast between 1960 and 1962, and again ...

'', '' The Saint'', '' The Avengers'', '' The Rat Catchers'', '' Weavers Green'', '' Man in a Suitcase'', '' Doomwatch'', '' The Regiment'', '' Colditz'', '' Upstairs, Downstairs'', '' Survivors'', '' The Duchess of Duke Street'' and ''

Doctor Who ''Doctor Who'' is a British science fiction television series broadcast by the BBC since 1963. The series, created by Sydney Newman, C. E. Webber and Donald Wilson (writer and producer), Donald Wilson, depicts the adventures of an extraterre ...

''. Both ''Wings of the Morning'' and ''The Rainbow Jacket'' were set in his beloved racing world, the former being set on Epsom Downs. ''Wings of the Morning'', starring Henry Fonda, was Britain's first

Technicolor Technicolor is a family of Color motion picture film, color motion picture processes. The first version, Process 1, was introduced in 1916, and improved versions followed over several decades. Definitive Technicolor movies using three black-and ...

film. Edward Underdown was also a gentleman jockey and rode with great aplomb in both flat and hurdle races (see references to his riding career in John Hislop's books). In 1950 he was voted by British exhibitors as the most promising male screen newcomer. According to

Ian Fleming Ian Lancaster Fleming (28 May 1908 – 12 August 1964) was a British writer, best known for his postwar ''James Bond'' series of spy novels. Fleming came from a wealthy family connected to the merchant bank Robert Fleming & Co., and his ...

's stepson, Underdown was the novelist's preferred choice for

James Bond The ''James Bond'' franchise focuses on James Bond (literary character), the titular character, a fictional Secret Intelligence Service, British Secret Service agent created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming, who featured him in twelve novels ...

Personal life

Underdown married Hon. Rosemary Sybella Violet Grimston, daughter of Robert Grimston, 1st Baron Grimston of Westbury and Sybil Rose Neumann, on 10 February 1953. Charles Underdown and Rosemary Grimston were sixth cousins through their common ancestors

Thomas Villiers, 1st Earl of Clarendon Thomas Villiers, 1st Earl of Clarendon, Privy Council of the United Kingdom, PC (1709 – 11 December 1786) was a Kingdom of Great Britain, British politician and diplomat from the Villiers family. Clarendon was the second son of William Villie ...

and

Lady Charlotte Capell Charlotte Villiers, Countess of Clarendon (2 October 1721 – 3 September 1790), formerly Lady Charlotte Capell, was the wife of Thomas Villiers, the son of William Villiers, 2nd Earl of Jersey. Thomas would later be raised to the peerage a ...

. He died on 15 December 1989 in

Hampshire Hampshire (, ; abbreviated to Hants.) is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in South East England. It is bordered by Berkshire to the north, Surrey and West Sussex to the east, the Isle of Wight across the Solent to the south, ...

aged 81.

Theatre appearances

* '' Words and Music'', Adelphi Theatre, London (1932-1933). The production was written and directed by ''

''. * '' Nymph Errant'', Adelphi Theatre, London (1933-1934). The production featured music and lyrics by

. * '' Streamline'' (

revue A revue is a type of multi-act popular theatre, theatrical entertainment that combines music, dance, and sketch comedy, sketches. The revue has its roots in 19th century popular entertainment and melodrama but grew into a substantial cultural pre ...

), Palace Theatre, London (1932-1933). * '' Stop Press'', Adelphi Theatre, London (1934-1935). This was the London production of Moss Hart and

's revue, ''As Thousands Cheer''. * '' Tonight at 8.30'' (billed as ''To-night at 7:30'', due to the local curtain time), Liverpool Empire Theatre, Liverpool (November 1935) * '' Tonight at 8.30'', Phoenix Theatre, London (opened 9 January 1936) and New York (opened 24 November 1936). * '' You Can't Take It with You'', St. James's Theatre, London (opened 1937). * '' The Grass is Greener'', St Martin's Theatre, London (1958) and Theatre Royal, Brighton. * ''The Long Sunset'', Mermaid Theatre, London (1961). * ''Past Imperfect'', Theatre Royal, Brighton (1965).

Filmography

* '' The Warren Case'' (1934) - Hugh Waddon * '' Girls, Please!'' (1934) - Jim Arundel * '' Annie, Leave the Room!'' (1935) - John Brandon * '' Wings of the Morning'' (1937) - Don Diego * '' The Drum'' (1938) - Undetermined Role (uncredited) * '' Inspector Hornleigh'' (1939) - Peter Dench the Chancellor's Secretary * '' Lucky to Me'' (1939) - Malden's Friend (uncredited) * '' Inspector Hornleigh Goes To It'' (1941) * '' The October Man'' (1947) - Passport Official * ''

The Woman in the Hall ''The Woman in the Hall'' is a 1947 British drama film directed by Jack Lee and starring Ursula Jeans, Jean Simmons, Cecil Parker. The screenplay was written by Lee, Ian Dalrymple Ian Dalrymple (26 August 190328 March 1989) was a British ...

'' (1947) - Neil Ingelfield * '' Brass Monkey'' (1948) - Max Taylor * '' Man on the Run'' (1949) - Slim Elfey * '' They Were Not Divided'' (1950) - Philip * '' The Woman with No Name'' (1950) - Lake Winter * '' The Dark Man'' (1951) - Detective Inspector Viner * '' The Promise'' (1952) - Stephen Harker (story based on John 4) * '' The Woman's Angle'' (1952) - Robert Mansell * '' The Voice of Merrill'' (1952) - Hugh Allen * '' Street of Shadows'' (1953) - Det. Insp. Johnstone * ''

Recoil Recoil (often called knockback, kickback or simply kick) is the rearward thrust generated when a gun is being discharged. In technical terms, the recoil is a result of conservation of momentum, for according to Newton's third law the force requ ...

'' (1953) - Michael Conway * '' Beat the Devil'' (1953) - Harry Chelm * '' The Rainbow Jacket'' (1954) - Tyler * '' The Camp on Blood Island'' (1958) - Major Dawes * '' The Two-Headed Spy'' (1958) - Kaltenbrunner * ''

Information Received ''Information Received'' is a 1961 British B movie, second feature ('B') crime film directed by Robert Lynn (director), Robert Lynn and starring Sabine Sesselmann, William Sylvester and Hermione Baddeley. The screenplay was by Paul Ryder from a ...

'' (1961) - Drake * '' The Third Alibi'' (1961) - Dr. Murdoch * ''

The Day the Earth Caught Fire ''The Day the Earth Caught Fire'' is a 1961 British science-fiction disaster film directed by Val Guest and starring Edward Judd, Leo McKern, and Janet Munro. It is one of the classic apocalyptic films of its era. The film opened at the Odeon Ma ...

'' (1961) - Dick Sanderson * ''

Edgar Wallace Mysteries The ''Edgar Wallace Mysteries'' is a British second-feature film series mainly produced at Merton Park Studios for Anglo-Amalgamated. There were 48 films in the series, which were released between 1960 and 1965. The series was screened as ''Th ...

'' ('' Locker 69)'' (1962) - Bennett Sanders * '' The Bay of St Michel'' (1963) - Col. Harvey * '' Dr. Crippen'' (1963) - The Prison Governor * '' Man in the Middle'' (1963) - Major Wyclif * ''

Woman of Straw ''Woman of Straw'' is a 1964 British crime thriller directed by Basil Dearden and starring Gina Lollobrigida and Sean Connery. It was written by Robert Muller (screenwriter), Robert Muller and Stanley Mann, adapted from the 1954 novel ''La Femme ...

'' (1964) - First Executive (uncredited) * '' Traitor's Gate'' (1964) - Inspector Adams * '' Dr. Terror's House of Horrors'' (1965) - Tod (segment 1 "Werewolf") * '' Thunderball'' (1965) - Sir John, Air Vice Marshal * ''

'' (1966) - Col. William Hicks * '' Triple Cross'' (1966) - Air Marshal * '' The Great Pony Raid'' (1968) - Snowy * '' The Hand of Night'' (1968) - Otto Gunhter * '' The Magic Christian'' (1969) - Prince Henry (uncredited) * '' The Last Valley'' (1971) - Gnarled Peasant * '' Running Scared'' (1972) - Mr. Betancourt * '' Digby, the Biggest Dog in the World'' (1973) - Grandfather * '' The Abdication'' (1974) - Gustav II Adolf, Christina's father * '' Tarka the Otter'' (1979) - Hibbert

Television appearances

* '' Dial 999 (TV series)'' (1959) - ''Heads or Tails'', Episode 36, (filmed in 1958). Harley. * '' One Step Beyond'' (1961) -''The Tiger'', Season 3, Episode 34, 20 June 1961. Mr. Hayes. * ''

'' (1964-1966) - Max Dell / Capt. Morgan / Lord Anthony Denby * '' The Saint'' (1965) - Jack Laurie * '' The Avengers'' - episodes '' The Murder Market'' , '' The Living Dead'' (1965, 1967) - Jonathan Stone / Rupert Staplow * '' The Rat Catchers'' (1966) - Lemnitz * '' Weavers Green'' (1966) - Bobby Brent * '' Man in a Suitcase'' (1967-1968) - Maxted / Ranki * '' Doomwatch'' (1970) - Chairman of Tribunal * ''

'' (1972) - Major General Sir Charles Holland * '' The Regiment'' (1973) - ICS Man * '' Colditz'' (1974) - Col. Mansell * '' Upstairs, Downstairs'' - episode '' News from the Front'' (1974) - General Nesfield * '' Survivors'' (1977) - Frank Garner * '' The Duchess of Duke Street'' (1977) - Adjutant-General * ''

'' (in the serial '' Meglos)'' (1980) - Zastor (final appearance)

Love of horses

Edward Underdown's father owned a

Norfolk Norfolk ( ) is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in England, located in East Anglia and officially part of the East of England region. It borders Lincolnshire and The Wash to the north-west, the North Sea to the north and eas ...

estate in the Stanford Battle area. It was here that Edward learnt and developed his riding. Before his career as an actor Edward was a gentleman jockey and rode with great aplomb both on the flat and over sticks (see references to his riding career in John Hislop's books). The Norfolk estate is mentioned in

Bill Pertwee William Desmond Anthony Pertwee (21 July 1926 – 27 May 2013) was an English actor and comedian. He is best remembered for playing Chief ARP Warden Hodges in ''Dad's Army'' and P.C. Wilson in '' You Rang, M'Lord?''. Early life Pertwee was bo ...

's book about the making of ''

''. One of the Dad's Army episodes was by co-incidence filmed at the estate. By this time the estate was owned by the

War Office The War Office has referred to several British government organisations throughout history, all relating to the army. It was a department of the British Government responsible for the administration of the British Army between 1857 and 1964, at ...

and nothing was left except for the verandah and stables. As soon as John Le Mesurier arrived he realised it was familiar to him from weekend parties Edward's father had invited him to in the 1930s. So it was that Edward found himself working in a television series that featured part of his old home. The films ''Wings of the Morning'' and ''The Rainbow Jacket'' were set in his beloved racing world, the former being set on Epsom Downs. Finally, after his acting career he worked as a steward at

Newbury Racecourse Newbury Racecourse is a racecourse and events venue in the civil parish of Greenham, adjoining the town of Newbury, Berkshire, Newbury in Berkshire, England. It has courses for flat races and over jumps. It hosts one of Great Britain's List of ...

. This was described by Bill Pertwee as "fitting for a man who not only loved horses but was also an expert rider." (ibit, page 86).

Military service

On wanting to sign-up, Edward Underdown's first approach was to the Wiltshire Yeomanry. He reputedly appeared at the depot with his friend, Sandy Carlos Clarke, who had recently returned from Canada working as a ranch hand. When asked by the recruiting Sergeant to state their professions, Underdown replied, "film star" and Carlos Clarke answered, "cowboy" and thinking this was a joke, the sergeant stated that their services were not required. Underdown did subsequently join the Wiltshire Yeomanry whilst Clarke found a post with another Yeomanry regiment. Underdown went on to have a distinguished

Second World War World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

record as an officer in the Wiltshire Yeomanry serving in the 8th Army in Africa. After the war Edward resumed his acting career but remained in the Territorial Army. He remained in the Territorial Army Reserve of Officers until he reached the age limit. He retired as captain on 7 November 1959 and retained the rank of honorary major.''The London Gazette'', No. 41861, Supplement of Tuesday, 3 November 1959.

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Underdown, Edward 1908 births 1989 deaths English male film actors English male television actors English male stage actors People educated at Eton College Male actors from London 20th-century English male actors