John Le Mesurier on stage, radio, screen and record

John Le Mesurier (born John Elton Le Mesurier Halliley; 5 April 1912 – 15 November 1983) was an English actor who performed in many mediums of light entertainment, including film, radio and theatre.[1] Le Mesurier's career spanned from 1934 until his death in 1983. He is best remembered for his role as Sergeant Arthur Wilson in the BBC situation comedy Dad's Army, between 1968 and 1977.[2]

Le Mesurier made his professional stage debut in September 1934 in Dangerous Corner at the Palladium Theatre in Edinburgh under his birth name, and appeared on television for the first time four years later as Seigneur de Miolans in the BBC Television broadcast of "The Marvellous History of St Bernard". The broadcast was adapted from a 15th century manuscript by Henri Ghéon.[3] After wartime service as a captain in the Royal Tank Regiment,[1] Le Mesurier returned to acting and made his radio debut on the BBC Home Service in a March 1947 broadcast of Escape or Die. He continued working in television roles throughout his career, but it was his portrayal in the BBC television play Traitor, of a character loosely based on Kim Philby, which earned him the British Academy Television Award for Best Actor in 1972.[4]

In 1948, Le Mesurier worked on his first film, Death in the Hand, a mystery in which he played the character Jack Mottram. He went on to appear in over 100 films, including Private's Progress (1955), I'm All Right Jack (1959), The Punch and Judy Man (1962), Carlton-Browne of the F.O. (1959), The Pink Panther (1963), Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines (1965), and The Italian Job (1969).[1] He always appeared in supporting roles.

Le Mesurier took a relaxed approach to acting, saying: "I'm a jobbing actor ... as long as they pay me I couldn't care less if my name is billed above or below the title".[5] He was known for playing "an indispensable figure in the gallery of second-rank players which were the glory of the British film industry in its more prolific days".[1] Le Mesurier died in November 1983 from a stomach haemorrhage; his last words before slipping into a coma were: "It's all been rather lovely."[6]The Guardian noted that Le Mesurier gave the impression of an "inimitable brand of bewildered persistence under fire which [he] made his own",[7] while Philip Oakes considered that Le Mesurier single-handedly "made more films watchable, even absorbing than anyone else around".[8]

Selected stage credits

Selected stage credits of John Le Mesurier
Production[9] Date Theatre Role Notes
Dangerous Corner 01934-09-01 September 1934 Palladium Theatre, Edinburgh Billed as John Halliley[10]
The Thirteenth Chair 01934-10-01 October 1934 Palladium Theatre, Edinburgh Philip Mason[11] Billed as John Halliley[11]
The Dover Road 01934-10-01 October 1934 Palladium Theatre, Edinburgh Leonard[12] Billed as John Halliley[12]
She Stoops to Conquer 01934-11-01 November 1934 Palladium Theatre, Edinburgh Sir Charles Marlow[13] Billed as John Halliley[13]
The Mollusc 01934-12-01 December 1934 Palladium Theatre, Edinburgh Billed as John Halliley[14]
Grumpy 01934-12-01 December 1934 Palladium Theatre, Edinburgh Ernest Heron[15] Billed as John Halliley[15]
The Christmas Party 01934-12-01 December 1934 Palladium Theatre, Edinburgh Colonel MacHashit[16] Billed as John Halliley[16]
The Happy Ending 01935-01-01 January 1935 Palladium Theatre, Edinburgh Billed as John Halliley[17]
While Parents Sleep 01935-01-01 January 1935 Palladium Theatre, Edinburgh Billed as John Halliley[18]
Dangerous Corner 01935-02-01 February 1935 Palladium Theatre, Edinburgh Billed as John Halliley[18]
Cavalcade 01935-03-01 March 1935 Palladium Theatre, Edinburgh Billed as John Halliley[18]
Up in Mabel's Room 01935-07-01 July 1935 Coliseum Theatre, Oldham Billed as John Halliley[18]
Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary 01935-09-01 September 1935 Sheffield Repertory Company Billed as John Halliley[18]
Twelfth Night 01935-11-01 November 1935 Sheffield Repertory Company Malvolio[19] Billed as John Halliley[18]
Peace In Our Time 01936-09-01 September 1936 Croydon Repertory Theatre Mr Platt[20] Billed as John Halliley[18]
Dusty Ermine 01936-10-01 October 1936 Croydon Repertory Theatre Billed as John Halliley[18]
The Apple Cart 01936-10-01 October 1936 Croydon Repertory Theatre Billed as John Halliley[18]
Bees on the Boat Deck 01936-11-01 November 1936 Croydon Repertory Theatre Billed as John Halliley[18]
Ah! Wilderness 01936-11-01 November 1936 Croydon Repertory Theatre Billed as John Halliley[18]
The Constant Nymph 01936-11-01 November 1936 Croydon Repertory Theatre Lewis Dodd[21] Billed as John Halliley[18]
Charley's Aunt 01936-12-01 December 1936 Croydon Repertory Theatre Billed as John Halliley[18]
Charley's Aunt 01937-01-01 January 1937 Croydon Repertory Theatre Billed as John Halliley[18]
Love on the Dole 01937-09-01 September 1937 Croydon Repertory Theatre
Payment Deferred 01938-07-01 July 1938 Theatre Royal, Glasgow
The Romantic Young Lady 01938-07-01 July 1938 Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh
The Romantic Young Lady 01938-07-01 July 1938 Theatre Royal, Glasgow
Petticoat Influence 01938-08-01 August 1938 Theatre Royal, Glasgow
Husband to a Famous Woman 01938-08-01 August 1938 Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh
Husband to a Famous Woman 01938-08-01 August 1938 Theatre Royal, Glasgow
Three Sisters 01938-09-01 September 1938 Theatre Royal, Glasgow Konstantin[22] with the Howard and Wyndham Players[23]
The Moon in the Yellow River 01938-09-01 September 1938 Theatre Royal, Glasgow with the Howard and Wyndham Players[24]
Tovarich 01938-10-01 October 1938 Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh Prince Mikail[25] with the Howard and Wyndham Players[25]
Private Lives 01938-10-01 October 1938 Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh Elyot Chase[26] with the Howard and Wyndham Players[26]
Gas Light 01939-07-01 July 1939 – May 1939 Apollo Theatre, London (understudy)[27]
Gas Light 01939-05-01 May 1939 Finsbury Park Empire, London Mr Manningham[28]
Gas Light 01939-05-01 May 1939 – June 1939 Savoy Theatre, London Mr Manningham[28]
Gas Light 01939-06-01 June 1939 Chiswick Empire, London Mr Manningham[28]
Gas Light 01939-06-01 June 1939 Chelsea Palace Theatre, London Mr Manningham[28]
Gas Light 01939-07-01 July 1939 Grand Theatre, Blackpool Mr Manningham[28]
Gas Light 01939-10-01 October 1939 Prince's Theatre, Manchester Mr Manningham[28]
Goodness, How Sad! 01939-11-01 November 1939 – December 1939 on tour
Journey's End 01940-01-01 January 1940 Palace Court Theatre
French Without Tears 01940-01-01 January 1940 – February 1940 Grand Theatre, Blackpool
The Man in Half Moon Street 01940-03-01 March 1940 Brixton Theatre, London
Mystery at Greenfingers 01940-05-01 May 1940 Brixton Theatre, London
The First Mrs Fraser 01940-05-01 May 1940 Brixton Theatre, London
French Without Tears 01941-12-01 December 1941 ENSA
Just William 01946-12-01 December 1946 New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham Uncle Noel[29]
The Winslow Boy 01947-06-01 June 1947 Empire Theatre, Chatham
The Dubarry 01947-10-01 October 1947 – November 1947 Princes Theatre, London
The Linden Tree 01949-05-2323 May 1949 New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham
Love in Idleness 01949-06-01 June 1949 New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham
Playbill 01949-08-01 August 1949 New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham
Queen of Hearts 01949-12-01 December 1949 – January 1950 New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham
The Smooth-Faced Gentleman 01950-08-1414 August 1950 New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham
Traveller's Joy 01951-01-011951 New Theatre, Bromley
Angry Dust 01952-01-01 January 1952 New Torch Theatre, London Doctor[30]
The Hanging Judge 01952-09-01 September 1952 – December 1952 New Theatre, London Governor of Norwich Gaol[31]
Piccolo 01953-07-01 July 1953 – August 1953 Connaught Theatre with Worthing rep.[32]
The Snow Was Black 01953-10-01 October 1953 The New Watergate, London
Here Comes April 01954-03-01 March 1954 Connaught Theatre
Twenty Minutes South 01955-06-01 June 1955 Players' Theatre, London
Twenty Minutes South 01955-07-01 July 1955 – October 1955 St Martin's Theatre, London
Coroner's Verdict 01956-02-01 February 1956 Richmond Theatre London
Malice Domestic 01956-06-01 June 1956 New Lindsey Theatre Dr. James Gully[33]
Army Benevolent Fund Gala 01961-11-1919 November 1961 Victoria Palace Theatre, London
The Daily Express Starlight Dance 01962-07-2323 July 1962 Lyceum Theatre, London
Homage to T. S. Eliot 01965-06-1313 June 1965 London Fringe Theatre
Poetry Reading 01970-09-2020 September 1970 Little Medway Theatre, Kent
The Television Arts Ball 01973-12-3131 December 1973 Royal Albert Hall, London
Dad's Army 01975-09-01 September 1975 Forum Theatre, Billingham Sergeant Arthur Wilson
Dad's Army 01975-10-022 October 1975 – February 1976 Shaftesbury Theatre, London Sergeant Arthur Wilson
Dad's Army 01976-02-01 February 1976 – August 1976 On tour Sergeant Arthur Wilson [34]
One of Us 01976-08-088 August 1976 Aldwych Theatre, London
An Inspector Calls 01976-08-01 August 1976 Salisbury, Rhodesia
In Concert 01977-08-01 August 1977 New Fair Oak Theatre, Rogate
Bedroom Farce 01979-01-01 January 1979 – March 1979 Hilton Playhouse, Hong Kong, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur
Hay Fever 01980-04-2323 April 1980 – 31 May 1980 Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith Simon Bliss[35]
Hay Fever 01980-07-01 July 1980 – September 1980 Provincial tour Simon Bliss[35]
Hay Fever 01981-08-01 August 1981 Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guilford Simon Bliss[35]
Hay Fever 01981-09-01 September 1981 – October 1981 Ashcroft Theatre, Croydon Simon Bliss[35]
Hay Fever October 1981 Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham Simon Bliss[35]
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Television

John Le Mesurier's television appearances
Programme[36][37] Date Channel Role Notes
The Marvellous History of St Bernard 01938-04-1717 April 1938 BBC Television Seigneur de Miolans[3]
Richard of Bordeaux 01938-12-1818 December 1938 BBC Television Sir John Montague
They Flew Through Sand 01946-06-1414 June 1946 – 17 June 1946 BBC Television R.A.F. press officer
Whirligig 01951-02-1717 February 1951 – 28 April 1951 BBC Television Six episodes
The Railway Children 01951-02-2020 February 1951 – 17 July 1951 BBC Television Doctor Six episodes
Show Me a Spy! 01951-07-3131 July 1951 – 8 November 1951 BBC Television Sir Alexander Blythe Four episodes
Sherlock Holmes, "The Second Stain" 01951-12-011 December 1951 BBC Television Eduardo Lucas
A Time to be Born 01951-12-2424 December 1951 BBC Television Joseph
1066 and All That 01952-12-2525 December 1952 – 27 December 1952 BBC Television Two episodes
Teleclub5 01953-12-044 December 1953 BBC Television
Happy Holidays 01954-07-1010 July 1954 – 18 September 1954 BBC Television Mr Mulberry Six episodes
The Unguarded Hour 01955-03-2929 March 1955 BBC Television
Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Presents, "Flight One-Zero-One" 01955-06-2727 June 1955 US network Dr Garside First aired on 27 June 1955 on US networks, before UK broadcast on ITV Television on 23 May 1956
The Granville Melodramas 01955-11-3030 November 1955 – 13 December 1955 ITV Television Sir William Ralston; Sir John; Mr Rencelaw Three episodes
Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Presents, "Deadline Vienna" 01956-01-2121 January 1956 NBC Geoffrey Warren First aired on 21 January 1955 on NBC, before UK broadcast on ITV Television on 3 July 1956
Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Presents, "The Way Home" 01956-04-1111 April 1956 ITV Television Dr Lloyd
Crown Theatre Presents 01956-07-033 July 1956 ITV Television
Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Presents 01956-07-099 July 1956 ITV Television
Saturday Playhouse 01956-08-2525 August 1956 ITV Television
Assignment Foreign Legion, "The Search" 01956-10-1212 October 1956 ITV Television Leblond
The Errol Flynn Theatre, "Mademoiselle Fifi" 01956-11-2424 November 1956 ITV Television Curé
Fireside Theatre 01956-12-1616 December 1956 ITV Television
Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Presents, "The Ludlow Affair" 01957-01-2828 January 1957 NBC Inspector Burroughs First aired on 28 January 1957 on NBC, before UK broadcast on ITV Television on 16 December 1956
Television Playhouse 01957-03-2828 March 1957 ITV Television
The Gay Cavalier, "Sealed Knot" 01957-07-1616 July 1957 ITV Television Sir Richard Willis
Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Presents 01957-09-099 September 1957 ITV Television
Assignment Foreign Legion 01957-09-1010 September 1957 ITV Television
Hancock's Half Hour, "The Lawyer" 01957-12-022 December 1957 BBC Television Lord Chief Justice Williams Series 3, episode 9; broadcast live[38]
The Lafarge Affair 01957-12-1515 December 1957 BBC Television
Sword of Freedom 01958-02-1515 February 1958 ITV Television
Television Playhouse 01958-03-077 March 1958 ITV Television
Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Presents 01958-04-033 April 1958 ITV Television
Hancock's Half Hour, "The New Nose" 01959-01-1616 January 1959 BBC Television Dr Francis Worthington Series 4, episode 4[39]
Play of the Week 01959-01-2020 January 1959 ITV Television
Hancock's Half Hour, "The Horror Serial" 01959-01-2020 January 1959 BBC Television Colonel Series 4, episode 6[40]
The Adventures of William Tell, "The Avenger" 01959-03-077 March 1959 ITV Television Duke of Burgundy
Hancock's Half Hour, "The Servants" 01959-03-2727 March 1959 BBC Television Colonel[41] Series 4, episode 13[41]
The Errol Flynn Theatre 01959-04-1919 April 1959 ITV Television
Hancock's Half Hour, "Lord Byron Lived Here" 01959-10-099 October 1959 BBC Television National Trust Officer[42] Series 5, episode 3[42]
Interpol Calling, "The Long Weekend" 01959-10-1111 October 1959 ITV Television Monsieur Lamprou
Hancock's Half Hour, "The Cruise" 01959-10-3030 October 1959 BBC Television The Captain[43] Series 5, episode 6[43]
The Enormous Shadow 01959-11-1010 November 1959 ITV Television
Saber of London 01960-01-1818 January 1960 ITV Television Franz
Hancock's Half Hour, "The Cold" 01960-03-044 March 1960 BBC Television Doctor Callaghan[44] Series 6, episode 1[44]
The Somerset Maugham Stories 01960-04-077 April 1960 ITV Television
Play Gems 01960-06-055 June 1960 ITV Television
The Adventures of William Tell 01960-06-2626 June 1960 ITV Television
Jazz Session 01960-08-066 August 1960 BBC Television
Saber of London, "A Diplomatic Affair" 01960-08-2929 August 1960 ITV Television Franz
Danger Man, "An Affair of State" 01960-11-1313 November 1960 ITV Television
The Third Man 01960-12-033 December 1960 ITV Television
Hancock's Half Hour, "The Lift" 01961-06-1616 June 1961 BBC Television The Air Marshal[45] Series 7, episode 4[45]
The Pursuers 01961-06-1818 June 1961 ITV Television
Ghost Squad, "Death From A Distance" 01961-11-044 November 1961 ITV Television Volgu[46]
Armchair Theatre, "Tune on the Old Tax Fiddle" 01961-12-1717 December 1961 ITV Television
Saber of London 01962-02-055 February 1962 ITV Television
Danger Man 01962-03-3131 March 1962 ITV Television
Dial RIX 01962-10-055 October 1962 BBC Television
Mr Justice Duncannon 01963-01-2525 January 1963 – 15 February 1963 BBC Television Two episodes
This Is Your Life 01963-02-1212 February 1963 BBC Television Le Mesurier's wife, Hattie Jacques, was the show's main guest
Galton and Simpson Comedy Playhouse, "A Clerical Error" 01963-04-055 April 1963 BBC Television
Play of the Week, "The Brimstone Butterfly" 01963-04-1616 April 1963 ITV Television
Casebook 01963-10-055 October 1963 ITV Television
Armchair Theatre, "Long Past Glory" 01963-11-1717 November 1963 ITV Television Harry
The Avengers, "Mandrake" 01964-01-2424 January 1964 ITV Television Dr Madrombie
Festival, "The Lady Of The Camellias" 01964-02-1212 February 1964 BBC Television de Giray
Festival, "The Master of Santiago" 01964-02-2626 February 1964 BBC Television
Sunday Story 01964-04-1212 April 1964 ITV Television
Armchair Theatre, "The Blackmailing of Mr. S" 01964-07-2626 July 1964 ITV Television
Play of the Week, "The Bachelors" 01964-11-2323 November 1964 ITV Television Octave De Coetquidan
The Largest Theatre in the World, "Tea Party" 01965-03-2525 March 1965 BBC One Disley
Story Parade, "The Bachelors" 01965-04-011 April 1965 BBC Two
Memoirs of a Chaise Longue 01965-07-022 July 1965 BBC One
Riviera Police 01965-08-099 August 1965 ITV Television
Theatre 625, "Dr Knock" 01966-01-022 January 1966 BBC Two Dr Parpalaid
The Avengers, "What the Butler Saw" 01966-02-2626 February 1966 ITV Television Benson
The Wednesday Play, "Macready's Gala" 01966-03-022 March 19662 March 1966 BBC One Canon Dunwoodie
Frankie Howerd 01966-03-088 March 1966 BBC One
Pardon the Expression 01966-04-011 April 1966 – 13 June 1966 ITV Television Four episodes
Thirty Minute Theatre, "The Caramel Crisis" 01966-04-2525 April 1966 BBC Two Lame
Marriage Lines, "Home Market" 01966-05-066 May 1966 BBC One
Adam Adamant Lives!, "The Terribly Happy Embalmers" 01966-08-044 August 1966 BBC One
George and the Dragon 01966-11-1919 November 1966 – 24 December 1966 ITV Television Colonel Maynard Six episodes
Hugh and I 01967-01-033 January 1967 BBC One
All Gas and Gaiters, "The Bishop Gets the Sack" 01967-01-3131 January 1967 BBC One Television producer
Thirty-Minute Theatre, "An Absolute Treasure" 01967-02-2222 February 1967 BBC One Brian Turner
Mr Rose 01967-03-1717 March 1967 ITV Television
The Troubleshooters 01967-03-2020 March 1967 BBC One
George and the Dragon 01967-05-2020 May 1967 – 1 July 1967 ITV Television Colonel Maynard Seven episodes
The Further Adventures of Lucky Jim 01967-05-3030 May 1967 BBC Two
To Lucifer: A Son 01967-06-2929 June 1967 BBC One
George and the Dragon 01968-01-066 January 1968 – 17 February 1968 ITV Television Colonel Maynard Seven episodes
Call My Bluff 01968-02-2525 February 1968 BBC Two
Dad's Army 01968-07-3131 July 1968 – 11 September 1968 BBC One Sergeant Arthur Wilson Series 1; six episodes
George and the Dragon 01968-09-2626 September 1968 – 31 October 1968 ITV Television Colonel Maynard Six episodes
Harry Worth, "Private Pimpernel" 01968-10-2121 October 1968 BBC One Colonel Fullbright
Two in Clover 01969-02-2525 February 1969 ITV Television Chairman
Dad's Army 01969-03-011 March 1969 – 5 April 1969 BBC One Sergeant Arthur Wilson Series 2; six episodes
The Mind of Mr J.G. Reader 01969-06-1111 June 1969 ITV Television Joseph Bracher
W. Somerset Maugham: The Creative Impulse 01969-06-1717 June 1969 BBC Two Mr Albert Forrester
Tales of Edgar Wallace, "Flat Two" 01969-07-2525 July 1969 ITV Television Warden
Dad's Army 01969-09-1111 September 1969 – 11 December 1969 BBC One Sergeant Arthur Wilson Series 3; fourteen episodes
The Wednesday Play, "The Last Train Through the Harecastle Tunnel" 01969-10-011 October 1969 BBC One Judge Grayson
The Coward Revue 01969-12-2626 December 1969 BBC One
Saturday Night Theatre 01970-01-033 January 1970 ITV Television
Bird's Eye View 01970-03-2222 March 1970 BBC Two
Comedy Playhouse, "Haven of Rest" 01970-04-011 April 1970 BBC One Mr Prentice
Shine a Light 01970-05-1313 May 1970 ITV Television
A Royal Television Gala Performance 01970-05-2525 May 1970 BBC One Sergeant Arthur Wilson
The Des O'Connor Show 01970-07-3131 July 1970 ITV Television
Dad's Army 01970-09-2525 September 1970 – 18 December 1970 BBC One Sergeant Arthur Wilson Series 4; thirteen episodes
Dear Mother...Love Albert 01971-03-088 March 1971 ITV Television
This Is Your Life 01971-03-2424 March 1971 ITV Television Clive Dunn was the show's main guest
The Morecambe & Wise Show 01971-04-2222 April 1971 BBC One
Paul Temple 01971-06-099 June 1971 BBC One
Jokers Wild 01971-07-077 July 1971 ITV Television
Jokers Wild 01971-07-2828 July 1971 ITV Television
Misleading Cases 01971-08-066 August 1971 BBC One
Doctor at Large, "Mr Moon" 01971-08-2222 August 1971 ITV Television Stanley Moon
Play for Today, "Traitor" 01971-10-1414 October 1971 BBC One Adrian Harris Le Mesurier's performance won him a British Academy of Film and Television Arts "Best Television Actor" award.[47]
The Goodies 01971-12-1010 December 1971 BBC One
Dad's Army, Special, "Battle of the Giants" 01971-12-2727 December 1971 BBC One Sergeant Arthur Wilson
Jason King, "If It's Got to Go – It's Got to Go" 01972-02-1616 February 1972 ITV Television Dr.Litz
Jackanory 01972-09-1111 September 1972 – 15 September 1972 BBC One Five episodes
A Class by Himself 01972-09-1313 September 1972 – 18 October 1972 ITV Television Lord Bleasham Six episodes
Sykes, "Uncle" 01972-09-2929 September 1972 BBC One
Dad's Army 01972-10-066 October 1972 – 29 December 1972 BBC One Sergeant Arthur Wilson Series 5; thirteen episodes
Armchair Theatre, "Anywhere But England" 01972-10-3131 October 1972 ITV Television Freddie
Jason King 01973-01-055 January 1973 ITV Television
Comedy Playhouse, "Marry the Girls" 01973-02-011 February 1973 BBC One
Thriller, "File it Under Fear" 01973-06-022 June 1973 ITV Television Stubbs
Black and Blue, "Rust a Highly Moral Farce" 01973-09-044 September 1973 BBC One Sir Henry
Dad's Army 01973-10-3131 October 1973 – 12 December 1973 BBC One Sergeant Arthur Wilson Series 6; six episodes
Great Mysteries 01973-11-2828 November 1973 ITV Television, Anglia
Crown Court, "Murder Most Foul" 01973-12-2727 December 1973 ITV Television Reginald Standish
Late Night Theatre, "Silver Wedding" 01974-09-2525 September 1974 ITV Television Geoffrey
Dad's Army 01974-11-1515 November 1974 – 23 December 1974 BBC One Sergeant Arthur Wilson Series 7; six episodes
Village Hall, "Pie in the Sky" 01975-05-1818 May 1975 ITV Television Harold Garfield
Centre Play, "The Flight Fund" 01975-07-1414 July 1975 BBC Two Edward
Dad's Army 01975-09-055 September 1975 – 10 October 1975 BBC One Sergeant Arthur Wilson Series 8; six episodes
Death of an Old-Fashioned Girl 01975-09-2525 September 1975 ITV Television
Shades of Greene, "The Root of All Evil" 01975-10-077 October 1975 ITV Television Schmidt
Dad's Army, Special "My Brother and I" 01975-12-2626 December 1975 BBC One Sergeant Arthur Wilson
Bod 01975-01-011975–1976 BBC One Narrator Thirteen episodes
This Is Your Life 01976-03-1010 March 1976 ITV Television Arnold Ridley was the show's main guest
Dad's Army, Special "The Love of Three Oranges" 01976-12-2626 December 1976 BBC One Sergeant Arthur Wilson
Dad's Army 01977-10-022 October 1977 – 6 November 1977 BBC One Sergeant Arthur Wilson Series 9; six episodes
A Christmas Carol 01977-12-2424 December 1977 BBC Two Marley's ghost
The Morecambe & Wise Show 01977-12-2525 December 1977 BBC One
Flint 01978-01-1515 January 1978 BBC One
An Honourable Retirement 01979-11-044 November 1979 ITV Television Edward Brown
Ripping Yarns, "Roger of the Raj" 01979-10-2424 October 1979 BBC Two
The Dick Emery Show 01980-01-055 January 1980 BBC One
The Shillingbury Blowers 01980-01-066 January 1980 ITV Television
Worzel Gummidge, "Very Good, Worzel" 01980-02-033 February 1980 ITV Television Baines
Night of One Hundred Stars 01980-12-2121 December 1980 ITV Television
Brideshead Revisited, "Julia" 01981-11-1717 November 1981 ITV Television Father Mowbray Episode 6
Dead Ernest 01982-02-1515 February 1982 ITV Television
Bognor 01982-03-099 March 1982 – 23 March 1982 ITV Television Blight-Purley Three episodes
Hi-de-Hi! 01982-11-077 November 1982 BBC One The Dean
A Married Man 01983-07-1010 July 1983 – 31 July 1983 Channel 4 Eustace Lough Four episodes
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Selected radio broadcasts

Selected radio broadcasts of John Le Mesurier
Broadcast[48] Date Channel Notes
Escape or Die 01947-03-022 March 1947 BBC Home Service
Mutiny in the Navy 01947-04-1414 April 1947 BBC Third Programme
Alexander the Corrector 01947-08-1717 August 1947 BBC Home Service
Trafalgar Square 01951-08-2929 August 1951 BBC Home Service
The Trial of Sir Walter Raleigh 01951-09-099 September 1951 BBC Home Service
Focus on General Elections 01951-10-2323 October 1951 BBC Home Service
Alcock and Brown 01951-10-2828 October 1951 BBC General Overseas Service
Lord Delamere 01951-11-2222 November 1951 BBC General Overseas Service
I was a Communist 01952-02-088 February 1952 BBC General Overseas Service
Dr Arnold of Rugby 01952-02-1919 February 1952 BBC Home Service
Edward Gibbon Wakefield 01952-05-1111 May 1952 BBC General Overseas Service
At the Sign of the Maid's Head 01952-06-2626 June 1952 BBC Home Service
Portrait of Sir Edward Coke 01952-07-1818 July 1952 BBC Home Service
The World is My Parish 01953-06-1616 June 1953 BBC Home Service
Elizabethan Theatre 01953-09-099 September 1953 BBC General Overseas Service
Rodney Stone 01954-05-2020 May 1954 BBC Home Service
Brigadier Gerard 01954-09-011 September 1954 BBC Light Programme
Abu Hassan 01957-03-3131 March 1957 BBC Third Programme
Abu Hassan 01957-04-011 April 1957 BBC Third Programme
Doctor in the House 01968-06-2525 June 1968 BBC Radio 4
Late Night Extra 01969-01-3131 January 1969 BBC Radio 1 and 2
Brothers in Law 01970-06-099 June 1970 BBC Radio 4
Brothers in Law 01970-06-1616 June 1970 BBC Radio 4
Today 01971-03-1212 March 1971 BBC Radio 4
Open House 01971-07-1212 July 1971 BBC Radio 2
Brothers in Law 01971-07-2727 July 1971 BBC Radio 4
Sounds Familiar 01972-05-1717 May 1972 BBC Radio 2
Brothers in Law 01972-07-033 July 1972 BBC Radio 4
Desert Island Discs 01973-02-1717 February 1973 BBC Radio 4
Dad's Army, series 1 01974-01-2828 January 1974 – 10 June 1974 BBC Radio 4 Role: Sergeant Arthur Wilson[49]
Dad's Army, Special 01974-12-2525 December 1974 BBC Radio 4 Role: Sergeant Arthur Wilson[49]
Dad's Army, series 2 01975-02-1111 February 1975 – 24 June 1975 BBC Radio 4 Role: Sergeant Arthur Wilson[49]
Dad's Army, series 3 01976-03-1616 March 1976 – 7 September 1976 BBC Radio 4 Role: Sergeant Arthur Wilson[49]
The Kamikaze Ground Staff Reunion Dinner 01979-12-1616 December 1979 BBC Radio 3
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy 01980-01-2424 January 1980 BBC Radio 4 Role: The Wise Old Bird[50]
Stiff Upper Lip, Jeeves 01980-12-033 December 1980 – 7 January 1981 BBC Radio 4
The Lord of the Rings 01981-03-088 March 1981 – 30 April 1981 BBC Radio 4 Role: Bilbo Baggins[51]
The Flower Case 01982-10-2424 October 1982 BBC Radio 3
The Dog It Was That Died 01982-12-099 December 1982 BBC Radio 3
It Sticks Out Half a Mile 01983-11-1313 November 1983 – 15 January 1984 BBC Radio 2 Role: Arthur Wilson[51]
Nine episodes
It Sticks Out Half a Mile 01984-08-2121 August 1984 – 2 October 1984 BBC Radio 2 Role: Arthur Wilson[51]
Four episodes
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Filmography

Filmography of John Le Mesurier
Film[52][36] Year Role Notes
Death in the Hand 1948 Jack Mottram
Escape from Broadmoor 1948 Pendicot
Mother Riley's New Venture 1949 Karl
A Matter of Murder 1949 Ginter
Dark Interval 1950 Cedric
The Small Miracle 1951
Blind Man's Bluff 1952 Leftie
Mother Riley Meets the Vampire 1952 Scotland Yard Man Uncredited[53]
The Pleasure Garden 1953 Colonel Pall K. Gargoyle
The Drayton Case 1953 Inspector Henley
The Blue Parrot 1953 Henry Carson
Black 13 1953 Inspector
Dangerous Cargo 1954 Luigi
Beautiful Stranger 1954 Man at Baccarat Table Uncredited[54]
Stranger from Venus 1954 Man at Desk Uncredited[55]
Police Dog 1955 C.I.D. inspector
Josephine and Men 1955 Registrar
A Time to Kill 1955 Phineas Tilliard
Private's Progress 1956 Psychiatrist
The Battle of the River Plate 1956 Padre Uncredited[56]
The Baby and the Battleship 1956 The marshal's aide
Brothers in Law 1956 His Honour Judge Ryman
The Good Companions 1956 Monte Mortimer
The Admirable Crichton 1957 Cook Uncredited[57]
These Dangerous Years 1957 Commanding Officer
High Flight 1957 Commandant
Happy is the Bride 1958 Chaytor
Gideon's Day 1958 Prosecuting counsel Uncredited[58]
The Man Who Wouldn't Talk 1958 Judge
Law and Disorder 1958 Sir Humphrey Pomfret
Another Time, Another Place 1958 Dr Aldridge
The Moonraker 1958 Oliver Cromwell
Blind Spot 1958 Brent
Blood of the Vampire 1958 Chief Justice
Man with a Gun 1958 Man with a Gun
I Was Monty's Double 1958 Adjutant R.A.P.C. Uncredited[59]
Our Man in Havana 1959 Louis, headwaiter Uncredited[60]
The Captain's Table 1959 Sir Angus
Operation Amsterdam 1959 Colonel Jknol
Ben-Hur 1959 Doctor Uncredited[61]
The Lady Is a Square 1959 Uncredited[62]
Jack the Ripper 1959 Dr. Tranter
The Wreck of the Mary Deare 1959 MOA Lawyer Uncredited[63]
Desert Mice 1959 Staff Colonel
Follow a Star 1959 Birkett
Too Many Crooks 1959 Magistrate
Carlton-Browne of the F.O. 1959 Grand Duke Alexis
The Hound of the Baskervilles 1959 Barrymore
I'm All Right Jack 1959 Waters
School for Scoundrels 1960 Skinner, headwaiter
The Day They Robbed the Bank of England 1960 Green, deputy cashier of Bank of England
Never Let Go 1960 Pennington
Doctor in Love 1960 Dr Mincing
The Bulldog Breed 1960 Prosecuting Counsel
The Pure Hell of St Trinian's 1960 Minister
A Touch of Larceny 1960 Admiral Uncredited[64]
Let's Get Married 1960 The dean
Dead Lucky 1960 Inspector Corcoran
On the Fiddle 1961 Sergeant Hixon
The Night We Got the Bird 1961 Clerk of the Court
Five Golden Hours 1961 Director of Clinic
Mr. Topaze 1961 The blackmailer
Don't Bother to Knock 1961 Father Uncredited[65]
Invasion Quartet 1961 The colonel
The Rebel 1961 Office manager
Very Important Person 1961 Piggott
Go to Blazes 1962 Fisherman
We Joined the Navy 1962 Dewberry Snr
Flat Two 1962 Warden [66]
Hair of the Dog 1962 Sir Mortimer Gallant
Only Two Can Play 1962 Salter
Village of Daughters 1962 Don Calogero
Waltz of the Toreadors 1962 Vicar
Mrs. Gibbons' Boys 1962 Coles
Jigsaw 1962 Mr Simpson
The Main Attraction 1962 Bozo
The Punch and Judy Man 1963 Sandman
The Wrong Arm of the Law 1963 Assistant police commissioner
The Mouse on the Moon 1963 British delegate
In the Cool of the Day 1963 Doctor
The Pink Panther 1963 Defence lawyer
Hot Enough for June 1964 Roger Allsop
Never Put It in Writing 1964 Adams
The Moon-Spinners 1964 Anthony Gamble
City Under the Sea 1965 Reverend Jonathan Ives
Where the Spies Are 1965 MacGillivray
The Early Bird 1965 Colonel Foster
Masquerade 1965 Sir Robert
Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines 1965 French painter
The Liquidator 1965 Chekhov
The Sandwich Man 1966 Abadiah, religious sandwich man
Our Man in Marrakesh 1966 George C. Lillywhite
The Wrong Box 1966 Dr Slattery
Finders Keepers 1966 Mr. X
Eye of the Devil 1966 Dr. Monnet
The 25th Hour 1967 President of Court Original title: La Vingt-cinquième Heure[67]
Cuckoo Patrol 1967 Gibbs
Casino Royale 1967 M's Driver Uncredited[68]
Mister Ten Per Cent 1967 Jocelyn Macauley
Salt and Pepper 1968 Colonel Woodstock
The Italian Job 1969 Prison governor
Midas Run 1969 Wells
The Magic Christian 1969 Sir John Uncredited[69]
Doctor in Trouble 1970 Purser
On a Clear Day You Can See Forever 1970 Pelham
Dad's Army 1971 Sergeant Arthur Wilson
Au Pair Girls 1972 Mr Wainwright
The Alf Garnett Saga 1972 Mr Frewin
Confessions of a Window Cleaner 1974 Inspector Radlett
Brief Encounter 1974 "Cast member"
The Culcheth Job 1974 "Cast member"
Three for All 1975 Mr Gibbons
The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother 1976 Lord Redcliff
Jabberwocky 1977 Passelewe, the chamberlain
What's Up Nurse! 1977 Dr Ogden
Stand Up, Virgin Soldiers 1977 Col. Bromley Pickering
Rosie Dixon – Night Nurse 1978 Sir Archibald MacGregor
Who Is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe? 1978 Doctor Deere
The Spaceman and King Arthur 1979 Sir Gawain
The Shillingbury Blowers 1980 "Cast member"
The Fiendish Plot of Dr. Fu Manchu 1980 Perkins
Sir John Betjeman Late Flowering Love 1981 "Cast member"
Facelift 1984 Bruce
The Passionate Pilgrim 1984 Narrator [70]
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Discography

Albums

Album recordings by John Le Mesurier
Album[71] Year Record label Catalogue number Notes
Dad's Army: Original Cast Recording 1975 Warner Bros. Records K56186
What is Going To Become of Us All? 1976 Warner Communications K54080
Once Upon a World 1977 B7 Media 1906577005
The Velveteen Rabbit 1978 Columbia Records SCX6599 featuring Robin Le Mesurier with music by Ed Welch

Singles

Singles released by John Le Mesurier
Single[71] Year Record label Notes
"A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square" 1975 Warner Bros. Records B side: "Hometown", with Arthur Lowe and company
"There Ain't Much Change From A Pound These Days" 1982 KA Records with Clive Dunn
B side: "After All These Years", with Dunn
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Notes and references

  1. ^ a b c d Nimmo, Derek (January 2011). "Le Mesurier, John (1912–1983)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (Oxford: Oxford University Press). doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/31350. Retrieved 21 August 2012.  (subscription or UK public library membership required)
  2. ^ McCann 2010, p. ix.
  3. ^ a b Barry 1992, p. 190.
  4. ^ Angelini, Sergio. "Traitor (1971)". Screenonline. British Film Institute. Retrieved 6 September 2012. 
  5. ^ de Jongh, Nicholas (16 November 1983). "Dad's Army star dies". The Guardian (London). p. 1. 
  6. ^ Le Mesurier 1988, p. 189.
  7. ^ "The ubiquitous second row". The Guardian (London). 16 November 1983. p. 10. 
  8. ^ Oakes, Philip (7 February 1971). "Worrier on the Warpath". The Sunday Times (London). p. 26. 
  9. ^ McCann 2010, pp. 305-307.
  10. ^ "Palladium Theatre: "Dangerous Corner"". The Scotsman (Edinburgh). 4 September 1934. p. 6. 
  11. ^ a b "Palladium Theatre: "The Thirteenth Chair"". The Scotsman (Edinburgh). 2 October 1934. p. 10. 
  12. ^ a b "Palladium Theatre: "The Dover Road"". The Scotsman (Edinburgh). 9 October 1934. p. 10. 
  13. ^ a b "Palladium Theatre: "She Stoops to Conquer"". The Scotsman (Edinburgh). 13 November 1934. p. 14. 
  14. ^ "Palladium Theatre: "The Mollusc"". The Scotsman (Edinburgh). 4 December 1934. p. 14. 
  15. ^ a b "Palladium Theatre: "Grumpy"". The Scotsman (Edinburgh). 11 December 1934. p. 14. 
  16. ^ a b "Palladium Theatre: "The Christmas Party"". The Scotsman (Edinburgh). 26 December 1934. p. 10. 
  17. ^ "Palladium: "The Happy Ending"". The Scotsman (Edinburgh). 8 January 1935. p. 14. 
  18. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n McCann 2010, p. 305.
  19. ^ McCann 2010, p. 72.
  20. ^ McCann 2010, p. 76.
  21. ^ McCann 2010, pp. 76-77.
  22. ^ Le Mesurier 1984, p. 31.
  23. ^ "Glasgow: "Idiot's Delight" at the Empire". The Scotsman (Edinburgh). 6 September 1938. p. 14. 
  24. ^ "Glasgow: Musical Comedy at the Alhambra". The Scotsman (Edinburgh). 20 September 1938. p. 13. 
  25. ^ a b "Edinburgh Entertainments: Lyceum Theatre: "Tovarich"". The Scotsman (Edinburgh). 11 October 1938. p. 13. 
  26. ^ a b "Edinburgh Theatres: Lyceum : "Private Lives"". The Scotsman (Edinburgh). 25 October 1938. p. 17. 
  27. ^ McCann 2010, p. 81.
  28. ^ a b c d e f McCann 2010, p. 82.
  29. ^ McCann 2010, p. 104.
  30. ^ Bradbury, Parnell (17 January 1952). "New Torch Theatre". The Times (London). p. 2. 
  31. ^ McCann 2010, p. 119.
  32. ^ McCann 2010, p. 306.
  33. ^ "New Lindsey Theatre". The Times (London). 21 June 1956. p. 5. 
  34. ^ Pertwee 2009, p. 165.
  35. ^ a b c d e Billington, Michael (30 April 1980). "Hay Fever". The Guardian (London). p. 10. 
  36. ^ a b "Filmography: Le Mesurier, John". Film & TV Database. British Film Institute. Retrieved 22 August 2012. 
  37. ^ McCann 2010, pp. 308–310.
  38. ^ Webber 2011, p. 259.
  39. ^ Webber 2011, p. 266.
  40. ^ Webber 2011, p. 268.
  41. ^ a b Webber 2011, p. 275.
  42. ^ a b Webber 2011, p. 278.
  43. ^ a b Webber 2011, p. 281.
  44. ^ a b Webber 2011, p. 287.
  45. ^ a b Webber 2011, p. 298.
  46. ^ "Cast: Ghost Squad (ITV, 1961–63): Death From A Distance". Film & TV Database. British Film Institute. Retrieved 19 December 2012. 
  47. ^ "BAFTA Awards 1971". BAFTA Awards Database. British Academy of Film and Television Arts. Retrieved 2 September 2012. 
  48. ^ McCann 2010, pp. 307-308.
  49. ^ a b c d McCann 2010, p. 252.
  50. ^ McCann 2010, p. 279.
  51. ^ a b c McCann 2010, p. 287.
  52. ^ McCann 2010, pp. 310–311.
  53. ^ Browning & Picart 2010, p. 127.
  54. ^ "Twist of Fate (1854)". Turner Classic Movies. Turner Broadcasting System. Retrieved 22 August 2012. 
  55. ^ Warren 1997, p. 420.
  56. ^ "Cast: The Battle of the River Plate". Film & TV Database. British Film Institute. Retrieved 22 August 2012. 
  57. ^ "Cast: The Admirable Crichton". Film & TV Database. British Film Institute. Retrieved 22 August 2012. 
  58. ^ "Cast: Gideon's Day". Film & TV Database. British Film Institute. Retrieved 22 August 2012. 
  59. ^ Pym 2004, p. 650.
  60. ^ "Cast: Our Man in Havana". Film & TV Database. British Film Institute. Retrieved 22 August 2012. 
  61. ^ "Cast: Ben-Hur". Film & TV Database. British Film Institute. Retrieved 22 August 2012. 
  62. ^ Quinlan 1995, p. 219.
  63. ^ Parish, Stanke & Pitts 1977, p. 77.
  64. ^ "Cast: A Touch of Larceny". Film & TV Database. British Film Institute. Retrieved 22 August 2012. 
  65. ^ "Why Bother to Knock (1964)". Turner Classic Movies. Turner Broadcasting System. Retrieved 23 August 2012. 
  66. ^ Pratt, Vic. "Flat Two (1962)". Screenonline. British Film Institute. Retrieved 6 September 2012. 
  67. ^ "Cast: La 25E Heure". Film & TV Database. British Film Institute. Retrieved 22 August 2012. 
  68. ^ McFarlane 2005, p. 412.
  69. ^ "Cast: The Magic Christian". Film & TV Database. British Film Institute. Retrieved 22 August 2012. 
  70. ^ Morecambe 2009, p. 168.
  71. ^ a b McCann 2010, p. 311.
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Bibliography

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External links

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Last modified on 21 May 2013, at 15:54