Peter Butterworth - Revision history

Kurt: /* Later acting career */

2023-02-12T23:33:07Z

Later acting career

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	Having appeared in many of [[Val Guest]]'s films during the beginning of his career, he also made three appearances in the films of [[Richard Lester]]. He appeared in Lester's film version of ''[[A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum]]'' (1966). A decade later, he appeared consecutively in ''[[The Ritz (film)\|The Ritz]]''<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090126171656/http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/title/48490?view=cast ''The Ritz''], The British Film Institute, accessed September 2011</ref> and ''[[Robin and Marian]]'' (both 1976) alongside [[Sean Connery]], [[Richard Harris]] and [[Audrey Hepburn]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090118165937/http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/title/48605?view=cast BFI \| Film & TV Database \| ROBIN AND MARIAN (1976)] ''Robin and Marion], The British Film Institute, accessed September 2011</ref> He had an uncredited cameo part in the film version of the musical ''[[Oliver!]]'' (1968) as a shopkeeper in court, and made a special appearance in an episode of ''[[Catweazle]]'' ("[[Catweazle#Episodes\|The Demi Devil]]" [1970]) and the ''[[Dad's Army]]'' episode "[[The Face on the Poster]]" (1975).		Having appeared in many of [[Val Guest]]'s films during the beginning of his career, he also made three appearances in the films of [[Richard Lester]]. He appeared in Lester's film version of ''[[A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum]]'' (1966). A decade later, he appeared consecutively in ''[[The Ritz (film)\|The Ritz]]''<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090126171656/http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/title/48490?view=cast ''The Ritz''], The British Film Institute, accessed September 2011</ref> and ''[[Robin and Marian]]'' (both 1976) alongside [[Sean Connery]], [[Richard Harris]] and [[Audrey Hepburn]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090118165937/http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/title/48605?view=cast BFI \| Film & TV Database \| ROBIN AND MARIAN (1976)] ''Robin and Marion], The British Film Institute, accessed September 2011</ref> He had an uncredited cameo part in the film version of the musical ''[[Oliver!]]'' (1968) as a shopkeeper in court, and made a special appearance in an episode of ''[[Catweazle]]'' ("[[Catweazle#Episodes\|The Demi Devil]]" [1970]) and the ''[[Dad's Army]]'' episode "[[The Face on the Poster]]" (1975).

	In 1975 he was the subject of an episode of ''This Is Your Life'' whereby [[Eamonn Andrews]] surprised him while he was shopping in [[Selfridges]], [[London]]. Friends who took part in the show included [[Terry Scott]], [[Talbot Rothwell]], [[Jimmy Jewel]], John Casson and [[Rupert Davies]]. Butterworth's wife and their two children, [[Tyler Butterworth\|Tyler]] and Emma were also at the recording. When the [[Carry on films]] finished in 1978, Butterworth began to concentrate on straight roles, taking a small part in the feature film ''[[The First Great Train Robbery]]'' with Sean Connery,<ref name="The First Great Train Robbery"/> and the [[Alan Bennett]] play "Afternoon Off" (both 1979). These two productions were shown posthumously.		In 1975 he was the subject of an episode of ''This Is Your Life'' whereby [[Eamonn Andrews]] surprised him while he was shopping in [[Selfridges]], [[London]]. Friends who took part in the show included [[Terry Scott]], [[Talbot Rothwell]], [[Jimmy Jewel]], John Casson and [[Rupert Davies]]. Butterworth's wife and their two children, [[Tyler Butterworth\|Tyler]] and Emma were also at the recording. When the [[Carry On films]] finished in 1978, Butterworth began to concentrate on straight roles, taking a small part in the feature film ''[[The First Great Train Robbery]]'' with Sean Connery,<ref name="The First Great Train Robbery"/> and the [[Alan Bennett]] play "Afternoon Off" (both 1979). These two productions were shown posthumously.

	==Personal life and death==		==Personal life and death==

Kurt: /* Carry On films */

2023-02-12T23:32:09Z

Carry On films

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	Butterworth's association with the Carry On series began mid-way through the series with ''[[Carry On Cowboy]]'' (1965), playing the part of "Doc". He was put in touch with the creator of the series, [[Peter Rogers]], by his friend [[Talbot Rothwell]], the writer of ''Carry On Cowboy'' and who had written the previous four films. Out of the actors who were considered to be the [[List of Carry On films cast members\|''Carry On'' team]], he was the sixth most prolific performer in the series, making sixteen film appearances, two Christmas specials, the television series in 1975 and the west end theatre productions which also toured the country, alongside [[Sid James]], [[Barbara Windsor]] and [[Kenneth Connor]].		Butterworth's association with the Carry On series began mid-way through the series with ''[[Carry On Cowboy]]'' (1965), playing the part of "Doc". He was put in touch with the creator of the series, [[Peter Rogers]], by his friend [[Talbot Rothwell]], the writer of ''Carry On Cowboy'' and who had written the previous four films. Out of the actors who were considered to be the [[List of Carry On films cast members\|''Carry On'' team]], he was the sixth most prolific performer in the series, making sixteen film appearances, two Christmas specials, the television series in 1975 and the west end theatre productions which also toured the country, alongside [[Sid James]], [[Barbara Windsor]] and [[Kenneth Connor]].

	His Carry On appearances portrayed his characters as typically quiet and subtly eccentric. He was often cast as a stooge for another character. Thus, in ''[[Carry on Screaming!]]'' he played Detective Constable Slobotham, the assistant for Detective Sergeant Bung ([[Harry H. Corbett]]); while in ''[[Don't Lose Your Head]]'' he played Citizen Bidet, the assistant to Citizen Camembert ([[Kenneth Williams]]). In ''[[Carry On Camping]]'' he played Joshua Fiddler, the laid-back and eccentric camp site manager, who persuades [[Sid James]] character to part with most of his money when booking into the camp site. Such was his loyalty to [[Peter Rogers]] and [[Gerald Thomas]], that Butterworth agreed to play three small roles, in ''[[Carry On Again Doctor]]'', ''[[Carry On Loving]]'' and ''[[Carry On Henry]]''. He was unable to take larger parts, due to other work and stage commitments, but these minor roles were specially written into the films for him.<ref>Ross, p. 33</ref>		His Carry On appearances portrayed his characters as typically quiet and subtly eccentric. He was often cast as a stooge for another character. Thus, in ''[[Carry On Screaming!]]'' he played Detective Constable Slobotham, the assistant for Detective Sergeant Bung ([[Harry H. Corbett]]); while in ''[[Don't Lose Your Head]]'' he played Citizen Bidet, the assistant to Citizen Camembert ([[Kenneth Williams]]). In ''[[Carry On Camping]]'' he played Joshua Fiddler, the laid-back and eccentric camp site manager, who persuades [[Sid James]] character to part with most of his money when booking into the camp site. Such was his loyalty to [[Peter Rogers]] and [[Gerald Thomas]], that Butterworth agreed to play three small roles, in ''[[Carry On Again Doctor]]'', ''[[Carry On Loving]]'' and ''[[Carry On Henry]]''. He was unable to take larger parts, due to other work and stage commitments, but these minor roles were specially written into the films for him.<ref>Ross, p. 33</ref>

	Butterworth returned to playing more substantial parts within the ''Carry On'' films with ''[[Carry On Abroad]]'' (1972), in which he played 'Pepe' the manager of an unfinished hotel, who greets his unexpected guests in the guise of the builder, the porter, the receptionist and telephone operator. He spends the first half of the film furiously trying to placate and accommodate them and the last half desperately trying to save the building from a flood, and whilst all this is going on, put up with his nagging wife ([[Hattie Jacques]]). Butterworth remained with the series until the final film in the main series, ''[[Carry On Emmannuelle]]'' (1978).		Butterworth returned to playing more substantial parts within the ''Carry On'' films with ''[[Carry On Abroad]]'' (1972), in which he played 'Pepe' the manager of an unfinished hotel, who greets his unexpected guests in the guise of the builder, the porter, the receptionist and telephone operator. He spends the first half of the film furiously trying to placate and accommodate them and the last half desperately trying to save the building from a flood, and whilst all this is going on, put up with his nagging wife ([[Hattie Jacques]]). Butterworth remained with the series until the final film in the main series, ''[[Carry On Emmannuelle]]'' (1978).

Kurt: /* Biography */

2023-02-12T23:31:53Z

Biography

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	Before his acting career started, Butterworth served as a [[lieutenant\|lieutenant]] in the [[Fleet Air Arm\|Fleet Air Arm]] of the [[Royal Navy\|Royal Navy]] during the [[Second World War\|Second World War]].<ref name="Brown, p. 64">Brown, p. 64</ref> Whilst at ''Stalag Luft III'' he met [[Talbot Rothwell]], who later went on to write many of the [[Carry On (franchise)\|Carry On]] films in which Butterworth was to star.<ref name="memories">{{cite web\|title=Stalag Luft 3\|url=http://www.wartimememories.co.uk/pow/stalagluft3.html\|website=Wartime Memories\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322034520/http://www.wartimememories.co.uk/pow/stalagluft3.html\|archive-date=22 March 2016}}</ref> Having never performed in public before his imprisonment, Butterworth formed a duo with Rothwell and sang in the camp shows. They delivered a song which Rothwell called "The Letter Edged In Black". The performance was followed by some comic repartee which, according to Butterworth's account, provoked enough boos and hisses to have the desired effect of drowning out the sounds of an escape tunnel being dug by other prisoners' escape party. After the war, Butterworth kept a photo of the concert party line-up, something which offered inspiration to him when starting a career in acting.<ref name="what">{{cite web\|url=http://www.carryon.org.uk/regulars_frm_peterbutterworth.htm \|title=Peter Butterworth \|website=What a Carry On}}</ref>		Before his acting career started, Butterworth served as a [[lieutenant\|lieutenant]] in the [[Fleet Air Arm\|Fleet Air Arm]] of the [[Royal Navy\|Royal Navy]] during the [[Second World War\|Second World War]].<ref name="Brown, p. 64">Brown, p. 64</ref> Whilst at ''Stalag Luft III'' he met [[Talbot Rothwell]], who later went on to write many of the [[Carry On (franchise)\|Carry On]] films in which Butterworth was to star.<ref name="memories">{{cite web\|title=Stalag Luft 3\|url=http://www.wartimememories.co.uk/pow/stalagluft3.html\|website=Wartime Memories\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322034520/http://www.wartimememories.co.uk/pow/stalagluft3.html\|archive-date=22 March 2016}}</ref> Having never performed in public before his imprisonment, Butterworth formed a duo with Rothwell and sang in the camp shows. They delivered a song which Rothwell called "The Letter Edged In Black". The performance was followed by some comic repartee which, according to Butterworth's account, provoked enough boos and hisses to have the desired effect of drowning out the sounds of an escape tunnel being dug by other prisoners' escape party. After the war, Butterworth kept a photo of the concert party line-up, something which offered inspiration to him when starting a career in acting.<ref name="what">{{cite web\|url=http://www.carryon.org.uk/regulars_frm_peterbutterworth.htm \|title=Peter Butterworth \|website=What a Carry On}}</ref>

	Butterworth was one of the vaulters covering for the escapers during the escape portrayed by the book and film ''[[The Wooden Horse]]''. Butterworth later auditioned for the film in 1949 but "didn't look convincingly heroic or athletic enough" according to the makers of the film. Within the same camp as Butterworth and Rothwell were the future actors [[Rupert Davies]] and John Casson, the son of [[Lewis Casson]] and [[Sybil Thorndike]].<ref name="memories"/> All five remained very close friends after the war ended and they all appeared on ''[[This Is Your Life (British TV series)\|This Is Your Life]]'' when Butterworth was a subject of the programme in 1975.~~{{Citation needed\|date=September 2021}}~~		Butterworth was one of the vaulters covering for the escapers during the escape portrayed by the book and film ''[[The Wooden Horse]]''. Butterworth later auditioned for the film in 1949 but "didn't look convincingly heroic or athletic enough" according to the makers of the film. Within the same camp as Butterworth and Rothwell were the future actors [[Rupert Davies]] and John Casson, the son of [[Lewis Casson]] and [[Sybil Thorndike]].<ref name="memories"/> All five remained very close friends after the war ended and they all appeared on ''[[This Is Your Life (British TV series)\|This Is Your Life]]'' when Butterworth was a subject of the programme in 1975.

	===Early acting career===		===Early acting career===

Kurt at 23:29, 12 February 2023

2023-02-12T23:29:33Z

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	~~{{Short description\|English actor and comedian}}~~
	{{Infobox person		{{Infobox person
	\|image = Peter Butterworth.jpg		\| image = Peter Butterworth.jpg
	~~\| name = Peter Butterworth~~
	\| nickname = Butterscotch		\| nickname = Butterscotch
	\| birth_date = {{Birth date\|1915\|02\|04\|df=yes}}		\| birth_date = {{Birth date\|1915\|02\|04\|df=yes}}
	\| birth_place = [[w:Bramhall\|Bramhall]], [[w:Stockport\|Stockport]], [[w:Cheshire\|Cheshire]], England		\| birth_place = [[Bramhall\|Bramhall]], [[Stockport\|Stockport]], [[Cheshire\|Cheshire]], England
	\| death_date = {{Death date and age\|1979\|01\|17\|1915\|02\|04\|df=yes}}		\| death_date = {{Death date and age\|1979\|01\|17\|1915\|02\|04\|df=yes}}
	\| death_place = [[w:Coventry\|Coventry]], [[w:West Midlands (county)\|West Midlands]], England		\| death_place = [[Coventry\|Coventry]], [[West Midlands (county)\|West Midlands]], England
	\| occupation = Actor, comedian		\| occupation = Actor, comedian
	\| years_active = 1948–1979		\| years_active = 1948–1979
	\| resting_place = Danehill Cemetery, [[w:Danehill, East Sussex\|Danehill]], [[w:East Sussex\|East Sussex]], England		\| resting_place = Danehill Cemetery, [[Danehill, East Sussex\|Danehill]], [[East Sussex\|East Sussex]], England
	\| spouse = {{marriage\|[[Janet Brown]]\|1946}}		\| spouse = {{marriage\|[[Janet Brown]]\|1946}}
	\| children = 2, [[Tyler Butterworth]]		\| children = 2, [[Tyler Butterworth]]
	}}		}}

	'''Peter William Shorrocks Butterworth''' (4 February 1915<ref>[https://blog.nationalarchives.gov.uk/blog/opening-prisoner-war-collection/ ''Prisoner of War Collection''], National Archives</ref> – 17 January 1979) was an English actor and comedian, best known for his appearances in the [[Carry On (franchise)\|''Carry On'' series of films]]. He was also a regular on children's television and radio, and was known for playing [[w:The Monk (Doctor Who)\|The Monk]] in ''[[w:Doctor Who\|Doctor Who]]''. Butterworth was married to the actress and impressionist [[Janet Brown]].		'''Peter William Shorrocks Butterworth''' (4 February 1915<ref>[https://blog.nationalarchives.gov.uk/blog/opening-prisoner-war-collection/ ''Prisoner of War Collection''], National Archives</ref> – 17 January 1979) was an English actor and comedian, best known for his appearances in the [[Carry On (franchise)\|''Carry On'' series of films]]. He was also a regular on children's television and radio, and was known for playing [[The Monk (Doctor Who)\|The Monk]] in ''[[Doctor Who\|Doctor Who]]''. Butterworth was married to the actress and impressionist [[Janet Brown]].

	==Biography==		==Biography==

	===Early life and war service===		===Early life and war service===
	Before his acting career started, Butterworth served as a [[w:lieutenant\|lieutenant]] in the [[w:Fleet Air Arm\|Fleet Air Arm]] of the [[w:Royal Navy\|Royal Navy]] during the [[w:Second World War\|Second World War]].<ref name="Brown, p. 64">Brown, p. 64</ref> Whilst at ''Stalag Luft III'' he met [[Talbot Rothwell]], who later went on to write many of the [[Carry On (franchise)\|Carry On]] films in which Butterworth was to star.<ref name="memories">{{cite web\|title=Stalag Luft 3\|url=http://www.wartimememories.co.uk/pow/stalagluft3.html\|website=Wartime Memories\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322034520/http://www.wartimememories.co.uk/pow/stalagluft3.html\|archive-date=22 March 2016}}</ref> Having never performed in public before his imprisonment, Butterworth formed a duo with Rothwell and sang in the camp shows. They delivered a song which Rothwell called "The Letter Edged In Black". The performance was followed by some comic repartee which, according to Butterworth's account, provoked enough boos and hisses to have the desired effect of drowning out the sounds of an escape tunnel being dug by other prisoners' escape party. After the war, Butterworth kept a photo of the concert party line-up, something which offered inspiration to him when starting a career in acting.<ref name="what">{{cite web\|url=http://www.carryon.org.uk/regulars_frm_peterbutterworth.htm \|title=Peter Butterworth \|website=What a Carry On}}</ref>		Before his acting career started, Butterworth served as a [[lieutenant\|lieutenant]] in the [[Fleet Air Arm\|Fleet Air Arm]] of the [[Royal Navy\|Royal Navy]] during the [[Second World War\|Second World War]].<ref name="Brown, p. 64">Brown, p. 64</ref> Whilst at ''Stalag Luft III'' he met [[Talbot Rothwell]], who later went on to write many of the [[Carry On (franchise)\|Carry On]] films in which Butterworth was to star.<ref name="memories">{{cite web\|title=Stalag Luft 3\|url=http://www.wartimememories.co.uk/pow/stalagluft3.html\|website=Wartime Memories\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322034520/http://www.wartimememories.co.uk/pow/stalagluft3.html\|archive-date=22 March 2016}}</ref> Having never performed in public before his imprisonment, Butterworth formed a duo with Rothwell and sang in the camp shows. They delivered a song which Rothwell called "The Letter Edged In Black". The performance was followed by some comic repartee which, according to Butterworth's account, provoked enough boos and hisses to have the desired effect of drowning out the sounds of an escape tunnel being dug by other prisoners' escape party. After the war, Butterworth kept a photo of the concert party line-up, something which offered inspiration to him when starting a career in acting.<ref name="what">{{cite web\|url=http://www.carryon.org.uk/regulars_frm_peterbutterworth.htm \|title=Peter Butterworth \|website=What a Carry On}}</ref>

	Butterworth was one of the vaulters covering for the escapers during the escape portrayed by the book and film ''[[The Wooden Horse]]''. Butterworth later auditioned for the film in 1949 but "didn't look convincingly heroic or athletic enough" according to the makers of the film. Within the same camp as Butterworth and Rothwell were the future actors [[Rupert Davies]] and John Casson, the son of [[Lewis Casson]] and [[Sybil Thorndike]].<ref name="memories"/> All five remained very close friends after the war ended and they all appeared on ''[[This Is Your Life (British TV series)\|This Is Your Life]]'' when Butterworth was a subject of the programme in 1975.{{Citation needed\|date=September 2021}}		Butterworth was one of the vaulters covering for the escapers during the escape portrayed by the book and film ''[[The Wooden Horse]]''. Butterworth later auditioned for the film in 1949 but "didn't look convincingly heroic or athletic enough" according to the makers of the film. Within the same camp as Butterworth and Rothwell were the future actors [[Rupert Davies]] and John Casson, the son of [[Lewis Casson]] and [[Sybil Thorndike]].<ref name="memories"/> All five remained very close friends after the war ended and they all appeared on ''[[This Is Your Life (British TV series)\|This Is Your Life]]'' when Butterworth was a subject of the programme in 1975.{{Citation needed\|date=September 2021}}

Kurt: /* External links */

2023-01-18T04:40:13Z

External links

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	==External links==		==External links==
	~~{{commons category}}~~
	* {{IMDb name\|0125350}}		* {{IMDb name\|0125350}}

	~~{{authority control}}~~

	{{DEFAULTSORT:Butterworth, Peter}}		{{DEFAULTSORT:Butterworth, Peter}}

Kurt at 20:46, 13 January 2023

2023-01-13T20:46:44Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:46, 13 January 2023
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	{{Short description\|English actor and comedian}}		{{Short description\|English actor and comedian}}
	~~{{Use dmy dates\|date=May 2020}}~~
	~~{{Use British English\|date=August 2016}}~~
	{{Infobox person		{{Infobox person
	\|image = Peter ~~butterworth 1~~.jpg		\|image = Peter Butterworth.jpg
	\| name = Peter Butterworth		\| name = Peter Butterworth
	\| nickname = Butterscotch		\| nickname = Butterscotch
	\| birth_date = {{Birth date\|1915\|02\|04\|df=yes}}		\| birth_date = {{Birth date\|1915\|02\|04\|df=yes}}
	\| birth_place = [[Bramhall]], [[Stockport]], [[Cheshire]], England		\| birth_place = [[w:Bramhall\|Bramhall]], [[w:Stockport\|Stockport]], [[w:Cheshire\|Cheshire]], England
	\| death_date = {{Death date and age~~\|df=yes~~\|1979\|01\|17\|1915\|02\|04}}		\| death_date = {{Death date and age\|1979\|01\|17\|1915\|02\|04\|df=yes}}
	\| death_place = [[Coventry]], [[West Midlands (county)\|West Midlands]], England		\| death_place = [[w:Coventry\|Coventry]], [[w:West Midlands (county)\|West Midlands]], England
	\| occupation = Actor, comedian		\| occupation = Actor, comedian
	\| years_active = 1948–1979		\| years_active = 1948–1979
	\| resting_place = Danehill Cemetery, [[Danehill, East Sussex\|Danehill]], [[East Sussex]], England		\| resting_place = Danehill Cemetery, [[w:Danehill, East Sussex\|Danehill]], [[w:East Sussex\|East Sussex]], England
	\| spouse = {{marriage\|[[Janet Brown]]\|1946}}		\| spouse = {{marriage\|[[Janet Brown]]\|1946}}
	\| children = 2, [[Tyler Butterworth]]		\| children = 2, [[Tyler Butterworth]]
	}}		}}

	'''Peter William Shorrocks Butterworth''' (4 February 1915<ref>[https://blog.nationalarchives.gov.uk/blog/opening-prisoner-war-collection/ ''Prisoner of War Collection''], National Archives</ref> – 17 January 1979) was an English actor and comedian, best known for his appearances in the [[Carry On (franchise)\|''Carry On'' series of films]]. He was also a regular on children's television and radio, and was known for playing [[The Monk (Doctor Who)\|The Monk]] in ''[[Doctor Who]]''. Butterworth was married to the actress and impressionist [[Janet Brown]].		'''Peter William Shorrocks Butterworth''' (4 February 1915<ref>[https://blog.nationalarchives.gov.uk/blog/opening-prisoner-war-collection/ ''Prisoner of War Collection''], National Archives</ref> – 17 January 1979) was an English actor and comedian, best known for his appearances in the [[Carry On (franchise)\|''Carry On'' series of films]]. He was also a regular on children's television and radio, and was known for playing [[w:The Monk (Doctor Who)\|The Monk]] in ''[[w:Doctor Who\|Doctor Who]]''. Butterworth was married to the actress and impressionist [[Janet Brown]].

	==Biography==		==Biography==

	===Early life and war service===		===Early life and war service===
	Before his acting career started, Butterworth served as a [[lieutenant]] in the [[Fleet Air Arm]] of the [[Royal Navy]] during the [[Second World War]].<ref name="Brown, p. 64">Brown, p. 64</ref> Whilst at ''Stalag Luft III'' he met [[Talbot Rothwell]], who later went on to write many of the [[Carry On (franchise)\|Carry On]] films in which Butterworth was to star.<ref name="memories">{{cite web\|title=Stalag Luft 3\|url=http://www.wartimememories.co.uk/pow/stalagluft3.html\|website=Wartime Memories\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322034520/http://www.wartimememories.co.uk/pow/stalagluft3.html\|archive-date=22 March 2016}}</ref> Having never performed in public before his imprisonment, Butterworth formed a duo with Rothwell and sang in the camp shows. They delivered a song which Rothwell called "The Letter Edged In Black". The performance was followed by some comic repartee which, according to Butterworth's account, provoked enough boos and hisses to have the desired effect of drowning out the sounds of an escape tunnel being dug by other prisoners' escape party. After the war, Butterworth kept a photo of the concert party line-up, something which offered inspiration to him when starting a career in acting.<ref name="what">{{cite web\|url=http://www.carryon.org.uk/regulars_frm_peterbutterworth.htm \|title=Peter Butterworth \|website=What a Carry On}}</ref>		Before his acting career started, Butterworth served as a [[w:lieutenant\|lieutenant]] in the [[w:Fleet Air Arm\|Fleet Air Arm]] of the [[w:Royal Navy\|Royal Navy]] during the [[w:Second World War\|Second World War]].<ref name="Brown, p. 64">Brown, p. 64</ref> Whilst at ''Stalag Luft III'' he met [[Talbot Rothwell]], who later went on to write many of the [[Carry On (franchise)\|Carry On]] films in which Butterworth was to star.<ref name="memories">{{cite web\|title=Stalag Luft 3\|url=http://www.wartimememories.co.uk/pow/stalagluft3.html\|website=Wartime Memories\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322034520/http://www.wartimememories.co.uk/pow/stalagluft3.html\|archive-date=22 March 2016}}</ref> Having never performed in public before his imprisonment, Butterworth formed a duo with Rothwell and sang in the camp shows. They delivered a song which Rothwell called "The Letter Edged In Black". The performance was followed by some comic repartee which, according to Butterworth's account, provoked enough boos and hisses to have the desired effect of drowning out the sounds of an escape tunnel being dug by other prisoners' escape party. After the war, Butterworth kept a photo of the concert party line-up, something which offered inspiration to him when starting a career in acting.<ref name="what">{{cite web\|url=http://www.carryon.org.uk/regulars_frm_peterbutterworth.htm \|title=Peter Butterworth \|website=What a Carry On}}</ref>

	Butterworth was one of the vaulters covering for the escapers during the escape portrayed by the book and film ''[[The Wooden Horse]]''. Butterworth later auditioned for the film in 1949 but "didn't look convincingly heroic or athletic enough" according to the makers of the film. Within the same camp as Butterworth and Rothwell were the future actors [[Rupert Davies]] and John Casson, the son of [[Lewis Casson]] and [[Sybil Thorndike]].<ref name="memories"/> All five remained very close friends after the war ended and they all appeared on ''[[This Is Your Life (British TV series)\|This Is Your Life]]'' when Butterworth was a subject of the programme in 1975.{{Citation needed\|date=September 2021}}		Butterworth was one of the vaulters covering for the escapers during the escape portrayed by the book and film ''[[The Wooden Horse]]''. Butterworth later auditioned for the film in 1949 but "didn't look convincingly heroic or athletic enough" according to the makers of the film. Within the same camp as Butterworth and Rothwell were the future actors [[Rupert Davies]] and John Casson, the son of [[Lewis Casson]] and [[Sybil Thorndike]].<ref name="memories"/> All five remained very close friends after the war ended and they all appeared on ''[[This Is Your Life (British TV series)\|This Is Your Life]]'' when Butterworth was a subject of the programme in 1975.{{Citation needed\|date=September 2021}}

Kurt: 1 revision imported

2022-08-11T16:45:58Z

1 revision imported

← Older revision	Revision as of 11:45, 11 August 2022
(No difference)

en>PedagogCAPH: /* Carry On films */ Misspelled name - removed the "w"

2022-08-01T13:57:38Z

Carry On films: Misspelled name - removed the "w"

New page

{{Short description|English actor and comedian}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2016}}
{{Infobox person
|image = Peter butterworth 1.jpg
| name = Peter Butterworth
| nickname = Butterscotch
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1915|02|04|df=yes}}
| birth_place = [[Bramhall]], [[Stockport]], [[Cheshire]], England
| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|1979|01|17|1915|02|04}}
| death_place = [[Coventry]], [[West Midlands (county)|West Midlands]], England
| occupation = Actor, comedian
| years_active = 1948–1979
| resting_place = Danehill Cemetery, [[Danehill, East Sussex|Danehill]], [[East Sussex]], England
| spouse = {{marriage|[[Janet Brown]]|1946}}
| children = 2, [[Tyler Butterworth]]
}}

'''Peter William Shorrocks Butterworth''' (4 February 1915<ref>[https://blog.nationalarchives.gov.uk/blog/opening-prisoner-war-collection/ ''Prisoner of War Collection''], National Archives</ref> – 17 January 1979) was an English actor and comedian, best known for his appearances in the [[Carry On (franchise)|''Carry On'' series of films]]. He was also a regular on children's television and radio, and was known for playing [[The Monk (Doctor Who)|The Monk]] in ''[[Doctor Who]]''. Butterworth was married to the actress and impressionist [[Janet Brown]].

==Biography==

===Early life and war service===
Before his acting career started, Butterworth served as a [[lieutenant]] in the [[Fleet Air Arm]] of the [[Royal Navy]] during the [[Second World War]].<ref name="Brown, p. 64">Brown, p. 64</ref> Whilst at ''Stalag Luft III'' he met [[Talbot Rothwell]], who later went on to write many of the [[Carry On (franchise)|Carry On]] films in which Butterworth was to star.<ref name="memories">{{cite web|title=Stalag Luft 3|url=http://www.wartimememories.co.uk/pow/stalagluft3.html|website=Wartime Memories|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322034520/http://www.wartimememories.co.uk/pow/stalagluft3.html|archive-date=22 March 2016}}</ref> Having never performed in public before his imprisonment, Butterworth formed a duo with Rothwell and sang in the camp shows. They delivered a song which Rothwell called "The Letter Edged In Black". The performance was followed by some comic repartee which, according to Butterworth's account, provoked enough boos and hisses to have the desired effect of drowning out the sounds of an escape tunnel being dug by other prisoners' escape party. After the war, Butterworth kept a photo of the concert party line-up, something which offered inspiration to him when starting a career in acting.<ref name="what">{{cite web|url=http://www.carryon.org.uk/regulars_frm_peterbutterworth.htm |title=Peter Butterworth |website=What a Carry On}}</ref>

Butterworth was one of the vaulters covering for the escapers during the escape portrayed by the book and film ''[[The Wooden Horse]]''. Butterworth later auditioned for the film in 1949 but "didn't look convincingly heroic or athletic enough" according to the makers of the film. Within the same camp as Butterworth and Rothwell were the future actors [[Rupert Davies]] and John Casson, the son of [[Lewis Casson]] and [[Sybil Thorndike]].<ref name="memories"/> All five remained very close friends after the war ended and they all appeared on ''[[This Is Your Life (British TV series)|This Is Your Life]]'' when Butterworth was a subject of the programme in 1975.{{Citation needed|date=September 2021}}

===Early acting career===
Butterworth came to notice after appearing in pantomime around the [[UK]]. His first film appearance was in the [[Val Guest]] film ''[[William Comes to Town]]'' (1948).<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090117030248/http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/title/58196?view=cast ''William Comes To Town''], The British Film Institute, accessed September 2011</ref> Guest and Butterworth became close friends and the two worked on a further seven films together during their careers. His first major success was on television in the [[Terry-Thomas]] sketch show ''[[How Do You View?]]'' in which he played the chauffeur "Lockitt": his wife, [[Janet Brown]], was also a cast member. Butterworth also presented successful programmes aimed at children in the 1950s including ''[[Whirligig (TV series)|Whirligig]]'' and ''Butterworth Time''.<ref>[http://www.whirligig-tv.co.uk "Whirligig"], Whirligig TV. com, accessed September 2011</ref> He continued to take minor parts in films and went on to appear alongside actors including [[Sean Connery]],<ref name="The First Great Train Robbery">[https://web.archive.org/web/20090128213021/http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/title/61886?view=cast ''The First Great Train Robbery''], The British Film Institute, accessed September 2011</ref> [[David Niven]]<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090117123501/http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/title/47316?view=cast ''Prudence and the Pill''], The British Film Institute, accessed September 2011</ref> and [[Douglas Fairbanks Jr]] during his career. Around the time his work in the Carry On films began, he guest appeared in two [[First Doctor]] ''[[Doctor Who]]'' stories, starring [[William Hartnell]], in 1965/66, (''[[The Time Meddler]]'' and ''[[The Daleks' Master Plan]]''), playing [[The Monk (Doctor Who)|The Monk]].

He starred in the children's TV show ''Saturday Special'' (with the puppet Porterhouse the Parrot), broadcast on Saturdays at 5:00 pm, alternating with ''Whirligig''.

===''Carry On'' films===
Butterworth's association with the Carry On series began mid-way through the series with ''[[Carry On Cowboy]]'' (1965), playing the part of "Doc". He was put in touch with the creator of the series, [[Peter Rogers]], by his friend [[Talbot Rothwell]], the writer of ''Carry On Cowboy'' and who had written the previous four films. Out of the actors who were considered to be the [[List of Carry On films cast members|''Carry On'' team]], he was the sixth most prolific performer in the series, making sixteen film appearances, two Christmas specials, the television series in 1975 and the west end theatre productions which also toured the country, alongside [[Sid James]], [[Barbara Windsor]] and [[Kenneth Connor]].

His Carry On appearances portrayed his characters as typically quiet and subtly eccentric. He was often cast as a stooge for another character. Thus, in ''[[Carry on Screaming!]]'' he played Detective Constable Slobotham, the assistant for Detective Sergeant Bung ([[Harry H. Corbett]]); while in ''[[Don't Lose Your Head]]'' he played Citizen Bidet, the assistant to Citizen Camembert ([[Kenneth Williams]]). In ''[[Carry On Camping]]'' he played Joshua Fiddler, the laid-back and eccentric camp site manager, who persuades [[Sid James]] character to part with most of his money when booking into the camp site. Such was his loyalty to [[Peter Rogers]] and [[Gerald Thomas]], that Butterworth agreed to play three small roles, in ''[[Carry On Again Doctor]]'', ''[[Carry On Loving]]'' and ''[[Carry On Henry]]''. He was unable to take larger parts, due to other work and stage commitments, but these minor roles were specially written into the films for him.<ref>Ross, p. 33</ref>

Butterworth returned to playing more substantial parts within the ''Carry On'' films with ''[[Carry On Abroad]]'' (1972), in which he played 'Pepe' the manager of an unfinished hotel, who greets his unexpected guests in the guise of the builder, the porter, the receptionist and telephone operator. He spends the first half of the film furiously trying to placate and accommodate them and the last half desperately trying to save the building from a flood, and whilst all this is going on, put up with his nagging wife ([[Hattie Jacques]]). Butterworth remained with the series until the final film in the main series, ''[[Carry On Emmannuelle]]'' (1978).

===Later acting career===
Having appeared in many of [[Val Guest]]'s films during the beginning of his career, he also made three appearances in the films of [[Richard Lester]]. He appeared in Lester's film version of ''[[A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum]]'' (1966). A decade later, he appeared consecutively in ''[[The Ritz (film)|The Ritz]]''<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090126171656/http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/title/48490?view=cast ''The Ritz''], The British Film Institute, accessed September 2011</ref> and ''[[Robin and Marian]]'' (both 1976) alongside [[Sean Connery]], [[Richard Harris]] and [[Audrey Hepburn]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090118165937/http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/title/48605?view=cast BFI | Film & TV Database | ROBIN AND MARIAN (1976)] ''Robin and Marion], The British Film Institute, accessed September 2011</ref> He had an uncredited cameo part in the film version of the musical ''[[Oliver!]]'' (1968) as a shopkeeper in court, and made a special appearance in an episode of ''[[Catweazle]]'' ("[[Catweazle#Episodes|The Demi Devil]]" [1970]) and the ''[[Dad's Army]]'' episode "[[The Face on the Poster]]" (1975).

In 1975 he was the subject of an episode of ''This Is Your Life'' whereby [[Eamonn Andrews]] surprised him while he was shopping in [[Selfridges]], [[London]]. Friends who took part in the show included [[Terry Scott]], [[Talbot Rothwell]], [[Jimmy Jewel]], John Casson and [[Rupert Davies]]. Butterworth's wife and their two children, [[Tyler Butterworth|Tyler]] and Emma were also at the recording. When the [[Carry on films]] finished in 1978, Butterworth began to concentrate on straight roles, taking a small part in the feature film ''[[The First Great Train Robbery]]'' with Sean Connery,<ref name="The First Great Train Robbery"/> and the [[Alan Bennett]] play "Afternoon Off" (both 1979). These two productions were shown posthumously.

==Personal life and death==
Butterworth was introduced to actress and impressionist [[Janet Brown]] by Rothwell<ref name="Brown, p. 64"/> and the two married in 1946 at [[St Mary's, Bryanston Square]], Marylebone.<ref>Brown, p. 72</ref> Brown later became known for her television impersonations of [[Margaret Thatcher]] during the 1970s and 1980s. They had two children: Their son, [[Tyler Butterworth]], also became an actor and is married to the actress [[Janet Dibley]].<ref name=JB1>obituaries ''The Independent'', p. 56</ref> Their daughter, Emma, was born in 1962. She died in 1996 aged 34.<ref name=JB1/>

In 1979, whilst ''[[The First Great Train Robbery]]'' was on general release, Butterworth was starring as Widow Twankey in the [[pantomime]] ''Aladdin'' at the [[Coventry Theatre]]. When the show had finished, he went back to his hotel following the evening's performance. His failure to return for the following day's matinee show caused alarm, and he was found dead in his room from a heart attack.<ref name=DMaildeath>{{cite news |author= |title=Carry On film star Peter Butterworth found dead|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=London |date=19 January 1979}}</ref>

Butterworth was buried in [[Danehill, East Sussex|Danehill]] Cemetery, in [[East Sussex]]. Following his death, the producer of the ''Carry On'' films, [[Peter Rogers]], said that Butterworth was "a thoroughly nice bloke and a dear friend".<ref>Bright, p. 127</ref>

==Partial filmography==
{{Div col|colwidth=30em}}
*''[[William Comes to Town]]'' (1948) – Postman
*''[[Murder at the Windmill]]'' (1949) – Police Constable
*''[[Miss Pilgrim's Progress]]'' (1949) – Jonathan
*''[[The Adventures of Jane]]'' (1949) – Drunken Man
*''[[The Body Said No!]]'' (1950) – Driver
*''[[Night and the City]]'' (1950) – Thug (uncredited)
*''[[Double Confession]]'' (1950) – Joe (uncredited)
*''[[Paul Temple's Triumph]]'' (1950) – Telephone Engineer (uncredited)
*''[[Mister Drake's Duck]]'' (1951) – Higgins
*''[[Circle of Danger]]'' (1951) – Ernie (The Diver) (uncredited)
*''[[Appointment with Venus]]'' (1951) – 1st Naval Rating
*''The Case of the Missing Scene'' (1951) – George
*''[[Old Mother Riley's Jungle Treasure]]'' (1951) – Steve
*''[[Saturday Island]]'' (1952) – Wounded Marine
*''[[Penny Princess]]'' (1952) – Julien / Postman / Farmer
*''[[Will Any Gentleman...?]]'' (1953) – Stage Manager
*''[[Is Your Honeymoon Really Necessary?]]'' (1953) – Liftman
*''[[The Gay Dog]]'' (1954) – Another Betting Man
*''[[Fun at St. Fanny's]]'' (1956) – The Potter
*''Blow Your Own Trumpet'' (1958) – Mr. Bob Duff
*''[[Tom Thumb (film)|Tom Thumb]]'' (1958) – Kapellmeister
*''[[The Spider's Web (1960 film)|The Spider's Web]]'' (1960) – Insp. Lord
*''[[Escort for Hire]]'' (1960) – Insp. Bruce
*''[[Murder, She Said]]'' (1961) – Ticket Collector
*''[[Fate Takes a Hand]]'' (1961) – Ronnie
*''[[The Day the Earth Caught Fire]]'' (1961) – 2nd Sub-Editor (uncredited)
*''[[She'll Have to Go]]'' (1962) – Doctor
*''[[Kill or Cure (1962 film)|Kill or Cure]]'' (1962) – Green Glades Barman
*''[[Live Now, Pay Later]]'' (1962) – Fred
*''The Rescue Squad'' (1963) – Mr. Maggs
*''[[Doctor in Distress (film)|Doctor in Distress]]'' (1963) – Ambulance Driver
*''[[A Home of Your Own]]'' (1965) – The Carpenter
*''[[The Amorous Adventures of Moll Flanders]]'' (1965) – Grunt
*''Never Mention Murder'' (1965) – Porter
*''[[Carry On Cowboy]]'' (1965) – Doc
*''[[Carry On Screaming!]]'' (1966) – Detective Constable Slobotham
*''[[A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum]]'' (1966) – Roman Sentry #2
*''[[Don't Lose Your Head]]'' (1966) – Citizen Bidet
*''[[Ouch! (1967 film)|Ouch!]]'' (1967) – Jonah Whale
*''[[Carry On Follow That Camel]]'' (1967) – Simpson
*''[[Carry On Doctor]]'' (1967) – Mr. Smith
*''Danny the Dragon'' (1967) – Farmer
*''[[Prudence and the Pill]]'' (1968) – Chemist
*''[[Carry On Up the Khyber]]'' (1968) – Brother Belcher
*''[[Carry On Camping]]'' (1969) – Josh Fiddler
*''[[Carry On Again Doctor]]'' (1969) – Shuffling Patient
*''[[Carry On Loving]]'' (1970) – Sinister Client (uncredited)
*''[[Carry On Henry]]'' (1971) – Charles, Earl of Bristol (uncredited)
*''[[The Magnificent Seven Deadly Sins]]'' (1971) – Guest Appearance (segment "Sloth")
*''[[A Class by Himself]]'' (1972) – Clutton
*''[[Bless This House (film)|Bless This House]]'' (1972) – Trevor Lewis
*''[[Carry On Abroad]]'' (1972) – Pepe
*''[[Not Now Darling]]'' (1973) – Painter (uncredited)
*''[[Carry On Girls]]'' (1973) – Admiral
*''[[Carry On Dick]]'' (1974) – Tom
*''[[Carry On Behind]]'' (1975) – Henry Barnes
*''[[Robin and Marian]]'' (1976) – Surgeon
*''[[The Ritz (film)|The Ritz]]'' (1976) – Patron In Chaps
*''[[Carry On England]]'' (1976) – Major Carstairs
*''[[Odd Man Out (UK TV series)|Odd Man Out]]'' (1977) – Wilf
*''[[What's Up Nurse!]]'' (1978) – Police Sergeant
*''[[Carry On Emmannuelle]]'' (1978) – Richmond
*''[[The First Great Train Robbery]]'' (1979) – Putnam
{{div col end}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Sources==
*{{Cite book |last=Bright, Ross |first=Morris, Robert |title=Mr Carry On – The Life & Work of Peter Rogers |publisher=BBC Books |location=London |year=2000 |isbn=978-0-563-55183-6 }}
*{{Cite book |last=Brown|first=Janet |title=The Prime Mimicker|publisher=Robson Books Ltd |location=London |year=1986 |isbn=978-0-86051-247-9}}
*{{Cite book |last=Ross |first=Robert |title=The Carry On Companion |publisher=Batsford |location=London |year=2002 |isbn=978-0-7134-8771-8 }}

==External links==
* [https://www.arrse.co.uk/community/threads/photos-that-make-you-think.271658/page-215#post-8988132 Details of Butterworth's wartime service]

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* {{IMDb name|0125350}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Butterworth, Peter}}
[[Category:1915 births]]
[[Category:1979 deaths]]
[[Category:English male comedians]]
[[Category:English male film actors]]
[[Category:English male stage actors]]
[[Category:English male television actors]]
[[Category:People from Bramhall]]
[[Category:World War II prisoners of war held by Germany]]
[[Category:British World War II prisoners of war]]
[[Category:Fleet Air Arm aviators]]
[[Category:Royal Navy officers of World War II]]
[[Category:People educated at William Hulme's Grammar School]]
[[Category:20th-century English male actors]]
[[Category:British male comedy actors]]
[[Category:20th-century British comedians]]
[[Category:Shot-down aviators]]
[[Category:Fleet Air Arm personnel of World War II]]
[[Category:People from Danehill, East Sussex]]