Cartman
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Post by Cartman on May 25, 2022 17:17:54 GMT
Sometimes a relatively minor character can be really good and make a memorable contribution to a programme of film even if they're not in it that much. Here's a few of my favourites
Sheriff J W Pepper in Live and let Die and The man with the golden gun Jaws in The spy who loved me and Moonraker Keith Lard in Peter Kay's Phoenix nights The hotel inspector, played by Bernard Cribbins in Fawlty Towers General Melchett in Blackadder goes forth Dr Johnson, played by Robbie Coltrane in Blackadder the third A bloke called Graham Proctor who was in Coronation street about the time I stopped watching it, he was barking mad and funny, always unsuccessfully chasing Rosie Webster (she was quite funny too)
Any more?
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Post by Gene Hunt on May 25, 2022 17:47:57 GMT
Though he was in a few episodes, I'd nominate Ken Jones who played Ives in Porridge. Gene.
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Cartman
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Post by Cartman on May 25, 2022 17:57:07 GMT
To quote Mackay (another great character) "This is Ives, horrible Ives"
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Nightfly
Screenwriter
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Post by Nightfly on May 25, 2022 20:13:30 GMT
An interesting topic. I can think of a few characters who seem to have been written in to provide a backup to the story.
John Cazale as Stan, Frank's (Gene Hackman) assistant in The Conversation. He doesn't say much but provides an insight into Frank's character
Benjamin Whitrow as Jimmy's boss in Quadrophenia (particularly the scene in the Gents where he is discussing cigarette advertising and cancer whilst Jimmy emerges coughing from a cubicle and lights a fag).
Ray Winstone as Kevin in the same film. A crucial character who doesn't actually get much screen time.
Ian McShane as Teddy Bass the gang boss in Sexy Beast.
Robert Duvall as the fearless and surfing mad Lt Kilgore in Apocalypse Now and indeed Brando who is only in about 10 minutes of a 2½ hour film, despite his character being the subject of the whole story.
Reece Shearsmith as "Stink Ray" the fishmonger in Peter Kay's Car Share.
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Post by Arthur Pringle on May 25, 2022 20:58:08 GMT
Maurice Yeatman, the verger in Dad's Army played by Edward Sinclair
In Nearest And Dearest Edward Malin plays a character who appears in most episodes & never says a word, Hylda Baker was famous for having a stage act with a very tall man in drag who never spoke, very simple idea but it works so well.
Jackie Wright, the little bald man who Benny Hill slaps on the head, again he rarely speaks.
Ballard Berkley, the major in Fawlty Towers.
Miles Malleson, he often appeared in minor parts in films as light relief.
Charters & Caldicott played by Basil Radford & Naunton Wayne, a pair of characters who appeared in various films as comic relief.
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Post by Gene Hunt on May 25, 2022 22:16:38 GMT
Maurice Yeatman, the verger in Dad's Army played by Edward Sinclair Good call Gene.
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Post by Dirty Epic on May 27, 2022 10:34:44 GMT
I liked Murphy (Steve Alder) and Miss Pettifer (Diana Weston) in The Pro's always thought both of these may become a bit more regular in the series. Laughing Spam Fritter (John Rhys Davies) in Budgie is another shout too. Another good shout is Keith Moreland (Tony McAnaney) the muso mate of Spender's too. I'll have to have a think of these reckon there's loads I can mention.
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Post by D.C. Burtonshaw on May 27, 2022 18:18:02 GMT
One character in a series that some might not think of, but he was in 15 episodes of the later Euston filmed "Special Branch"; That was DS Bill North (Roger Rowland). He was quite a loyal DS to Craven (George Sewell) in the 1st of the 2 Euston series and I thought an underused character, with Craven and later Haggerty (Patrick Mower) just ordering him around like the tea boy with no real banter. In the opening titles he was name checked I think as supporting character. And yet in some eps, North was a good cop, doing some useful finding out and proper detective work.
After his hesitance when his unit went to storm the Kidnappers of the German diplomats daughter in the last 1 series ep, he was largely written out. (At least he wasn't as bad as Hargreaves in The Sweeney ep "Taste of Fear"!) But he obviously stayed in the Met, as he made a come back in the following series in one episode as a recently promoted DI, now having transferred to CID (although Craven probably had him drummed out of SB). I believe he was seconded on a joint police operation with SB. So a shame maybe that he still couldn't have been a more regular character in the next series, in new rank.
I think the writers wanted to concentrate more on the dynamic between Craven and Haggerty (which was admittedly good and led up to the idea of the pairing with Regan and Carter in The Sweeney).
Oh yes DE, good call on Murphy and Ruth Pettifer in The Professionals.
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Post by John Steed on May 27, 2022 20:58:43 GMT
Though he was in a few episodes, I'd nominate Ken Jones who played Ives in Porridge. Gene. Great call Gene! A brilliant character! Steed
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Post by Arthur Pringle on May 27, 2022 23:10:24 GMT
Young Mr.Grace in 'Are You Being Served?' & Mr Bluett in 'Dad's Army' both played by Harold Bennett.
Talfryn Thomas was another scene stealer.
James Ottaway, Uncle Billy in 'Messenger Of The Gods'. A similar actor was Wilfred Hyde-White.
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