Nancy Olson

Born: 14 July 1928, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA

A short amateur stage career blossomed immediately into a full film career in the late 1940s. She immediately gained co-starring roles including an Oscar nominated performance in Sunset Boulevard (1950). Her career faltered when she married and she chose to raise her two children. Nancy eventually regained some status in the early 60s Disney films and on the stage.

Union Station (1950) as Joyce Willecombe

Nancy Olson is looking at William Holden.

Charles Farrell

Born: 6 August 1900, Dublin, Ireland
Died: 27 August 1988, London, England

A stage actor from a very early age who broke into films in the silent era, including an appearance in Alfred Hitchcock's 'The Ring' in 1927. Often cast as tough characters in the 1930s and 1940s, Charles eventually went on to appear on television from the 1950s onwards before retiring from the screen altogether in the 1970s.

Not to be confused with the American actor Charles Farrell, who was born in the same year, three days later.

Bell-Bottom George (1944) as Jim Bennett

Charles was at ease playing comedy roles like this one or tough guys.

Dennis Wyndham

Born: 15 January 1887, Natal. South Africa
Died: 19 August 1973, Worthing, Sussex, Worthing

Dennis Wyndham started his film career in the silent era. He starred in several British films before the sound era kicked in and settled for character roles.

Love on the Dole (1941) as Jim, Larry's assistant (uncredited)

Dennis Wyndham is on the right, with Clifford Evans.

















Bell-Bottom George (1944) as Petty officer Black

Dennis is on the right with Hugh Dempster on the left and George Formby as the sailor.

Manning Whiley

Born: 23 January 1915, London, England
Died: 29 January 1975, London, England

Appeared in 30 films from the late 1930s.

Old Bill and Son (1941) as Chimp

Bell-Bottom George (1944) as Church

The Shop at Sly Corner (1947) as Corder Morris

Harry Fowler

Born: 10 December 1926, Lambeth, London, England
Died: 4 January 2012, London, England

Harry Fowler made his public debut on a BBC radio show in 1942 about real life child evacuees from London and, as a result of that show and a subsequent screen test at Elstree Studios, was given a similar, but dramatic part in the film 'Those Kids from Town' in the same year, appearing alongside George Cole. He continued to appear in juvenile film roles through most of the rest of the war including two films starring George Formby. Later in his career, Fowler turned to television as an actor appearing in many of the popular British series from the 1950s to the 1990s and also appeared several times on Jackanory, a television series where actors and presenters read stories while illustrations from the book were displayed.

Bell-Bottom George (1944) as Boy on bike (uncredited)

If the date of birth is correct then Harry would be 16 or 17 when this part was filmed, but he looks much younger.

















Champagne Charlie (1944) as 'Orace

Town on Trial (1957) as Leslie, the bandleader

Lucky Jim (1957) as Cab Driver (uncredited)

In the back of the cab are Sharon Acker and Ian Carmichael.














Booby Trap (1957) as Sammy

In Sickness and In Health (1985) (Season 1, Episode 3) as The milkman

In Sickness and In Health (1986) (Season 2, Episode 3) as The milkman

Anne Firth

Born: 1 August 1918, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, England
Died: December 1967

A very British actress who was mainly in films from the late 1930's.

Bell-Bottom George (1944) as Pat

With George Formby.

Cecil Parker

Born: 3 September 1897, Hastings, East Sussex, England

Died: 20 April 1971, Brighton, East Sussex, England

 

A very English actor who was comfortable playing a lord as he was a butler or banker. He was many years on the stage including West End performances, and made his fim debut in 1933.

 

The Lady Vanishes (1938) as Mr. Todhunter

 

The Man in the White Suit (1951) as Alan Birnley

 

Olaf Olsen waits behind Cecil with a note.

















The Iron Maiden (1963) as Sir Giles Thompson

Other Works

 

Stage

 

1937 Bonnet over the Windmill New Theatre, London, England. Others cast members include: Ivy St. Helier, James Mason, William Douglas Home. The play is written by Dodie Smith.