Torin Herbert Erskine Thatcher (15 January 1905 – 4 March 1981) was a British actor who was noted for his flashy portrayals of screen villains.

Personal life

Thatcher was born in

Bombay Mumbai (, ; also known as Bombay — the official name until 1995) is the capital city of the Indian state of Maharashtra and the '' de facto'' financial centre of India. According to the United Nations, as of 2018, Mumbai is the sec ...

British India The provinces of India, earlier presidencies of British India and still earlier, presidency towns, were the administrative divisions of British governance on the Indian subcontinent. Collectively, they have been called British India. In one ...

, to British parents, Torin James Blair Thatcher, a police officer, and his wife Edith Rachel, a voice and piano teacher, younger daughter of the Hon. Justice Sir Herbert Batty, a

puisne judge A puisne judge or puisne justice (; from french: puisné or ; , 'since, later' + , 'born', i.e. 'junior') is a dated term for an ordinary judge or a judge of lesser rank of a particular court. Use The term is used almost exclusively in common law ...

of the High Court of Bombay.Debrett's Peerage, Baronetage, Knightage, and Companionage, 1931, pg 908 He was educated in

England England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe ...

Bedford School :''Bedford School is not to be confused with Bedford Girls' School, Bedford High School, Bedford Modern School, Old Bedford School in Bedford, Texas or Bedford Academy in Bedford, Nova Scotia.'' Bedford School is a public school (English i ...

and at the

Royal Academy of Dramatic Art The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA; ) is a drama school in London, England, that provides vocational conservatoire training for theatre, film, television, and radio. It is based in the Bloomsbury area of Central London, close to the Sena ...

. He worked as a

schoolmaster The word schoolmaster, or simply master, refers to a male school teacher. This usage survives in British independent schools, both secondary and preparatory, and a few Indian boarding schools (such as The Doon School) that were modelled aft ...

before first appearing on the London stage in 1927 and then entering British films in 1934.

Career

In 1935 he appeared in the historical play '' Mary Tudor''. He appeared in the 1937

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 ...

production of ''

Hamlet ''The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark'', often shortened to ''Hamlet'' (), is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare sometime between 1599 and 1601. It is Shakespeare's longest play, with 29,551 words. Set in Denmark, the play depi ...

'', in which

Laurence Olivier Laurence Kerr Olivier, Baron Olivier (; 22 May 1907 – 11 July 1989) was an English actor and director who, along with his contemporaries Ralph Richardson and John Gielgud, was one of a trio of male actors who dominated the British stage o ...

made his first appearance in the title role, opposite

Vivien Leigh Vivien Leigh ( ; 5 November 1913 – 8 July 1967; born Vivian Mary Hartley), styled as Lady Olivier after 1947, was a British actress. She won the Academy Award for Best Actress twice, for her definitive performances as Scarlett O'Hara in ''Gon ...

Ophelia Ophelia () is a character in William Shakespeare's drama '' Hamlet'' (1599–1601). She is a young noblewoman of Denmark, the daughter of Polonius, sister of Laertes and potential wife of Prince Hamlet, who, due to Hamlet's actions, ends u ...

. During 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 ...

, he served with the

Royal Artillery The Royal Regiment of Artillery, commonly referred to as the Royal Artillery (RA) and colloquially known as "The Gunners", is one of two regiments that make up the artillery arm of the British Army. The Royal Regiment of Artillery comprises t ...

and was demobilised with the rank of lieutenant colonel. Thatcher appeared in classic British films of the late 1930s and 1940s, including ''

Major Barbara ''Major Barbara'' is a three-act English play by George Bernard Shaw, written and premiered in 1905 and first published in 1907. The story concerns an idealistic young woman, Barbara Undershaft, who is engaged in helping the poor as a Major i ...

'' (1941) and ''

Great Expectations ''Great Expectations'' is the thirteenth novel by Charles Dickens and his penultimate completed novel. It depicts the education of an orphan nicknamed Pip (Great Expectations), Pip (the book is a ''bildungsroman''; a coming-of-age story). It ...

'' (1946), in which he played Bentley Drummle. He moved to Hollywood in the 1950s. He was constantly in demand, invariably lending his looming figure and baleful countenance to sinister or stern roles in popular costume thrillers such as '' The Crimson Pirate'' (1952), '' Blackbeard the Pirate'' (1952), '' The Robe'' (1953) (as the disapproving father of Marcellus), '' The Black Shield of Falworth'' (1954), ''

Helen of Troy Helen of Troy, Helen, Helena, (Ancient Greek: Ἑλένη ''Helénē'', ) also known as beautiful Helen, Helen of Argos, or Helen of Sparta, was a figure in Greek mythology said to have been the most beautiful woman in the world. She was believe ...

'' (1956), ''

Darby's Rangers ''Darby's Rangers'' (released in the UK as ''The Young Invaders'') is a 1958 war film directed by William Wellman and starring James Garner as William Orlando Darby, who organizes and leads the first units of United States Army Rangers during Wor ...

'' (1958) and '' The 7th Voyage of Sinbad'' (1958). He was a formidable prosecutor in ''

Witness for the Prosecution In law, a witness is someone who has knowledge about a matter, whether they have sensed it or are testifying on another witnesses' behalf. In law a witness is someone who, either voluntarily or under compulsion, provides testimonial evidence, e ...

'' (1957) and also appeared in the Marlon Brando and

Trevor Howard Trevor Wallace Howard-Smith (29 September 1913 – 7 January 1988) was an English stage, film, and television actor. After varied work in the theatre, he achieved star status with his role in the film ''Brief Encounter'' (1945), followed by '' ...

1962 Events January * January 1 – Western Samoa becomes independent from New Zealand. * January 3 – Pope John XXIII excommunicates Fidel Castro for preaching communism. * January 8 – Harmelen train disaster: 93 die in the wo ...

remake of ''

Mutiny on the Bounty The mutiny on the Royal Navy vessel occurred in the South Pacific Ocean on 28 April 1789. Disaffected crewmen, led by acting-Lieutenant Fletcher Christian, seized control of the ship from their captain, Lieutenant William Bligh, and se ...

''.

Torin Thatcher in The Snows of Kilimanjaro

He returned to the stage frequently, notably on Broadway, in such esteemed productions as ''

Edward, My Son ''Edward, My Son'' is a 1949 British drama film directed by George Cukor for MGM-British Studios that stars Spencer Tracy and Deborah Kerr. The screenplay by Donald Ogden Stewart is based on the 1947 play of the same title by Noel Langley a ...

'' (1948), '' That Lady'' (1949) and '' Billy Budd'' (1951). In 1959, he portrayed Captain Keller in the award-winning play '' The Miracle Worker'' with Anne Bancroft and

Patty Duke Anna Marie "Patty" Duke (December 14, 1946 – March 29, 2016) was an American actress and mental health advocate. Over the course of her acting career, she was the recipient of an Academy Award, two Golden Globe Awards, three Primetime Emmy Awa ...

. All of these plays were filmed, but Thatcher did not appear in the film versions. Also a steady fixture on

television Television, sometimes shortened to TV, is a telecommunication Media (communication), medium for transmitting moving images and sound. The term can refer to a television set, or the medium of Transmission (telecommunications), television tra ...

, he appeared in such made-for-TV films as adaptations of A.J. Cronin's ''

Beyond This Place Beyond This Place may refer to: * Beyond This Place (novel), a 1950 novel by A. J. Cronin * Beyond This Place (1959 film), a British crime mystery film based on the novel * Beyond This Place (2010 film), a documentary film * Beyond This Place (DuPo ...

'' (1957) and '' The Citadel'' (1960), and ''

Brenda Starr ''Brenda Starr, Reporter'' (often referred to simply as ''Brenda Starr'') is a comic strip about a glamorous, adventurous reporter. It was created in 1940 by Dale Messick for the Chicago Tribune Syndicate. History Although set in Chicago, ''B ...

'' (1976). He played the title role in a Philco Television Playhouse version of ''

Othello ''Othello'' (full title: ''The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice'') is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare, probably in 1603, set in the contemporary Ottoman–Venetian War (1570–1573) fought for the control of the Island of Cyp ...

'' and acted in a CBS production of ''

'' (1957). He appeared in programmes such as ''

The Real McCoys ''The Real McCoys'' is an American situation comedy starring Walter Brennan, Richard Crenna, and Kathleen Nolan. Co-produced by Danny Thomas's Marterto Productions in association with Walter Brennan and Irving Pincus's Westgate Company ...

'', ''

Thriller Thriller may refer to: * Thriller (genre), a broad genre of literature, film and television ** Thriller film, a film genre under the general thriller genre Comics * ''Thriller'' (DC Comics), a comic book series published 1983–84 by DC Comics i ...

'', ''

Gunsmoke ''Gunsmoke'' is an American radio and television Western drama series created by director Norman Macdonnell and writer John Meston. It centers on Dodge City, Kansas, in the 1870s, during the settlement of the American West. The central chara ...

'' (“Fandango” - S12E21), '' Perry Mason'', ''

Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea ''Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea'' is a 1961 American science fiction disaster film, produced and directed by Irwin Allen, and starring Walter Pidgeon and Robert Sterling. The supporting cast includes Peter Lorre, Joan Fontaine, Barbara E ...

'', ''

Daniel Boone Daniel Boone (September 26, 1820) was an American pioneer and frontiersman whose exploits made him one of the first folk heroes of the United States. He became famous for his exploration and settlement of Kentucky, which was then beyond the w ...

'', ''

Wagon Train ''Wagon Train'' is an American Western series that aired 8 seasons: first on the NBC television network (1957–1962), and then on ABC (1962–1965). ''Wagon Train'' debuted on September 18, 1957, and became number one in the Nielsen ratings ...

'' (S2E32) and '' Mission: Impossible''. He was cast as the sly space trader in an episode of ''

Lost in Space ''Lost in Space'' is an American science fiction television series, created and produced by Irwin Allen, which originally aired between 1965 and 1968 on CBS. The series was inspired by the 1812 novel '' The Swiss Family Robinson.'' The series ...

''. Thatcher, if not for his distinguished career, has been recognized by several generations of fans of '' Star Trek: The Original Series'' from his performance as Marplon, a member of the secret resistance in "

The Return of the Archons "The Return of the Archons" is the twenty-first episode of the first season of the American science fiction television series ''Star Trek''. Written by Boris Sobelman (based on a story by Gene Roddenberry), and directed by Joseph Pevney, it fir ...

Death

Thatcher died of

cancer Cancer is a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. These contrast with benign tumors, which do not spread. Possible signs and symptoms include a lump, abnormal bl ...

on 4 March 1981, in

Thousand Oaks, California Thousand Oaks is the second-largest city in Ventura County, California, United States. It is in the northwestern part of Greater Los Angeles, approximately from the city of Los Angeles and from Downtown. It is named after the many oak trees ...

Select filmography

*''The Merchant of Venice'' (1927, Short) - Solanio *'' Red Wagon'' (1933) - Minor role (uncredited) *'' Irish Hearts'' (1934) - Dr. Hackey *'' School for Stars'' (1935) - Guy Mannering *''The Common Round'' (1936, Short) - Martin *'' The Man Who Could Work Miracles'' (1936) - Observer *'' Crime Over London'' (1936) - Mr. Finley (uncredited) *''

Sabotage Sabotage is a deliberate action aimed at weakening a polity, effort, or organization through subversion, obstruction, disruption, or destruction. One who engages in sabotage is a ''saboteur''. Saboteurs typically try to conceal their identiti ...

'' (1936) - Yunct (uncredited) *'' Well Done, Henry'' (1936) - George Canford *'' Dark Journey'' (1937) - Strasser (uncredited) *''The School for Scandal'' (1937, TV Movie) *'' Knight Without Armor'' (1937) - British Passport Official (uncredited) *'' Return of the Scarlet Pimpernel'' (1937) - Minor role (uncredited) *'' Young and Innocent'' (1937) - Nobby's Lodging House Caretaker (uncredited) *''Broadway'' (1938, TV Movie) *'' Climbing High'' (1938) - Jim Castle *''

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) - Burton *''The Day Is Gone'' (1939, TV Movie) - Ernest Webb *''

The Spy in Black ''The Spy in Black'' (US: ''U-Boat 29'') is a 1939 British film, and the first collaboration between the British filmmakers Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger. They were brought together by Alexander Korda to make the World War I spy thri ...

'' (1939) - Submarine Officer *'' Old Mother Riley, MP'' (1939) - Jack Nelson *'' The Lion Has Wings'' (1939) - Seaman Receiving Information About German Activity *''The Kindled Flame'' (1939, Short) *''

Contraband Contraband (from Medieval French ''contrebande'' "smuggling") refers to any item that, relating to its nature, is illegal to be possessed or sold. It is used for goods that by their nature are considered too dangerous or offensive in the eyes o ...

'' (1940) - Sailor (uncredited) *'' Law and Disorder'' (1940) *'' Let George Do It!'' (1940) - U-Boat Commander *'' Night Train to Munich'' (1940) - Minor Role (uncredited) *'' The Case of the Frightened Lady'' (1940) - Jim Tilling (uncredited) *'' Saloon Bar'' (1940) - Mr. Garrod (uncredited) *'' Gasbags'' (1941) - SS Man *''

'' (1941) - Todger Fairmile *'' Saboteur'' (1942) - Man (uncredited) *'' The Next of Kin'' (1942) - German General *'' The Captive Heart'' (1946) - German officer at Medical Commission (uncredited) *'' I See a Dark Stranger'' (1946) - Police Constable *''

'' (1946) - Bentley Drummle *''

The Man Within ''The Man Within'' (1929) is the first novel by author Graham Greene. It tells the story of Francis Andrews, a reluctant smuggler, who betrays his colleagues, and the aftermath of his betrayal. It is Greene's first published novel. (Two earlier a ...

'' (1947) - Jailer *'' Jassy'' (1947) - Bob Wicks *'' When the Bough Breaks'' (1947) - Adams *'' The End of the River'' (1947) - Lisboa *'' The Fallen Idol'' (1948) - Policeman *'' Bonnie Prince Charlie'' (1948) - Col. Kor *'' Now Barabbas'' (1949) (uncredited) *'' The Black Rose'' (1950) - Harry (uncredited) *''

Affair in Trinidad ''Affair in Trinidad'' is a 1952 American film noir directed by Vincent Sherman and starring Rita Hayworth and Glenn Ford. It was produced by Hayworth's Beckworth Corporation and released by Columbia Pictures. It is notable as Hayworth's "comebac ...

'' (1952) - Inspector Smythe *'' The Crimson Pirate'' (1952) - Humble Bellows *'' The Snows of Kilimanjaro'' (1952) - Johnson *'' Blackbeard the Pirate'' (1952) - Sir Henry Morgan *'' The Desert Rats'' (1953) - Col. Barney White *''

Houdini Harry Houdini (, born Erik Weisz; March 24, 1874 – October 31, 1926) was a Hungarian-American escape artist, magic man, and stunt performer, noted for his escape acts. His pseudonym is a reference to his spiritual master, French magician ...

'' (1953) - Otto *'' The Robe'' (1953) - Senator Gallio *'' Knock on Wood'' (1954) - Godfrey Langston *'' The Black Shield of Falworth'' (1954) - Sir James *''

Bengal Brigade ''Bengal Brigade'' is a 1954 American adventure war film directed by Laslo Benedek and starring Rock Hudson, Arlene Dahl and Ursula Thiess. The film was produced and distributed by Universal Pictures, based on the 1952 novel ''Bengal Tigers' ...

'' (1954) - Colonel Morrow *'' Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing'' (1955) - Humphrey Palmer-Jones *'' Lady Godiva of Coventry'' (1955) - Lord Godwin *'' Diane'' (1956) - Louis - Count de Breze *''

'' (1956) - Ulysses *''

Istanbul Istanbul ( , ; tr, İstanbul ), formerly known as Constantinople ( grc-gre, Κωνσταντινούπολις; la, Constantinopolis), is the List of largest cities and towns in Turkey, largest city in Turkey, serving as the country's economic, ...

'' (1957) - Douglas Fielding *'' Band of Angels'' (1957) - Capt. Canavan *''

'' (1957) - Mr. Myers *''

'' (1958) - Sgt. McTavish *'' The 7th Voyage of Sinbad'' (1958) - Sokurah the Magician *'' The Miracle'' (1959) - The Duke of Wellington *'' One Step Beyond - Doomsday (TV)'' - Season 2, Episode 4, October 13 1959 - Earl of Culdane *’’

’’. (1960) - Campden *'' The Canadians'' (1961) - Sergeant McGregor *''

Jack the Giant Killer "Jack the Giant Killer" is a Cornish fairy tale and legend about a young adult who slays a number of bad giants during King Arthur's reign. The tale is characterised by violence, gore and blood-letting. Giants are prominent in Cornish folklo ...

'' (1962) - Pendragon *''

'' (1962) - Staines (uncredited) *''

Drums of Africa ''Drums of Africa'' is a 1963 American adventure film set in Africa, directed by James B. Clark. It used footage from the 1950 film of '' King Solomon's Mines''. Plot Three adventurers fight slave traders in the Congo. Cast * Frankie Avalon ...

'' (1963) - Jack Cuortemayn *'' Decision at Midnight'' (1963) - Southstream *''

From Hell to Borneo ''Hell of Borneo'' also known as Hell to Borneo and From Hell to Borneo is a 1964 English language Philippine film produced by and starring Torin Thatcher, Vic Diaz and George Montgomery (who also directed and co-wrote the screenplay). The film ...

'' (1964) - Mr. Bellflower *'' The Sandpiper'' (1965) - Judge Thompson *''

Hawaii Hawaii ( ; haw, Hawaii or ) is a state in the Western United States, located in the Pacific Ocean about from the U.S. mainland. It is the only U.S. state outside North America, the only state that is an archipelago, and the only ...

'' (1966) - Rev. Dr. Thorn *''

The Sweet and the Bitter ''The Sweet and the Bitter'' ( it, Il dolce e l'amaro) is a 2007 Italian crime-drama film directed by Andrea Porporati. It entered the competition at the 64th Venice International Film Festival. Cast * Luigi Lo Cascio as Saro Scordia * as Mimm ...

'' (1967) - Duncan MacRoy *''

The King's Pirate ''The King's Pirate'' is a 1967 American pirate film directed by Don Weis and starring Doug McClure, Jill St. John and Guy Stockwell. It is a remake of the 1952 film '' Against All Flags''. Plot A British naval officer volunteers for a dangerous ...

'' (1967) - Captain Cullen *'' The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde'' (1968, TV Movie) - Sir John Turnbull

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Thatcher, Torin 1905 births 1981 deaths English male film actors English male stage actors English male television actors People educated at Bedford School Alumni of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art Deaths from cancer in California Royal Artillery officers British Army personnel of World War II 20th-century English male actors British people in colonial India British expatriate male actors in the United States