Acting
William Mervyn
Born January 3, 1912 · Nairobi, Kenya
Died August 6, 1976 · aged 64
William Mervyn Pickwoad (3 January 1912 – 6 August 1976) was an English actor best known for his portrayal of the bishop in the clerical comedy All Gas and Gaiters, the old gentleman in The Railway Children and Inspector Charles Rose in The Odd Man and its sequels. Mervyn was born in Nairobi, British East Africa, but educated in Britain at Forest School, Snaresbrook, before embarking on a stage c…
Known For
Operation Crossbow · 1965Operation Crossbow
★ 6.71965
MovieDramaWar
Allied agents infiltrate the Nazi rocket complex at Peenemunde in order to obtain their secrets and sabotage the plant. The film alternates between German developments of the V-1 missile and V-2 rocket (with a German cast speaking their own language) and discovery by British Intelligence of the weapon.
The Ruling Class · 1972The Ruling Class
★ 6.51972
MovieComedyDrama
When the Earl of Gurney dies in a cross-dressing accident, his schizophrenic son, Jack, inherits the Gurney estate. Jack is not the average nobleman; he sings and dances across the estate and thinks he is Jesus reincarnated. Believing that Jack is mentally unfit to own the estate, the Gurney family plots to steal Jack's inheritance. As their outrageous schemes fail, the family strives to cure Jack of his bizarre behavior, with disastrous results.
Atlantic Wall · 1970Atlantic Wall
★ 6.21970
MovieAdventureComedy
1944. Léon Duchemin owns a restaurant with his sister. His clients are Germans, Résistance et black marketeers. Léon unwillingly joins the Résistance when a British pilot is shot down and hides in his attic and, through a series of mishaps, he accidentally steals the plans for Hitler's V1 missiles.
Murder Ahoy · 1964Murder Ahoy
★ 7.11964
MovieDramaThriller
During an annual board of trustees meeting, one of the trustees dies. Miss Marple thinks he’s been poisoned after finding a chemical on him. She sets off to investigate at the ship where he had just come from. The fourth and final film from the Miss Marple series starring Margaret Rutherford as the quirky amateur detective.
Watch It, Sailor! · 1961Watch It, Sailor!
★ 7.01961
MovieComedy
Sailor Albert gets a message from the Navy saying he can't marry for certain unexplained legal reasons. Everyone, including his domineering mother-in-law to be, jumps to the conclusion that there must be another woman involved.
A Touch of Larceny · 1960A Touch of Larceny
★ 6.01960
MovieComedyCrime
After falling in love with an American woman, Virginia Killain, who is engaged to another man, British Naval Commander Max Easton, hatches a plan that will get him enough money to support Virginia in the lifestyle she is accustomed to. Easton's plan is to disappear for a time making it seem that he has defected to the Soviets taking important Naval secrets from his job at the Admiralty and to return and sue the newspapers for slander. Not everything goes as planned for Commander Easton.
The Railway Children · 1970The Railway Children
★ 6.71970
MovieDramaFamily
At the dawn of the 20th century, following their father's arrest on suspicion of betraying state secrets, the three Waterbury children—Bobbie, Phyllis and Peter—move with their mother to Yorkshire, where they find themselves involved in unexpected dramas along the railway by their new home.
Circus of Horrors · 1960Circus of Horrors
★ 5.81960
MovieHorrorCrime
A plastic surgeon and his nurse join a bizarre circus to escape from the police. Here he befriends deformed women and transforms them for his "Temple of Beauty". However, when they threaten to leave, they meet with mysterious accidents.
Movies
Operation Crossbow · 1965Operation Crossbow
★ 6.71965
MovieDramaWar
Allied agents infiltrate the Nazi rocket complex at Peenemunde in order to obtain their secrets and sabotage the plant. The film alternates between German developments of the V-1 missile and V-2 rocket (with a German cast speaking their own language) and discovery by British Intelligence of the weapon.
The Ruling Class · 1972The Ruling Class
★ 6.51972
MovieComedyDrama
When the Earl of Gurney dies in a cross-dressing accident, his schizophrenic son, Jack, inherits the Gurney estate. Jack is not the average nobleman; he sings and dances across the estate and thinks he is Jesus reincarnated. Believing that Jack is mentally unfit to own the estate, the Gurney family plots to steal Jack's inheritance. As their outrageous schemes fail, the family strives to cure Jack of his bizarre behavior, with disastrous results.
Atlantic Wall · 1970Atlantic Wall
★ 6.21970
MovieAdventureComedy
1944. Léon Duchemin owns a restaurant with his sister. His clients are Germans, Résistance et black marketeers. Léon unwillingly joins the Résistance when a British pilot is shot down and hides in his attic and, through a series of mishaps, he accidentally steals the plans for Hitler's V1 missiles.
Murder Ahoy · 1964Murder Ahoy
★ 7.11964
MovieDramaThriller
During an annual board of trustees meeting, one of the trustees dies. Miss Marple thinks he’s been poisoned after finding a chemical on him. She sets off to investigate at the ship where he had just come from. The fourth and final film from the Miss Marple series starring Margaret Rutherford as the quirky amateur detective.
Watch It, Sailor! · 1961Watch It, Sailor!
★ 7.01961
MovieComedy
Sailor Albert gets a message from the Navy saying he can't marry for certain unexplained legal reasons. Everyone, including his domineering mother-in-law to be, jumps to the conclusion that there must be another woman involved.
A Touch of Larceny · 1960A Touch of Larceny
★ 6.01960
MovieComedyCrime
After falling in love with an American woman, Virginia Killain, who is engaged to another man, British Naval Commander Max Easton, hatches a plan that will get him enough money to support Virginia in the lifestyle she is accustomed to. Easton's plan is to disappear for a time making it seem that he has defected to the Soviets taking important Naval secrets from his job at the Admiralty and to return and sue the newspapers for slander. Not everything goes as planned for Commander Easton.
The Railway Children · 1970The Railway Children
★ 6.71970
MovieDramaFamily
At the dawn of the 20th century, following their father's arrest on suspicion of betraying state secrets, the three Waterbury children—Bobbie, Phyllis and Peter—move with their mother to Yorkshire, where they find themselves involved in unexpected dramas along the railway by their new home.
Circus of Horrors · 1960Circus of Horrors
★ 5.81960
MovieHorrorCrime
A plastic surgeon and his nurse join a bizarre circus to escape from the police. Here he befriends deformed women and transforms them for his "Temple of Beauty". However, when they threaten to leave, they meet with mysterious accidents.
Hot Enough for June · 1964Hot Enough for June
★ 5.71964
MovieComedyThriller
A young man travels to Prague to join his new employer, unaware that he is being used as an espionage courier.
The Christmas Messenger · 1975The Christmas Messenger
★ 9.01975
MovieAnimationFamily
An angel, present at the birth of Jesus, returns to Earth each year to listen to the Christmas carols and these carols are illustrated in short animated vignettes.
The Battle of the Sexes · 1960The Battle of the Sexes
★ 6.51960
MovieComedy
Angela Barrows is a man-eating business woman sent by her American employer to investigate their export opportunities in Edinburgh. En route she meets Robert MacPherson, a businessman who asks for her help to bring his company into the 20th Century. The staff, led by Mr Martin, has other ideas—and a battle between the old and new business methods soon breaks out.
Deadlier Than the Male · 1967Deadlier Than the Male
★ 5.91967
MovieActionComedy
British agent Bulldog Drummond is assigned to stop a master criminal who uses beautiful women to do his killings.
Barnacle Bill · 1957Barnacle Bill
★ 6.61957
MovieComedy
A seasick sea captain commands an amusement pier despite local opposition. Released in the U.S. as 'All at Sea'
Carry On Henry · 1971Carry On Henry
★ 6.11971
MovieAdventureComedy
Henry VIII has just married Marie of Normandy, and is eager to consummate their marriage. Unfortunately for Henry, she is always eating garlic, and refuses to stop. Deciding to get rid of her in his usual manner, Henry has to find some way of doing it without provoking war with Marie's cousin, the King of France. Perhaps if she had an affair...
The Long Arm · 1956The Long Arm
★ 6.91956
MovieMysteryCrime
Scotland Yard detectives attempt to solve a spate of safe robberies across England beginning with clues found at the latest burglary in London. The film is notable for using a police procedural style made popular by Ealing in their 1950 film The Blue Lamp. It is known in the US as The Third Key.
The Jokers · 1967The Jokers
★ 6.31967
MovieComedyCrime
Brothers Michael and David Tremayne decide to steal the Crown Jewels from the Tower of London, not for criminal purposes, but to make themselves famous.
Carve Her Name with Pride · 1958Carve Her Name with Pride
★ 6.01958
MovieDramaWar
London, England, during World War II. After living a tragic life experience, young Violette Szabo joins the Special Operations Executive and crosses the German enemy lines as a secret agent to aid a French Resistance group.
Conflict of Wings · 1954Conflict of Wings
★ 6.21954
MovieComedy
In rural Norfolk, villagers are spurred to action when it is announced that the nearby RAF station is taking over the Island of Children, a much-loved and untouched bird sanctuary, for rocket practice.
The Blue Lamp · 1950The Blue Lamp
★ 6.61950
MovieCrimeThriller
P.C. George Dixon is a long-serving traditional copper who is due to retire shortly. He takes a new recruit under his aegis and introduces him to the easy-going night beat. Dixon is a classic ordinary hero but also anachronistic, unprepared and unable to answer the violence of the 1950s.
No Love for Johnnie · 1961No Love for Johnnie
★ 6.71961
MovieDrama
Johnnie Byrne is a member of the British Parliament. In his 40s, he's feeling frustrated with his life and his personal as well as professional problems tower up over him. His desires to win the next election are endangered by his constant looking for love and he is faced with the choice of giving up a career in politics or giving up the woman he loves.
Follow That Camel · 1967Follow That Camel
★ 5.91967
MovieComedy
Bertram Oliphant 'Bo' West wants to clear his unjustly smeared reputation, so he joins the Foreign Legion—with Simpson his manservant in tow. But the fort they get posted to is full of eccentric legionnaires, and there's trouble brewing with the locals too. Unbeknown to Bo, his lady love has followed him in disguise.
Up the Front · 1972Up the Front
★ 4.41972
MovieComedy
In Frankie Howerd's third Up... film it's World War I and he plays Lurk, an absolute cowerd, er coward. He's evading the call-up for all he's worth. But one evening he's hypnotised by a drunken hypnotist (Stanley Holloway) into being brave, but he fails to be released from it. So with his yellow streak gone Lurk is down that army office before you can say "titter ye not." Off to war he goes, mingling with sexy spies like Zsa Zsa Gabor and before long, the spellbound recruit is heading hot-foot back to Blighty with the Germans' plan of attack tattooed on his bum, and the Germans are bringing up the rear...! Full of sauce, knowing real-life references and witty remarks to camera, this is a cheeky incorrigible final instalment.
The Best House in London · 1969The Best House in London
★ 4.01969
MovieComedy
In Victorian London, the British Government attempts a solution to the problem of street prostitution by establishing the world's most fabulous brothel.
Carry On Again Doctor · 1969Carry On Again Doctor
★ 6.11969
MovieComedy
Dr. Nookey is disgraced and sent to a remote island hospital. He is given a secret slimming potion by a member of staff, Gladstone Screwer, and he flies back to England to fame and fortune. But others want to cash in on his good fortunes, and some just want him brought down a peg or two.
TV Shows
BBC Play of the Month · 1965BBC Play of the Month
★ 5.31965
SeriesDrama
A BBC television anthology series featuring productions of classic and contemporary stage plays usually broadcast on BBC1. Each production featured a different work, often using prominent British stage actors in the leading roles. The series was transmitted from October 1965 to September 1983.
Crown Court · 1972Crown Court
★ 5.71972
SeriesDrama
Crown Court is an afternoon television courtroom drama produced by Granada Television for the ITV network that ran from 1972, when the Crown Court system replaced Assize courts and Quarter sessions in the legal system of England and Wales, to 1984.
The Persuaders! · 1971The Persuaders!
★ 7.61971
SeriesComedy
An English aristocrat and an American millionaire come together to tackle crime.
Thirty-Minute Theatre · 1965Thirty-Minute Theatre
★ 4.21965
SeriesDrama
An anthology of short plays shown on BBC Television between 1965 and 1973, used in part at least as a training ground for new writers, on account of its short length, and which therefore attracted many writers who later became well known.
No Hiding Place · 1959No Hiding Place
★ 4.81959
SeriesCrimeDrama
No Hiding Place is a British television series that was produced at Wembley Studios by Associated-Rediffusion for the ITV network between 16 September 1959 and 22 June 1967.
It was the sequel to the series Murder Bag and Crime Sheet, all starring Raymond Francis as Detective Superintendent, later Detective Chief Superintendent Tom Lockhart.
The Adventures of Robin Hood · 1955The Adventures of Robin Hood
★ 6.41955
SeriesFamily
The legendary character Robin Hood and his band of merry men in Sherwood Forest and the surrounding vicinity. While some episodes dramatised the traditional Robin Hood tales, most episodes were original dramas created by the show's writers and producers.
Maigret · 1960Maigret
★ 7.11960
SeriesCrimeDrama
BBC series based on the novels by Georges Simenon which starred Rupert Davies as Inspector Maigret, a French police detective who preferred to watch and listen in order to solve crimes. The series ran from 1960-63 on British television.
The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes · 1971The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes
★ 7.51971
SeriesMysteryCrime
An anthology series produced by Thames Television, comprised of short mystery, suspense or crime adaptations featuring, as the title suggests, detectives who were literary contemporaries of Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes.
Gideon's Way · 1965Gideon's Way
★ 7.01965
SeriesDrama
Gideon's Way is a British television crime series made by ITC Entertainment in 1964/65, based on the novels by John Creasey. The series was made at Elstree in twin production with The Saint TV series. It starred Liverpudlian John Gregson in the title role as Commander George Gideon of Scotland Yard, with Alexander Davion as his assistant, Detective Chief Inspector David Keen, Reginald Jessup as Det. Superintendent LeMaitre, Ian Rossiter as Detective Chief Superintendent Joe Bell and Basil Dignam as Commissioner Scott-Marle. The show did not acknowledge any help from Scotland Yard, any other police force or advisor.
Daphne Anderson starred as his wife, Kate with Giles Watling as young son, Malcolm, Richard James as older son, Matthew who seemed to have a lot of new girlfriends and Andrea Allan as daughter, Pru. Unusually for police stories, Gideon was shown as a family man at home though urgent phone calls from his bosses tend to disrupt family plans too often. However, he did admit in "State Visit" that his wife had walked out on him for a while years ago when he put the job first and her second. They live in an expensive detached house in Chelsea.
Hancock's Half Hour · 1956Hancock's Half Hour
★ 7.41956
SeriesComedy
Hancock's Half Hour is a BBC television comedy series of the 1950s and 60s written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson. The series starred Tony Hancock with Sid James. The final series, renamed simply Hancock, starred Hancock alone.
Comedian Tony Hancock starred in the show, playing an exaggerated and much poorer version of his own character and lifestyle, Anthony Aloysius St John Hancock, a down-at-heel comedian living at the dilapidated 23 Railway Cuttings in East Cheam.
The series was influential in the development of the situation comedy, with its move away from radio variety towards a focus on character development.
All Gas and Gaiters · 1967All Gas and Gaiters
★ 6.31967
SeriesComedy
All Gas and Gaiters is a British television ecclesiastical sitcom which aired on BBC1 from 1966 to 1971. It was written by Pauline Devaney and Edwin Apps, a husband-and-wife team who used the pseudonym of "John Wraith" when writing the pilot.
At St Oggs Cathedral is a carefree bishop, an old tippling archdeacon, and an accident-prone chaplain, who all wish to live a quiet bachelor life, but this is continually threatened by the dean, who tries to bring by-the-book rule to the cathedral.
The Odd Man · 1960The Odd Man
★ 8.01960
SeriesCrimeDrama
The first of a trilogy of police procedurals produced in the 1960s by Granada TV, linked by the presence of pompous but increasingly genial police Chief Inspector Charles Rose, The Odd Man initially dealt with the investigations of theatrical-agent-cum-detective Steve Gardiner, and his encounters with the police in the form of Chief Inspector Gordon and DS Swift. By season three, Rose takes Gardiner's place.
Raffles · 1977Raffles
★ 8.41977
SeriesComedyCrime
Raffles was a 1977 television adaptation of the A. J. Raffles stories by Ernest William Hornung. The series was produced by Yorkshire Television and written by Philip Mackie. The episodes were largely faithful adaptations of the stories in the books, though occasionally two stories would be merged to create one.
In Victorian-era London, gentleman thief A. J. Raffles, a renowned cricketer, and his friend, the eager but naive Bunny Manders, test their skills in relieving the wealthy of their valuables whilst avoiding detection, especially from the persistent Inspector Mackenzie.
On Trial · 1960On Trial
1960
SeriesCrimeDrama
A series of real trials from British history, famous and notorious, dramatised from the court records.
The Young Lady from London · 1959The Young Lady from London
1959
SeriesComedy
It's Dark Outside · 1964It's Dark Outside
1964
SeriesCrimeDrama
This spin-off from The Odd Man (1962) starred William Mervyn as the acerbic Inspector Rose, who, alongside the soft-hearted pensive Det. Sgt. Swift (Keith Barron), are joined by Anthony (John Carson) and Alice Brand (June Toblin), a barrister and his journalist wife, though not for long.
By the second season, the Brands and Swift departed, leaving the calm, cold Rose in prime position, supported by newcomers DS Hunter (Anthony Ainley), his girlfriend Claire (Veronica Strong), and her boozy reporter friend Fred Blaine (John Stratton).
Mr. Rose · 1967Mr. Rose
★ 7.01967
SeriesCrimeDrama
Retirement has given Mr Rose the time not only to cultivate a cottage garden in Eastbourne but also to write his memoirs.
And it’s the impending publication of those memoirs that brings a number of figures crawling out of the woodwork and back into his life: criminals and former colleagues alike, who know that his vast personal library of case files holds a wealth of incriminating detail.
The Ghosts of Motley Hall · 1976The Ghosts of Motley Hall
★ 7.51976
SeriesSci-Fi & FantasyComedy
The Ghosts of Motley Hall is a British children's television series written by Richard Carpenter and produced and directed by Quentin Lawrence for Granada Television, and broadcast between 1976 and 1978 on ITV.
Five ghosts occupy the titular Motley Hall. Each hails from a different era and all—with the exception of newly deceased Matt—are unable to leave the confines of the building.
Armchair Theatre · 1956Armchair Theatre
★ 6.01956
SeriesDrama
Armchair Theatre is a British television drama anthology series of single plays that ran on the ITV network from 1956 to 1974. It was originally produced by Associated British Corporation, and later by Thames Television from mid-1968.
Persuasion · 1960Persuasion
★ 10.01960
SeriesDrama
Persuasion is a 1960 British television miniseries adaptation of the Jane Austen novel of the same name. Produced by the BBC and directed by Campbell Logan, Daphne Slater stars as Anne Elliot, and Paul Daneman as Captain Frederick Wentworth.
Living with her snobby family on the brink of bankruptcy, Anne Elliot is an unconforming woman with modern sensibilities. When Frederick Wentworth – the dashing one she once sent away – crashes back into her life, Anne must choose between putting the past behind her or listening to her heart when it comes to second chances.
Oliver Twist · 1962Oliver Twist
★ 6.51962
Series
When 9-year-old orphan Oliver Twist dares to ask his cruel taskmaster, Mr. Bumble, for a second serving of gruel, he's hired out as an apprentice. Escaping that dismal fate, young Oliver falls in with the street urchin known as the Artful Dodger and his criminal mentor, Fagin. When kindly Mr. Brownlow takes Oliver in, Fagin's evil henchman Bill Sikes plots to kidnap the boy.