Frank Thornton

Acting

Frank Thornton

Born January 15, 1921 · Dulwich, London, England, UK

Died March 16, 2013 · aged 92

Frank Thornton Ball (15 January 1921 - 16 March 2013), professionally known as Frank Thornton, was an English actor. He was known for playing Captain Peacock in Are You Being Served? (1972-1985) and its sequel Grace & Favour and as Herbert "Truly" Truelove in Last of the Summer Wine.

Known For

Gosford ParkGosford Park · 2001
Gosford Park
6.82001
MovieDramaMystery
In 1930s England, a group of pretentious rich and famous gather together for a weekend of relaxation at a hunting resort. But when a murder occurs, each one of these interesting characters becomes a suspect.
The Three MusketeersThe Three Musketeers · 1973
The Three Musketeers
6.71973
MovieActionAdventure
In 17th century France, young D'Artagnan wants to join the King's Musketeers, but instead befriends three legendary musketeers—Athos, Porthos, and Aramis—and together, they become embroiled in the political intrigue surrounding King Louis XIII and his adversaries, particularly the powerful Cardinal Richelieu.
The Assassination BureauThe Assassination Bureau · 1969
The Assassination Bureau
6.71969
MovieActionAdventure
In 1908 London, a women's rights campaigner discovers the Assassination Bureau Limited, an organization that kills for justice. When its motives are called into question, she commissions the assassination of its chairman. Knowing that his colleagues have recently become more motivated by greed than morality, he turns the situation into a challenge for his board members: kill him or be killed.
The Private Life of Sherlock HolmesThe Private Life of Sherlock Holmes · 1970
The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes
6.81970
MovieAdventureMystery
When a bored Sherlock eagerly takes the case of Gabrielle Valladon following an attempt on her life, the search for her missing husband leads to Loch Ness and the legendary monster.
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the ForumA Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum · 1966
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
6.11966
MovieMusicComedy
A wily slave must unite a virgin courtesan and his young smitten master to earn his freedom.
The Magic ChristianThe Magic Christian · 1969
The Magic Christian
5.81969
MovieComedy
Sir Guy Grand, the richest man in the world, adopts a homeless man, Youngman. Together, they set out to prove that anyone--and anything--can be bought.
Carry On Screaming!Carry On Screaming! · 1966
Carry On Screaming!
6.51966
MovieComedyHorror
The sinister Dr. Watt has an evil scheme going—he's kidnapping beautiful young women and turning them into mannequins to sell to local stores. Fortunately for him, Detective Sergeant Bung is on the case, and he doesn't have a clue!
The Bed Sitting RoomThe Bed Sitting Room · 1969
The Bed Sitting Room
5.91969
MovieComedyScience Fiction
In the hazy aftermath of World War III, the fallout from a 'nuclear misunderstanding' is producing strange mutations amongst the survivors, and the noble Lord Fortnum finds himself transforming into a bed sitting room.

Filmography

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Steptoe and SonSteptoe and Son · 1962
Steptoe and Son
7.81962
SeriesComedy
Steptoe and Son is a British sitcom written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson about a father and son played by Wilfred Brambell and Harry H. Corbett who deal in selling used items. They live on Oil Drum Lane, a fictional street in Shepherd's Bush, London. Four series were broadcast by the BBC from 1962 to 1965, followed by a second run from 1970 to 1974. Its theme tune, "Old Ned", was composed by Ron Grainer. The series was voted 15th in a 2004 BBC poll to find Britain's Best Sitcom. It was remade in the US as Sanford and Son, in Sweden as Albert & Herbert and in the Netherlands as Stiefbeen en zoon. In 1972 a movie adaptation of the series, Steptoe and Son, was released in cinemas, with a second Steptoe and Son Ride Again in 1973.

Seller

The Man in Room 17The Man in Room 17 · 1965
The Man in Room 17
6.31965
SeriesCrimeDrama
The Man in Room 17 is a British television series which ran for two seasons in the mid-1960s, produced by the Northern ITV franchise, Granada Television. Key to the series' success was the involvement of writer/producer Robin Chapman. The show was set in Room 17 of the Department of Social Research, where former wartime agent-turned-criminologist Edwin Oldenshaw solved difficult police cases through theory and discussions with his assistants. The novelty of the series was that Oldenshaw and his colleagues never needed to leave their office in order to resolve cases, preferring to spend their time playing the Japanese board game of Go. They simply provided their prognosis and left the police to do the cleaning up. Different directors were often appointed to film the Room 17 and outside-world scenes independently, to maintain a sense of distance between the two worlds.

Chief Inspector Bascombe