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{{Infobox person | {{Infobox person | ||
| image = Comic_actor_Cardew_Robinson.jpg | | image = Comic_actor_Cardew_Robinson.jpg | ||
| caption = | | caption = | ||
| birth_name = Douglas John Cardew Robinson | | birth_name = Douglas John Cardew Robinson | ||
| birth_date = {{birth date|df=y|1917|08|14}} | | birth_date = {{birth date|df=y|1917|08|14}} | ||
| birth_place = [[ | | birth_place = [[Goodmayes|Goodmayes]], Essex, England | ||
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=y|1992|12|28|1917|08|14}} | | death_date = {{death date and age|df=y|1992|12|28|1917|08|14}} | ||
| death_place = [[ | | death_place = [[Roehampton|Roehampton]], London, England | ||
| resting_place = | | resting_place = | ||
| resting_place_coordinates = | | resting_place_coordinates = | ||
| Line 21: | Line 17: | ||
}} | }} | ||
'''Douglas John Cardew Robinson''' (14 August 1917 – 28 December 1992) was a British comic, whose career was rooted in the [[ | '''Douglas John Cardew Robinson''' (14 August 1917 – 28 December 1992) was a British comic, whose career was rooted in the [[music hall|music hall]] and [[Gang Show|Gang Show]]s. | ||
== Early life and career == | == Early life and career == | ||
Born in [[ | Born in [[Goodmayes|Goodmayes]], [[Essex|Essex]], Robinson was educated at [[Harrow County School for Boys|Harrow County School for Boys]].<ref name=independent/> He enjoyed acting in school productions and loved the books of [[Charles Hamilton (writer)|Frank Richards]], featuring [[Billy Bunter|Billy Bunter]] of Greyfriars and the weekly magazine ''[[The Gem|The Gem]]'' with the adventures of Ralph Reckness Cardew of St Jim's. In the early 1930s, while at Harrow County School, he wrote for the school magazine, the 'Gaytonian'.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.jeffreymaynard.com/Harrow_County/Cardew_Robinson.htm| title=early writings of Cardew Robinson}}</ref> | ||
On leaving school, he took a job with a local newspaper, but it closed down and he then joined [[ | On leaving school, he took a job with a local newspaper, but it closed down and he then joined [[Joe Boganny|Joe Boganny]]'s touring Crazy College Boys, which opened at the [[Lyric Hammersmith|Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith]], London.<ref name=independent/> However, Robinson knew that he required a more traditional training and went into repertory theatre, where one of his roles was as the monster in an adaptation of ''Frankenstein''.<ref name=independent/> It was while serving in the RAF during the [[Second World War|Second World War]] that he created his 'Cardew the Cad of the School' character.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/1415513/index.html|title=BFI Screenonline: Robinson, Cardew (1917-1992) Biography|website=www.screenonline.org.uk}}</ref> Promoted to flight-sergeant and put in charge of the show, Robinson toured France, Belgium and the Netherlands.<ref name=independent/> | ||
After the war, he appeared with the commercial production of the Gang Show in variety theatres. He began in variety and also played the character on radio and stage and later in a film, ''[[ | After the war, he appeared with the commercial production of the Gang Show in variety theatres. He began in variety and also played the character on radio and stage and later in a film, ''[[Fun at St. Fanny's|Fun at St. Fanny's]]''.<ref name=independent/> 'Cardew the Cad' became a cartoon strip in ''[[Radio Fun|Radio Fun]]'', a children's comic of the period.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_81vQWGYelwC&dq=variety+fanfare+cardew+robinson+bbc+radio&pg=PA276|title=The Daily Telegraph Third Book of Obituaries: Entertainers|first=Group Limited|last=Telegraph|date=1 June 1998|publisher=Pan|isbn=9780330367752 |via=Google Books}}</ref> | ||
== Television, films and theatre == | == Television, films and theatre == | ||
Robinson had appeared in films as early as 1938, starting in a short in the series ''Ghost Tales Retold'' and following it ten years later with ''A Piece of Cake'' starring [[Cyril Fletcher]].<ref name=independent>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-cardew-robinson-1565861.html|title=Obituary: Cardew Robinson|date=29 December 1992|website=The Independent}}</ref> He successfully made the transition from Variety and radio into TV and films.<ref name=robertross/> In the latter, he nearly always played small but memorable [[ | Robinson had appeared in films as early as 1938, starting in a short in the series ''Ghost Tales Retold'' and following it ten years later with ''A Piece of Cake'' starring [[Cyril Fletcher]].<ref name=independent>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-cardew-robinson-1565861.html|title=Obituary: Cardew Robinson|date=29 December 1992|website=The Independent}}</ref> He successfully made the transition from Variety and radio into TV and films.<ref name=robertross/> In the latter, he nearly always played small but memorable [[cameo appearance|cameo]] parts, thus an early theatrical review mentioned "Mr Cardew Robinson, who seems to specialise in grotesques". Unusually, in the 1956 film ''[[Fun at St Fanny's|Fun at St Fanny's]]'' he had one of the main roles playing himself and received second to top billing.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b6aabbdf4|title=Fun at St. Fanny's (1955)|website=BFI}}</ref> | ||
One of his last appearances on television, in an episode of ''[[Last of the Summer Wine]]'', in which he played a hen-pecked husband, led astray by Compo and Clegg, showed him to be a fine exponent of physical comedy into his 70s.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cqz0AgAAQBAJ&dq=happy+anniversary+gough+and+jessie+cardew+robinson&pg=PT127|title=Last of the Summer Wine: The Inside Story of the World's Longest-Running Comedy Programme|first=Andrew|last=Vine|date=25 September 2010|publisher=Aurum|isbn=9781845136536 |via=Google Books}}</ref> He also appeared in an episode of ''[[Hancock's Half Hour]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b723177b8|title=The Reunion Party (1960)|website=BFI}}</ref> When Hancock was holding a reunion of his old Army friends, Cardew Robinson was the only one who appeared not to have become staid and boring – but when he took off his scarf, it was seen that he had become a vicar. | One of his last appearances on television, in an episode of ''[[Last of the Summer Wine]]'', in which he played a hen-pecked husband, led astray by Compo and Clegg, showed him to be a fine exponent of physical comedy into his 70s.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cqz0AgAAQBAJ&dq=happy+anniversary+gough+and+jessie+cardew+robinson&pg=PT127|title=Last of the Summer Wine: The Inside Story of the World's Longest-Running Comedy Programme|first=Andrew|last=Vine|date=25 September 2010|publisher=Aurum|isbn=9781845136536 |via=Google Books}}</ref> He also appeared in an episode of ''[[Hancock's Half Hour]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b723177b8|title=The Reunion Party (1960)|website=BFI}}</ref> When Hancock was holding a reunion of his old Army friends, Cardew Robinson was the only one who appeared not to have become staid and boring – but when he took off his scarf, it was seen that he had become a vicar. | ||
In the production of ''[[ | In the production of ''[[Camelot (musical)|Camelot]]'' in London in 1964, Robinson played King Pellenore.<ref name=robertross>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=e2gtEAAAQBAJ&dq=cardew+robinson+king+pellinore&pg=PT426|title=Forgotten Heroes of Comedy: An Encyclopedia of the Comedy Underdog|first=Robert|last=Ross|date=30 September 2021|publisher=Unbound Publishing|isbn=9781783529193 |via=Google Books}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theatricalia.com/play/4gr/camelot/production/9t2|title=Production of Camelot | Theatricalia|website=theatricalia.com}}</ref> The show apparently ran for 650 performances, although it was not well received by the critics. Also that year, Robinson's TV work included the series '[[Fire Crackers]]', featuring the day-to-day challenges and mishaps of the Cropper's End Fire Brigade.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/fire_crackers/|title=Fire Crackers - ITV Sitcom|first=British Comedy|last=Guide|website=British Comedy Guide}}</ref> | ||
Cardew Robinson was best known in Britain for appearances on TV and in radio shows like ''You've Got to be Joking'' which he created, as well as ''[[ | Cardew Robinson was best known in Britain for appearances on TV and in radio shows like ''You've Got to be Joking'' which he created, as well as ''[[Does the Team Think?]]''.<ref name=independent/> He only acted in one ''Carry On'' film, ''[[Carry On Up the Khyber]]''; he played a [[fakir]] drawing the memorable line from [[Bernard Bresslaw]], whose character, Bungdit Din, tells him "Fakir...off!".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2ba30337f0|title=Cardew Robinson|website=BFI}}</ref><ref name=robertross/> | ||
== Obituary == | == Obituary == | ||
Robinson died of [[ | Robinson died of [[ischemic colitis|ischemic colitis]], in London on 27 December 1992, at the age of 75.<ref name=heraldscotland>{{Cite web|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12590914.cardew-robinson/|title=Cardew Robinson|website=HeraldScotland}}</ref> His obituary in ''[[The Times|The Times]]'', described him as "a quiet studious man, whose private face belied his public appearance". A letter to the paper from a later headmaster of his old school, talked about his "generous spirit". He had divorced before he died, but had two daughters, Leanne and Lindy.<ref name=heraldscotland/> | ||
== Selected filmography == | == Selected filmography == | ||
| Line 83: | Line 79: | ||
== External links == | == External links == | ||
* {{IMDb name|0732442}} | * {{IMDb name|0732442}} | ||
* [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-cardew-robinson-1565861.html Obituary in ''The Independent'', 29 December 1992] | * [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-cardew-robinson-1565861.html Obituary in ''The Independent'', 29 December 1992] | ||
* {{screenonline name|id=1415513}} | * {{screenonline name|id=1415513}} | ||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Robinson, Cardew}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Robinson, Cardew}} | ||
Latest revision as of 12:26, 18 February 2023
Cardew Robinson | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Douglas John Cardew Robinson 14 August 1917 Goodmayes, Essex, England |
| Died | 28 December 1992 (aged 75) Roehampton, London, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Comedy actor |
Douglas John Cardew Robinson (14 August 1917 – 28 December 1992) was a British comic, whose career was rooted in the music hall and Gang Shows.
Early life and career
Born in Goodmayes, Essex, Robinson was educated at Harrow County School for Boys.[1] He enjoyed acting in school productions and loved the books of Frank Richards, featuring Billy Bunter of Greyfriars and the weekly magazine The Gem with the adventures of Ralph Reckness Cardew of St Jim's. In the early 1930s, while at Harrow County School, he wrote for the school magazine, the 'Gaytonian'.[2]
On leaving school, he took a job with a local newspaper, but it closed down and he then joined Joe Boganny's touring Crazy College Boys, which opened at the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith, London.[1] However, Robinson knew that he required a more traditional training and went into repertory theatre, where one of his roles was as the monster in an adaptation of Frankenstein.[1] It was while serving in the RAF during the Second World War that he created his 'Cardew the Cad of the School' character.[3] Promoted to flight-sergeant and put in charge of the show, Robinson toured France, Belgium and the Netherlands.[1]
After the war, he appeared with the commercial production of the Gang Show in variety theatres. He began in variety and also played the character on radio and stage and later in a film, Fun at St. Fanny's.[1] 'Cardew the Cad' became a cartoon strip in Radio Fun, a children's comic of the period.[4]
Television, films and theatre
Robinson had appeared in films as early as 1938, starting in a short in the series Ghost Tales Retold and following it ten years later with A Piece of Cake starring Cyril Fletcher.[1] He successfully made the transition from Variety and radio into TV and films.[5] In the latter, he nearly always played small but memorable cameo parts, thus an early theatrical review mentioned "Mr Cardew Robinson, who seems to specialise in grotesques". Unusually, in the 1956 film Fun at St Fanny's he had one of the main roles playing himself and received second to top billing.[6]
One of his last appearances on television, in an episode of Last of the Summer Wine, in which he played a hen-pecked husband, led astray by Compo and Clegg, showed him to be a fine exponent of physical comedy into his 70s.[7] He also appeared in an episode of Hancock's Half Hour.[8] When Hancock was holding a reunion of his old Army friends, Cardew Robinson was the only one who appeared not to have become staid and boring – but when he took off his scarf, it was seen that he had become a vicar.
In the production of Camelot in London in 1964, Robinson played King Pellenore.[5][9] The show apparently ran for 650 performances, although it was not well received by the critics. Also that year, Robinson's TV work included the series 'Fire Crackers', featuring the day-to-day challenges and mishaps of the Cropper's End Fire Brigade.[10]
Cardew Robinson was best known in Britain for appearances on TV and in radio shows like You've Got to be Joking which he created, as well as Does the Team Think?.[1] He only acted in one Carry On film, Carry On Up the Khyber; he played a fakir drawing the memorable line from Bernard Bresslaw, whose character, Bungdit Din, tells him "Fakir...off!".[11][5]
Obituary
Robinson died of ischemic colitis, in London on 27 December 1992, at the age of 75.[12] His obituary in The Times, described him as "a quiet studious man, whose private face belied his public appearance". A letter to the paper from a later headmaster of his old school, talked about his "generous spirit". He had divorced before he died, but had two daughters, Leanne and Lindy.[12]
Selected filmography
- A Piece of Cake (1948) – Honest Joe (uncredited)
- Calling All Cars (1954) – Reggie Ramsbottom
- Fun at St. Fanny's (1955) – Cardew the Cad
- Happy Is the Bride (1958) – George the Verger
- The Navy Lark (1959) – Lt. Binns
- I'm All Right Jack (1959) – Shop Steward
- Let's Get Married (1960) – Salesman
- Light Up the Sky! (1960) – Compere
- A French Mistress (1960) – Ambulance Attendant
- Three on a Spree (1961) – Micki
- Hair of the Dog (1962) – Doctor
- Crooks Anonymous (1962) – Wiseman – Helicopter Brother
- Waltz of the Toreadors (1962) – Midgley the Undertaker
- The Wrong Arm of the Law (1963) – Postman (uncredited)
- Heavens Above! (1963) – Tramp
- Ladies Who Do (1963) – Police Driver
- A Stitch in Time (1963) – Pinching Patient (uncredited)
- Father Came Too! (1963) – Fire Officer
- Hide and Seek (1964) – Constable
- Alfie (1966) – Gay Man in Pub (uncredited)
- I Was Happy Here (1966)
- Three Bites of the Apple (1967) – Bernhard Hagstrom
- Smashing Time (1967) – Custard-Pie Vicar
- The Avengers (1967) TV Series, Episode "The £50,000 Breakfast" – pet cemetery vicar
- Carry On Up the Khyber (1968) – The Fakir
- Where's Jack? (1969) – Lord Mayor
- The Nine Ages of Nakedness (1969) – The Magistrate (segment "The Theatre")
- The Thirteen Chairs (1969) – Car Park Attendant
- The Magnificent Seven Deadly Sins (1971) – Guest Appearance (segment "Sloth")
- Come Play With Me (1977) – McIvar
- What's Up Nurse! (1978) – Ticket Inspector
- Pirates (1986) – Lawyer
- Shirley Valentine (1989) – Londoner
References
- ^ a b c d e f g "Obituary: Cardew Robinson". The Independent. 29 December 1992.
- ^ "early writings of Cardew Robinson".
- ^ "BFI Screenonline: Robinson, Cardew (1917-1992) Biography". www.screenonline.org.uk.
- ^ Telegraph, Group Limited (1 June 1998). The Daily Telegraph Third Book of Obituaries: Entertainers. Pan. ISBN 9780330367752 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b c Ross, Robert (30 September 2021). Forgotten Heroes of Comedy: An Encyclopedia of the Comedy Underdog. Unbound Publishing. ISBN 9781783529193 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Fun at St. Fanny's (1955)". BFI.
- ^ Vine, Andrew (25 September 2010). Last of the Summer Wine: The Inside Story of the World's Longest-Running Comedy Programme. Aurum. ISBN 9781845136536 – via Google Books.
- ^ "The Reunion Party (1960)". BFI.
- ^ "Production of Camelot | Theatricalia". theatricalia.com.
- ^ Guide, British Comedy. "Fire Crackers - ITV Sitcom". British Comedy Guide.
- ^ "Cardew Robinson". BFI.
- ^ a b "Cardew Robinson". HeraldScotland.
