Advanced search
- TITLES
- NAMES
- COLLABORATIONS
Search filters
Enter full date
to
or just enter yyyy, or yyyy-mm below
to
Only includes names with the selected topics
to
or just enter yyyy, or yyyy-mm below
to
1-50 of 69
- John Comer was born on 1 March 1924 in Manchester, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Last of the Summer Wine (1973), The Family Way (1966) and Murder Most English: A Flaxborough Chronicle (1977). He died on 11 February 1984 in Blackpool, Lancashire, England, UK.
- Actor
- Writer
- Soundtrack
Robert Harper (Bobby Ball) and Thomas Derbyshire (Tommy Cannon) were both born in Oldham. They met in the early 1960s while working as welders in the same factory. Becoming friends, they formed a club act known as "Bobby and Stevie Rhythm", which became the Sherrell Brothers, then The Harper Brothers. Initially they were a vocal duo, but over time started to introduce more comedy into their act. They turned professional in the late 1960s, and eventually changed their name to Cannon and Ball.
Their first TV appearance was on "Opportunity Knocks" in 1968, where they came in last. Other early TV work included appearances on The Wheeltappers and Shunters Social Club (1974) during the 1970s. However, during this time their work remained predominantly in clubs and theaters. Their last TV series was in 1991, by which time tastes had changed and they were not as popular on TV. They continued their theatre summer seasons and pantomimes, where they still drew large audiences. Guest appearances on television continued.
Although things seemed to be going well in the 1980s, things off-stage were darker. Over the years they had gradually estranged to the extent that they no longer spoke to one another except when work demanded. Bobby was drinking heavily, womanizing, and had gained a reputation for violence. In 1986, Ball became a Christian, as did Cannon in 1992. During the 1990s and 2000s, the duo continued working, with theatre tours, summer shows, pantomimes and TV appearances keeping them busy. They performed regular Christian concerts and "evening with..." shows where they spoke about their lives and faith.- Bert Palmer was born on 22 April 1900 in Easingwold, Yorkshire, England, UK. He was an actor, known for A Kind of Loving (1962), The Avengers (1961) and Nearest and Dearest (1968). He was married to Lynne Carol. He died on 15 January 1980 in Blackpool, Lancashire, England, UK.
- Actor
- Writer
- Soundtrack
Keith started in show business at the early age of 9 in a comedy act with his father. Two years later when his father retired Keith couldn't find a partner to be a straight man so decided to be a ventriloquist. His father bought him his first 'doll' but after the string broke in the middle of his act he decided to make his own characters. he's had Orville since 1977 and Cuddles since 1967.- Actress
- Music Department
- Soundtrack
Violet Carson was born on 1 September 1898 in German Street, Ancoats, Manchester, England, UK. She was an actress, known for Coronation Street (1960), An Age of Kings (1960) and Hilda Lessways (1959). She was married to George Frederick Peploe. She died on 26 December 1983 in Cleveleys, Blackpool, Lancashire, England, UK.- Frank Carson was born on 11 June 1926 in Belfast, County Down, Northern Ireland, UK. He was an actor, known for Wild About Harry (2000), Dick Dickman P.I. (2008) and Under and Over (1971). He was married to Ruth Carson. He died on 22 February 2012 in Blackpool, Lancashire, England, UK.
- Actor
- Soundtrack
Jimmy Clitheroe was born on 24 December 1921 in Clitheroe, Lancashire, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Call Boy (1957), Rhythm Serenade (1943) and Stars in Your Eyes (1956). He died on 6 June 1973 in Blackpool, England, UK.- John Pedrick was born on 27 November 1947 in Hackney, London, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983), The Sign of Four (1983) and Meet Ricky Gervais (2000). He died on 12 December 2005 in Blackpool, Lancashire, England, UK.
- Lynne Carol was born on 29 June 1914 in Usk, Monmouthshire, Wales, UK. She was an actress, known for Coronation Street (1960), The War of Darkie Pilbeam (1968) and San Ferry Ann (1965). She was married to Bert Palmer. She died on 30 June 1990 in Blackpool, Lancashire, England, UK.
- With his flat cap, droll line in delivery and catch-phrase "I won't take me coat off - I'm not stopping!" Ken Platt was one of the last links with music hall and variety in Great Britain. Born in Leigh, Lancashire, Platt decided to become a comedian at the age of just 15. He bought a ukelele and performed at local concert parties where he was billed as 'the Pocket George Formby', in homage to his idol.
He joined the Army in 1942 and was posted to North Africa where he appeared in a concert party, The Forest Mummers. Demobbed five years later he tried his hand at showbusiness with little succes and so, disillusioned bought a grocery store in his home town.
A chance audition with the BBC in 1950 led to him being eventually asked to be resident comedian on the BBC's popular radio show Variety Fanfare. It was on radio that Platt was in his true element with his immaculate timing, brilliant ad-libbing.
Variety Fanfare ran for two years and made Platt a household name. He was a guest comedian on numerous radio variety shows and later topped the bill in pantomimes and summer seasons throughout Great Britain. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s he was a regular guest star on television programmes such as Big Night Out, Spot the Tune and The Liver Birds. He evoked considerable nostalgia by a memorable appearance on BBC's The Good Old Days using much of his material from his days on steam radio. - Mo Moreland was born on 30 November 1936 in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, UK. She was an actress, known for Coronation Street (1960), New Faces (1973) and The Little and Large Show (1978). She was married to Roy Moreland. She died on 15 December 2023 in Blackpool, Lancashire, England, UK.
- Animation Department
- Director
- Producer
John was wounded in WWII, while serving in the British Army "Desert Rats", in North Africa. Being a graphic artist, on return to England, he started as asst. art director at Pinewood Studio, with David Lean. Seeing a note on the studio notice board asking for cartoonists and artists to apply at GBA, Cookham, for work as animators, John applied, and was accepted. Here, under David Hand, (ex Disney director of Snow-White, Bambi), he worked for four years, becoming a first rate animator and director. GBA closed, John moved to US, and Disney, working on Peter Pan, and Lady & the Tramp, in Les Clark's unit. In 1954 he left Disney to start Fine Arts Films producing Petroushka (1956) with I. Stravinsky, winning five international awards, starting a new artistic direction in the use of animation. Journey to the Stars, (1961), seen by 7 million visitors to the Seattle World's Fair, was a major step, and animating Irma La Douce (trailer), for Billy Wilder, made it possible to enjoy the artistic merits of Paris hookers. He started John Wilson Prods., for Aussie TV in Melbourne, 1963, in a brief visit down under. Back with FAF, in '64, John got the Peabody award for NBC's Exploring, as the Best Kid's Show. This led to ten years work for US-TV, (CBS, ABC, NBC) in children's and primetime entertainment. In 1971 he produced and directed the animated feature Shinbone Alley (1970), a literary and musical success based on the works of poet Don Marquis. This received the Golden Phoenix Award at the Atlanta Film Festival, (Best of Fest). For the next ten years, John produced many award-winning TV series, (Madeline-DIC), Bucky O'Hare and Peter Pan for FOX-TV. Stanley the Ugly Duckling (1/2 Hour Musical for ABC-TV. Returning to OZ, in '83, John set Ferngully for AFC, as an animated feature, which successfully protected the rainforests, released by Warner Bros. At present, John is working on the musical version of Peer Gynt.- Danny Ross was born on 30 April 1930 in Oldham, Lancashire, England, UK. He was an actor, known for The Love Match (1955), Love and Kisses (1955) and I'm Not Bothered (1956). He died on 2 February 1976 in Blackpool, Lancashire, England, UK.
- Joan St. Clair was born on 29 June 1925 in Streatham, London, England, UK. She was an actress, known for The Paris Express (1952). She was married to Mark Raffles. She died on 25 December 2009 in Blackpool, Lancashire, England, UK.
- Frank Lucas was born on 25 September 1924 in Blackpool, Lancashire, England, UK. He was an executive. He died on 9 May 2023 in Blackpool, Lancashire, England, UK.
- Actor
- Composer
James Etherington was born on 16 April 1902 in Wheatley Hill, County Durham, England, UK. He was an actor and composer, known for The Hills of Donegal (1947), Post (2009) and The Policeman's Serenade (1947). He died on 16 June 1948 in Blackpool, Lancashire, England, UK.- Rose-Marie was born on 7 February 1956 in Newry, County Down, Northern Ireland, UK. She was an actress, known for Cold Fish (2001), Doctors (2000) and Knees-Up (1982). She died on 5 June 2024 in Blackpool, Lancashire, England, UK.
- Actor
- Stunts
Jimmy James, whose real name was James Casey was born in Stockton on Tees in 1892, His father, who was a clog dancer on Northern and Midland halls in 1904 introduced James as Terry the Blue Eyed Irish Boy who then did a song and dance act. After a while he joined Will Netta's juvenile singing troupe, Jockeys then Phil Ree's Stable Lads and Clare Lovedales Ten to One On. He then formed his own sketch company and toured The Spare Room as a bridegroom who got drunk at the reception and got locked out on the wedding night, Playing Sunderland in 1929 he was seen by George Black's agent and given a London booking at the Palladium, He was essentially a visual comic doing drunk routines, rolling a cigarette around his mouth, facial contortions. He had 3 routines Drunk, chipster and his best known The Shoebox with gormless Hutton Conyers, originally played by his son in law, Jack Darby then his son Cass James then Roy Castle (1956 ~ 59) Bretton Woods and his nephew Jack Casey.
-
-- Meg Dawson was born on 20 April 1937 in the UK. She was married to Les Dawson. She died on 15 April 1986 in Blackpool, Lancashire, England, UK.
- Charlie Cairoli was born on 15 February 1910 in Milan, Italy. He was an actor and writer, known for The Little and Large Show (1978), Garden-Party (1969) and The Ed Sullivan Show (1948). He was married to Violette Fratellini. He died on 17 February 1980 in Blackpool, Lancashire, England, UK.
- Actor
- Writer
- Soundtrack
Frank Randle was born on 30 January 1901 in Wigan, Lancashire, England, UK. He was an actor and writer, known for Somewhere in Civvies (1943), It's a Grand Life (1953) and Somewhere in England (1940). He was married to May Annie Victoria Douglas. He died on 7 July 1957 in Blackpool, Lancashire, England, UK.- Reginald Dixon was born on 16 October 1904 in Sheffield, England, UK. He died on 9 May 1985 in Blackpool, Lancashire, England, UK.
- Elsie Brown was born on 13 April 1918 in Oldham, Greater Manchester, England, UK. She was an actress, known for The Penny Pool (1937). She died in 2009 in Blackpool, Lancashire, England, UK.
- Dorothy Boyd was born on 8 May 1907 in Sanderstead, Surrey, England, UK. She was an actress, known for Easy Virtue (1927), Virginia's Husband (1934) and The Constant Nymph (1928). She died in 1996 in Blackpool, Lancashire, England, UK.
- Thomas Gallagher was born in 1898 in Germany. He was an actor, known for The Plank (1967), The Saint's Girl Friday (1953) and BBC Sunday-Night Theatre (1950). He was married to Rose Power. He died on 28 October 1967 in Blackpool, Lancashire, England, UK.