Campbell Singer (born Jacob Kobel Singer; 16 March 1909 – 16 February 1976)[1] was a British character actor who featured in a number of stage, film and television roles during his long career.[2][3][4] He was also a playwright and dramatist.[5]

Campbell Singer
Born
Jacob Kobel Singer

(1909-03-16)16 March 1909
London, England
Died16 February 1976(1976-02-16) (aged 66)
London, England
Occupation(s)Actor, writer
Spouse
Gillian Maude
(m. 1954)

Life

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He was born in London in 1909

Singer was a regular in British post-war comedy films, often playing policemen.[6] He first appeared on television in 1946, making regular appearances in the following three decades including several episodes of 'Hancock's Half Hour', and played the lead, John Unthank, in the BBC drama series 'Private Investigator' in 1958/59.[7][8]

From the early 1960s he appeared more consistently on television. He played several roles in the 1966 Doctor Who story The Celestial Toymaker, and made two appearances in different roles in the popular television series Dad's Army, including as corrupt politician Sir Charles McAllister.[9][10] He appeared in the 1967 The Avengers episode entitled "Who's Who???" as Major B. He also featured as Mr Finney in a Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em Christmas Special, and played a lodger in an episode of On the Buses.Singer also appeared as a bailiff in the Yorkshire Television series Rising Damp[11][12]

As a writer, Singer co-wrote several plays with George Ross, including Guilty Party, Difference of Opinion and Any Other Business, some of which were also televised.[13][14][1][15]

Filmography

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Year Title Role Notes
1947 Take My Life Police Station Sergeant Uncredited
1947 Jim the Penman Sutro
1947 The Woman in the Hall Von Soll's servant
1948 Dick Barton - Special Agent Sir George Cavendish
1948 Operation Diamond Bert
1949 The Spider and the Fly Belfort's Escort Uncredited
1949 Rover and Me Mr. Jackson
1950 The Blue Lamp Station Sergeant Uncredited
1950 Hangman's Wharf Inspector Prebble
1950 Someone at the Door Inspector Spedding
1950 Cage of Gold A Policeman
1950 Dick Barton at Bay Sir George Cavendish
1950 Blackout Inspector
1951 The Quiet Woman
1951 The Man Who Disappeared Dr. Watson TV pilot
1951 Pool of London Station Sgt. Uncredited
1951 A Case for PC 49 Sgt. Wright
1951 The Case of the Missing Scene Film Producer
1952 The Happy Family Policeman
1952 Home at Seven Inspector Hemingway
1952 Emergency Call Sgt. Phillips
1952 Lady in the Fog Inspector Rigby
1952 The Ringer Station Sergeant Carter
1953 Time Bomb Inspector Branson
1953 The Yellow Balloon Potter
1953 Appointment in London Flight Sergeant
1953 The Titfield Thunderbolt Police Sergeant
1953 Street Corner Desk Sgt. Bates Uncredited
1953 The Intruder War Office Clerk
1953 The Girl on the Pier Joe Hammond
1954 Conflict of Wings Flt. Sgt. Campbell
1954 Forbidden Cargo Sergeant Dodson, River Police Uncredited
1954 To Dorothy a Son Pub Landlord
1956 Ramsbottom Rides Again Uncredited
1958 Davy Stage Doorkeeper
1958 The Square Peg Sergeant Loder
1958 The Young and the Guilty Joe Marshall
1959 No Trees in the Street Inspector
1960 The Trials of Oscar Wilde Inspector
1960 The Hands of Orlac Inspector Henderson
1960 Danger Man General Abeijon / Colonel Segur TV series, 2 episodes
1961 Girl on the Roof Sir Archibald Uncredited
1962 The Pot Carriers Prison Officer Mott
1962 The Wild and the Willing Herbert Gilby Uncredited
1962 On the Beat Bollington
1962 Flat Two Hurley Brown
1962-66 The Saint Insp. Claud Teal/William Fenton 2 episodes
1963 The Fast Lady Kingscombe
1964 Go Kart Go Policeman
1966 Take a Pair of Private Eyes Inspector Roth 4 episodes
1966 Doctor Who Sgt. Rugg/King of Hearts/Joey the Clown Episode: The Celestial Toymaker

References

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  1. ^ a b McFarlane, Brian (16 May 2016). The Encyclopedia of British Film: Fourth edition. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9781526111975 – via Google Books.
  2. ^ "Campbell Singer". www.aveleyman.com.
  3. ^ "Campbell Singer - Movies and Filmography - AllMovie". AllMovie.
  4. ^ "Campbell Singer - Theatricalia". theatricalia.com.
  5. ^ League, The Broadway. "Calculated Risk – Broadway Play – Original - IBDB". www.ibdb.com.
  6. ^ "Campbell Singer".
  7. ^ "Campbell Singer". Archived from the original on 21 March 2017.
  8. ^ Pitts, Michael R. (28 October 2017). Famous Movie Detectives III. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 9780810836907 – via Google Books.
  9. ^ "The Celestial Toymaker ★★★★".
  10. ^ Pertwee, Bill (3 November 2009). Dad's Army: The Making of a TV Legend. Bloomsbury USA. ISBN 9781844861057 – via Google Books.
  11. ^ Perry, Chris (3 February 2016). The Kaleidoscope British Christmas Television Guide 1937-2013. Lulu.com. ISBN 9781900203609 – via Google Books.
  12. ^ Walker, Craig (21 June 2011). On The Buses: The Complete Story. Andrews UK Limited. ISBN 9781907792168 – via Google Books.
  13. ^ "Guilty Party - Theatricalia". theatricalia.com.
  14. ^ "Difference of Opinion (1967)". Archived from the original on 3 August 2018.
  15. ^ "Any Other Business (1964)". Archived from the original on 2 March 2021.
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