Michael Bates (actor) - Revision history

Kurt at 03:58, 11 September 2024

2024-09-11T03:58:29Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:58, 10 September 2024
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	==Early life==		==Early life==
	Bates was born in [[Jhansi]], [[United Provinces of Agra and Oudh\|United Provinces]], [[British Raj\|India]].<ref name=BFI /> His parents were of [[Cheshire]] families; his father, Henry Stuart "Harry" Bates (1893–1985), son of Albert Bates, of [[Congleton]], [[Cheshire]],<ref name=kelly>Kelly's Handbook to the Titled, Landed and Official Classes, 1969, pg. 224</ref><ref>Who Was Who: A Companion to Who's Who, 2002, pg. 50</ref> was educated at [[Denstone School]] and [[Cambridge University]] before entering the [[Indian Civil Service]] in 1920. He served as Deputy Secretary of the Revenue Department and a Member of the Board of Revenue for the [[United Provinces (1937–50)\|United Provinces]] of India until 1947 (in which year he was created [[Order of the Star of India\|CSI]]) and was later of the [[Colonial Office]].<ref name="Debrett's Peerage 1973">Debrett's Peerage, Baronetage and Companionage, Kelly's Directories, 1973, p. 2474</ref><ref>Who's Who, A. & C. Black, 1968, p. 183</ref> Bates's mother, Sarah Clarke Walker (1896–1982) was daughter of William Hammond Walker, also of Congleton.<ref name=kelly/> Bates spent his early years in India, speaking [[Hindi]] and [[Urdu]] as his first languages before learning English, and remaining fluent in the former two languages for the rest of his life.~~{{citation needed\|date=March 2021}}~~		Bates was born in [[Jhansi]], [[United Provinces of Agra and Oudh\|United Provinces]], [[British Raj\|India]].<ref name=BFI /> His parents were of [[Cheshire]] families; his father, Henry Stuart "Harry" Bates (1893–1985), son of Albert Bates, of [[Congleton]], [[Cheshire]],<ref name=kelly>Kelly's Handbook to the Titled, Landed and Official Classes, 1969, pg. 224</ref><ref>Who Was Who: A Companion to Who's Who, 2002, pg. 50</ref> was educated at [[Denstone School]] and [[Cambridge University]] before entering the [[Indian Civil Service]] in 1920. He served as Deputy Secretary of the Revenue Department and a Member of the Board of Revenue for the [[United Provinces (1937–50)\|United Provinces]] of India until 1947 (in which year he was created [[Order of the Star of India\|CSI]]) and was later of the [[Colonial Office]].<ref name="Debrett's Peerage 1973">Debrett's Peerage, Baronetage and Companionage, Kelly's Directories, 1973, p. 2474</ref><ref>Who's Who, A. & C. Black, 1968, p. 183</ref> Bates's mother, Sarah Clarke Walker (1896–1982) was daughter of William Hammond Walker, also of Congleton.<ref name=kelly/> Bates spent his early years in India, speaking [[Hindi]] and [[Urdu]] as his first languages before learning English, and remaining fluent in the former two languages for the rest of his life.

	Having been sent home to England aged seven by his parents,<ref>Last of the Summer Wine: The Inside Story of the World's Longest-Running Comedy Series, Andrew Vine, Aurum Press, 2011</ref> Bates was educated at [[Uppingham School]] and his father's alma mater, [[St Catharine's College, Cambridge]].<ref name="Debrett's Peerage 1973"/> He was commissioned in the [[British Indian Army\|Indian Army]] in March 1942.<ref>{{London Gazette \|issue=35494\|date=20 March 1942\|page=1276}}</ref> During [[World War II]] he served in the [[Burma Campaign]] as a [[Major (United Kingdom)\|major]] with the [[Brigade of Gurkhas]]<ref name=islandlife>{{cite web\|last=Clarke\|first=Colin\|url=http://www.visitilife.com/why-classic-hot-series-may-never-be-screened-again-2/ \|title=Why classic 'Hot' series may never be screened again… \|work=Island Life \|location=Isle of Wight \|date=1 April 2014 \|access-date=29 October 2016 \|archive-date=29 August 2016 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160829161835/http://www.visitilife.com/why-classic-hot-series-may-never-be-screened-again-2/ \|url-status=live }}</ref> and was [[mentioned in dispatches]] in 1944.<ref>{{London Gazette \|issue=36753\|date=17 October 1944\|supp=y\|page=4794}}</ref>		Having been sent home to England aged seven by his parents,<ref>Last of the Summer Wine: The Inside Story of the World's Longest-Running Comedy Series, Andrew Vine, Aurum Press, 2011</ref> Bates was educated at [[Uppingham School]] and his father's alma mater, [[St Catharine's College, Cambridge]].<ref name="Debrett's Peerage 1973"/> He was commissioned in the [[British Indian Army\|Indian Army]] in March 1942.<ref>{{London Gazette \|issue=35494\|date=20 March 1942\|page=1276}}</ref> During [[World War II]] he served in the [[Burma Campaign]] as a [[Major (United Kingdom)\|major]] with the [[Brigade of Gurkhas]]<ref name=islandlife>{{cite web\|last=Clarke\|first=Colin\|url=http://www.visitilife.com/why-classic-hot-series-may-never-be-screened-again-2/ \|title=Why classic 'Hot' series may never be screened again… \|work=Island Life \|location=Isle of Wight \|date=1 April 2014 \|access-date=29 October 2016 \|archive-date=29 August 2016 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160829161835/http://www.visitilife.com/why-classic-hot-series-may-never-be-screened-again-2/ \|url-status=live }}</ref> and was [[mentioned in dispatches]] in 1944.<ref>{{London Gazette \|issue=36753\|date=17 October 1944\|supp=y\|page=4794}}</ref>

Kurt at 12:58, 30 March 2023

2023-03-30T12:58:21Z

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	~~{{short description\|Indian actor}}~~
	~~{{Use dmy dates\|date=May 2021}}~~
	~~{{Use British English\|date=May 2012}}~~
	{{Infobox person		{{Infobox person
	~~\| name = Michael Bates~~
	\| image = Michael Bates (actor).jpg		\| image = Michael Bates (actor).jpg
	\| caption =		\| caption =

Kurt: /* External links */

2022-12-05T18:03:42Z

External links

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:03, 5 December 2022
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	==External links==		==External links==
	* {{IMDb name\|0060988\|Michael Bates}}		* {{IMDb name\|0060988\|Michael Bates}}

	~~{{Authority control}}~~

	{{DEFAULTSORT:Bates, Michael}}		{{DEFAULTSORT:Bates, Michael}}
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	[[Category:English male television actors]]		[[Category:English male television actors]]
	[[Category:English male film actors]]		[[Category:English male film actors]]
	~~[[Category:Deaths from cancer in England]]~~
	[[Category:People educated at Uppingham School]]		[[Category:People educated at Uppingham School]]
	[[Category:Alumni of St Catharine's College, Cambridge]]		[[Category:Alumni of St Catharine's College, Cambridge]]

Kurt at 00:41, 3 October 2022

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	{{Infobox person		{{Infobox person
	\| name = Michael Bates		\| name = Michael Bates
	\| image = ~~MichaelBatesAClockworkOrange~~.~~png~~		\| image = Michael Bates (actor).jpg
	~~\| imagesize =~~		\| caption =
	\| caption = ~~Bates in ''[[A Clockwork Orange (film)\|A Clockwork Orange]]'' in 1971~~
	\| birth_name = Michael Hammond Bates		\| birth_name = Michael Hammond Bates
	\| birth_date = {{birth date\|1920\|12\|4\|df=y}}		\| birth_date = {{birth date\|1920\|12\|4\|df=y}}

Kurt: 1 revision imported

2022-07-23T00:03:38Z

1 revision imported

← Older revision	Revision as of 19:03, 22 July 2022
(No difference)

en>Hanguphile: /* Selected television roles */

2022-06-28T00:31:13Z

Selected television roles

New page

{{short description|Indian actor}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2012}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Michael Bates
| image = MichaelBatesAClockworkOrange.png
| imagesize =
| caption = Bates in ''[[A Clockwork Orange (film)|A Clockwork Orange]]'' in 1971
| birth_name = Michael Hammond Bates
| birth_date = {{birth date|1920|12|4|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Jhansi]], [[United Provinces of Agra and Oudh|United Provinces]],<br />[[India]]
| death_date = {{death date and age|1978|1|11|1920|12|4|df=y}}
| death_place = [[Chelsea, London]], England
| education = [[Uppingham School]]
| alma_mater = {{nowrap|[[St Catharine's College, Cambridge]]}}
| occupation = Actor
| yearsactive = 1953–1977
| spouse = {{marriage|Margaret M. J. Chisholm|June 1954}}
| children = 3
}}

'''Michael Hammond Bates'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://search.findmypast.co.uk/results/world-records/england-and-wales-deaths-1837-2007?firstname=michael&lastname=bates&eventyear=1978&eventyear_offset=0&eventquarter=1 |title=England & Wales Deaths 1837-2007 > Michael Hammond Bates |publisher=[[Findmypast]] |access-date=29 October 2016 |archive-date=24 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161024090626/http://search.findmypast.co.uk/results/world-records/england-and-wales-deaths-1837-2007?firstname=michael&lastname=bates&eventyear=1978&eventyear_offset=0&eventquarter=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> (4 December 1920 – 11 January 1978)<ref name=BFI>{{cite web|url=http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b9f6003ba |title=Michael Bates |publisher=[[British Film Institute]] |access-date=23 April 2017 |archive-date=11 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311235854/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b9f6003ba |url-status=live }}</ref> was an Anglo-Indian actor. He was best known for playing the chief prison guard who processes (and strip-searches) Alex ([[Malcolm McDowell]]) in ''[[A Clockwork Orange (film)|A Clockwork Orange]]'', Cyril Blamire in ''[[Last of the Summer Wine]]'' (1973–75), and Rangi Ram in ''[[It Ain't Half Hot Mum]]'' (1974–77).

==Early life==
Bates was born in [[Jhansi]], [[United Provinces of Agra and Oudh|United Provinces]], [[British Raj|India]].<ref name=BFI /> His parents were of [[Cheshire]] families; his father, Henry Stuart "Harry" Bates (1893–1985), son of Albert Bates, of [[Congleton]], [[Cheshire]],<ref name=kelly>Kelly's Handbook to the Titled, Landed and Official Classes, 1969, pg. 224</ref><ref>Who Was Who: A Companion to Who's Who, 2002, pg. 50</ref> was educated at [[Denstone School]] and [[Cambridge University]] before entering the [[Indian Civil Service]] in 1920. He served as Deputy Secretary of the Revenue Department and a Member of the Board of Revenue for the [[United Provinces (1937–50)|United Provinces]] of India until 1947 (in which year he was created [[Order of the Star of India|CSI]]) and was later of the [[Colonial Office]].<ref name="Debrett's Peerage 1973">Debrett's Peerage, Baronetage and Companionage, Kelly's Directories, 1973, p. 2474</ref><ref>Who's Who, A. & C. Black, 1968, p. 183</ref> Bates's mother, Sarah Clarke Walker (1896–1982) was daughter of William Hammond Walker, also of Congleton.<ref name=kelly/> Bates spent his early years in India, speaking [[Hindi]] and [[Urdu]] as his first languages before learning English, and remaining fluent in the former two languages for the rest of his life.{{citation needed|date=March 2021}}

Having been sent home to England aged seven by his parents,<ref>Last of the Summer Wine: The Inside Story of the World's Longest-Running Comedy Series, Andrew Vine, Aurum Press, 2011</ref> Bates was educated at [[Uppingham School]] and his father's alma mater, [[St Catharine's College, Cambridge]].<ref name="Debrett's Peerage 1973"/> He was commissioned in the [[British Indian Army|Indian Army]] in March 1942.<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=35494|date=20 March 1942|page=1276}}</ref> During [[World War II]] he served in the [[Burma Campaign]] as a [[Major (United Kingdom)|major]] with the [[Brigade of Gurkhas]]<ref name=islandlife>{{cite web|last=Clarke|first=Colin|url=http://www.visitilife.com/why-classic-hot-series-may-never-be-screened-again-2/ |title=Why classic 'Hot' series may never be screened again… |work=Island Life |location=Isle of Wight |date=1 April 2014 |access-date=29 October 2016 |archive-date=29 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160829161835/http://www.visitilife.com/why-classic-hot-series-may-never-be-screened-again-2/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and was [[mentioned in dispatches]] in 1944.<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=36753|date=17 October 1944|supp=y|page=4794}}</ref>

==Career==
In 1953, while an ensemble member with the [[Stratford Festival]] in [[Stratford, Ontario]], Canada, Bates appeared in ''[[Richard III (play)|Richard III]]'' and ''[[All's Well That Ends Well]]''.

In 1956, Bates appeared in ''Hotel Paradiso'' (''[[L'Hôtel du libre échange]]''), which starred [[Alec Guinness]], at the Winter Garden Theatre in London. On radio, he played a variety of characters in the [[BBC]]'s long-running comedy series ''[[The Navy Lark]]'', including Able Seaman Ginger, Lieutenant Bates, Rear Admiral Ironbridge, the [[Military chaplain|Padre]], and Captain Ignatius Aloysius Atchison.

Bates appeared in many British [[television series]], including ''[[Last of the Summer Wine]]'' from 1973 to 1975 (as Cyril Blamire) and ''[[It Ain't Half Hot Mum]]'' from 1974 to 1977 (as Rangi Ram). His role as Rangi Ram led to the allegation that he had performed in [[Racial brownface|brownface]].<ref name="Comedy-Connections">See comments by actor Renu Setna in the documentary on ''[[Comedy Connections]]'' "It Ain't Half Hot, Mum" (#5.3), original air date: 26 January 2007</ref> Series co-creator [[Jimmy Perry]] told Stuart Jeffries in 2003 that they had been unable to find a suitable Asian actor. "But Michael was ideal for the role", Perry said.<ref>{{cite news|last=Jeffries|first=Stuart|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/feb/03/race.stuartjeffries|title=Some like it hot|work=[[The Guardian]]|location=London|date=3 February 2003|access-date=16 February 2018|quote=But why did you cast a white man (Michael Bates) as an Indian bearer? "At the time we found it impossible to find an Indian actor who could perform the role, to be perfectly honest.}}</ref> Interviewed by the journalist Neil Clark for ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' in 2013, Perry said Bates only "wore was a light tan. He wasn't blacked up! Michael spoke fluent Urdu, and was a captain in the Gurkhas".<ref name="Clark2013">{{cite news|last=Clark|first=Neil|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/10302174/Jimmy-Perry-turns-90-a-tribute-to-the-genius-behind-Dads-Army.html|title=Jimmy Perry turns 90: a tribute to the genius behind Dad's Army|work=The Telegraph |location=London|date=20 September 2013|access-date=16 February 2018}}</ref><ref name="Furness2013">{{cite news|last=Furness|first=Hannah|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/10321781/Banning-It-Aint-Half-Hot-Mum-from-TV-is-a-shame-creator-says-as-non-PC-moments-are-just-historical-truth.html|title=Banning It Ain't Half Hot Mum from TV is a 'shame', creator says, as non-PC moments are just 'historical truth'|work=The Telegraph |location=London|date=20 September 2013|access-date=11 December 2012}}</ref>
The show is not repeated in the UK by the [[BBC]], who use the "blacked up" description of Bates's performance on their website's article about the series.<ref name="Clark2013" /><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/itainthalfhotmum/|title=It Ain't Half Hot Mum|publisher=BBC Comedy|access-date=14 October 2019}}</ref>

Bates's film roles include ''[[Bedazzled (1967 film)|Bedazzled]]'' (1967) as the flirtatious police inspector, ''[[Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush (film)|Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush]]'' (1967) as Mr. McGregor, ''[[Battle of Britain (film)|Battle of Britain]]'' (1969) as [[Warrant Officer]] Warwick, ''[[Oh! What a Lovely War]]'' (1969) as a Lance-Corporal, ''[[Patton (film)|Patton]]'' (1970) as [[Field Marshal]] [[Sir]] [[Bernard Montgomery]] (to whom he bore a striking resemblance), ''[[A Clockwork Orange (film)|A Clockwork Orange]]'' (1971) and ''[[Frenzy]]'' (1972). On stage, he played [[Shakespeare]]an roles at [[Stratford-upon-Avon|Stratford]] and at the [[Old Vic]], and made a big impression as Inspector Truscott in the [[West End theatre|West End]] production of ''[[Loot (play)|Loot]]'' by [[Joe Orton]] in 1966.

==Personal life==
In 1954, Bates married Margaret M. J. Chisholm. They had three children: Rupert (who also became an actor), Camilla, and Jolyon.<ref>Who's Who in the Theatre, 1977, pg. 391</ref>

Bates was a supporter of the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]]. [[Peter Sallis]] described Bates as being "slightly to the right of [[Margaret Thatcher|Thatcher]]” politically and claimed that Bates's right-wing opinions contrasted so sharply with the left-wing views of fellow ''Last of the Summer Wine'' star [[Bill Owen (actor)|Bill Owen]] that the series was almost not made because of their arguments.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8054225.stm |title=Argument 'threatened Summer Wine' |publisher=[[BBC News]] |date=17 May 2009 |access-date=5 May 2017 |archive-date=7 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307084529/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8054225.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

Bates died of [[cancer]] on 11 January 1978 in [[Chelsea, London]], aged 57.<ref name=BFI /><ref>{{cite web
|url = http://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/617487/BBC-bosses-It-Aint-Half-Hot-Mum
|title = It Ain't Half Hot Mum: Why are BBC bosses so nervous about making show available again
|first = Dominic
|last = Midgley
|date = 6 November 2015
|work = [[Daily Express]]
|location = UK
|access-date = 2016-10-29
|archive-date = 1 August 2017
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170801084815/http://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/617487/BBC-bosses-It-Aint-Half-Hot-Mum
|url-status = dead
|quote = Bates, who died of cancer aged 57 in 1978...
}} Additional on 23 April 2017.</ref>

== Selected television roles ==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year !! Title !! Role !! Notes
|-
|1969 || ''[[The mind of Mr. J.G. Reeder]]'' || Ras Lal Punjabi || Series 1, Episode 4
|-
|1971 || ''[[Six Dates with Barker]]'' || Gasman/Patient ||
|-
|1972 || ''[[Public Eye (TV series)|Public Eye]]'' ||George (Shopkeeper/Retired policeman) ||
|-
|1973–1975 || ''[[Last of the Summer Wine]]'' || [[List of Last of the Summer Wine characters#Cyril Blamire (Michael Bates)|Cyril Blamire]] || 14 episodes
|-
|1974–1977 || ''[[It Ain't Half Hot Mum]]'' || Bearer Rangi Ram || (final appearance)
|}

==Selected filmography==
* ''[[Carrington V.C. (film)|Carrington V.C.]]'' (1955) – Major Broke-Smith
* ''[[Dunkirk (1958 film)|Dunkirk]]'' (1958) – Froome
* ''[[I'm All Right Jack]]'' (1959) – Bootle
* ''[[Bedazzled (1967 film)|Bedazzled]]'' (1967) – Inspector Clarke
* ''[[Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush (film)|Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush]]'' (1968) – Mr. McGregor
* ''[[Hammerhead (film)|Hammerhead]]'' (1968) – Andreas / Sir Richard
* ''[[Don't Raise the Bridge, Lower the River]]'' (1968) – Dr. Spink
* ''[[Salt and Pepper (film)|Salt and Pepper]]'' (1968) – Inspector Crabbe
* ''[[Oh! What a Lovely War]]'' (1969) – Drunk Lance Corporal
* ''[[Battle of Britain (film)|Battle of Britain]]'' (1969) – Warrant Officer Warwick
* ''[[Arthur? Arthur!]]'' (1969) – Mr. Harrington
* ''[[Patton (film)|Patton]]'' (1970) – Field Marshal Sir [[Bernard Montgomery]]
* ''[[Every Home Should Have One]]'' (1970) – Magistrate
* ''[[The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer]]'' (1970) – Mr. Spimm
* ''[[A Clockwork Orange (film)|A Clockwork Orange]]'' (1971) – Chief Guard Barnes
* ''[[Frenzy]]'' (1972) – Sergeant Spearman
* ''[[No Sex Please, We're British (film)|No Sex Please, We're British]]'' (1973) – Mr. Needham
* ''[[Fall of Eagles]]'' (1974) - General [[Erich Ludendorff]]
* ''[[The Bawdy Adventures of Tom Jones]]'' (1976) – Madman
* ''[[Gulliver's Travels (1977 film)|Gulliver's Travels]]'' (1977) – (voice)

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb name|0060988|Michael Bates}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bates, Michael}}
[[Category:1920 births]]
[[Category:1978 deaths]]
[[Category:People from Jhansi]]
[[Category:Anglo-Indian people]]
[[Category:English male television actors]]
[[Category:English male film actors]]
[[Category:Deaths from cancer in England]]
[[Category:People educated at Uppingham School]]
[[Category:Alumni of St Catharine's College, Cambridge]]
[[Category:Royal Gurkha Rifles officers]]
[[Category:Indian Army personnel of World War II]]
[[Category:20th-century English male actors]]
[[Category:British male comedy actors]]
[[Category:British Indian Army officers]]