Ronald George Hinings Adams (31 December 1896 – 28 March 1979), known professionally as Ronald Adam, was a British officer of the RFC and RAF, an actor on stage and screen, and a successful theatre manager.

Early life

Adam was born in

Bromyard Bromyard is a town in Herefordshire, England, in the valley of the River Frome. It lies near the county border with Worcestershire on the A44 between Leominster and Worcester. Bromyard has a number of traditional half-timbered buildings, in ...

Herefordshire Herefordshire () is a county in the West Midlands of England, governed by Herefordshire Council. It is bordered by Shropshire to the north, Worcestershire to the east, Gloucestershire to the south-east, and the Welsh counties of Monmouthshire ...

on 31 December 1896, the son of Blake Adams and his wife Mona Robin. His parents and grandparents were all in the theatrical profession. He was educated at

University College School ("Slowly but surely") , established = , closed = , type = Public schoolIndependent day school , religion = , president = , head_label = Headmaster , head = Mark Beard , r_head_label = , r_he ...

.Who's Who in the Theatre: Adam, Ronald
/ref>

First World War

When still only 17 years old Adams volunteered to join the

British Army The British Army is the principal land warfare force of the United Kingdom, a part of the British Armed Forces along with the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. , the British Army comprises 79,380 regular full-time personnel, 4,090 Gur ...

on the outbreak of the

First World War World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fig ...

. On 2 December 1914 he was commissioned as a temporary

Second Lieutenant Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces, comparable to NATO OF-1 rank. Australia The rank of second lieutenant existed in the military forces of the Australian colonies and Australian Army until 1 ...

in the 15th (Reserve) Battalion of the

Middlesex Regiment The Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own) was a line infantry regiment of the British Army in existence from 1881 until 1966. The regiment was formed, as the Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment), in 1881 as part of the Childers Ref ...

. Adams soon transferred to the

Royal Flying Corps "Through Adversity to the Stars" , colors = , colours_label = , march = , mascot = , anniversaries = , decorations ...

(RFC) and served as an observer with No. 18 Squadron in France, before returning home to re-train as a pilot. Once qualified as a pilot, Adams remained in

Britain Britain most often refers to: * The United Kingdom, a sovereign state in Europe comprising the island of Great Britain, the north-eastern part of the island of Ireland and many smaller islands * Great Britain, the largest island in the United King ...

and flew

Sopwith Camel The Sopwith Camel is a British First World War single-seat biplane fighter aircraft that was introduced on the Western Front in 1917. It was developed by the Sopwith Aviation Company as a successor to the Sopwith Pup and became one of the be ...

s with No. 44 Squadron on Home Defence duties. The squadron was based at Hainault Farm aerodrome in

Essex Essex () is a county in the East of England. One of the home counties, it borders Suffolk and Cambridgeshire to the north, the North Sea to the east, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent across the estuary of the River Thames to the south, and G ...

and was pioneering the use of night-fighters against

Zeppelin A Zeppelin is a type of rigid airship named after the German inventor Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin () who pioneered rigid airship development at the beginning of the 20th century. Zeppelin's notions were first formulated in 1874Eckener 1938, ...

raids on

London London is the capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary dow ...

. He was then posted back to

France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. Its metropolitan ar ...

, still on Sopwith Camels, to

No. 73 Squadron No. 73 Squadron, Royal Air Force was formed on 2 July 1917 during the First World War. It was disbanded in 1969. World War I It was initially a unit of the Royal Flying Corps and was formed out of the Central Flying School, based at Upavon, W ...

, at Champien. On 1 April 1918, the Royal Flying Corps amalgamated with the

Royal Naval Air Service The Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) was the air arm of the Royal Navy, under the direction of the Admiralty's Air Department, and existed formally from 1 July 1914 to 1 April 1918, when it was merged with the British Army's Royal Flying Corps t ...

(RNAS) to become the

Royal Air Force The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the United Kingdom's air and space force. It was formed towards the end of the First World War on 1 April 1918, becoming the first independent air force in the world, by regrouping the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) an ...

(RAF), but Adams had barely had time to get used to the new title before he was shot down, on 7 April 1918, near

Villers-Bretonneux Villers-Bretonneux () is a commune in the Somme department in Hauts-de-France in northern France. Geography Villers-Bretonneux is situated some 19 km due east of Amiens, on the D1029 road and the A29 motorway. Villers-Bretonneux border ...

in Northern

, either by Hans Kirschstein, or possibly

Manfred von Richthofen Manfred Albrecht Freiherr von Richthofen (; 2 May 1892 – 21 April 1918), known in English as Baron von Richthofen or the Red Baron, was a fighter pilot with the German Air Force during World War I. He is considered the ace-of-aces of t ...

and captured. Adams was badly wounded in the engagement and on the evening of his capture he was visited by a German orderly who passed on the compliments of von Richthofen. Adams spent eight months in hospitals and prison camps before he was repatriated on 17 December 1918.IMDb biography
/ref>

Acting career

After the war he trained as a chartered accountant, but his interest moved to theatre. He dropped the final "s" from his surname and adopted the stage name "Ronald Adam". From 1924 to 1926, he was engaged as manager for

Leslie Henson Leslie Lincoln Henson (3 August 1891 – 2 December 1957) was an English comedian, actor, producer for films and theatre, and film director. He initially worked in silent films and Edwardian musical comedy and became a popular music hall comed ...

and Dion Titheradge, and at the Little, His Majesty's, and Strand theatres. He entered on the management of the Embassy Theatre, in April 1932, with the production of ''Madame Pepita'', and made over 150 new productions and revivals from 1932 to 1939. Thirty of his productions were transferred to various West End theatres, including ''Ten Minute Alibi'', ''Close Quarters'', ''The Dominant Sex'', '' Professor Bernhardi'' and ''Judgment Day''. He presented several plays on tour, and acted in many of them, both at the Embassy and on their transfer. He made his film debut with ''

Strange Boarders ''Strange Boarders'' is a 1938 British comedy thriller film, directed by Herbert Mason, produced by Edward Black for Gainsborough Pictures, and starring Tom Walls, Renée Saint-Cyr, Googie Withers and Ronald Adam. The film is an adaptati ...

'', '' The Drum'' (both 1938) and ''

Too Dangerous to Live Too or TOO may refer to: * Threshold of originality, a concept in copyright law * ''Too'' (Fantastic Plastic Machine album), the fourth studio album by Fantastic Plastic Machine * ''Too'' (FIDLAR album), the second studio album by American skate ...

'' (1939).IMDb films by year
/ref> Meanwhile, he continued with live theatre. At the

Old Vic Old or OLD may refer to: Places *Old, Baranya, Hungary *Old, Northamptonshire, England * Old Street station, a railway and tube station in London (station code OLD) *OLD, IATA code for Old Town Municipal Airport and Seaplane Base, Old Town, M ...

in June 1939 he played Lord Stagmantle in '' The Ascent of F6'' and at the Phoenix in November 1939, Judge Tsankov in ''Judgment Day''. He was director of Howard and Wyndham's Repertory Seasons in

Edinburgh Edinburgh ( ; gd, Dùn Èideann ) is the capital city of Scotland and one of its 32 Council areas of Scotland, council areas. Historically part of the county of Midlothian (interchangeably Edinburghshire before 1921), it is located in Lothian ...

and

Glasgow Glasgow ( ; sco, Glesca or ; gd, Glaschu ) is the most populous city in Scotland and the fourth-most populous city in the United Kingdom, as well as being the 27th largest city by population in Europe. In 2020, it had an estimated pop ...

, 1938–39.

Second World War

On the outbreak of the

Second World War World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the World War II by country, vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great power ...

Adam rejoined the RAF as a

wing commander Wing commander (Wg Cdr in the RAF, the IAF, and the PAF, WGCDR in the RNZAF and RAAF, formerly sometimes W/C in all services) is a senior commissioned rank in the British Royal Air Force and air forces of many countries which have historic ...

and served from 1939 to 1945. During the

Battle of Britain The Battle of Britain, also known as the Air Battle for England (german: die Luftschlacht um England), was a military campaign of the Second World War, in which the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the Fleet Air Arm (FAA) of the Royal Navy defended ...

in the summer of 1940 he was the Fighter Controller for the

Hornchurch Hornchurch is a suburban town in East London, England, and part of the London Borough of Havering. It is located east-northeast of Charing Cross. It comprises a number of shopping streets and a large residential area. It historically formed ...

sector. It was Adam's job to co-ordinate the

fighter command RAF Fighter Command was one of the commands of the Royal Air Force. It was formed in 1936 to allow more specialised control of fighter aircraft. It served throughout the Second World War. It earned near-immortal fame during the Battle of Britai ...

interceptions by using data gathered by radar and ground observers and then to dispatch fighters to intercept.There exists brief film footage of him in this role and can often be seen in documentaries on the war in the air.

Jeffrey Quill Jeffrey Kindersley Quill, (1 February 1913 – 20 February 1996) was a British test pilot who served on secondment with the Royal Air Force and Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve during the Second World War. He was also the second man to fly the ...

, the distinguished Spitfire test pilot on attachment to 65 Squadron at Hornchurch during the Battle of Britain, wrote of Adam: 'Apart from being highly competent at the actual job, his voice had a quality of calm and unhesitating certainty. The contribution of such men to the outcome of the Battle of Britain was incalculable.' During the war he continued to take part in films, for example as a German bomber chief in '' The Lion Has Wings'' (1939), as Mons. Besnard in '' At the Villa Rose'' (1940) and as Sir Charles Fawcett in '' The Foreman Went to France'' (1942).

Postwar period

Adam was appointed an

Officer of the Order of the British Empire The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations, and public service outside the civil service. It was established o ...

(OBE) in 1946. After 1946 he continued to act in live theatre. At the Garrick in March 1950 he played Mr Gibb in ''Mr Gillie''. He made his

Broadway Broadway may refer to: Theatre * Broadway Theatre (disambiguation) * Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S. ** Broadway (Manhattan), the street **Broadway Theatre (53rd Stree ...

debut in December 1951 in

Antony and Cleopatra ''Antony and Cleopatra'' ( First Folio title: ''The Tragedie of Anthonie, and Cleopatra'') is a tragedy by William Shakespeare. The play was first performed, by the King's Men, at either the Blackfriars Theatre or the Globe Theatre in arou ...

at the Ziegfeld Theatre. In 1954 he featured in

William Douglas Home William Douglas Home (3 June 1912 – 28 September 1992) was a British dramatist and politician. Early life Douglas-Home (he later dropped the hyphen from his surname) was the third son of Charles Douglas-Home, 13th Earl of Home, and Lady Lili ...

's comedy ''

The Manor of Northstead ''The Manor of Northstead'' is a 1954 comedy play by the British writer William Douglas Home. It is a sequel to his 1947 hit '' The Chiltern Hundreds''. The title refers to the Manor of Northstead. It premiered at the Theatre Royal, Nottingham b ...

'' in the West End. His main activity at this stage, however, was in film and television. From 1946 to 1978 he took part in over 140 film or television productions. He portrayed the Group Controller in '' Angels One Five'', a 1952 British war film about the

(Adam reprised his actual wartime role as a fighter Controller).

Selected filmography

* '' The Drum'' (1938) as Major Gregoff * ''

'' (1938) as Barstow * '' Kate Plus Ten'' (1938) as Police Chief * ''

Luck of the Navy ''Luck of the Navy'' is a 1938 British comedy thriller film directed by Norman Lee and starring Geoffrey Toone, Judy Kelly and Clifford Evans. Shot at Elstree StudiosWood p.98 it was based on the play '' The Luck of the Navy'' by Mrs Cl ...

'' (1938) as Enemy Ship's Captain (uncredited) * '' Q Planes'' (1939) as Pollack - Aviation Engineer (uncredited) * '' Inspector Hornleigh'' (1939) as Wittens, Pheasant Inn Manager * ''

'' (1939) as Murbridge / Wills * ''

The Missing People ''The Missing People'' is a 1940 British, black-and-white, mystery film directed by Jack Raymond and starring Ronald Shiner as Sam Hackett and Will Fyffe as Mr. J. G. Reeder. It was produced by Jack Raymond Productions. Ronald Shiner, Will Fy ...

'' (1939) as Surtees * '' The Lion Has Wings'' (1939) as German Bomber Chief * ''

Hell's Cargo ''Hell's Cargo'' is a 1939 British adventure film directed by Harold Huth and starring Walter Rilla, Kim Peacock and Robert Newton. It was made at Elstree Studios.Wood p.100 The film is a remake of the 1938 French hit ''Alert in the Mediterrane ...

'' (1939) as Capt. Dukes * ''

Meet Maxwell Archer ''Meet Maxwell Archer'' is a 1940 British mystery film directed by John Paddy Carstairs and starring John Loder, Leueen MacGrath and Athole Stewart. The screenplay concerns a private detective who attempts to clear a man wrongly accused of murd ...

'' (1940) as Nicolides * '' At the Villa Rose'' (1940) as Mons. Besnard * ''

The Big Blockade ''The Big Blockade'' is a 1942 British black-and-white war propaganda film in the style of dramatised documentary. It is directed by Charles Frend and stars Will Hay, Leslie Banks, Michael Redgrave and John Mills. It was produced by Michael Bal ...

'' (1942) as German businessman (uncredited) * ''

The Avengers Avenger, Avengers, The Avenger, or The Avengers may refer to: Arts and entertainment In the Marvel Comics universe * Avengers (comics), a team of superheroes ** Avengers (Marvel Cinematic Universe), a central team of protagonist superheroes o ...

'' (1942) as Daily Express Reporter in Phone Booth (uncredited) * '' The Foreman Went to France'' (1942) as Sir Charles Fawcett Managing Director (uncredited) * ''

Escape to Danger ''Escape to Danger'' is a 1943 British thriller film directed by Lance Comfort and Victor Hanbury and starring Eric Portman, Ann Dvorak and Karel Stepanek. Plot During the Second World War a British schoolteacher working in Denmark is caugh ...

'' (1943) as George Merrick * '' Journey Together'' (1945) as Commanding Officer at Falcon Field * ''

Pink String and Sealing Wax ''Pink String and Sealing Wax'' is a 1945 British drama film directed by Robert Hamer and starring Mervyn Johns. It is based on a play with the same name by Roland Pertwee. It was the first feature film Robert Hamer directed on his own. Th ...

'' (1945) as Clerk of the Court * '' Green for Danger'' (1946) as Dr. White * ''

Take My Life ''Take My Life'' is a 1947 British crime film directed by Ronald Neame and starring Hugh Williams, Greta Gynt and Marius Goring. It was adapted from Winston Graham's 1947 novel of the same name. It was shot at Pinewood Studios and on loca ...

'' (1947) as Det Sgt Hawkins. (Deaf Man.) (uncredited) * '' The Phantom Shot'' (1947) as Caleb Horder * '' Fame Is the Spur'' (1947) as Radshaws' Doctor (uncredited) * ''

An Ideal Husband ''An Ideal Husband'' is a four-act play by Oscar Wilde that revolves around blackmail and political corruption, and touches on the themes of public and private honour. It was first produced at the Haymarket Theatre, London in 1895 and ran for ...

'' (1947) as Member of Parliament (uncredited) * '' Counterblast'' (1948) as Col Ingram, Gillington POW Camp Commandant * ''

Bonnie Prince Charlie Bonnie, is a Scottish given name and is sometimes used as a descriptive reference, as in the Scottish folk song, My Bonnie Lies over the Ocean. It comes from the Scots language word "bonnie" (pretty, attractive), or the French bonne (good). That ...

'' (1948) as Macleod * ''

The Case of Charles Peace ''The Case of Charles Peace'' is a 1949 British crime film directed by Norman Lee and starring Michael Martin Harvey, Chili Bouchier and Valentine Dyall. It is based on the real-life Victorian murderer Charles Peace. Cast * Michael Martin Harve ...

'' (1949) as Counsel for Defence * ''

All Over the Town ''All Over the Town'' is a 1949 British comedy film directed by Derek N. Twist and starring Norman Wooland, Sarah Churchill and Cyril Cusack. It was based on the 1947 novel by R. F. Delderfield. Premise After serving in the RAF during the S ...

'' (1949) as Sam Vane * '' That Dangerous Age'' (1949) as Prosecutor * '' The Bad Lord Byron'' (1949) as Judge * ''

Christopher Columbus Christopher Columbus * lij, Cristoffa C(or)ombo * es, link=no, Cristóbal Colón * pt, Cristóvão Colombo * ca, Cristòfor (or ) * la, Christophorus Columbus. (; born between 25 August and 31 October 1451, died 20 May 1506) was a ...

'' (1949) as Talavera * '' Helter Skelter'' (1949) as Director General of the BBC (uncredited) * ''

Obsession Obsession may refer to: Psychology * Celebrity worship syndrome, obsessive addictive disorder to a celebrity's personal and professional life * Fixation (psychology), a persistent attachment to an object or idea * Idée fixe (psychology), a p ...

'' (1949) as Clubman #1 * ''

Black Magic Black magic, also known as dark magic, has traditionally referred to the use of supernatural powers or magic for evil and selfish purposes, specifically the seven magical arts prohibited by canon law, as expounded by Johannes Hartlieb in 1 ...

'' (1949) as Court President * ''

Under Capricorn ''Under Capricorn'' is a 1949 British historical thriller film directed by Alfred Hitchcock about a couple in Australia who started out as lady and stable boy in Ireland, and who are now bound together by a horrible secret. The film is based on ...

'' (1949) as Mr. Riggs * '' Diamond City'' (1949) as Robert Southey * '' Boys in Brown'' (1949) as Judge (uncredited) * ''

My Daughter Joy ''My Daughter Joy'' is a 1950 British drama film directed by Gregory Ratoff and starring Edward G. Robinson, Peggy Cummins and Richard Greene. The screenplay concerns a millionaire who spoils his only daughter, but has a strained relationship w ...

'' (1950) as Col. Fogarty * '' Shadow of the Past'' (1950) as Solicitor * '' Seven Days to Noon'' (1950) as The Prime Minister * '' The Late Edwina Black'' (1951) as Head-Master * '' The Adventurers'' (1951) as van Thaal Snr. * '' Captain Horatio Hornblower R.N.'' (1951) as Adm. McCartney * ''

Hell is Sold Out ''Hell Is Sold Out'' is a 1951 British drama film directed by Michael Anderson and starring Mai Zetterling, Herbert Lom and Richard Attenborough. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Maurice Dekobra. Plot A Swedish-born woman, Va ...

'' (1951) as Specialist * ''

Laughter in Paradise ''Laughter in Paradise'' is a 1951 British comedy film, starring Alastair Sim, Fay Compton, George Cole, and Guy Middleton. The film was remade as '' Some Will, Some Won't'' (1970). Plot In his will, notorious practical joker Henry Russell l ...

'' (1951) as Mr. Wagstaffe * ''

The Lavender Hill Mob ''The Lavender Hill Mob'' is a 1951 comedy film from Ealing Studios, written by T. E. B. Clarke, directed by Charles Crichton, starring Alec Guinness and Stanley Holloway and featuring Sid James and Alfie Bass. The title refers to Lavender Hi ...

'' (1951) as Turner * '' The House in the Square'' (1951) as Ronson (uncredited) * '' Mr. Denning Drives North'' (1951) as Coroner * '' Angels One Five'' (1952) as Group Controller * ''

My Wife's Lodger ''My Wife's Lodger'' is a 1952 British comedy film directed by Maurice Elvey and starring Dominic Roche, Olive Sloane and Leslie Dwyer. The screenplay concerns a who soldier returns home after the Second World War only to find a spiv lodger has e ...

'' (1952) as Doctor * ''

Circumstantial Evidence Circumstantial evidence is evidence that relies on an inference to connect it to a conclusion of fact—such as a fingerprint at the scene of a crime. By contrast, direct evidence supports the truth of an assertion directly—i.e., without need ...

'' (1952) as Sir William Hanson QC * ''

Top Secret Classified information is material that a government body deems to be sensitive information that must be protected. Access is restricted by law or regulation to particular groups of people with the necessary security clearance and need to kn ...

'' (1952) as Barworth Controller * '' Hindle Wakes'' (1952) as Mr. Jeffcote * '' Appointment in London'' (1953) as Instructor (uncredited) * ''

Martin Luther Martin Luther (; ; 10 November 1483 – 18 February 1546) was a German priest, theologian, author, hymnwriter, and professor, and Augustinian friar. He is the seminal figure of the Protestant Reformation and the namesake of Luther ...

'' (1953) * ''

Malta Story ''Malta Story'' is a 1953 British war film, directed by Brian Desmond Hurst, which is set during the air defence of Malta during the Siege of Malta in the Second World War. The film uses real and unique footage of the locations at which the b ...

'' (1953) as British Officer (uncredited) * '' Flannelfoot'' (1953) as Insp. Duggan * '' Escape by Night'' (1953) as Tallboy * ''

Stryker of the Yard ''Stryker of the Yard'' (also known as ''Stryker of Scotland Yard'' and ''Scotland Yard Cases'' ) is a 1953 British crime film directed by Arthur Crabtree and starring Clifford Evans, Susan Stephen, Jack Watling and Eliot Makeham. A second c ...

'' (1953) * ''

The Million Pound Note ''The Million Pound Note'' is a 1954 British comedy film directed by Ronald Neame and starring Gregory Peck, Ronald Squire, Wilfrid Hyde-White and Jane Griffiths. It is based on the 1893 Mark Twain short story '' The Million Pound Bank Note'' ...

'' (1954) as Samuel Clements (uncredited) * '' Front Page Story'' (1954) as Editor * '' Johnny on the Spot'' (1954) as Insp. Beveridge * '' Forbidden Cargo'' (1954) as Mr. Bennett (uncredited) * ''

Seagulls Over Sorrento ''Seagulls Over Sorrento'' is a 1954 British war drama film made by the Boulting brothers based on the play of the same name by Hugh Hastings. The film stars Gene Kelly and was one of three made by Kelly in Europe over an 18-month period t ...

'' (1954) as Member of Admiralty Board (uncredited) * '' The Beachcomber'' (1954) as Sir Henry Johnstone (uncredited) * '' The Black Knight'' (1954) as The Abbot * '' To Dorothy a Son'' (1954) as Parsons * ''Thought to Kill'' (1954) as Gooch * ''

Tons of Trouble ''Tons of Trouble'' is a 1956 black and white British comedy film directed by Leslie S. Hiscott and starring Richard Hearne, William Hartnell and Austin Trevor. Plot The eccentric caretaker of a block of flats, Mr. Pastry (Richard Hearne), is i ...

'' (1956) as Psychiatrist * '' Private's Progress'' (1956) as Doctor at Medical * '' The Man Who Never Was'' (1956) as Adams (uncredited) * '' Bhowani Junction'' (1956) as General Ackerby (uncredited) * ''

Reach for the Sky ''Reach for the Sky'' is a 1956 British biographical film about aviator Douglas Bader, based on the 1954 biography of the same name by Paul Brickhill. The film stars Kenneth More and was directed by Lewis Gilbert. It won the BAFTA Award for ...

'' (1956) as Air Vice-Marshal Leigh-Mallory * '' Lust for Life'' (1956) as Commissioner De Smet * '' Assignment Redhead'' (1956) as Dumetrius * ''

Around the World in 80 Days ''Around the World in Eighty Days'' (french: link=no, Le tour du monde en quatre-vingts jours) is an adventure novel by the French writer Jules Verne, first published in French in 1872. In the story, Phileas Fogg of London and his newly employ ...

'' (1956) as Club Steward * '' Sea Wife'' (1957) as Army Padre * '' Kill Me Tomorrow'' (1957) as Mr. Brook * '' Carry On Admiral'' (1957) as First Sea Lord * '' The Surgeon's Knife'' (1957) as Maj. Tilling * ''

The Naked Truth The Naked Truth may refer to: Literature * ''The Naked Truth'' (novel), a 1993 fictional memoir by Leslie Nielsen * ''The Naked Truth'' (book), a 2007 commentary on film ratings Film * ''The Naked Truth'' (1914 film), a silent Italian film * ...

'' (1957) as Chemist (uncredited) * ''Woman and the Hunter'' (1957) as Insp. McGregor * ''

The Golden Disc ''The Golden Disc'' (also known as The In-Between Age) is a 1958 British pop musical film. It features pop singer Terry Dene as himself in a story in which he tops the best-seller charts, whereas in his real life he never made the top ten. The f ...

'' (1958) as Mr. Dryden * '' Carlton-Browne of the F.O.'' (1959) as Sir John Farthing * '' The Man Who Could Cheat Death'' (1959) as Second Doctor (uncredited) * '' Please Turn Over'' (1959) as Mr. Appleton * ''

And the Same to You ''And the Same to You'' is a 1960 British boxing-themed comedy film directed by George Pollock and starring Brian Rix and William Hartnell. It is based on a stage farce by A.P. Dearsley. Premise Stuck with the nickname "Dreadnought", Dickie March ...

'' (1960) as Trout * '' Carry On Constable'' (1960) as Motorist (uncredited) * '' Snowball'' (1960) as Mr. King * '' Shoot to Kill'' (1960) as Wood * ''

Offbeat Offbeat, originally a music term meaning "not following the standard beat", which has also become a general synonym for "unconventional" or "unusual", may refer to: Music *Syncopation *Off-beat (music), the musical term in more detail *Off Beat (l ...

'' (1961) as J. B. Wykenham * '' Three on a Spree'' (1961) as Judge * '' Two Letter Alibi'' (1962) as Sir John Fawcett * ''

Satan Never Sleeps ''Satan Never Sleeps '' (also known as ''The Devil Never Sleeps'') is a 1962 American drama romance war film directed by Leo McCarey, his final film, in which he returns to the religious themes of his classics ''Going My Way'' (1944) and ''The Bel ...

'' (1962) as Father Lemay (uncredited) * '' Postman's Knock'' (1962) as Mr. Fordyce * ''

Heavens Above! ''Heavens Above!'' is a 1963 British satirical comedy film starring Peter Sellers, directed by John and Roy Boulting, who also co-wrote along with Frank Harvey, from an idea by Malcolm Muggeridge. It is in a similar vein to the earlier collabor ...

'' (1963) as Cabinet Minister #1 (uncredited) * '' The Haunting'' (1963) as Eldridge Harper * ''

Espionage (TV series) ''Espionage'' is a British-produced TV spy anthology series broadcast in the United States on NBC from October 2, 1963, until September 2, 1964. Synopsis Made from actual case histories, episodes used newsreel and documented narratives to sho ...

'' ('Do You Remember Leo Winters', episode) (1964) - Roger Upton * '' The Tomb of Ligeia'' (1964) as Minister at Graveside * '' Who Killed the Cat?'' (1966) as Gregory * '' Song of Norway'' (1970) as Gade * ''

'' (1971) as Prime Minister * '' The Ruling Class'' (1972) as Lord * ''The Zoo Robbery'' (1973) as Zoologist * The Man from Nowhere (1975) as George Harvey * ''L'Amour en question'' (1978) as Le juge anglais (final film role)

Personal life

He married firstly Tanzi Cutava Barozzi; the marriage was dissolved. His second wife was Allyne Dorothy Franks. He had two children, Jane and David. After the Second World War Ronald Adam lived in

Surbiton Surbiton is a suburban neighbourhood in South West London, within the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames (RBK). It is next to the River Thames, southwest of Charing Cross. Surbiton was in the historic county of Surrey and since 1965 it h ...

, Surrey, and died on 28 March 1979.

Written works

Adam was part-adaptor of '' Professor Bernhardi'' and ''The Melody That Got Lost'', among other works. He was the author of the plays ''An English Summer'' (1948), ''A Wind on the Heath'' (1949) and ''Marriage Settlement'' (1950), which he also produced. He published a book on his theatrical memories: * In the middle of the war he wrote two novels arising from his experiences in the RAF. Initially they were published using the pseudonym "Blake", * * Both of these were later republished under his own name. He wrote again about his wartime experiences in: *

References

External links

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Adam, Ronald 1896 births 1979 deaths English male film actors English male stage actors English aviators British World War I pilots Royal Flying Corps officers Shot-down aviators British World War I prisoners of war World War I prisoners of war held by Germany Royal Air Force wing commanders Royal Air Force personnel of World War II Officers of the Order of the British Empire People educated at University College School Male actors from Worcestershire 20th-century English male actors