
Birthday:
10-30-1920
Deathday:
04-22-2005 (84 years)
Birthplace:
Coalville, Leicestershire, England, UK
Biography
John George Norman Bird (30 October 1924 – 22 April 2005) was an English character actor.
Bird was born in Coalville, Leicestershire, England. A RADA graduate, he made his West End debut in Peter Brook's production of The Winter's Tale at the Phoenix Theatre in 1951. He was also a member of the BBC's Radio Drama Company. His first film appearance was as the foreman in An Inspector Calls (1954).
He was a familiar face to British cinema audiences of the 1950s and 1960s, appearing in nearly 50 films such as The Angry Silence (1960), The League of Gentlemen (1960), Whistle Down the Wind (1961), Victim (1961) and Term of Trial (1962) with Laurence Olivier and The Hill with Sean Connery (1965).
He had over 200 television appearances, notably as Mr Braithwaite in Worzel Gummidge (1979–81) and Mr Arrad in the Fawlty Towers episode "Waldorf Salad" (1979). His long list of credits include Steptoe and Son, Till Death Us Do Part, Rising Damp, Ever Decreasing Circles, Yes Minister, To Serve Them All My Days, All Creatures Great and Small, Z-Cars, Public Eye, The Saint, Department S, Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) and Boon. In 1990 he appeared in Stay Lucky, with Dennis Waterman, which marked his 200th television appearance. One of his last film appearances was as a taxi driver in Richard Attenborough's Shadowlands (1993).
Bird was born in Coalville, Leicestershire, England. A RADA graduate, he made his West End debut in Peter Brook's production of The Winter's Tale at the Phoenix Theatre in 1951. He was also a member of the BBC's Radio Drama Company. His first film appearance was as the foreman in An Inspector Calls (1954).
He was a familiar face to British cinema audiences of the 1950s and 1960s, appearing in nearly 50 films such as The Angry Silence (1960), The League of Gentlemen (1960), Whistle Down the Wind (1961), Victim (1961) and Term of Trial (1962) with Laurence Olivier and The Hill with Sean Connery (1965).
He had over 200 television appearances, notably as Mr Braithwaite in Worzel Gummidge (1979–81) and Mr Arrad in the Fawlty Towers episode "Waldorf Salad" (1979). His long list of credits include Steptoe and Son, Till Death Us Do Part, Rising Damp, Ever Decreasing Circles, Yes Minister, To Serve Them All My Days, All Creatures Great and Small, Z-Cars, Public Eye, The Saint, Department S, Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) and Boon. In 1990 he appeared in Stay Lucky, with Dennis Waterman, which marked his 200th television appearance. One of his last film appearances was as a taxi driver in Richard Attenborough's Shadowlands (1993).
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The Lord of the Rings
Act like Bilbo (voice)
event1978 star_border 6.6
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The Fellowship of the Ring embark on a journey to destroy the One Ring and end Sauron's reign over Middle-earth.
The Hill
Act like Commandant
event1965 star_border 7.5
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North Africa, World War II. British soldiers on the brink of collapse push beyond endurance to struggle up a brutal incline. It's not a military objective. It's The Hill, a manmade instrument of torture, a tower of sand seared by a white-hot sun. And the troops' tormentors are not the enemy, but their own comrades-at-arms.
Doomwatch
Act like Brewer
event1972 star_border 5.9
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The waters surrounding an island become contaminated by chemical dumping, and people who eat fish caught in those waters become deformed and violent.
First Men in the Moon
Act like Stuart
event1964 star_border 6.3
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The world is delighted when a spacecraft containing a crew made up of the world's astronauts lands on the moon, but are shocked when the astronauts discover an old British flag and a document declaring that the moon is taken for Queen Victoria proving that the astronauts were not the first men on the moon.
Whistle Down the Wind
Act like Eddie
event1961 star_border 7.1
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When an injured wife-murderer takes refuge on a remote Lancashire farm, the farmer’s three children mistakenly believe him to be the Second Coming of Christ.
In Search of the Castaways
Act like Senior Yacht Guard
event1962 star_border 6.4
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Two teenagers, Mary (Hayley Mills) and Robert (Keith Hamshere) are lead by Professor Paganel (Maurice Chevalier) on a search expedition for the children's shipwrecked sea captain father. This Disney film was based upon Jules Verne's 1868 adventure novel Captain Grant's Children.
Maniac
Act like Salon
event1963 star_border 6.2
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When a stranger enters a quiet, country town and is seduced by a sensuous married woman he unwittingly finds himself at the centre of a storm of sexual guilt and murder.
Cash on Demand
Act like Arthur Sanderson
event1961 star_border 7.5
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A charming but ruthless criminal holds the family of a bank manager hostage as part of a cold-blooded plan to steal £90,000.
Night of the Eagle
Act like Doctor
event1962 star_border 6.7
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A skeptical college professor discovers that his wife has been practicing magic for years. Like the learned, rational fellow he is, he forces her to destroy all her magical charms and protective devices, and stop that foolishness. He isn't put off by her insistence that his professional rivals are working magic against him, and her protections are necessary to his career and life.
The League of Gentlemen
Act like Weaver
event1960 star_border 7
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Involuntarily-retired Colonel Hyde recruits seven other dissatisfied ex-servicemen for a special project. Each of the men has a skeleton in the cupboard, is short of money, and is a service-trained expert in his field. The job is a bank robbery, and military discipline and planning are imposed by Hyde and second-in-command Race on the team, although civilian irritations do start getting in the way.
The Mind Benders
Act like Aubrey
event1963 star_border 6.4
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A British scientist is discovered to have been passing information to the Communists, then kills himself. Another scientist decides that they might have brainwashed him by a sensory deprivation technique, but he doesn’t know if someone really can be convinced to act against their strongest feelings. So he agrees to be the subject in an experiment in which others will try to make him stop loving his wife.
Shadowlands
Act like Taxi Driver Witness
event1993 star_border 6.9
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C.S. Lewis, a world-renowned writer and professor, leads a passionless life until he meets spirited poet Joy Gresham.
The Angry Silence
Act like Roberts
event1960 star_border 7.1
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When the union in his factory walks out on strike, a family man refuses to participate, risking the wrath — and retaliation — of his fellow workers.
Ooh... You Are Awful
Act like Warder Burke
event1972 star_border 4.8
top_panel_open
Charlie Tully and womanising Reggie Peek con two rich Italians out of £500,000 but during their flight out Charlie is arrested for coning an American and a dog. Reggie stores the money in a Swiss Bank and after Charlie is released is about to tell him which Bank when he is killed by Sid Sabbath's gang whose girlfriend Reggie had an affair with. The only lead is four tattoos that is on the girls Reggie had affairs with while Charlie was in jail. But Sabbath is on Charlie's trail to kill him and the Italians contract the mob - to find the money and then kill him.....
Man in the Moon
Act like Herbert
event1960 star_border 6.4
top_panel_open
William is an unsuccessful guinea pig for a medical group interested in researching the common cold. He is soon fired and offered a job by the nearby National Atomic Research Center where they figure anyone who could fail at being a guinea pig is just what they need. They con William into thinking he will continue his guinea pig career by testing out some equipment for them before they send a group of astronauts to the moon.
Term of Trial
Act like Mr. Taylor
event1962 star_border 5.9
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A schoolteacher plagued by alcoholism and his refusal to serve in World War II, Graham Weir inspires contempt in almost everyone around him, including his bitter wife, Anna. When the lovely young Shirley Taylor, one of Weir's students, falls for her unfortunate instructor, he is tempted and flattered but turns down her advances. Taylor's subsequent actions make Weir's life even more complicated.
The Secret Partner
Act like Ralph Beldon
event1961 star_border 5.8
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A shipping tycoon with a record becomes a suspect when money goes missing from the company vault.
The Black Torment
Act like Harris
event1964 star_border 5.8
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A lord returns to his manor with his new wife, to hear rumours that he had already secretly returned and had committed several murders. Has he lost his mind, or is something dark afoot ?
If You Go Down in the Woods Today
Act like Doctor
event1981 star_border 4
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A Boy Scout troupe led by their scoutmaster (Sykes) is on a field trip to a seemingly-peaceful English woodland. However, the woods are actually teeming with strange characters, some of whom turn out to be disguised police officers and others criminals. The police are searching for £2,000,000 in stolen banknotes and hope that the criminals will lead them to them. The criminals, on the other hand, are aware that the police are looking for them and doing their best to avoid betraying the location of their stash.
The Bargee
Act like Waterways Supervisor Albert Williams
event1964 star_border 7.1
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After a lock-keeper entrusts his daughter to a canal Casanova, he is shocked to learn that she is pregnant. He then refuses to open his locks - causing barges to pile up in every direction until the guilty party confesses.
Sky West and Crooked
Act like Mr. Cheeseman - undertaker
event1965 star_border 5.4
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A young, lonely, emotionally challenged teenage girl finds solace in burying dead animals after the sudden traumatic death of a childhood friend 10 years earlier.
A Dandy in Aspic
Act like Copperfield
event1968 star_border 6.8
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Double-agent Alexander Eberlin is assigned by the British to hunt out a Russian spy, known to them as Krasnevin. Only Eberlin knows that Krasnevin is none other than himself! Accompanying him on his mission is a ruthless partner, who gradually discovers his secret as Eberlin tries to maneuver himself out of a desperate situation.
The Beauty Jungle
Act like Mr. Edward Freeman
event1964 star_border 5.2
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A Bristol typist joins the world of beauty contests.
80,000 Suspects
Act like Harold Davis
event1963 star_border 6.5
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A doctor's already-shaky marriage is tested to an even greater extent when he has to contend with a smallpox epidemic.
The Cracksman
Act like Policeman
event1963 star_border 6.3
top_panel_open
Ernest Wright's peerless prowess as a locksmith comes to the attention of a tough big-time crook, who feels that the little man would be a valuable asset to his crime kingdom. In order to inveigle him into a series of jobs, he sets up a beautiful hostess as a trap, into which the hapless Ernest inevitably falls..!
Run a Crooked Mile
Act like Sgt. Hooper
event1969 star_border 8
top_panel_open
A man witnesses a murder in a secluded mansion. When he reports it, there's no evidence of the murder, or that anyone was there. Two years later he wakes up in a hospital room after a polo accident to find he's had amnesia, is now married, and living in Switzerland. Now remembering the incident he returns to England to try to solve the mystery.
This Office Life
Act like Seeds
event1984
top_panel_open
On arrival at British Albion, Mr Gryce felt that his lack of ambition would be completely fulfilled. There was a luncheon voucher scheme, a pension fund, paid holidays - and (apparently) nothing much doing between the hours of nine to five. Then his colleagues began to take an unhealthy interest in him. They asked questions he couldn't answer, and answered questions he hadn't asked. Only the lovely Pam made life bearable, but even she was not quite what she seemed....
The Virgin and the Gypsy
Act like Uncle Fred
event1970 star_border 2.2
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Film adaptation from the novel by D.H. Lawrence, discovered after the celebrated author's death in 1930, a romantic love story tells of a prim young English girl who is sexually attracted to a seductively virile gypsy. The climatic dam burst is linked with the consummation of her desire.
Up Among the Cuckoos
Act like Walter
event1970
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A couple rebel against being forced out of their home (in the name of progress) and into a high rise publicly owned apartment.
Victim
Act like Harold Doe
event1961 star_border 7.4
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A web of blackmail and murder attracts the attention of a barrister with a seemingly idyllic life, threatening to derail his career on the path of success.
All at Sea
event1969
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The unexpected adventures of children on a school cruise to Portugal and North Africa. In Tangier, Steve, whose hobby is detecting, suspects that a parcel carried by another boy is contraband. Steve and his pals get into trouble trying to get hold of the parcel, but, in the process they uncover and foil the plans of a passenger to smuggle a stolen painting back to England.
The Wrong Box
Act like Clergyman
event1966 star_border 6.5
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In Victorian England, a fortune now depends on which of two brothers outlives the other—or can be made to have seemed to do so.
On the Tiles
event1976
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Alice's attempts to reach the children by climbing down the chimney of their grandmother's house result in various people being stranded on the roof. Eventually the Fire Brigade is called.
The Big Kick
event1976
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The exploits of Judy, Joey and Josh and a chimpanzee called Alice.
Wedding Bells
event1976
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'Alice' and the children try to foil the attempt of thieves to steal the presents from a wedding reception, with hilarious results.
Monkey Tricks
event1976
top_panel_open
'Alice's' attempts to help with house decorating result in disaster. She is banished to the tree-house but a violent storm drives her indoors, to the consternation of the children's mother.
Pot Luck
Act like Farmer
event1976
top_panel_open
The Chiffy Kids go camping on a farm. Magpie causes a tent to collapse and as a punishment is tied to a large cooking pot. Freeing herself, she prepares a stew which is eaten by Herbert. The kids find only bones in the pot, and the repentant Herbert returns with sausages.
Oh! What a Lovely War
Act like Training Sgt (uncredited)
event1969 star_border 6.6
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The working-class Smiths change their initially sunny views on World War I after the three boys of the family witness the harsh reality of trench warfare.
Elementary, My Dear Watson
Act like Inspector Street
event1973
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John Cleese stars as Sherlock Holmes in this Comedy Playhouse pilot episode from 1973.
The Slipper and the Rose
Act like Dress Shop Proprieter
event1976 star_border 6.9
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Prince Edward wants to marry for love, but the King and court of the kingdom of Euphrania are anxious for the prince to wed no matter what. When the prince meets Cinderella at a ball, he's sure she's the one, and when she loses her slipper upon exiting the dance, the prince is determined to find and marry her.
A Voyage Round My Father
Act like Ham
event1984 star_border 7.6
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A successful lawyer struck with blindness in middle age continues his battles in the courtroom with the assistance of his family. As his son deals with bitter memories of their relationship, he also seeks his father's respect and love and in the process learns to love in return.
The Ghost Downstairs
Act like Mr. Morris
event1982
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British TV-Drama
Bitter Harvest
Act like Mr. Pitt
event1963 star_border 6.2
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A pretty young woman will do anything to escape her deadly dull existence in the backlots of Wales. But when she reaches the bright lights of London is the price too high?
Hands of the Ripper
Act like Police Inspector
event1971 star_border 6.3
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A series of murders occur that mirror those committed by the Whitechapel Ripper. Through his experiments with psychoanalysis Dr Pritchard discovers a deadly violence in one of his young female patients. As he delves into the recesses of her mind he uncovers that Anna is possessed by her dead father's spirit, willing her to commit acts of gruesome savagery over which she has no control. But the most chilling revelation of all is the identity of her father: Jack the Ripper himself.
Crossing the Floor
Act like Grandfather
event1996 star_border 6.7
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Political satire closely mirroring real-life British politics of the time - a self-serving Conservative minister "crosses the floor" to join the opposition Labour Party, at a time when the Conservative Party has a majority in Parliament of just one seat. Sequel to A Very Open Prison.
Hot Enough for June
Act like Employment Exchange Clerk
event1964 star_border 6.1
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A young man travels to Prague to join his new employer, unaware that he is being used as an espionage courier.
An Inspector Calls
Act like Jones-Collins - Foreman
event1954 star_border 7.1
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An upper-crust family dinner is interrupted by a police inspector who brings news that a girl known to everyone present has died in suspicious circumstances. It seems that any or all of them could have had a hand in her death. But who is the mysterious Inspector and what can he want of them?
Very Important Person
Act like Travers
event1961 star_border 5.5
top_panel_open
Comedy set in World War Two, starring James Robertson-Justice and Leslie Phillips. Sir Ernest Pease (Robertson-Justice) is a self-important scientist who is sent undercover on a bombing mission to monitor the effectiveness of his latest invention, a new-fangled radar. When the plane is attacked, he parachutes to safety - only to be sent to a POW camp, where he takes on the alias of Lieutenant Farrow. There, the somewhat happy-go-lucky bunch of Brits suspect their acerbic new fellow prisoner of being a spy, and all sorts of culture clashes and misunderstandings ensue.
A Cup O' Tea An' A Slice O' Cake - Worzel Gummidge Christmas Special
Act like Mr Braithwaite
event1980 star_border 10
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Christmas is coming to Ten Acre Field and Worzel Gummidge (Jon Pertwee) is determined to enjoy it in style. He goes searching for Aunt Sally (Una Stubbs), hoping to invite her to the Scarecrow Ball, but before he can find her he runs into his old friend Saucy Nancy (Barbara Windsor), herself heading for a spell in panto. Then, before he gets much further, our multi-headed hero gets sidetracked again when he runs into angry Scots scarecrow Bogle McNeep (Billy Connolly) and his anti-Christmas brigade. Will Worzel ever get to enjoy the season with his beloved?
Born Kicking
Act like Mr Radley
event1992
top_panel_open
Roxanne (known as Roxy) is a star performer in her local soccer team. Her natural talent is noticed by local team owner Victor Grace who signs her up. However it's not so easy being the only female professional soccer star in the country.
The Raging Moon
Act like Dr Matthews
event1971 star_border 6.5
top_panel_open
Bruce Pritchard is paralysed in a soccer game and is confined to a wheelchair in a convalescence home. But this doesn't slow his lust for life. Then he meets Jill and has to think about the effects of disability.
The Punch and Judy Man
Act like Reginald Fletcher
event1963 star_border 7.8
top_panel_open
Walter Pinner is the titular Punch And Judy Man plying his trade in the seaside town of Piltdown. Unhappily married to his social climbing wife, who gets him to perform at the 60th Anniversary celebrations of the town in front of all the local dignitaries, his hatred of snobbery comes to a hilarious head.
The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer
Act like Alderman Poot
event1970 star_border 6
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Fresh-faced young Michael Rimmer worms his way into an opinion poll company and is soon running the place. He uses this as a springboard to get into politics and in the mini-skirted flared-trousered world of 1970 Britain starts to rise through the Tory ranks.
The Medusa Touch
Act like Major Henry Morlar
event1978 star_border 6.8
top_panel_open
A French detective in London reconstructs the life of a man lying in hospital with severe injuries with the help of journals and a psychiatrist. He realises that the man had powerful telekinetic abilities.
The Limbo Line
event1969 star_border 4
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The Limbo Line tells a story of Cold War double-crossing with British secret agent Manston trying to break up a group of Russian agents who return defectors to Moscow for brainwashing. When a Russian ballerina defects to Germany, Manston goes after the head of The Limbo Line in an effort to stop the group from kidnapping the defectors. Acting against the orders of his boss, Manston is faced with killing the communist leader of the movement in Germany or allowing the dancer to be turned over for interrogation and reprisals for her political beliefs. Matters are further complicated when Manston finds himself falling for the ballerina…
The Final Conflict
Act like Dr. Philmore
event1981 star_border 5.8
top_panel_open
Damien Thorn has helped rescue the world from a recession, appearing to be a benign corporate benefactor. When he then becomes U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Damien fulfills a terrifying biblical prophecy. He also faces his own potential demise as an astronomical event brings about the second coming of Christ.
King Arthur, the Young Warlord
Act like Ambrose
event1975 star_border 7
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This is the inspiring, epic journey of a noble warrior's quest to prove his worth, his might, and his destined fate to become the next ruler of Britain.
Please Sir!
Act like Reynolds
event1971 star_border 5.8
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Mr. Hedges, the somewhat naive and idealistc teacher of the rebellious Class 5C, lobbies to have them allowed on the school camping trip despite much precedent to the contrary. Once on the camping trip Mr. Hedges pursues the local barmaid and the class indulge in their usual activities. A small feud with some stereotypical upper class children in red blazers is resolved with a false rape allegation. A case of some stolen money is resolved through Mr. Hedges trusting the class. At the final dance Mr. Hedges is ensnared in the romantic clutches of Miss Cutforth, contrary to his wishes.
Buddy
Act like Mr Normington
event1986
top_panel_open
Buddy (1986) is a BBC schools drama, based on the novel of the same name by Nigel Hinton. It was shown as part of the social studies strand. It starred Wayne Goddard as Buddy Clark, a teenager dealing with various life problems, Roger Daltrey as his father Terry and pupils from the Cavendish School in Eastbourne. Daltrey reprised his role in the 1991 film Buddy's Song with Chesney Hawkes as Buddy.
Black Carrion
Act like Henry Bircher
event1984 star_border 6
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Two journalists search for a rock band that was popular 20 years ago but just seemed to have vanished and was never heard from again. Their investigation leads them to discover more about the band than they bargained for.
Miss Pym's Day Out
Act like Man on Bus
event1992
top_panel_open
In 1977, after a fourteen year dry spell, the novelist Barbara Pym was nominated for a Booker Award for her novel, Quartet in Autumn. This drama documentary biopic sees Patricia Routledge as Pym and follows the day of the prize presentation, as she observes people and reminisces about life and love.
Young Winston
Act like Party Chairman
event1972 star_border 6.2
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This historical drama is an account of the early life of British politician Winston Churchill, including his childhood years, his time as a war correspondent in Africa, and culminating with his first election to Parliament.
Budgie
Act like Inspector Charles Upton (1 ep.)
event1971 star_border 7
top_panel_open
Budgie is a popular British television series starring former popstar Adam Faith which was produced by ITV company London Weekend Television and broadcast on the ITV network between 1971 and 1972.
The series was created by Keith Waterhouse and Willis Hall . The show was produced by Verity Lambert, Rex Firkin was the Executive producer.
Department S
Act like Drayton (1 ep.)
event1969 star_border 4.9
top_panel_open
Department S is a United Kingdom spy-fi adventure series produced by ITC Entertainment. The series consists of 28 episodes which originally aired in 1969–1970. It starred Peter Wyngarde as author Jason King, Joel Fabiani as Stewart Sullivan, and Rosemary Nicols as computer expert Annabelle Hurst. The trio were agents for a fictional special department of Interpol. The head of Department S was Sir Curtis Seretse.
Thomas & Sarah
(13 ep.)
event1979 star_border 5.5
top_panel_open
Thomas & Sarah is a British drama series that aired on ITV in 1979. A spin-off from the BAFTA Award-winning series Upstairs, Downstairs, it stars John Alderton and Pauline Collins reprising their Upstairs, Downstairs roles.
Z-Cars
(1 ep.)
event1962 star_border 7
top_panel_open
Z-Cars or Z Cars is a British television drama series centred on the work of mobile uniformed police in the fictional town of Newtown, based on Kirkby, Merseyside. Produced by the BBC, it debuted in January 1962 and ran until September 1978.
Gideon's Way
Act like Supt. Fred Lee (1 ep.)
event1965 star_border 6.8
top_panel_open
Gideon's Way is a British television crime series made by ITC Entertainment in 1964/65, based on the novels by John Creasey. The series was made at Elstree in twin production with The Saint TV series. It starred Liverpudlian John Gregson in the title role as Commander George Gideon of Scotland Yard, with Alexander Davion as his assistant, Detective Chief Inspector David Keen, Reginald Jessup as Det. Superintendent LeMaitre, Ian Rossiter as Detective Chief Superintendent Joe Bell and Basil Dignam as Commissioner Scott-Marle. The show did not acknowledge any help from Scotland Yard, any other police force or advisor.
Daphne Anderson starred as his wife, Kate with Giles Watling as young son, Malcolm, Richard James as older son, Matthew who seemed to have a lot of new girlfriends and Andrea Allan as daughter, Pru. Unusually for police stories, Gideon was shown as a family man at home though urgent phone calls from his bosses tend to disrupt family plans too often. However, he did admit in "State Visit" that his wife had walked out on him for a while years ago when he put the job first and her second. They live in an expensive detached house in Chelsea.
Fawlty Towers
Act like Mr. Arrad (1 ep.)
event1975 star_border 8.3
top_panel_open
Owner Basil Fawlty, his wife Sybil, a chambermaid Polly, and Spanish waiter Manuel attempt to run their hotel amidst farcical situations and an array of demanding guests.
The Avengers
(1 ep.)
event1961 star_border 7.7
top_panel_open
The Avengers is a British television series created in the 1960s. It initially focused on Dr. David Keel and his assistant John Steed. Hendry left after the first series and Steed became the main character, partnered with a succession of assistants. His most famous assistants were intelligent, stylish and assertive women: Cathy Gale, Emma Peel and Tara King. Later episodes increasingly incorporated elements of science fiction and fantasy, parody and British eccentricity.
Jason King
(1 ep.)
event1971 star_border 7.3
top_panel_open
Jason King - a suavely sophisticated former secret agent turned novelist - travels the world searching for material to fill his books, encountering an endless parade of glamorous women, exotic locales, menacing villains and daring intrigue! Before Austin Powers swung into action, Jason King set the standard for the hip crime-fighting international playboy!
Crown Court
(1 ep.)
event1972 star_border 5.4
top_panel_open
Crown Court is an afternoon television courtroom drama produced by Granada Television for the ITV network that ran from 1972, when the Crown Court system replaced Assize courts and Quarter sessions in the legal system of England and Wales, to 1984.
The Saint
Act like Mr. Spode (3 ep.)
event1962 star_border 7.3
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Simon Templar is The Saint, a handsome, sophisticated, debonair, modern-day Robin Hood who recovers ill-gotten wealth and redistributes it to those in need.
Yes Minister
(1 ep.)
event1980 star_border 8.3
top_panel_open
Satirical sitcom set in the office of a UK Cabinet minister, Jim Hacker MP, who struggles with Civil Service bureaucracy and political machinations as he tries to get on with government business.
Raffles
(1 ep.)
event1977 star_border 8
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Raffles was a 1977 television adaptation of the A. J. Raffles stories by Ernest William Hornung. The series was produced by Yorkshire Television and written by Philip Mackie. The episodes were largely faithful adaptations of the stories in the books, though occasionally two stories would be merged to create one episode such as "The Gold Cup" which featured elements from both "A Jubilee Present" and "The Criminologist's Club".
Shirley's World
(1 ep.)
event1972 star_border 5
top_panel_open
Shirley's World is a television series aired first by American Broadcasting Company during the U.S. 1971-72 television season. The sitcom was co-produced by the British ITC Entertainment and American producer Sheldon Leonard; it starred Shirley MacLaine as a photojournalist and John Gregson as her editor.
Immediately after the ABC broadcasts ended, the seventeen-episode series was aired in its entirety on ITV in the United Kingdom.
Angels
(1 ep.)
event1975 star_border 3.7
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Angels is a BBC medical soap-opera which launched on 1st September 1975 and was the blue print for such medical soaps as Casualty, Holby City, plus daytime soap, Doctors. The medical soap focuses on different departments within Heath Green Hospital and was a highly successful continuing drama.
No Hiding Place
(2 ep.)
event1959 star_border 3.7
top_panel_open
No Hiding Place is a British television series that was produced at Wembley Studios by Associated-Rediffusion for the ITV network between 16 September 1959 and 22 June 1967.
It was the sequel to the series Murder Bag and Crime Sheet, all starring Raymond Francis as Detective Superintendent, later Detective Chief Superintendent Tom Lockhart.
The Guardians
(1 ep.)
event1971 star_border 5.5
top_panel_open
The Guardians is a television drama series of 13x60 minute episodes made by London Weekend Television and broadcast in the UK on the ITV network between July 10, 1971 and October 2, 1971.
The opening titles and closing credits included a memorable theme tune composed by Wilfred Josephs.
Yanks Go Home
(13 ep.)
event1976 star_border 5
top_panel_open
Yanks Go Home is a British sitcom about U.S. Army Air Forcemen stationed in Lancashire, England in the Second World War. It was produced and directed by Eric Prytherch for Granada Television and broadcast on ITV between 1976 and 1977. The series ran for 2 series and 13 episodes in total before its cancellation.
My Wife Next Door
(1 ep.)
event1972 star_border 6
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My Wife Next Door is a BBC sitcom created by Brian Clemens which was written by Richard Waring and was first broadcast in 1972. It ran for 13 episodes and focused on a couple, George Basset and Suzie Basset. Each tries to start afresh after their divorce. They move to the country, only to find that they have moved into adjoining cottages.
When the series was repeated in 1979, it gained better ratings than its first outing and topped the BBC1 weekly ratings several times during the repeat run. This was in part due to the ITV strike that limited British viewing to BBC1 and BBC2 for several weeks.
Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense
Act like Henry Bircher (1 ep.)
event1984 star_border 6.4
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Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense was a short-lived anthology television series from Hammer Studios. Though similar in format to the 1980 series Hammer House of Horror, the Mystery and Suspense series had feature-length episodes, usually running around 70 minutes without commercials.
The series was a co-production by Hammer Studios with 20th Century Fox Television, and is known in the United States as Fox Mystery Theater. Unlike 1980's Hammer House of Horror, all the episodes had American actors as either the leads or in key roles. It was first aired in the UK by ITV in 1984, though was not simulcast and was shown in different timeslots throughout the various ITV regions.
Life Begins at Forty
(1 ep.)
event1978 star_border 5
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After 17 years of married life, Chris and Katy Bunting have to cope with being parents for the first time. The repercussions are only just starting to become apparent.
To Serve Them All My Days
Act like Alderman Blunt (13 ep.)
event1980 star_border 7.7
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After barely surviving the trenches of World War I, an embittered young soldier takes a teaching post at Bamfylde, an elite boarding school in the uplands of West Devon. It is an unlikely job for a Welsh miner's son without a degree, but David Powlett-Jones (John Duttine) proves to be a rare schoolmaster, as passionate about learning as he is about teaching. Through two tumultuous decades, Powlett-Jones inspires his students with his courage and idealism, qualities that help prepare him to send another generation of young men off to fight yet another war.
Miss Jones And Son
(12 ep.)
event1977 star_border 5
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Miss Jones and Son was a comedy series first broadcast on ITV in 1977. It starred Paula Wilcox, Christopher Beeny, Charlotte Mitchell and Norman Bird. It was written by Richard Waring and produced and directed by Peter Frazer-Jones.
Hammer House of Horror
Act like Basil (1 ep.)
event1980 star_border 7.1
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Anthology series, in which each self-contained episode featured a different kind of horror. These varied from witches, werewolves, ghosts, devil worship and voodoo, but also included non-supernatural horror themes such as cannibalism, confinement and serial killers.
The Adventurer
Act like Brooks (1 ep.)
event1972 star_border 5.5
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The Adventurer is an ITC Entertainment TV adventure series created by Dennis Spooner that ran for one season from 1972 to 1973. It premiered in the UK on 29 September 1972. The show starred Gene Barry as Gene Bradley, a government agent of independent means who poses as a glamorous American movie star.
Return of the Saint
Act like Morgan (1 ep.)
event1978 star_border 7
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Follow the swashbuckling exploits of Simon Templar, a modern-day Robin Hood of sorts.
Till Death Us Do Part
(1 ep.)
event1966 star_border 7.4
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Following the chronicles of the East End working-class Garnett family, headed by patriarch Alf Garnett, a reactionary working-class man who holds racist and anti-socialist views.
Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)
Act like Elliot (1 ep.)
event1969 star_border 7
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Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) is a British private detective television series. In the initial episode Hopkirk is murdered during an investigation, but returns as a ghost. Randall is the only main character able to see or hear him, although certain minor characters are also able to do so in various circumstances throughout the series.
All Creatures Great and Small
Act like Farmer Benson (2 ep.)
event1978 star_border 7.7
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All Creatures Great and Small is a British television series, based on the books of the British veterinary surgeon Alf Wight, who wrote under the pseudonym James Herriot. Ninety episodes were aired over two three-year runs. The first run was based directly on Herriot's books; the second was filmed with original scripts.
Two's Company
Act like Mr. Bunn (1 ep.)
event1975 star_border 7
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Two's Company is a British television situation comedy series that ran from 1975-79. Produced by London Weekend Television for the ITV Network, the programme starred Elaine Stritch and Donald Sinden.
Worzel Gummidge
Act like Mr. Braithwaite (22 ep.)
event1979 star_border 6.2
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Worzel Gummidge is a children's comedy series, produced by Southern Television for ITV, based on the books by Barbara Euphan Todd. Starting in 1979, the programme starred Jon Pertwee in the title role and ran for four series in the UK until 1981. Channel 4 reprised the show in 1987 as Worzel Gummidge Down Under, which was set in New Zealand.
Arthur of the Britons
Act like Ambrose (1 ep.)
event1972 star_border 6
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This series strips away the elaborate medieval view of Camelot, and presents Arthur as the chief of a small Celt tribe in Dark-Ages Britain, a century or two after the withdrawal of Rome. Arthur struggles to weave the scattered tribes of Celts, Jutes, etc. into a union that can effectively oppose the Saxon invaders who are arriving in Britain in growing numbers. He is aided by his adoptive father, Llud, and his foster brother, Kai, who is himself a Saxon foundling.
The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes
Act like Inspector Trent (1 ep.)
event1971 star_border 7.3
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Adaptations of mystery stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's contemporary rivals in the genre.
Public Eye
Act like Arthur Biddle (1 ep.)
event1965 star_border 7.8
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Public Eye is a British television series that ran from 1965 to 1975. It was produced by ABC Television for three series, and Thames Television for a further four series. The series depicted the investigations and cases handled by the unglamorous enquiry agent Frank Marker, an unmarried loner who is in his early forties when the series begins. In the words of an ABC trailer for the third series: "Marker isn't a glamorous detective and he doesn't get glamorous cases—he doesn't even get glamorous girls. What he does get is people who are in trouble—the sort of trouble you can't go to the police about, even if you are innocent."
Up The Workers
Act like Sid Stubbins (14 ep.)
event1973
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This comedy series lets you in on the secrets of industrial relations and management-workers consultations. Or at least how they happen at the Midlands factory of Cockers Components Ltd. They mainly center on the dealings between managing director Dicky Bligh, shop steward Sid Stubbins and labor relations officer Bernard Peck.
The Glums
Act like Office Manager (1 ep.)
event1978
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The Glums began as part of the 1950s radio show 'Take It from Here'. The characters were revived in 1978 as part of the 'Bruce Forsyth's Big Night' variety show, and a complete independant series was transmitted in the following year.
Armchair Theatre
Act like Walter (1 ep.)
event1956 star_border 5.8
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Armchair Theatre is a British television drama anthology series of single plays that ran on the ITV network from 1956 to 1974. It was originally produced by Associated British Corporation, and later by Thames Television from mid-1968.
Softly Softly: Task Force
Act like Samuel Tomkins (1 ep.)
event1969 star_border 6
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Softly, Softly: Task Force is a police based drama series which ran on BBC 1 from 1969 to 1976. It was a revamp of Softly, Softly, itself a spin-off from Z-Cars. The change was made partly to coincide with the coming of colour broadcasting to the BBC's main channel BBC1. The programme was due to be called simply Task Force, but reluctant to sacrifice a much-loved brand the BBC compromised this so it became Softly, Softly: Task Force.
Coronation Street
Act like Frank Jackson (1 ep.)
event1960 star_border 5.3
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The residents of Coronation Street are ordinary, working-class people, and the show follows them through regular social and family interactions at home, in the workplace, and in their local pub, the Rovers Return Inn. Britain's longest-running soap.
Winston Churchill: The Wilderness Years
Act like Sir Maurice Hanley (1 ep.)
event1981 star_border 5
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Winston Churchill: The Wilderness Years is an 8-part 1981 drama serial based on the life of Winston Churchill, and particularly his years in enforced exile from political position during the 1920s and 30s. It was written and directed by Ferdinand Fairfax and Churchill was played by Robert Hardy.
Hardy's brilliant performance as Churchill won critical acclaim and a BAFTA award in 1982. He reprised the role in The Sittaford Mystery, Bomber Harris and War and Remembrance and at the 50th anniversary celebrations of the end of World War II in 1995 when he quoted a number of Churchill's wartime speeches in character.
Screen Two
Act like Grandfather (1 ep.)
event1985 star_border 6.8
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Series of single made-for-television dramas.
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