Sam Kydd
Sam's coruscating
1973 best seller (which sold 50,000) about his 5 years as a POW in Germany and Poland. Stukas trying to dive-bomb him, long forced marches without food, slave labour, malnutrition, solitary confinement, concert parties, escape and then almost shot by the Russians before escap-ing via Odessa. Humour amidst the deprivation. What a story. Sam's story.
As seen on Talking Pictures TV, the first volume of Sam's unpublished memoirs. Click on the "Buy Now" button to buy from Amazon.
Both books are also available on eBay and Amazon
about
A fixture in the nation’s living room from the 50’s to the 80’s. He was so well known that a “Spot Sam Kydd” game was played by families whenever a black and white film - like 'I’m Alright Jack', 'Angels One Five', 'Reach For the Sky' or 'Appointment in London' (Dirk Bogarde with Sam on the right ) - was shown on TV. He was at home in both comedy and straight drama and known for playing Irishmen and Cockneys, in hit TV series like 'Pickwick Papers', 'Crane', 'Orlando', 'Mess Mates', 'The Fossett Saga', 'Dixon of Dock Green', (over the course of which he played over 14 different characters), and working with Terry Thomas,
Ted Ray, Tommy Cooper, Harry Secombe, Spike Milligan, Arthur Askey, Benny Hill, Charlie Drake, Frankie Howerd, Jimmy Edwards, Harry Worth, Dick Emery, Eric Sykes etc. etc.. He was latterly Frankie Baldwin in 'Coronation Street' until his death in 1982. All at a time when there were only two or three channels to choose from, so to be in a success - especially in the 60's - meant being seen regularly by over twenty million people a week.
His son Jonathan who has recently published the first volume of his memoirs,'Be a Good Boy Sam' says:
'My father never knew how many films he'd made, or whether he was in them! I remember watching a film in the sitting room on TV one Sunday afternoon while he was in the kitchen frying bacon and egg (his favourite meal). The title appeared. 'The Magnet". I asked him if he was in it.
'You in a film called the Magnet?' I shouted.
"Nar" he shouted back.
He immediately appeared running down some steps a couple of scenes after the titles. He was the postman! He, as the postman, then said 'Wait a mo' and helped a young James Fox retrieve a bell he was playing with that had fallen down onto the roof from his room on a piece of string.
Jonathan continues:
'His career started in the late Thirties as a Master of Ceremonies for the well known Oscar Rabin Band. (His day job was in the bedding department in Whiteley's Department store in Bayswater in London! Then he worked for Alvis cars.) He would tell jokes, (I found his jokebook recently. A lot of puns!) do a few impressions- Vic Oliver. Maurice Chevalier, Bud Flanagan - tap dance a bit (he even gave tap lessons in his mother's house in Chiswick, West London. He had his own board. Or a lino floor. That's all you needed apparently!) and introduce the singers and guest artistes etc. And possibly croon a tune himself. He also entered Talent contests. He told me, if you were any good and went on sixth (out of a showcase of nine people) you'd probably win! There was a cash prize. There was a sort of circuit. You'd see the same people over and over again. I suppose it was a bit like being a stand up comedian going from hall to hall as an 'open spot'.
As his father was in the army, Sam had joined the Territorials in the late nineteen thirties, but rarely attended. However, when War was declared, he was naturally one of the first to be called up as he'd 'taken the King's shilling.' After training, he was sent out with the British Expeditionary force to Calais. He was captured. His book "For You The War Is Over" about his five years in a prison camp, is worth reading. He makes light of the immense deprivation and ill-health he suffered.He was in many camp shows and plays and even directed a few!
After the war he carried on doing his act at the Nuffield in Leicester Square, but got into his first movie "The Captive Heart" by answering an ad in the paper for 'advisers' on a film about Prisoners of War. Which naturally he knew a lot about! The 10 advisers were used as supporting artistes as well as 'advisers'. I suppose if you've just been a POW you can certainly act like one! (He told me he was only given a part because the Producer fancied his friend. But as usual I suspect my father was being modest). After impressing with the little pieces of acting he was doing, he was also given several lines to say. And thus his life as an actor began! He was soon in rep at Skegness and then in a revue in Germany with a very slim Harry Secombe and an actress called Vanda Godsell (there was a picture in the loo at home of them all). Harry remained a lifelong friend. Jack Warner, who was of course Dixon in "Dixon of Dock Green", was in "Captive Heart" and also became a firm chum.
My father was in every series of Dixon, frequently playing a burglar with a heart of gold or a reformed criminal enticed back to one last 'job'. He was also in every series of 'Sykes' as Eric Sykes was also a pal. As was Harry Worth. My dad worked with them all regularly!
But it was initially as a film actor that he began to make inroads into the business and establish himself. The parts were frequently small but he would go from film to film amassing experience and credits. If there was work he'd try and fit it in (something I'm glad to say that I've inherited) There's a lovely moment in 'I'm Alright Jack' (where he has lines as the stuttering shop steward like the infamous
'Why don't you f..f..f...photograph something worthwhile' in big close up) where he's in the group who march across to complain to Terry Thomas about Ian Carmichael working harder than the rest of the employees, and the group exits to speak to someone else after Terry. They then march across the open space between the offices and all reappear to chat to someone else in the other office. Sam's in the first group, and in the second group: but not in the group when they march from one office to the other. That was shot on another day 'when I was ill in bed with the flu!' he told me.
His numerous TV appearances as I've said above, include: Dixon of Dock Green (many episodes), Pickwick Papers (as Sam Weller), Shadow Squad, Man in a Suitcase, Sweeney, Saint, Persuaders, Robin Hood, Crossroads (regular), Maigret, Adam Adamant, Cluff, The Protectors, Dangerman, Dad's Army, Z Cars, Softly Softly, Dick Emery Show, Eric Sykes, Curry and Chips (series), Fosset Saga,(series) Crane (series-39 eps), Orlando(series (126 eps), Mess Mates (three series), Arthur Askey Show, Benny Hill Show. (Many eps), Hancock's Half Hour, Follyfoot Farm, Coronation Street, (he was Mike Baldwin's Dad).etc. etc. etc..
The series Orlando was the spin off from Crane, which starred Patrick Allen and Gerald Flood and Laya Raki. Orlando attracted so many viewers for a children's programme that there were moves afoot to change it to a later adult slot. But this never materialised.
Actually this doesn't do him justice at all. There were thousands of tellies. He even introduced the TV programmes after the News at six for a period in the early sixties dressed as different characters. He wrote all his own scripts! He was a character called 'Fred the Burglar' on the box as well, who found it easy breaking and entering and advised people how to make it easy for him! I remember when I was a kid people stopping him in the street asking for his autograph as Fred. Or shouting out 'It's Fred! Don't burgle me Fred! I remember going to watch Chelsea FC with him and him being mobbed! 'Lend us a quid Sam' people would shout. He did a 'Look at Life' film about strange laws that has never been repealed like 'Double basses being forced to have have lights on the pavement, (This was a regular 'add-on' film between features at the cinema). He was in Armchair Theatres, Play for Todays, you name it. His roles for TV were much bigger than his film roles, and I can't help but think that if he he'd
been handled better, his career in films would have blossomed. In this day and age, his huge telly career would have made him an enormous celebrity. As it was, he was still very very well known. He was chosen for 'This is Your Life' in 1973 which alas has been wiped. As have so many of his TV appearances.
Above is a sound file of Sam's son, Jonathan, recently talking about his father at a Renown Films convention.
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books
VOLUME II
1953-60
NEVER MIND THE ACTING, JUST SAY THE WORDS
OUT NEXT YEAR
VOLUME III
1961-69
CRANE, ORLANDO AND MUCH MORE
COMING SOON
Click on the image to buy the book from Amazon. Soon to be available as an audio book
Sam's republished 1973 bestseller (50,000
sales) about his harrowing but humorous prisoner of war experiences. Available on eBay and Amazon. Also soon to be available as an audio book
photos
film & tv
Sam made 119 films between 1945 and 1952. So he says in his memoir. Wow! And it seems to tally. Other than the occasional half day with no mention of the name of the film and just the money earned in his accounts diary!
There are 290 according to his unpublished memoirs and accounts book and iMDB, though there are several mistakes in iMDB's lists of his films and TVs. In his accounts he has a tendency to just write the film studio and the length of time he was on the film and the fee. And no name. Some can't be traced. I've found a few in the British Film Catalogue though and added them to the list. He did many more Film Foundation Films than are in this list. He does many more tellies and dubbing jobs not mentioned here than you could believe. Remarkable. I'll add them on.
Captive Heart, The (1946) Grant, P.O.W. (Top Bunk)
Mr Jones Takes The Air (Short) (1946)
They Made Me A Fugitive (1947) Eddie
The Bad All Die (1947)
Fortune Lane (1947) Draughtsman
Trapped by The Terror (1947)
School for Soldiers (1947)
Mine Own Executioner (1947)
Basic Films: 4 Drama-Documentaries:
Take Thou,
24 Square Miles,
Type 170,
How What and Why (1947)
Colonel Bogey (1947) Soldier
Sky Battalion (1947) Soldier
Penny Doctor (1947)
(Untitled) Merton Park French Film (1948) Le Duc
Song for Tomorrow, A (1948) Sergeant
Wedding Bells (1948)
Call Up (1948) Soldier
Trouble in the Air (1948) Soldier
Saraband For Dead Lovers (1948) Stall Holder (Cut)
Frieda (1948)
Mr Jolly's Journey (1948)
The Last Load (1948) School Teacher and Policeman
Private Angelo (1948)
To the Public Danger (1948) Police Driver
Take Back Your Freedom (1948) Corporal Gosway
Fly Away Peter (1948) Telegram Boy (CUT)
The Cardboard Cavalier (1948)
Love in Waiting (1948)
The Last Word (1948)
Mr Marionette (1948)
Scott of the Antarctic (1948) Leading Stoker E. McKenzie R.N.
Once A Jolly Swagman (1948) Captain of Ilford Speedway team
Portrait From Life (1948) Army Truck Driver
Badger's Green (1948) Harry Parker
Small Back Room, The (1948) Crowhurst
Floodtide (1949) Sam, the Barman
Mrs Worth Goes to Westminster (1949) SHORT
Movie Go‑Round (1949) Dick the Repair Man
A Drive in The Country (1949) Crown Film Unit
Passport to Pimlico (1949) Sapper
Stop Press Girl (1949) Booking Officer
Saints & Sinners (1949) Man in Bar
Poet's Pub (1949) George
Look Mum Soldiers (1949)
Vengeance is Mine (1949) Stacey
Obsession (1949) Club Steward
For Them That Trespass (1949)
Madness of the Heart (1949) Soldier at Airport
Trottie True (1949) Stage‑Hand
It's Hard to be Good (1949) Husband
Train of Events (1949) (scene cut)
Town Patrol (1949)
Forbidden (1949) Joe
Blackout (1949)
Hasty Heart, The (1949) Machlaclan's Jeep Driver
Cure for Love, The (1949) Charlie Fox
Blue Lamp, The (1949) Bookmaker's Assistant
Grass Drying [Documentary Short] (1949) Commentator
The Squeaker (1949) Sub-Editor
The Body Said No (1949)
The Miniver Story (1949)
Teatime Story (1949)
Feature Story (1949)
She Died Young (1949)
Chance of A Lifetime (1950) (One of the Workers)
Treasure Island (1950) Cady
Seven Days to Noon (1950) Soldier in House Search
No Trace (1950) Car Mechanic
Cage of Gold (1950) 'Palette Club' Waiter
Magnet, The (1950) Postman
Clouded Yellow, The (1950) Rescue Radio Operator
Second Mate, The (1950) Wheeler
Mr Drake's Duck (1950) Journalist
Here Come The Huggetts (1950)
Highly Dangerous (1950)
Dark Man, The (1950) Sgt. Major
Portrait of Alison (1950)
Pool of London (1950) 2nd Engineer (scenes cut)
Man Detained (1950)
Question of Trust (1950)
Sermon Film: Ashes From The Altar [Short] (1950)
No Place For Jennifer (1950)
Film for the Conservative Party (1950)
(Anglo Scottish Films) (1950) Driver of Tractor
Saturday Morning (1951)
Mine Own Executioner
Case of the Missing Scene (1951) Station Guard
Galloping Major, The (1951) Newspaper Vendor
Assassin for Hire (1951) Bert (or Fred!)
Captain Horatio Hornblower R.N. (1951) Seaman Garvin
Penny Points to Paradise (1951) Porter/Taxi Driver
Hell is Sold Out (1951)
Cheer the Brave (1951)
Fireworks in the Waxworks (1951) Fingers
High Treason (1951) Sam (the Printer)
Mr Denning Drives North (1951) Scenes Cut but left with one of crowd by jeep watching plane
Secret People, The (1951) Irish Police Sergeant
Just William's Luck (1951)
Hunted (1952) Postman
Judgement Deferred (1952) Ambulance Man
Brandy for the Parson (1952) Lorry Driver
Angels One Five (1952) Mess Waiter
Saturday Island (1952) 4th Marine
Tomb With a View (TV movie) 1952
Curtain Up (1952) Ambulance Man
Sing Along With Me (1952)
Off The Record (1952) Drama/Doc
Derby Day (1952) Harry Bunn, Bookie
Brave Don't Cry, The (1952) Porter
Lost Hours, The (1952) Fred, 'Bristow & Brown' Mechanic
Trent's Last Case (1952) Insp. Murch
T for the Terror (1952) Soldier
Hour of 13, The (1952) Reporter
Voice of Merill, The (1952) Sgt. Baker
Hot Ice (1952)
Monday Next
Appointment in London (1952) A/C Ackroyd
Goonreel (1952) Various
Time Bomb (1953) Train Ticket Clerk
Titfield Thunderbolt, The (1953) Railway Worker At Yard Where Engine Stolen
Cruel Sea, The (1953) Carslake (And dubbed 3 characters: reading of the Lord's Prayer, Soldier helping sailor on board and Old man with injury)
Steel Key, The (1953) Chauffeur
Death Goes to School (1953) Sgt. Harvey
Single‑Handed (1953) Naval Rating
Malta Story (1953) Soldier Clearing Airfield
Master of Ballantrae, The (1953) (Dub)
Saint's Return, The (1953) Barkley (Joe Podd)
Title Unknown - Vacuum Oil Company (1953)
Love in Pawn (1953) Reporter on phone
Runaway Bus, The (1953) Chief of Security/Security Officer
They Who Dare (1953) Marine Boyd
The Disagreeable Man (1953) (Short)
Scream in the Night (1953)
Devil on Horseback (1954) (The Boy Jockey) Darky
Rainbow Jacket, The (1954) Bruce
Footsteps in the Fog (1954) (Dub only. Policeman)
Tiger by the Tail
Rebound
Father Brown (1954) Scotland Yard Sgt.
Embezzler, The (1954) Railway Inspector (Scene Cut)
End of the Road, The (1954) First Postal Clerk
Lost Property (1954) Mr Ferguson
Final Appointment (1954) Vickery
Radio Cab Murder, The (1954) Spencer
Lilacs in the Spring (1954) Ginger
Recoil (1954) Ticket Collector
Souls in Conflict (1954)
The Outsiders
No Place For Jennifer (1954)
Young Lovers (1954) Driver
Impulse (1954) Ticket Inspector
Yellow Robe, The (1954)
Simon's Good Deed (1955)
Prize of Gold (1955) Milkman
Raising A Riot (1955) Messenger
Where There's A Will (1955) Jeep Driver
As Long As They're Happy (1955) Milkman
Passage Home (1955) Sheltia
Constant Husband, The (1955) Adelphi Barman (lines cut)
Dark Avenger, The (1955) Fight Scenes ADR
Glass Cage, The (1955) George
The Final Column (1955)
Gold Express, The (1955) Lorry Driver
Quatermass Experiment, The (1955) Station Sergeant
One Way Out (1955) Gang Member
Storm Over the Nile (1955) Joe, The Instructor
Portrait of Alison (1955) Bill, Telephone Engineer
LadyKillers, The (1955) 2nd Cab Driver**
[**As credited on the BFI website, but not on screen...] Scenes Cut
Josephine & Men (1955) Station Sergeant
Cockleshell Heroes (1955) Lorry Driver
You Can't Escape (1955) Poacher
Dial 999 (1955)
Homing Chinaman, The [Short*] (1955) Simons
[*Episode of the TV Series THE VISE shown in cinemas as a Short Supporting Film]
Town Like Alice, A (1956) Bus Driver (and dubbed one other)
Soho Incident (1956) Sam
It’s Never Too Late (1956) Eavesdropper at Tube Station
Ramsbottom Rides Again (1956)
Long Arm, The (1956) P.C. in Information Room
The British Character (1956) Comedy-Documentary. Narrator and Only Actor in it
Reach for the Sky (1956) Warrant Officer Blake
Jacqueline (1956) (Foreman in the Shipyard)
Baby & the Battleship, The (1956) Richards (Mess Hand)
It's A Wonderful World (1956) Attendant
Home & Away (1956) Albert West
Peril for The Guy (1956)
Cash on Delivery (1956)
Circus Friends (1956) George
Tiger in the Smoke (1956) Tom Gripper
Hideout, The (1956) Tim Bowers
Boat People, The [Documentary Short] (1956) Narrator in Vision
Smallest Show on Earth, The (1957) [SCENES CUT]
Yangste Incident (1957) A.B. Walker R.N.
Carry on Admiral (1957) Attendant
Scamp, The (1957) Shopkeeper
Just My Luck (1957) Roberts, Craftsman
Dangerous Exile (1957)
Barnacle Bill (1957) Frogman
Tale of Two Cities, A (1957) Joe, Coach Guard
Happy is the Bride (1957) Foreman
Key, The (1957) (Scenes cut)
Safecracker, The (1957) McCullers
You Can't Escape (1957)
The Long Haul (1957) Taxi Driver
Orders to Kill (1958) Flight Sergeant Flint
Up the Creek (1958) Bates
Law & Disorder (1958) Shorty
I Was Monty's Double (1958) Soldier in Cinema
Further Up the Creek (1958) Bates
Life is A Circus (1958) Removal Man
Captain's Table, The (1958) Sailor (Filling Pool)
Too Many Crooks (1958) Tramp on Bench
A Question of Adultery (1958)
Make Mine A Million (1958) 2nd Armed Robber
The Highwayman (1958)
Look Before You laugh (1958)
Target (1958)
39 Steps, The (1959) Train Dining Steward
Carlton Browne of the F.O. (1959) Signaller
Hound of the Baskervilles, The (1959) Perkins
I'm Alright Jack (1959) Shop Steward
Title as Yet Undiscovered (1959) C.O.I Film
Expresso Bongo (1959) [SCENES CUT]
Upstairs & Downstairs (1959) Chauffeur
Libel (1959) Paper Seller
Sink the Bismarck! (1959) Civilian Worker on Prince of Wales
Angry Silence, The (1960) [SCENES CUT]
Price of Silence, The (1960) Slug
Follow That Horse! (1960) Farrell
Bobbikins (1959)
Dead Lucky (1960) Harry Winston
There Was A Crooked Man (1960) Foreman
House in Marsh Road, The (1960) Morris Lumley
Suspect (1960) Slater
Upgreen and At 'Em (1960)
In the Nick (1960)
On The Boundary (1961)
Time Remembered (1961)
Treasure of Monte Cristo, The (1961) Albert
Clue of the Silver Key, The (1961) Tickler
Two Guys Abroad (1962) Crook
Iron Maiden, The (1962) Fred Carter
Doctor in Distress (1963) [SCENES CUT]
Young Detectives, The [8-Part Film Serial] (1963) Security Van Driver
A Bit of Doing [Short] (1963)
Heavens Above (1963) "Watery Eyes" [SCENE CUT]
Smokescreen (1964) Hotel Waiter
Island of Terror (1965) Constable John Harris
Projected Man, The (1966) Harry
Smashing Time (1967) Diner
Gold is Where You Find it [Short] (1968) Pader Murphy
Till Death Do Us Part (1968) Fred
Submarine XI (1968) [SCENES CUT]
Killing of Sister George, The (1968) Taxi Driver
Look At Life: There Ought to Be A Law [Educational Short] (1968)
Moon Zero Two (1969) Len, Barman
Too Late the Hero (1969) Colour Sgt.
Magnificent 6 & ½, The - Series 2: Part 1 (only?): ‘Pee Wee Had A Little Ape’ [6-Part Film Serial] (1969)
Last Grenade, The (1970)
10 Rillington Place (1970) Roberts, Furniture Dealer
Dad's Army (1970) Nazi Orderly
Quest for Love (1971) Taxi Driver
Magnificent 6 & ½, The - 3rd Series: Pt 5 (only): 'Up the Creek' [6-Part Film Serial](1971)
Up the Chastity Belt (1971) 1st Locksmith
Alf Garnett Saga, The (1972)
Steptoe & Son Ride Again (1973) Claude
Confessions of A Window Cleaner (1974) 1st Removal Man
Firefighters, The (1974) Fireman Stark
Amorous Milkman, The (1974) Wilf
Great Expectations [USA TVM/GB Cinemas] (1975) Scarred Convict
Confessions of A Driving Instructor (1976)
Chiffy Kids, The [6-Part Film Serial] (1977) Grumpy Gardener
Chimpmates ‑ Series 3 [6-Part Film Serial] (1978)
Time in Between [Short] (1979)
Yesterday's Hero (1979) Sam Turner
Shillingbury Blowers, The (1979) [UK TVM, shown Cinemas] Reggie
Danger on Dartmoor (1980)
High Rise Donkey (1980) Resident
Mirror Crack'd, The (1980) Prop Man with Fake Blood
Eye of the Needle (1981) Lock Keeper
Researched and compiled by M. A. Murton with additions by Jonathan Kydd
TV APPEARANCES
In these and this part of the page will be updated soon
‘The Saint’ ITV Mid-60s
‘Sweeney’ ITV 1976
Unable to Find Any Information on Any of These:
'Not Many Mansions' ITV
'TV Playhouse: The Road to Anywhere' ITV
'It's a Wonderful World' ITV
Years Unknown for These:
'Perry Como Special' ITV
'Crime Prevention Slots' (as "Fred the Burglar"). Early 1960s.
Series known, but exact episode(s)/date(s) unknown:
'The Army Game' ITV (1957-61)
‘The Benny Hill Show’ (many episodes, various roles) [BBC 1955-57 + 1961 + 1964-66 + 1968; ITV 1967, 1969-89]
'Charlie Drake Show' (many episodes, various roles) BBC (1960-62 & 1967-68)
'Bootsy and Snudge' ITV (1960-63)
‘Maigret’ BBC (1960-63)
‘Dangerman ITV (1960-61 or 1964-67)
‘The Arthur Askey Show’ ATV 1961
‘The Arthur Haynes Show’ATV (1956-66)
'Shadow Squad' ITV (1957-59)
‘The Rag Trade’ (BBC 1961-63 or LWT 1977-78)
'The Dick Emery Show' BBC (1963-81)
‘The Doctors’ 1963 [= BBC series 1969-71???]
‘Cluff’ BBC (1964-65)
'The Harry Worth Show' BBC (1964/5)
‘Adam Adamant Lives’ BBC (1966/7)
‘Play School’ (story reader) BBC (1970s)
Chronological Listing of known appearances:
‘Watch with Mother: Toad of Toad Hall’ BBC 1950
‘Sherlock Holmes: The Empty House’ (as "Unimpressed onlooker") BBC 1951
‘The Pickwick Papers’ (5-part serial as "Mr Sam Weller") BBC 1952
‘Billy Bunter of Greyfriars School: Bunter's Bycycle’ (as "Postman") BBC 1952
‘Billy Bunter of Greyfriars School: The Report’ (as "Nosey Jenkins") BBC 1952
‘The Wonderful Visit’ (as "Tramp") BBC 1952
‘Goonreel’ (various roles) BBC 1952
'Pickwick Papers' (as "Sam Weller") BBC 1953
‘Douglas Fairbanks Jr. Presents: Second Wind’ (as "Albert") ITV 1954
‘Caste’(as "Sam Gerridge") BBC 1954
‘Pantomania’ (as "King Rat") ITV 1955
‘London Playhouse: The General's Mess’ (as "Charlie Freezeman") ITV 1955
‘Theatre Royal: Bardell V. Pickwick’ (as "Sam Weller") ATV 1955
‘As I Was Saying: An Eye for Detail’ BBC 1955
‘The Vise: The Very Silent Traveller’ (as "Olsen") ITV 1955
‘The Vise: The Homing Chinaman’ (as "Simons") ITV 1955
‘Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde: episode 2 Mr Utterson's Encounter’ (as "child’s father") BBC 1956
‘David Copperfield’ (episode two as "A Friendly Waiter") ITV 1956
‘The Tony Hancock Show’ "[25/05/56] BBC 1956
‘Before Your Very Eyes’ [24/02/56] ITV 1956
‘Tales From Soho: The Protectors’ (as "Lefty") BBC 1956
‘London Playhouse: The Guv'nor’ (as "Charlie") ITV 1956
‘Captain Carvallo’ (as "Private Gross") ITV 1956
'Dixon of Dock Green: The December Boy’ (as "Mr Jenner") BBC 1957
‘The Adventures of Robin Hood: The Shell Game’ (as "Pick") ABC 1957
‘The Gay Cavalier: Little Cavalier’ (as "Peg-Leg") ITV 1957
‘The Gay Cavalier: The Lost is Found’ (as "Biggleswaite") ITV 1957
‘The Tony Hancock Show’ [11/01/57] BBC 1957
‘Big Guns: A Family Matter’ (as "Raikes") BBC 1958
'Dixon of Dock Green: The Case of Mrs. X’ (as "Harry Baker") BBC 1958
‘The Highwayman’ (as "Jerry Bridger") 1958
‘Frankly Howerd’ BBC 1959
'A Mask for Alexis' (as "Cycle Dealer") BBC 1959
‘Television Playhouse: The Advocate’ (as "Kovacs") ITV 1959
‘Antigone’ (as "First guard") BBC 1959
‘Sunday-night Theatre: Millionairess’ (as "The Man") BBC 1959
‘Samson and Delilah’ (as "The Sergeant") BBC 1959
‘Sunday-night Theatre: The Skin Game’ (as "Dawker") BBC 1959
'Hancock's Half Hour: The Big Night’ (as "1st Launderette Customer") BBC 1959
‘Sunday Night Theatre: All You Young Lovers' BBC 1959
'The Queen's Corporal' Granada 1959
'The Men From Room Thirteen: The Man Who Made Keys" (Parts 1 & 2 as "Cracker") BBC 1959
‘Mess Mates’ (three series as "Croaker Jones") ITV 1960-62
‘Arthur's Treasured Volumes: A Blow in Anger’ (as "Fred") ATV 1960
'Upgreen and At ‘Em' BBC 1960
‘The Trouble with Harry’ (Worth) BBC 1960
‘Time Remembered’ BBC 1961
‘Kraft Mystery Theatre: The Hideout’ 1961
'On the Boundary' BBC 1961
'They Met in a City: The Spanish Waiter' (as "Eddie") BBC 1961
‘Jango: A Great Day For Jango’ (as "Alf") ITV 1961
‘The Pursuers: The Inside Job’ (as "Frank") ATV 1961
‘Playhouse: The Pinkness of it All' ITV 1962
‘Crane’ (series, 39 episodes as "Orlando O’Connor") ITV 1963-65
‘Espionage: The Dragon Slayer’(as "Cruthchley") ATV 1963
‘Swallows and Amazons: episode 3 The Serpent’ (as "Young Billie") BBC 1963
‘Crossroads’ (regular, as "Mr Walton") ITV 1964-68
‘Detective: The Quick One’ (as "Wills") BBC 1964
‘Play of the Week: Deep and Crisp and Stolen’ ITV 1964
'Dixon of Dock Green: The Fire Raiser’(as "Harry Pegg") BBC 1964
'Dixon of Dock Green: The Witness’(as "Harry Pegg") BBC 1964
'Dixon of Dock Green: Mr. Farthing Takes a Walk’(as "Monty Stone") BBC 1964
‘Out of The Unknown: The Midas Plague’(as "Fred") BBC 1965
‘Orlando’ (series, 72 episodes as "Orlando O’Connor") ITV 1965-68
'Take a Pair of Private Eyes' (6-part serial as "Hector Frayne") BBC 1966
‘Comedy Playhouse: Heirs on a Shoestring’(as "Alfred") BBC 1967
‘Softly Softly: Pieces of Silver’(as "Jack Luff") BBC 1967
‘Man in a Suitcase: Why They Killed Nolan’(as "Nolan") ITV 1968
‘Never A Cross Word’(as "Garage Mechanic") LWT 1968
'Dixon of Dock Green: Ania’(as "Wally Green") BBC 1968
'Dixon of Dock Green: The Trojan Horse'(as "Price") BBC 1968
'Dixon of Dock Green: The Set-Up'(as "Cully") BBC 1969
‘Z Cars: Give A Dog A Bad Name’ (Parts 1&2) (as "Jimmy Dugdale") BBC 1969
‘Z Cars: Public Relations’(as "Charlie Steele") BBC 1969
‘Curry and Chips’ (series, as "Smellie") ITV 1969
‘The Fosset Saga’ (series, as "Herbert Quince") ITV 1969
‘Comedy Playhouse: The Making of Peregrine’(as "Rory") BBC 1969
‘Thirty Minute Theatre: The Tide Watchers’ BBC 1970
'Dixon of Dock Green: The Lag’s Bride'(as "Arthur Simpson") BBC 1970
‘The Troubleshooters: A Truly Exotic Development’(as "George Bartlett") BBC 1970
‘The Mating Machine: Ada’s Last Chance’(as "Lomax") LWT 1970
‘Here Come The Double Deckers: Invaders From Space’ BBC 1970
‘Thirty Minute Theatre: The Moonlighters’ BBC 1971
‘Tottering Towers’(as "Bertie Bogmoss") ITV 1971
‘Never Mind The Quality, Feel The Width: There is No Smoke Without Fire’(as "Jacko") ITV 1971
‘Armchair Theatre: Ireland, Mother Ireland’ (as "Conor Ingram") ITV 1971
'Follyfoot: Shadow'(as "Bookmaker") ITV 1971
‘Z Cars: Winner Takes All’(as "Taffy Evans") BBC 1972
'Sykes: Mouse' (as "Fire Chief") BBC 1972
'Dixon of Dock Green: First Offenders' (as "Knocker White") BBC 1972
‘Thirty Minutes Worth’ [07/11/72] Thames 1972
‘Play for Today: Carson Country’ (as "Tom Brannigan") BBC 1972
‘The Persuaders!: Someone Waiting’(as "Dwyer") ITV 1972
‘Marked Personal’ (as "Tom Barrow") ITV 1973
‘Sykes: Golf" BBC 1973
‘Ooh La La!: A-Hunting We Will go’ (as "Bridoir") ITV 1973
‘New Scotland Yard: Bullet in a Haystack’(as "Sammy Cutler") LWT 1973
‘This is Your Life’(as himself) ITV 1974
‘The Dickens of A Christmas’ (as "cabbie") Thames 1974
‘The Dick Emery Show’ [05/10/74] BBC 1974
‘Funny Ha-ha: Football Crazy’ (as "Dickie") Thames 1974
'Sykes: The Pub' (as "Harold Wilson") BBC 1974
'Dixon of Dock Green: Looters Ltd'(as "Charlie Barnet") BBC 1975
‘Centre Play: Kipper’ (as "Kipper") BBC 1977
‘Mr Big: The Ashes’ (as "Mr Waller") BBC 1977
‘Dad's Army: Wake Up Walmington’(as "Pub Customer") BBC 1977
‘Love For Lydia’(series, as "Old Johnson") ITV 1977
‘Sykes: Decorating’ BBC 1978
‘Return of The Saint: Tower Bridge is Falling Down’ (as "Charlie Stewart") ITV 1978
‘Sally Ann: Put Out to Grass’ BBC 1979
‘Sykes: The Stay-at-home Holiday’ BBC 1979
‘How’s Your Father: Fantasy Time’(as "old man") ITV 1980
"Jackanory" Many episodes (as 'Mr Bits and Pieces) BBC 1979-80
‘Playhouse: The Schoolmistress’ ITV 1980
‘Minder: Diamonds Are A Girl’s Worst Enemy’(as "Sid") ITV 1980
‘Rainbow: Striking: Hickory Dickory Dock’ ITV 1981
‘Terry & June: The Lawnmower’(as "Louis") BBC 1981
'Coronation Street' (as "Frankie Baldwin," Mike’s father) ITV 1981-82
‘Nobody's Perfect: Mrs Whicker in Love’ (as "Mr Beasley") LWT 1982
events
Sam's son, Jonathan, who edited the book, did a mini launch and signing at Vout-O-Reenee's club in Tower Hill, London on October 21st 2021.
Jonathan appeared on Talk TV recently discussing his career and the first Volume with top TV host Jonny Gould.
There will be a documentary produced in 2023. Here is a teaser video...
Sam's coruscating
1973 best seller (which sold 50,000) about his 5 years as a POW in Germany and Poland. Stukas trying to dive-bomb him, long forced marches without food, slave labour, malnutrition, solitary confinement, concert parties, escape and then almost shot by the Russians before escap-ing via Odessa. Humour amidst the deprivation. What a story. Sam's story.
As seen on Talking Pictures TV, the first volume of Sam's unpublished memoirs. Click on the "Buy Now" button to buy from Amazon.
Both books are also available on eBay and Amazon
about
A fixture in the nation’s living room from the 50’s to the 80’s. He was so well known that a “Spot Sam Kydd” game was played by families whenever a black and white film - like 'I’m Alright Jack', 'Angels One Five', 'Reach For the Sky' or 'Appointment in London' (Dirk Bogarde with Sam on the right ) - was shown on TV. He was at home in both comedy and straight drama and known for playing Irishmen and Cockneys, in hit TV series like 'Pickwick Papers', 'Crane', 'Orlando', 'Mess Mates', 'The Fossett Saga', 'Dixon of Dock Green', (over the course of which he played over 14 different characters), and working with Terry Thomas,
Ted Ray, Tommy Cooper, Harry Secombe, Spike Milligan, Arthur Askey, Benny Hill, Charlie Drake, Frankie Howerd, Jimmy Edwards, Harry Worth, Dick Emery, Eric Sykes etc. etc.. He was latterly Frankie Baldwin in 'Coronation Street' until his death in 1982. All at a time when there were only two or three channels to choose from, so to be in a success - especially in the 60's - meant being seen regularly by over twenty million people a week.
His son Jonathan who has recently published the first volume of his memoirs,'Be a Good Boy Sam' says:
'My father never knew how many films he'd made, or whether he was in them! I remember watching a film in the sitting room on TV one Sunday afternoon while he was in the kitchen frying bacon and egg (his favourite meal). The title appeared. 'The Magnet". I asked him if he was in it.
'You in a film called the Magnet?' I shouted.
"Nar" he shouted back.
He immediately appeared running down some steps a couple of scenes after the titles. He was the postman! He, as the postman, then said 'Wait a mo' and helped a young James Fox retrieve a bell he was playing with that had fallen down onto the roof from his room on a piece of string.
Jonathan continues:
'His career started in the late Thirties as a Master of Ceremonies for the well known Oscar Rabin Band. (His day job was in the bedding department in Whiteley's Department store in Bayswater in London! Then he worked for Alvis cars.) He would tell jokes, (I found his jokebook recently. A lot of puns!) do a few impressions- Vic Oliver. Maurice Chevalier, Bud Flanagan - tap dance a bit (he even gave tap lessons in his mother's house in Chiswick, West London. He had his own board. Or a lino floor. That's all you needed apparently!) and introduce the singers and guest artistes etc. And possibly croon a tune himself. He also entered Talent contests. He told me, if you were any good and went on sixth (out of a showcase of nine people) you'd probably win! There was a cash prize. There was a sort of circuit. You'd see the same people over and over again. I suppose it was a bit like being a stand up comedian going from hall to hall as an 'open spot'.
As his father was in the army, Sam had joined the Territorials in the late nineteen thirties, but rarely attended. However, when War was declared, he was naturally one of the first to be called up as he'd 'taken the King's shilling.' After training, he was sent out with the British Expeditionary force to Calais. He was captured. His book "For You The War Is Over" about his five years in a prison camp, is worth reading. He makes light of the immense deprivation and ill-health he suffered.He was in many camp shows and plays and even directed a few!
After the war he carried on doing his act at the Nuffield in Leicester Square, but got into his first movie "The Captive Heart" by answering an ad in the paper for 'advisers' on a film about Prisoners of War. Which naturally he knew a lot about! The 10 advisers were used as supporting artistes as well as 'advisers'. I suppose if you've just been a POW you can certainly act like one! (He told me he was only given a part because the Producer fancied his friend. But as usual I suspect my father was being modest). After impressing with the little pieces of acting he was doing, he was also given several lines to say. And thus his life as an actor began! He was soon in rep at Skegness and then in a revue in Germany with a very slim Harry Secombe and an actress called Vanda Godsell (there was a picture in the loo at home of them all). Harry remained a lifelong friend. Jack Warner, who was of course Dixon in "Dixon of Dock Green", was in "Captive Heart" and also became a firm chum.
My father was in every series of Dixon, frequently playing a burglar with a heart of gold or a reformed criminal enticed back to one last 'job'. He was also in every series of 'Sykes' as Eric Sykes was also a pal. As was Harry Worth. My dad worked with them all regularly!
But it was initially as a film actor that he began to make inroads into the business and establish himself. The parts were frequently small but he would go from film to film amassing experience and credits. If there was work he'd try and fit it in (something I'm glad to say that I've inherited) There's a lovely moment in 'I'm Alright Jack' (where he has lines as the stuttering shop steward like the infamous
'Why don't you f..f..f...photograph something worthwhile' in big close up) where he's in the group who march across to complain to Terry Thomas about Ian Carmichael working harder than the rest of the employees, and the group exits to speak to someone else after Terry. They then march across the open space between the offices and all reappear to chat to someone else in the other office. Sam's in the first group, and in the second group: but not in the group when they march from one office to the other. That was shot on another day 'when I was ill in bed with the flu!' he told me.
His numerous TV appearances as I've said above, include: Dixon of Dock Green (many episodes), Pickwick Papers (as Sam Weller), Shadow Squad, Man in a Suitcase, Sweeney, Saint, Persuaders, Robin Hood, Crossroads (regular), Maigret, Adam Adamant, Cluff, The Protectors, Dangerman, Dad's Army, Z Cars, Softly Softly, Dick Emery Show, Eric Sykes, Curry and Chips (series), Fosset Saga,(series) Crane (series-39 eps), Orlando(series (126 eps), Mess Mates (three series), Arthur Askey Show, Benny Hill Show. (Many eps), Hancock's Half Hour, Follyfoot Farm, Coronation Street, (he was Mike Baldwin's Dad).etc. etc. etc..
The series Orlando was the spin off from Crane, which starred Patrick Allen and Gerald Flood and Laya Raki. Orlando attracted so many viewers for a children's programme that there were moves afoot to change it to a later adult slot. But this never materialised.
Actually this doesn't do him justice at all. There were thousands of tellies. He even introduced the TV programmes after the News at six for a period in the early sixties dressed as different characters. He wrote all his own scripts! He was a character called 'Fred the Burglar' on the box as well, who found it easy breaking and entering and advised people how to make it easy for him! I remember when I was a kid people stopping him in the street asking for his autograph as Fred. Or shouting out 'It's Fred! Don't burgle me Fred! I remember going to watch Chelsea FC with him and him being mobbed! 'Lend us a quid Sam' people would shout. He did a 'Look at Life' film about strange laws that has never been repealed like 'Double basses being forced to have have lights on the pavement, (This was a regular 'add-on' film between features at the cinema). He was in Armchair Theatres, Play for Todays, you name it. His roles for TV were much bigger than his film roles, and I can't help but think that if he he'd
been handled better, his career in films would have blossomed. In this day and age, his huge telly career would have made him an enormous celebrity. As it was, he was still very very well known. He was chosen for 'This is Your Life' in 1973 which alas has been wiped. As have so many of his TV appearances.
Above is a sound file of Sam's son, Jonathan, recently talking about his father at a Renown Films convention.
books
VOLUME II
1953-60
NEVER MIND THE ACTING, JUST SAY THE WORDS
OUT NEXT YEAR
VOLUME III
1961-69
CRANE, ORLANDO AND MUCH MORE
COMING SOON
Click on the image to buy the book from Amazon. Soon to be available as an audio book
Sam's republished 1973 bestseller (50,000
sales) about his harrowing but humorous prisoner of war experiences. Available on eBay and Amazon. Also soon to be available as an audio book
photos
film & tv
Sam made 119 films between 1945 and 1952. So he says in his memoir. Wow! And it seems to tally. Other than the occasional half day with no mention of the name of the film and just the money earned in his accounts diary!
There are 290 according to his unpublished memoirs and accounts book and iMDB, though there are several mistakes in iMDB's lists of his films and TVs. In his accounts he has a tendency to just write the film studio and the length of time he was on the film and the fee. And no name. Some can't be traced. I've found a few in the British Film Catalogue though and added them to the list. He did many more Film Foundation Films than are in this list. He does many more tellies and dubbing jobs not mentioned here than you could believe. Remarkable. I'll add them on.
Captive Heart, The (1946) Grant, P.O.W. (Top Bunk)
Mr Jones Takes The Air (Short) (1946)
They Made Me A Fugitive (1947) Eddie
The Bad All Die (1947)
Fortune Lane (1947) Draughtsman
Trapped by The Terror (1947)
School for Soldiers (1947)
Mine Own Executioner (1947)
Basic Films: 4 Drama-Documentaries:
Take Thou,
24 Square Miles,
Type 170,
How What and Why (1947)
Colonel Bogey (1947) Soldier
Sky Battalion (1947) Soldier
Penny Doctor (1947)
(Untitled) Merton Park French Film (1948) Le Duc
Song for Tomorrow, A (1948) Sergeant
Wedding Bells (1948)
Call Up (1948) Soldier
Trouble in the Air (1948) Soldier
Saraband For Dead Lovers (1948) Stall Holder (Cut)
Frieda (1948)
Mr Jolly's Journey (1948)
The Last Load (1948) School Teacher and Policeman
Private Angelo (1948)
To the Public Danger (1948) Police Driver
Take Back Your Freedom (1948) Corporal Gosway
Fly Away Peter (1948) Telegram Boy (CUT)
The Cardboard Cavalier (1948)
Love in Waiting (1948)
The Last Word (1948)
Mr Marionette (1948)
Scott of the Antarctic (1948) Leading Stoker E. McKenzie R.N.
Once A Jolly Swagman (1948) Captain of Ilford Speedway team
Portrait From Life (1948) Army Truck Driver
Badger's Green (1948) Harry Parker
Small Back Room, The (1948) Crowhurst
Floodtide (1949) Sam, the Barman
Mrs Worth Goes to Westminster (1949) SHORT
Movie Go‑Round (1949) Dick the Repair Man
A Drive in The Country (1949) Crown Film Unit
Passport to Pimlico (1949) Sapper
Stop Press Girl (1949) Booking Officer
Saints & Sinners (1949) Man in Bar
Poet's Pub (1949) George
Look Mum Soldiers (1949)
Vengeance is Mine (1949) Stacey
Obsession (1949) Club Steward
For Them That Trespass (1949)
Madness of the Heart (1949) Soldier at Airport
Trottie True (1949) Stage‑Hand
It's Hard to be Good (1949) Husband
Train of Events (1949) (scene cut)
Town Patrol (1949)
Forbidden (1949) Joe
Blackout (1949)
Hasty Heart, The (1949) Machlaclan's Jeep Driver
Cure for Love, The (1949) Charlie Fox
Blue Lamp, The (1949) Bookmaker's Assistant
Grass Drying [Documentary Short] (1949) Commentator
The Squeaker (1949) Sub-Editor
The Body Said No (1949)
The Miniver Story (1949)
Teatime Story (1949)
Feature Story (1949)
She Died Young (1949)
Chance of A Lifetime (1950) (One of the Workers)
Treasure Island (1950) Cady
Seven Days to Noon (1950) Soldier in House Search
No Trace (1950) Car Mechanic
Cage of Gold (1950) 'Palette Club' Waiter
Magnet, The (1950) Postman
Clouded Yellow, The (1950) Rescue Radio Operator
Second Mate, The (1950) Wheeler
Mr Drake's Duck (1950) Journalist
Here Come The Huggetts (1950)
Highly Dangerous (1950)
Dark Man, The (1950) Sgt. Major
Portrait of Alison (1950)
Pool of London (1950) 2nd Engineer (scenes cut)
Man Detained (1950)
Question of Trust (1950)
Sermon Film: Ashes From The Altar [Short] (1950)
No Place For Jennifer (1950)
Film for the Conservative Party (1950)
(Anglo Scottish Films) (1950) Driver of Tractor
Saturday Morning (1951)
Mine Own Executioner
Case of the Missing Scene (1951) Station Guard
Galloping Major, The (1951) Newspaper Vendor
Assassin for Hire (1951) Bert (or Fred!)
Captain Horatio Hornblower R.N. (1951) Seaman Garvin
Penny Points to Paradise (1951) Porter/Taxi Driver
Hell is Sold Out (1951)
Cheer the Brave (1951)
Fireworks in the Waxworks (1951) Fingers
High Treason (1951) Sam (the Printer)
Mr Denning Drives North (1951) Scenes Cut but left with one of crowd by jeep watching plane
Secret People, The (1951) Irish Police Sergeant
Just William's Luck (1951)
Hunted (1952) Postman
Judgement Deferred (1952) Ambulance Man
Brandy for the Parson (1952) Lorry Driver
Angels One Five (1952) Mess Waiter
Saturday Island (1952) 4th Marine
Tomb With a View (TV movie) 1952
Curtain Up (1952) Ambulance Man
Sing Along With Me (1952)
Off The Record (1952) Drama/Doc
Derby Day (1952) Harry Bunn, Bookie
Brave Don't Cry, The (1952) Porter
Lost Hours, The (1952) Fred, 'Bristow & Brown' Mechanic
Trent's Last Case (1952) Insp. Murch
T for the Terror (1952) Soldier
Hour of 13, The (1952) Reporter
Voice of Merill, The (1952) Sgt. Baker
Hot Ice (1952)
Monday Next
Appointment in London (1952) A/C Ackroyd
Goonreel (1952) Various
Time Bomb (1953) Train Ticket Clerk
Titfield Thunderbolt, The (1953) Railway Worker At Yard Where Engine Stolen
Cruel Sea, The (1953) Carslake (And dubbed 3 characters: reading of the Lord's Prayer, Soldier helping sailor on board and Old man with injury)
Steel Key, The (1953) Chauffeur
Death Goes to School (1953) Sgt. Harvey
Single‑Handed (1953) Naval Rating
Malta Story (1953) Soldier Clearing Airfield
Master of Ballantrae, The (1953)
Saint's Return, The (1953) Barkley (Joe Podd)
Title Unknown - Vacuum Oil Company (1953)
Love in Pawn (1953) Reporter on phone
Runaway Bus, The (1953) Chief of Security/Security Officer
They Who Dare (1953) Marine Boyd
The Disagreeable Man (1953) (Short)
Scream in the Night (1953)
Devil on Horseback (1954) (The Boy Jockey) Darky
Rainbow Jacket, The (1954) Bruce
Footsteps in the Fog (1954)
Tiger by the Tail
Rebound
Father Brown (1954) Scotland Yard Sgt.
Embezzler, The (1954) Railway Inspector
End of the Road, The (1954) First Postal Clerk
Lost Property (1954) Mr Ferguson
Final Appointment (1954) Vickery
Radio Cab Murder, The (1954) Spencer
Lilacs in the Spring (1954) Ginger
Recoil (1954) Ticket Collector
Souls in Conflict (1954)
The Outsiders
No Place For Jennifer (1954)
Young Lovers (1954) Driver
Impulse (1954) Ticket Inspector
Yellow Robe, The (1954)
Simon's Good Deed (1955)
Prize of Gold (1955) Milkman
Raising A Riot (1955) Messenger
Where There's A Will (1955) Jeep Driver
As Long As They're Happy (1955) Milkman
Passage Home (1955) Sheltia
Constant Husband, The (1955) Adelphi Barman (lines cut)
Dark Avenger, The (1955)
Kid for Two Farthings, A (1955)
Glass Cage, The (1955) George
The Final Column (1955)
Gold Express, The (1955) Lorry Driver
Quatermass Experiment, The (1955) Station Sergeant
One Way Out (1955) Gang Member
Storm Over the Nile (1955) Joe, The Instructor
Portrait of Alison (1955) Bill, Telephone Engineer
She Died Young (1955) Poacher
LadyKillers, The (1955) 2nd Cab Driver**
[**As credited on the BFI website, but unable to confirm on screen...]
Josephine & Men (1955) Station Sergeant
Cockleshell Heroes (1955) Lorry Driver
You Can't Escape (1955)
Dial 999 (1955)
Homing Chinaman, The [Short*] (1955) Simons
[*Episode of the TV Series THE VISE shown in cinemas as a Short Supporting Film]
Town Like Alice, A (1956) Bus Driver (and dubbed one other)
Soho Incident (1956) Sam
It’s Never Too Late (1956) Eavesdropper at Tube Station
Ramsbottom Rides Again (1956)
Long Arm, The (1956) P.C. in Information Room
The British Character (1956) Comedy-Documentary. Narrator and Only Actor in it
Reach for the Sky (1956) Warrant Officer Blake
Jacqueline (1956) Fireman (Foreman?)
Baby & the Battleship, The (1956) Richards (Mess Hand)
It's A Wonderful World (1956) Attendant
Home & Away (1956) Albert West
Peril for The Guy (1956)
Cash on Delivery (1956)
Circus Friends (1956) George
Tiger in the Smoke (1956) Tom Gripper
Hideout, The (1956) Tim Bowers
Boat People, The [Documentary Short] (1956) Narrator in Vision
Smallest Show on Earth, The (1957) [SCENES CUT]
Yangste Incident (1957) A.B. Walker R.N.
Carry on Admiral (1957) Attendant
Scamp, The (1957) Shopkeeper
Just My Luck (1957) Roberts, Craftsman
Dangerous Exile (1957)
Barnacle Bill (1957) Frogman
Tale of Two Cities, A (1957) Joe, Coach Guard
Happy is the Bride (1957) Foreman
Key, The (1957) (Scenes cut)
Safecracker, The (1957) McCullers
You Can't Escape (1957)
The Long Haul (1957) Taxi Driver
Orders to Kill (1958) Flight Sergeant Flint
Up the Creek (1958) Bates
Law & Disorder (1958) Shorty
I Was Monty's Double (1958) Go Between/Soldier Behind Peggy
Further Up the Creek (1958) Bates
Life is A Circus (1958) Removal Man
Captain's Table, The (1958) Sailor (Filling Pool)
Too Many Crooks (1958) Tramp on Bench
A Question of Adultery (1958)
Make Mine A Million (1958) 2nd Armed Robber
The Highwayman (1958)
Look Before You laugh (1958)
Target (1958)
39 Steps, The (1959) Train Dining Steward
Carlton Browne of the F.O. (1959) Signaller
Hound of the Baskervilles, The (1959) Perkins
I'm Alright Jack (1959) Shop Steward
Title as Yet Undiscovered (1959) C.O.I Film
Expresso Bongo (1959) [SCENES CUT]
Upstairs & Downstairs (1959) Chauffeur
Libel (1959) (2nd) Paper Seller
Sink the Bismarck! (1959) Civilian Worker on Prince of Wales
Angry Silence, The (1960) [SCENES CUT]
Price of Silence, The (1960) Slug
Follow That Horse! (1960) Farrell
Bobbikins (1959)
Dead Lucky (1960) Harry Winston
There Was A Crooked Man (1960) Foreman
House in Marsh Road, The (1960) Morris Lumley
Suspect (1960) Slater
Upgreen and At 'Em (1960)
In the Nick (1960)
On The Boundary (1961)
Time Remembered (1961)
Treasure of Monte Cristo, The (1961) Albert
Clue of the Silver Key, The (1961) Tickler
Two Guys Abroad (1962) Crook
Iron Maiden, The (1962) Fred Trotter (or Carter!)
Doctor in Distress (1963) [SCENES CUT]
Young Detectives, The [8-Part Film Serial] (1963) Security Van Driver
A Bit of Doing [Short] (1963)
Heavens Above (1963) "Watery Eyes" [SCENE CUT]
Smokescreen (1964) Hotel Waiter
Island of Terror (1965) Constable John Harris
Projected Man, The (1966) Harry
Smashing Time (1967) Diner
Gold is Where You Find it [Short] (1968) Pader Murphy
Till Death Do Us Part (1968) Fred
Submarine XI (1968) [SCENES CUT]
Killing of Sister George, The (1968) Taxi Driver
Look At Life: There Ought to Be A Law [Educational Short] (1968)
Moon Zero Two (1969) Len, Barman
Too Late the Hero (1969) Colour Sgt.
Magnificent 6 & ½, The - Series 2: Part 1 (only?): ‘Pee Wee Had A Little Ape’ [6-Part Film Serial] (1969)
Last Grenade, The (1970)
10 Rillington Place (1970) Roberts, Furniture Dealer
Dad's Army (1970) Nazi Orderly
Quest for Love (1971) Taxi Driver
Magnificent 6 & ½, The - 3rd Series: Pt 5 (only): 'Up the Creek' [6-Part Film Serial](1971)
Up the Chastity Belt (1971) 1st Locksmith
Alf Garnett Saga, The (1972)
Steptoe & Son Ride Again (1973) Claude
Confessions of A Window Cleaner (1974) 1st Removal Man
Firefighters, The (1974) Fireman Stark
Amorous Milkman, The (1974) Wilf
Great Expectations [USA TVM/GB Cinemas] (1975) Scarred Convict
Confessions of A Driving Instructor (1976)
Chiffy Kids, The [6-Part Film Serial] (1977) Grumpy Gardener
Chimpmates ‑ Series 3 [6-Part Film Serial] (1978)
Time in Between [Short] (1979)
Yesterday's Hero (1979) Sam Turner
Shillingbury Blowers, The (1979) [UK TVM, shown Cinemas] Reggie
Danger on Dartmoor (1980)
High Rise Donkey (1980) Resident
Mirror Crack'd, The (1980) Prop Man with Fake Blood
Eye of the Needle (1981) Lock Keeper
Researched and compiled by M. A. Murton with additions by Jonathan Kydd
TV APPEARANCES
In these and this part of the page will be updated soon
‘The Saint’ ITV Mid-60s
‘Sweeney’ ITV 1976
Unable to Find Any Information on Any of These:
'Not Many Mansions' ITV
'TV Playhouse: The Road to Anywhere' ITV
'It's a Wonderful World' ITV
Years Unknown for These:
'Perry Como Special' ITV
'Crime Prevention Slots' (as "Fred the Burglar"). Early 1960s.
Series known, but exact episode(s)/date(s) unknown:
'The Army Game' ITV (1957-61)
‘The Benny Hill Show’ (many episodes, various roles) [BBC 1955-57 + 1961 + 1964-66 + 1968; ITV 1967, 1969-89]
'Charlie Drake Show' (many episodes, various roles) BBC (1960-62 & 1967-68)
'Bootsy and Snudge' ITV (1960-63)
‘Maigret’ BBC (1960-63)
‘Dangerman ITV (1960-61 or 1964-67)
‘The Arthur Askey Show’ ATV 1961
‘The Arthur Haynes Show’ATV (1956-66)
'Shadow Squad' ITV (1957-59)
‘The Rag Trade’ (BBC 1961-63 or LWT 1977-78)
'The Dick Emery Show' BBC (1963-81)
‘The Doctors’ 1963 [= BBC series 1969-71???]
‘Cluff’ BBC (1964-65)
'The Harry Worth Show' BBC (1964/5)
‘Adam Adamant Lives’ BBC (1966/7)
‘Play School’ (story reader) BBC (1970s)
Chronological Listing of known appearances:
‘Watch with Mother: Toad of Toad Hall’ BBC 1950
‘Sherlock Holmes: The Empty House’ (as "Unimpressed onlooker") BBC 1951
‘The Pickwick Papers’ (5-part serial as "Mr Sam Weller") BBC 1952
‘Billy Bunter of Greyfriars School: Bunter's Bycycle’ (as "Postman") BBC 1952
‘Billy Bunter of Greyfriars School: The Report’ (as "Nosey Jenkins") BBC 1952
‘The Wonderful Visit’ (as "Tramp") BBC 1952
‘Goonreel’ (various roles) BBC 1952
'Pickwick Papers' (as "Sam Weller") BBC 1953
‘Douglas Fairbanks Jr. Presents: Second Wind’ (as "Albert") ITV 1954
‘Caste’(as "Sam Gerridge") BBC 1954
‘Pantomania’ (as "King Rat") ITV 1955
‘London Playhouse: The General's Mess’ (as "Charlie Freezeman") ITV 1955
‘Theatre Royal: Bardell V. Pickwick’ (as "Sam Weller") ATV 1955
‘As I Was Saying: An Eye for Detail’ BBC 1955
‘The Vise: The Very Silent Traveller’ (as "Olsen") ITV 1955
‘The Vise: The Homing Chinaman’ (as "Simons") ITV 1955
‘Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde: episode 2 Mr Utterson's Encounter’ (as "child’s father") BBC 1956
‘David Copperfield’ (episode two as "A Friendly Waiter") ITV 1956
‘The Tony Hancock Show’ "[25/05/56] BBC 1956
‘Before Your Very Eyes’ [24/02/56] ITV 1956
‘Tales From Soho: The Protectors’ (as "Lefty") BBC 1956
‘London Playhouse: The Guv'nor’ (as "Charlie") ITV 1956
‘Captain Carvallo’ (as "Private Gross") ITV 1956
'Dixon of Dock Green: The December Boy’ (as "Mr Jenner") BBC 1957
‘The Adventures of Robin Hood: The Shell Game’ (as "Pick") ABC 1957
‘The Gay Cavalier: Little Cavalier’ (as "Peg-Leg") ITV 1957
‘The Gay Cavalier: The Lost is Found’ (as "Biggleswaite") ITV 1957
‘The Tony Hancock Show’ [11/01/57] BBC 1957
‘Big Guns: A Family Matter’ (as "Raikes") BBC 1958
'Dixon of Dock Green: The Case of Mrs. X’ (as "Harry Baker") BBC 1958
‘The Highwayman’ (as "Jerry Bridger") 1958
‘Frankly Howerd’ BBC 1959
'A Mask for Alexis' (as "Cycle Dealer") BBC 1959
‘Television Playhouse: The Advocate’ (as "Kovacs") ITV 1959
‘Antigone’ (as "First guard") BBC 1959
‘Sunday-night Theatre: Millionairess’ (as "The Man") BBC 1959
‘Samson and Delilah’ (as "The Sergeant") BBC 1959
‘Sunday-night Theatre: The Skin Game’ (as "Dawker") BBC 1959
'Hancock's Half Hour: The Big Night’ (as "1st Launderette Customer") BBC 1959
‘Sunday Night Theatre: All You Young Lovers' BBC 1959
'The Queen's Corporal' Granada 1959
'The Men From Room Thirteen: The Man Who Made Keys" (Parts 1 & 2 as "Cracker") BBC 1959
‘Mess Mates’ (three series as "Croaker Jones") ITV 1960-62
‘Arthur's Treasured Volumes: A Blow in Anger’ (as "Fred") ATV 1960
'Upgreen and At ‘Em' BBC 1960
‘The Trouble with Harry’ (Worth) BBC 1960
‘Time Remembered’ BBC 1961
‘Kraft Mystery Theatre: The Hideout’ 1961
'On the Boundary' BBC 1961
'They Met in a City: The Spanish Waiter' (as "Eddie") BBC 1961
‘Jango: A Great Day For Jango’ (as "Alf") ITV 1961
‘The Pursuers: The Inside Job’ (as "Frank") ATV 1961
‘Playhouse: The Pinkness of it All' ITV 1962
‘Crane’ (series, 39 episodes as "Orlando O’Connor") ITV 1963-65
‘Espionage: The Dragon Slayer’(as "Cruthchley") ATV 1963
‘Swallows and Amazons: episode 3 The Serpent’ (as "Young Billie") BBC 1963
‘Crossroads’ (regular, as "Mr Walton") ITV 1964-68
‘Detective: The Quick One’ (as "Wills") BBC 1964
‘Play of the Week: Deep and Crisp and Stolen’ ITV 1964
'Dixon of Dock Green: The Fire Raiser’(as "Harry Pegg") BBC 1964
'Dixon of Dock Green: The Witness’(as "Harry Pegg") BBC 1964
'Dixon of Dock Green: Mr. Farthing Takes a Walk’(as "Monty Stone") BBC 1964
‘Out of The Unknown: The Midas Plague’(as "Fred") BBC 1965
‘Orlando’ (series, 72 episodes as "Orlando O’Connor") ITV 1965-68
'Take a Pair of Private Eyes' (6-part serial as "Hector Frayne") BBC 1966
‘Comedy Playhouse: Heirs on a Shoestring’(as "Alfred") BBC 1967
‘Softly Softly: Pieces of Silver’(as "Jack Luff") BBC 1967
‘Man in a Suitcase: Why They Killed Nolan’(as "Nolan") ITV 1968
‘Never A Cross Word’(as "Garage Mechanic") LWT 1968
'Dixon of Dock Green: Ania’(as "Wally Green") BBC 1968
'Dixon of Dock Green: The Trojan Horse'(as "Price") BBC 1968
'Dixon of Dock Green: The Set-Up'(as "Cully") BBC 1969
‘Z Cars: Give A Dog A Bad Name’ (Parts 1&2) (as "Jimmy Dugdale") BBC 1969
‘Z Cars: Public Relations’(as "Charlie Steele") BBC 1969
‘Curry and Chips’ (series, as "Smellie") ITV 1969
‘The Fosset Saga’ (series, as "Herbert Quince") ITV 1969
‘Comedy Playhouse: The Making of Peregrine’(as "Rory") BBC 1969
‘Thirty Minute Theatre: The Tide Watchers’ BBC 1970
'Dixon of Dock Green: The Lag’s Bride'(as "Arthur Simpson") BBC 1970
‘The Troubleshooters: A Truly Exotic Development’(as "George Bartlett") BBC 1970
‘The Mating Machine: Ada’s Last Chance’(as "Lomax") LWT 1970
‘Here Come The Double Deckers: Invaders From Space’ BBC 1970
‘Thirty Minute Theatre: The Moonlighters’ BBC 1971
‘Tottering Towers’(as "Bertie Bogmoss") ITV 1971
‘Never Mind The Quality, Feel The Width: There is No Smoke Without Fire’(as "Jacko") ITV 1971
‘Armchair Theatre: Ireland, Mother Ireland’ (as "Conor Ingram") ITV 1971
'Follyfoot: Shadow'(as "Bookmaker") ITV 1971
‘Z Cars: Winner Takes All’(as "Taffy Evans") BBC 1972
'Sykes: Mouse' (as "Fire Chief") BBC 1972
'Dixon of Dock Green: First Offenders' (as "Knocker White") BBC 1972
‘Thirty Minutes Worth’ [07/11/72] Thames 1972
‘Play for Today: Carson Country’ (as "Tom Brannigan") BBC 1972
‘The Persuaders!: Someone Waiting’(as "Dwyer") ITV 1972
‘Marked Personal’ (as "Tom Barrow") ITV 1973
‘Sykes: Golf" BBC 1973
‘Ooh La La!: A-Hunting We Will go’ (as "Bridoir") ITV 1973
‘New Scotland Yard: Bullet in a Haystack’(as "Sammy Cutler") LWT 1973
‘This is Your Life’(as himself) ITV 1974
‘The Dickens of A Christmas’ (as "cabbie") Thames 1974
‘The Dick Emery Show’ [05/10/74] BBC 1974
‘Funny Ha-ha: Football Crazy’ (as "Dickie") Thames 1974
'Sykes: The Pub' (as "Harold Wilson") BBC 1974
'Dixon of Dock Green: Looters Ltd'(as "Charlie Barnet") BBC 1975
‘Centre Play: Kipper’ (as "Kipper") BBC 1977
‘Mr Big: The Ashes’ (as "Mr Waller") BBC 1977
‘Dad's Army: Wake Up Walmington’(as "Pub Customer") BBC 1977
‘Love For Lydia’(series, as "Old Johnson") ITV 1977
‘Sykes: Decorating’ BBC 1978
‘Return of The Saint: Tower Bridge is Falling Down’ (as "Charlie Stewart") ITV 1978
‘Sally Ann: Put Out to Grass’ BBC 1979
‘Sykes: The Stay-at-home Holiday’ BBC 1979
‘How’s Your Father: Fantasy Time’(as "old man") ITV 1980
"Jackanory" Many episodes (as 'Mr Bits and Pieces) BBC 1979-80
‘Playhouse: The Schoolmistress’ ITV 1980
‘Minder: Diamonds Are A Girl’s Worst Enemy’(as "Sid") ITV 1980
‘Rainbow: Striking: Hickory Dickory Dock’ ITV 1981
‘Terry & June: The Lawnmower’(as "Louis") BBC 1981
'Coronation Street' (as "Frankie Baldwin," Mike’s father) ITV 1981-82
‘Nobody's Perfect: Mrs Whicker in Love’ (as "Mr Beasley") LWT 1982
events
Sam's son, Jonathan, who edited the book, did a mini launch and signing at Vout-O-Reenee's club in Tower Hill, London on October 21st 2021.
Jonathan appeared on Talk TV recently discussing his career and the first Volume with top TV host Jonny Gould.
There will be a documentary produced in 2023. Here is a teaser video...
Sam's coruscating
1973 best seller (which sold 50,000) about his 5 years as a POW in Germany and Poland. Stukas trying to dive-bomb him, long forced marches without food, slave labour, malnutrition, solitary confinement, concert parties, escape and then almost shot by the Russians before escap-ing via Odessa. Humour amidst the deprivation. What a story. Sam's story.
Steven Rainey interviews Sam's son Jonathan Kydd on BBC Radio Ulster about
'For You the War is Over' describing it as 'remarkable' and 'compelling'.
It's a riveting seventeen minute interview by one of Northern Ireland's top interviewers.
As seen on Talking Pictures TV, the first volume of Sam's unpublished memoirs. Click on the "Buy Now" button to buy from Amazon.
Both books are also available on eBay and Amazon
about
A fixture in the nation’s living room from the 50’s to the 80’s. He was so well known that a “Spot Sam Kydd” game was played by families whenever a black and white film - like 'I’m Alright Jack', 'Angels One Five', 'Reach For the Sky' or 'Appointment in London' (Dirk Bogarde with Sam on the right ) - was shown on TV. He was at home in both comedy and straight drama and known for playing Irishmen and Cockneys, in hit TV series like 'Pickwick Papers', 'Crane', 'Orlando', 'Mess Mates', 'The Fossett Saga', 'Dixon of Dock Green', (over the course of which he played over 14 different characters), and working with Terry Thomas,
Ted Ray, Tommy Cooper, Harry Secombe, Spike Milligan, Arthur Askey, Benny Hill, Charlie Drake, Frankie Howerd, Jimmy Edwards, Harry Worth, Dick Emery, Eric Sykes etc. etc.. He was latterly Frankie Baldwin in 'Coronation Street' until his death in 1982. All at a time when there were only two or three channels to choose from, so to be in a success - especially in the 60's - meant being seen regularly by over twenty million people a week.
His son Jonathan who has recently published the first volume of his memoirs,'Be a Good Boy Sam' says:
'My father never knew how many films he'd made, or whether he was in them! I remember watching a film in the sitting room on TV one Sunday afternoon while he was in the kitchen frying bacon and egg (his favourite meal). The title appeared. 'The Magnet". I asked him if he was in it.
'You in a film called the Magnet?' I shouted.
"Nar" he shouted back.
He immediately appeared running down some steps a couple of scenes after the titles. He was the postman! He, as the postman, then said 'Wait a mo' and helped a young James Fox retrieve a bell he was playing with that had fallen down onto the roof from his room on a piece of string.
Jonathan continues:
'His career started in the late Thirties as a Master of Ceremonies for the well known Oscar Rabin Band. (His day job was in the bedding department in Whiteley's Department store in Bayswater in London! Then he worked for Alvis cars.) He would tell jokes, (I found his jokebook recently. A lot of puns!) do a few impressions- Vic Oliver. Maurice Chevalier, Bud Flanagan - tap dance a bit (he even gave tap lessons in his mother's house in Chiswick, West London. He had his own board. Or a lino floor. That's all you needed apparently!) and introduce the singers and guest artistes etc. And possibly croon a tune himself. He also entered Talent contests. He told me, if you were any good and went on sixth (out of a showcase of nine people) you'd probably win! There was a cash prize. There was a sort of circuit. You'd see the same people over and over again. I suppose it was a bit like being a stand up comedian going from hall to hall as an 'open spot'.
As his father was in the army, Sam had joined the Territorials in the late nineteen thirties, but rarely attended. However, when War was declared, he was naturally one of the first to be called up as he'd 'taken the King's shilling.' After training, he was sent out with the British Expeditionary force to Calais. He was captured. His book "For You The War Is Over" about his five years in a prison camp, is worth reading. He makes light of the immense deprivation and ill-health he suffered.He was in many camp shows and plays and even directed a few!
After the war he carried on doing his act at the Nuffield in Leicester Square, but got into his first movie "The Captive Heart" by answering an ad in the paper for 'advisers' on a film about Prisoners of War. Which naturally he knew a lot about! The 10 advisers were used as supporting artistes as well as 'advisers'. I suppose if you've just been a POW you can certainly act like one! (He told me he was only given a part because the Producer fancied his friend. But as usual I suspect my father was being modest). After impressing with the little pieces of acting he was doing, he was also given several lines to say. And thus his life as an actor began! He was soon in rep at Skegness and then in a revue in Germany with a very slim Harry Secombe and an actress called Vanda Godsell (there was a picture in the loo at home of them all). Harry remained a lifelong friend. Jack Warner, who was of course Dixon in "Dixon of Dock Green", was in "Captive Heart" and also became a firm chum.
My father was in every series of Dixon, frequently playing a burglar with a heart of gold or a reformed criminal enticed back to one last 'job'. He was also in every series of 'Sykes' as Eric Sykes was also a pal. As was Harry Worth. My dad worked with them all regularly!
But it was initially as a film actor that he began to make inroads into the business and establish himself. The parts were frequently small but he would go from film to film amassing experience and credits. If there was work he'd try and fit it in (something I'm glad to say that I've inherited) There's a lovely moment in 'I'm Alright Jack' (where he has lines as the stuttering shop steward like the infamous
'Why don't you f..f..f...photograph something worthwhile' in big close up) where he's in the group who march across to complain to Terry Thomas about Ian Carmichael working harder than the rest of the employees, and the group exits to speak to someone else after Terry. They then march across the open space between the offices and all reappear to chat to someone else in the other office. Sam's in the first group, and in the second group: but not in the group when they march from one office to the other. That was shot on another day 'when I was ill in bed with the flu!' he told me.
His numerous TV appearances as I've said above, include: Dixon of Dock Green (many episodes), Pickwick Papers (as Sam Weller), Shadow Squad, Man in a Suitcase, Sweeney, Saint, Persuaders, Robin Hood, Crossroads (regular), Maigret, Adam Adamant, Cluff, The Protectors, Dangerman, Dad's Army, Z Cars, Softly Softly, Dick Emery Show, Eric Sykes, Curry and Chips (series), Fosset Saga,(series) Crane (series-39 eps), Orlando(series (126 eps), Mess Mates (three series), Arthur Askey Show, Benny Hill Show. (Many eps), Hancock's Half Hour, Follyfoot Farm, Coronation Street, (he was Mike Baldwin's Dad).etc. etc. etc..
The series Orlando was the spin off from Crane, which starred Patrick Allen and Gerald Flood and Laya Raki. Orlando attracted so many viewers for a children's programme that there were moves afoot to change it to a later adult slot. But this never materialised.
Actually this doesn't do him justice at all. There were thousands of tellies. He even introduced the TV programmes after the News at six for a period in the early sixties dressed as different characters. He wrote all his own scripts! He was a character called 'Fred the Burglar' on the box as well, who found it easy breaking and entering and advised people how to make it easy for him! I remember when I was a kid people stopping him in the street asking for his autograph as Fred. Or shouting out 'It's Fred! Don't burgle me Fred! I remember going to watch Chelsea FC with him and him being mobbed! 'Lend us a quid Sam' people would shout. He did a 'Look at Life' film about strange laws that has never been repealed like 'Double basses being forced to have have lights on the pavement, (This was a regular 'add-on' film between features at the cinema). He was in Armchair Theatres, Play for Todays, you name it. His roles for TV were much bigger than his film roles, and I can't help but think that if he he'd
been handled better, his career in films would have blossomed. In this day and age, his huge telly career would have made him an enormous celebrity. As it was, he was still very very well known. He was chosen for 'This is Your Life' in 1973 which alas has been wiped. As have so many of his TV appearances.
Above is a sound file of Sam's son, Jonathan, recently talking about his father at a Renown Films convention.
books
VOLUME II
1953-60
NEVER MIND THE ACTING, JUST SAY THE WORDS
OUT NEXT YEAR
VOLUME III
1961-69
CRANE, ORLANDO AND MUCH MORE
COMING SOON
Click on the image to buy the book from Amazon. Soon to be available as an audio book
Sam's republished 1973 bestseller (50,000
sales) about his harrowing but humorous prisoner of war experiences. Available on eBay and Amazon. Also soon to be available as an audio book
photos
film & tv
Sam made 119 films between 1945 and 1952. So he says in his memoir. Wow! And it seems to tally. Other than the occasional half day with no mention of the name of the film and just the money earned in his accounts diary!
There are 290 according to his unpublished memoirs and accounts book and iMDB, though there are several mistakes in iMDB's lists of his films and TVs. In his accounts he has a tendency to just write the film studio and the length of time he was on the film and the fee. And no name. Some can't be traced. I've found a few in the British Film Catalogue though and added them to the list. He did many more Film Foundation Films than are in this list. He does many more tellies and dubbing jobs not mentioned here than you could believe. Remarkable. I'll add them on.
Captive Heart, The (1946) Grant, P.O.W. (Top Bunk)
Mr Jones Takes The Air (Short) (1946)
They Made Me A Fugitive (1947) Eddie
The Bad All Die (1947)
Fortune Lane (1947) Draughtsman
Trapped by The Terror (1947)
School for Soldiers (1947)
Mine Own Executioner (1947)
Basic Films: 4 Drama-Documentaries:
Take Thou,
24 Square Miles,
Type 170,
How What and Why (1947)
Colonel Bogey (1947) Soldier
Sky Battalion (1947) Soldier
Penny Doctor (1947)
(Untitled) Merton Park French Film (1948) Le Duc
Song for Tomorrow, A (1948) Sergeant
Wedding Bells (1948)
Call Up (1948) Soldier
Trouble in the Air (1948) Soldier
Saraband For Dead Lovers (1948) Stall Holder (Cut)
Frieda (1948)
Mr Jolly's Journey (1948)
The Last Load (1948) School Teacher and Policeman
Private Angelo (1948)
To the Public Danger (1948) Police Driver
Take Back Your Freedom (1948) Corporal Gosway
Fly Away Peter (1948) Telegram Boy (CUT)
The Cardboard Cavalier (1948)
Love in Waiting (1948)
The Last Word (1948)
Mr Marionette (1948)
Scott of the Antarctic (1948) Leading Stoker E. McKenzie R.N.
Once A Jolly Swagman (1948) Captain of Ilford Speedway team
Portrait From Life (1948) Army Truck Driver
Badger's Green (1948) Harry Parker
Small Back Room, The (1948) Crowhurst
Floodtide (1949) Sam, the Barman
Mrs Worth Goes to Westminster (1949) SHORT
Movie Go‑Round (1949) Dick the Repair Man
A Drive in The Country (1949) Crown Film Unit
Passport to Pimlico (1949) Sapper
Stop Press Girl (1949) Booking Officer
Saints & Sinners (1949) Man in Bar
Poet's Pub (1949) George
Look Mum Soldiers (1949)
Vengeance is Mine (1949) Stacey
Obsession (1949) Club Steward
For Them That Trespass (1949)
Madness of the Heart (1949) Soldier at Airport
Trottie True (1949) Stage‑Hand
It's Hard to be Good (1949) Husband
Train of Events (1949) (scene cut)
Town Patrol (1949)
Forbidden (1949) Joe
Blackout (1949)
Hasty Heart, The (1949) Machlaclan's Jeep Driver
Cure for Love, The (1949) Charlie Fox
Blue Lamp, The (1949) Bookmaker's Assistant
Grass Drying [Documentary Short] (1949) Commentator
The Squeaker (1949) Sub-Editor
The Body Said No (1949)
The Miniver Story (1949)
Teatime Story (1949)
Feature Story (1949)
She Died Young (1949)
Chance of A Lifetime (1950) (One of the Workers)
Treasure Island (1950) Cady
Seven Days to Noon (1950) Soldier in House Search
No Trace (1950) Car Mechanic
Cage of Gold (1950) 'Palette Club' Waiter
Magnet, The (1950) Postman
Clouded Yellow, The (1950) Rescue Radio Operator
Second Mate, The (1950) Wheeler
Mr Drake's Duck (1950) Journalist
Here Come The Huggetts (1950)
Highly Dangerous (1950)
Dark Man, The (1950) Sgt. Major
Portrait of Alison (1950)
Pool of London (1950) 2nd Engineer (scenes cut)
Man Detained (1950)
Question of Trust (1950)
Sermon Film: Ashes From The Altar [Short] (1950)
No Place For Jennifer (1950)
Film for the Conservative Party (1950)
(Anglo Scottish Films) (1950) Driver of Tractor
Saturday Morning (1951)
Mine Own Executioner
Case of the Missing Scene (1951) Station Guard
Galloping Major, The (1951) Newspaper Vendor
Assassin for Hire (1951) Bert (or Fred!)
Captain Horatio Hornblower R.N. (1951) Seaman Garvin
Penny Points to Paradise (1951) Porter/Taxi Driver
Hell is Sold Out (1951)
Cheer the Brave (1951)
Fireworks in the Waxworks (1951) Fingers
High Treason (1951) Sam (the Printer)
Mr Denning Drives North (1951) Scenes Cut but left with one of crowd by jeep watching plane
Secret People, The (1951) Irish Police Sergeant
Just William's Luck (1951)
Hunted (1952) Postman
Judgement Deferred (1952) Ambulance Man
Brandy for the Parson (1952) Lorry Driver
Angels One Five (1952) Mess Waiter
Saturday Island (1952) 4th Marine
Tomb With a View (TV movie) 1952
Curtain Up (1952) Ambulance Man
Sing Along With Me (1952)
Off The Record (1952) Drama/Doc
Derby Day (1952) Harry Bunn, Bookie
Brave Don't Cry, The (1952) Porter
Lost Hours, The (1952) Fred, 'Bristow & Brown' Mechanic
Trent's Last Case (1952) Insp. Murch
T for the Terror (1952) Soldier
Hour of 13, The (1952) Reporter
Voice of Merill, The (1952) Sgt. Baker
Hot Ice (1952)
Monday Next
Appointment in London (1952) A/C Ackroyd
Goonreel (1952) Various
Time Bomb (1953) Train Ticket Clerk
Titfield Thunderbolt, The (1953) Railway Worker At Yard Where Engine Stolen
Cruel Sea, The (1953) Carslake (And dubbed 3 characters: reading of the Lord's Prayer, Soldier helping sailor on board and Old man with injury)
Steel Key, The (1953) Chauffeur
Death Goes to School (1953) Sgt. Harvey
Single‑Handed (1953) Naval Rating
Malta Story (1953) Soldier Clearing Airfield
Master of Ballantrae, The (1953)
Saint's Return, The (1953) Barkley (Joe Podd)
Title Unknown - Vacuum Oil Company (1953)
Love in Pawn (1953) Reporter on phone
Runaway Bus, The (1953) Chief of Security/Security Officer
They Who Dare (1953) Marine Boyd
The Disagreeable Man (1953) (Short)
Scream in the Night (1953)
Devil on Horseback (1954) (The Boy Jockey) Darky
Rainbow Jacket, The (1954) Bruce
Footsteps in the Fog (1954)
Tiger by the Tail
Rebound
Father Brown (1954) Scotland Yard Sgt.
Embezzler, The (1954) Railway Inspector
End of the Road, The (1954) First Postal Clerk
Lost Property (1954) Mr Ferguson
Final Appointment (1954) Vickery
Radio Cab Murder, The (1954) Spencer
Lilacs in the Spring (1954) Ginger
Recoil (1954) Ticket Collector
Souls in Conflict (1954)
The Outsiders
No Place For Jennifer (1954)
Young Lovers (1954) Driver
Impulse (1954) Ticket Inspector
Yellow Robe, The (1954)
Simon's Good Deed (1955)
Prize of Gold (1955) Milkman
Raising A Riot (1955) Messenger
Where There's A Will (1955) Jeep Driver
As Long As They're Happy (1955) Milkman
Passage Home (1955) Sheltia
Constant Husband, The (1955) Adelphi Barman (lines cut)
Dark Avenger, The (1955)
Kid for Two Farthings, A (1955)
Glass Cage, The (1955) George
The Final Column (1955)
Gold Express, The (1955) Lorry Driver
Quatermass Experiment, The (1955) Station Sergeant
One Way Out (1955) Gang Member
Storm Over the Nile (1955) Joe, The Instructor
Portrait of Alison (1955) Bill, Telephone Engineer
She Died Young (1955) Poacher
LadyKillers, The (1955) 2nd Cab Driver**
[**As credited on the BFI website, but unable to confirm on screen...]
Josephine & Men (1955) Station Sergeant
Cockleshell Heroes (1955) Lorry Driver
You Can't Escape (1955)
Dial 999 (1955)
Homing Chinaman, The [Short*] (1955) Simons
[*Episode of the TV Series THE VISE shown in cinemas as a Short Supporting Film]
Town Like Alice, A (1956) Bus Driver (and dubbed one other)
Soho Incident (1956) Sam
It’s Never Too Late (1956) Eavesdropper at Tube Station
Ramsbottom Rides Again (1956)
Long Arm, The (1956) P.C. in Information Room
The British Character (1956) Comedy-Documentary. Narrator and Only Actor in it
Reach for the Sky (1956) Warrant Officer Blake
Jacqueline (1956) Fireman (Foreman?)
Baby & the Battleship, The (1956) Richards (Mess Hand)
It's A Wonderful World (1956) Attendant
Home & Away (1956) Albert West
Peril for The Guy (1956)
Cash on Delivery (1956)
Circus Friends (1956) George
Tiger in the Smoke (1956) Tom Gripper
Hideout, The (1956) Tim Bowers
Boat People, The [Documentary Short] (1956) Narrator in Vision
Smallest Show on Earth, The (1957) [SCENES CUT]
Yangste Incident (1957) A.B. Walker R.N.
Carry on Admiral (1957) Attendant
Scamp, The (1957) Shopkeeper
Just My Luck (1957) Roberts, Craftsman
Dangerous Exile (1957)
Barnacle Bill (1957) Frogman
Tale of Two Cities, A (1957) Joe, Coach Guard
Happy is the Bride (1957) Foreman
Key, The (1957) (Scenes cut)
Safecracker, The (1957) McCullers
You Can't Escape (1957)
The Long Haul (1957) Taxi Driver
Orders to Kill (1958) Flight Sergeant Flint
Up the Creek (1958) Bates
Law & Disorder (1958) Shorty
I Was Monty's Double (1958) Go Between/Soldier Behind Peggy
Further Up the Creek (1958) Bates
Life is A Circus (1958) Removal Man
Captain's Table, The (1958) Sailor (Filling Pool)
Too Many Crooks (1958) Tramp on Bench
A Question of Adultery (1958)
Make Mine A Million (1958) 2nd Armed Robber
The Highwayman (1958)
Look Before You laugh (1958)
Target (1958)
39 Steps, The (1959) Train Dining Steward
Carlton Browne of the F.O. (1959) Signaller
Hound of the Baskervilles, The (1959) Perkins
I'm Alright Jack (1959) Shop Steward
Title as Yet Undiscovered (1959) C.O.I Film
Expresso Bongo (1959) [SCENES CUT]
Upstairs & Downstairs (1959) Chauffeur
Libel (1959) (2nd) Paper Seller
Sink the Bismarck! (1959) Civilian Worker on Prince of Wales
Angry Silence, The (1960) [SCENES CUT]
Price of Silence, The (1960) Slug
Follow That Horse! (1960) Farrell
Bobbikins (1959)
Dead Lucky (1960) Harry Winston
There Was A Crooked Man (1960) Foreman
House in Marsh Road, The (1960) Morris Lumley
Suspect (1960) Slater
Upgreen and At 'Em (1960)
In the Nick (1960)
On The Boundary (1961)
Time Remembered (1961)
Treasure of Monte Cristo, The (1961) Albert
Clue of the Silver Key, The (1961) Tickler
Two Guys Abroad (1962) Crook
Iron Maiden, The (1962) Fred Trotter (or Carter!)
Doctor in Distress (1963) [SCENES CUT]
Young Detectives, The [8-Part Film Serial] (1963) Security Van Driver
A Bit of Doing [Short] (1963)
Heavens Above (1963) "Watery Eyes" [SCENE CUT]
Smokescreen (1964) Hotel Waiter
Island of Terror (1965) Constable John Harris
Projected Man, The (1966) Harry
Smashing Time (1967) Diner
Gold is Where You Find it [Short] (1968) Pader Murphy
Till Death Do Us Part (1968) Fred
Submarine XI (1968) [SCENES CUT]
Killing of Sister George, The (1968) Taxi Driver
Look At Life: There Ought to Be A Law [Educational Short] (1968)
Moon Zero Two (1969) Len, Barman
Too Late the Hero (1969) Colour Sgt.
Magnificent 6 & ½, The - Series 2: Part 1 (only?): ‘Pee Wee Had A Little Ape’ [6-Part Film Serial] (1969)
Last Grenade, The (1970)
10 Rillington Place (1970) Roberts, Furniture Dealer
Dad's Army (1970) Nazi Orderly
Quest for Love (1971) Taxi Driver
Magnificent 6 & ½, The - 3rd Series: Pt 5 (only): 'Up the Creek' [6-Part Film Serial](1971)
Up the Chastity Belt (1971) 1st Locksmith
Alf Garnett Saga, The (1972)
Steptoe & Son Ride Again (1973) Claude
Confessions of A Window Cleaner (1974) 1st Removal Man
Firefighters, The (1974) Fireman Stark
Amorous Milkman, The (1974) Wilf
Great Expectations [USA TVM/GB Cinemas] (1975) Scarred Convict
Confessions of A Driving Instructor (1976)
Chiffy Kids, The [6-Part Film Serial] (1977) Grumpy Gardener
Chimpmates ‑ Series 3 [6-Part Film Serial] (1978)
Time in Between [Short] (1979)
Yesterday's Hero (1979) Sam Turner
Shillingbury Blowers, The (1979) [UK TVM, shown Cinemas] Reggie
Danger on Dartmoor (1980)
High Rise Donkey (1980) Resident
Mirror Crack'd, The (1980) Prop Man with Fake Blood
Eye of the Needle (1981) Lock Keeper
Researched and compiled by M. A. Murton with additions by Jonathan Kydd
TV APPEARANCES
In these and this part of the page will be updated soon
‘The Saint’ ITV Mid-60s
‘Sweeney’ ITV 1976
Unable to Find Any Information on Any of These:
'Not Many Mansions' ITV
'TV Playhouse: The Road to Anywhere' ITV
'It's a Wonderful World' ITV
Years Unknown for These:
'Perry Como Special' ITV
'Crime Prevention Slots' (as "Fred the Burglar"). Early 1960s.
Series known, but exact episode(s)/date(s) unknown:
'The Army Game' ITV (1957-61)
‘The Benny Hill Show’ (many episodes, various roles) [BBC 1955-57 + 1961 + 1964-66 + 1968; ITV 1967, 1969-89]
'Charlie Drake Show' (many episodes, various roles) BBC (1960-62 & 1967-68)
'Bootsy and Snudge' ITV (1960-63)
‘Maigret’ BBC (1960-63)
‘Dangerman ITV (1960-61 or 1964-67)
‘The Arthur Askey Show’ ATV 1961
‘The Arthur Haynes Show’ATV (1956-66)
'Shadow Squad' ITV (1957-59)
‘The Rag Trade’ (BBC 1961-63 or LWT 1977-78)
'The Dick Emery Show' BBC (1963-81)
‘The Doctors’ 1963 [= BBC series 1969-71???]
‘Cluff’ BBC (1964-65)
'The Harry Worth Show' BBC (1964/5)
‘Adam Adamant Lives’ BBC (1966/7)
‘Play School’ (story reader) BBC (1970s)
Chronological Listing of known appearances:
‘Watch with Mother: Toad of Toad Hall’ BBC 1950
‘Sherlock Holmes: The Empty House’ (as "Unimpressed onlooker") BBC 1951
‘The Pickwick Papers’ (5-part serial as "Mr Sam Weller") BBC 1952
‘Billy Bunter of Greyfriars School: Bunter's Bycycle’ (as "Postman") BBC 1952
‘Billy Bunter of Greyfriars School: The Report’ (as "Nosey Jenkins") BBC 1952
‘The Wonderful Visit’ (as "Tramp") BBC 1952
‘Goonreel’ (various roles) BBC 1952
'Pickwick Papers' (as "Sam Weller") BBC 1953
‘Douglas Fairbanks Jr. Presents: Second Wind’ (as "Albert") ITV 1954
‘Caste’(as "Sam Gerridge") BBC 1954
‘Pantomania’ (as "King Rat") ITV 1955
‘London Playhouse: The General's Mess’ (as "Charlie Freezeman") ITV 1955
‘Theatre Royal: Bardell V. Pickwick’ (as "Sam Weller") ATV 1955
‘As I Was Saying: An Eye for Detail’ BBC 1955
‘The Vise: The Very Silent Traveller’ (as "Olsen") ITV 1955
‘The Vise: The Homing Chinaman’ (as "Simons") ITV 1955
‘Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde: episode 2 Mr Utterson's Encounter’ (as "child’s father") BBC 1956
‘David Copperfield’ (episode two as "A Friendly Waiter") ITV 1956
‘The Tony Hancock Show’ "[25/05/56] BBC 1956
‘Before Your Very Eyes’ [24/02/56] ITV 1956
‘Tales From Soho: The Protectors’ (as "Lefty") BBC 1956
‘London Playhouse: The Guv'nor’ (as "Charlie") ITV 1956
‘Captain Carvallo’ (as "Private Gross") ITV 1956
'Dixon of Dock Green: The December Boy’ (as "Mr Jenner") BBC 1957
‘The Adventures of Robin Hood: The Shell Game’ (as "Pick") ABC 1957
‘The Gay Cavalier: Little Cavalier’ (as "Peg-Leg") ITV 1957
‘The Gay Cavalier: The Lost is Found’ (as "Biggleswaite") ITV 1957
‘The Tony Hancock Show’ [11/01/57] BBC 1957
‘Big Guns: A Family Matter’ (as "Raikes") BBC 1958
'Dixon of Dock Green: The Case of Mrs. X’ (as "Harry Baker") BBC 1958
‘The Highwayman’ (as "Jerry Bridger") 1958
‘Frankly Howerd’ BBC 1959
'A Mask for Alexis' (as "Cycle Dealer") BBC 1959
‘Television Playhouse: The Advocate’ (as "Kovacs") ITV 1959
‘Antigone’ (as "First guard") BBC 1959
‘Sunday-night Theatre: Millionairess’ (as "The Man") BBC 1959
‘Samson and Delilah’ (as "The Sergeant") BBC 1959
‘Sunday-night Theatre: The Skin Game’ (as "Dawker") BBC 1959
'Hancock's Half Hour: The Big Night’ (as "1st Launderette Customer") BBC 1959
‘Sunday Night Theatre: All You Young Lovers' BBC 1959
'The Queen's Corporal' Granada 1959
'The Men From Room Thirteen: The Man Who Made Keys" (Parts 1 & 2 as "Cracker") BBC 1959
‘Mess Mates’ (three series as "Croaker Jones") ITV 1960-62
‘Arthur's Treasured Volumes: A Blow in Anger’ (as "Fred") ATV 1960
'Upgreen and At ‘Em' BBC 1960
‘The Trouble with Harry’ (Worth) BBC 1960
‘Time Remembered’ BBC 1961
‘Kraft Mystery Theatre: The Hideout’ 1961
'On the Boundary' BBC 1961
'They Met in a City: The Spanish Waiter' (as "Eddie") BBC 1961
‘Jango: A Great Day For Jango’ (as "Alf") ITV 1961
‘The Pursuers: The Inside Job’ (as "Frank") ATV 1961
‘Playhouse: The Pinkness of it All' ITV 1962
‘Crane’ (series, 39 episodes as "Orlando O’Connor") ITV 1963-65
‘Espionage: The Dragon Slayer’(as "Cruthchley") ATV 1963
‘Swallows and Amazons: episode 3 The Serpent’ (as "Young Billie") BBC 1963
‘Crossroads’ (regular, as "Mr Walton") ITV 1964-68
‘Detective: The Quick One’ (as "Wills") BBC 1964
‘Play of the Week: Deep and Crisp and Stolen’ ITV 1964
'Dixon of Dock Green: The Fire Raiser’(as "Harry Pegg") BBC 1964
'Dixon of Dock Green: The Witness’(as "Harry Pegg") BBC 1964
'Dixon of Dock Green: Mr. Farthing Takes a Walk’(as "Monty Stone") BBC 1964
‘Out of The Unknown: The Midas Plague’(as "Fred") BBC 1965
‘Orlando’ (series, 72 episodes as "Orlando O’Connor") ITV 1965-68
'Take a Pair of Private Eyes' (6-part serial as "Hector Frayne") BBC 1966
‘Comedy Playhouse: Heirs on a Shoestring’(as "Alfred") BBC 1967
‘Softly Softly: Pieces of Silver’(as "Jack Luff") BBC 1967
‘Man in a Suitcase: Why They Killed Nolan’(as "Nolan") ITV 1968
‘Never A Cross Word’(as "Garage Mechanic") LWT 1968
'Dixon of Dock Green: Ania’(as "Wally Green") BBC 1968
'Dixon of Dock Green: The Trojan Horse'(as "Price") BBC 1968
'Dixon of Dock Green: The Set-Up'(as "Cully") BBC 1969
‘Z Cars: Give A Dog A Bad Name’ (Parts 1&2) (as "Jimmy Dugdale") BBC 1969
‘Z Cars: Public Relations’(as "Charlie Steele") BBC 1969
‘Curry and Chips’ (series, as "Smellie") ITV 1969
‘The Fosset Saga’ (series, as "Herbert Quince") ITV 1969
‘Comedy Playhouse: The Making of Peregrine’(as "Rory") BBC 1969
‘Thirty Minute Theatre: The Tide Watchers’ BBC 1970
'Dixon of Dock Green: The Lag’s Bride'(as "Arthur Simpson") BBC 1970
‘The Troubleshooters: A Truly Exotic Development’(as "George Bartlett") BBC 1970
‘The Mating Machine: Ada’s Last Chance’(as "Lomax") LWT 1970
‘Here Come The Double Deckers: Invaders From Space’ BBC 1970
‘Thirty Minute Theatre: The Moonlighters’ BBC 1971
‘Tottering Towers’(as "Bertie Bogmoss") ITV 1971
‘Never Mind The Quality, Feel The Width: There is No Smoke Without Fire’(as "Jacko") ITV 1971
‘Armchair Theatre: Ireland, Mother Ireland’ (as "Conor Ingram") ITV 1971
'Follyfoot: Shadow'(as "Bookmaker") ITV 1971
‘Z Cars: Winner Takes All’(as "Taffy Evans") BBC 1972
'Sykes: Mouse' (as "Fire Chief") BBC 1972
'Dixon of Dock Green: First Offenders' (as "Knocker White") BBC 1972
‘Thirty Minutes Worth’ [07/11/72] Thames 1972
‘Play for Today: Carson Country’ (as "Tom Brannigan") BBC 1972
‘The Persuaders!: Someone Waiting’(as "Dwyer") ITV 1972
‘Marked Personal’ (as "Tom Barrow") ITV 1973
‘Sykes: Golf" BBC 1973
‘Ooh La La!: A-Hunting We Will go’ (as "Bridoir") ITV 1973
‘New Scotland Yard: Bullet in a Haystack’(as "Sammy Cutler") LWT 1973
‘This is Your Life’(as himself) ITV 1974
‘The Dickens of A Christmas’ (as "cabbie") Thames 1974
‘The Dick Emery Show’ [05/10/74] BBC 1974
‘Funny Ha-ha: Football Crazy’ (as "Dickie") Thames 1974
'Sykes: The Pub' (as "Harold Wilson") BBC 1974
'Dixon of Dock Green: Looters Ltd'(as "Charlie Barnet") BBC 1975
‘Centre Play: Kipper’ (as "Kipper") BBC 1977
‘Mr Big: The Ashes’ (as "Mr Waller") BBC 1977
‘Dad's Army: Wake Up Walmington’(as "Pub Customer") BBC 1977
‘Love For Lydia’(series, as "Old Johnson") ITV 1977
‘Sykes: Decorating’ BBC 1978
‘Return of The Saint: Tower Bridge is Falling Down’ (as "Charlie Stewart") ITV 1978
‘Sally Ann: Put Out to Grass’ BBC 1979
‘Sykes: The Stay-at-home Holiday’ BBC 1979
‘How’s Your Father: Fantasy Time’(as "old man") ITV 1980
"Jackanory" Many episodes (as 'Mr Bits and Pieces) BBC 1979-80
‘Playhouse: The Schoolmistress’ ITV 1980
‘Minder: Diamonds Are A Girl’s Worst Enemy’(as "Sid") ITV 1980
‘Rainbow: Striking: Hickory Dickory Dock’ ITV 1981
‘Terry & June: The Lawnmower’(as "Louis") BBC 1981
'Coronation Street' (as "Frankie Baldwin," Mike’s father) ITV 1981-82
‘Nobody's Perfect: Mrs Whicker in Love’ (as "Mr Beasley") LWT 1982
events
Sam's son, Jonathan, who edited the book, did a mini launch and signing at Vout-O-Reenee's club in Tower Hill, London on October 21st 2021.
Jonathan appeared on Talk TV recently discussing his career and the first Volume with top TV host Jonny Gould.
There will be a documentary produced in 2023. Here is a teaser video...