Occupation Comedy actor Years active 1932-1990 | Name Richard Murdoch | |
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Full Name Richard Bernard Murdoch Born 6 April 1907 ( 1907-04-06 ) Keston, Kent,England, UK Died 9 October 1990(1990-10-09) (aged 83)Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, England, UK | ||
Richard murdoch much binding in the marsh
Richard Bernard Murdoch (6 April 1907 – 9 October 1990) was a British actor and entertainer.
Contents
- Richard murdoch much binding in the marsh
- Kenneth horne sam costa richard murdoch 1951
- Early life
- Early career
- Work with Arthur Askey
- World War II
- Career
- Personal life
- Selected radio broadcasts
- Selected television appearances
- Filmography
- References
Kenneth horne sam costa richard murdoch 1951
Early life
He was educated at Charterhouse School in Surrey, and Pembroke College, Cambridge. Whilst at university he participated in the Footlights Dramatic Club's performances.
Early career
Murdoch's first appearance in cinema was as an uncredited dancing extra in 1932 film Looking on the Bright Side. In 1937 he was listed among the cast of the "Television Follies", an early BBC Television programme.
Work with Arthur Askey
He received his big professional break in the British Broadcasting Corporation's comedy radio programme Band Waggon in 1938 as part of a double act with the then rising star Arthur Askey, acquiring the nickname "Stinker" in mocking reference to his superior formal education. As Askey moved from radio performing into cinema at the end of the 1930s Murdoch went with him and they appeared in a number of Askey star vehicle films together, Murdoch's tall athletic physique, good looks and upper middle class English Home Counties demeanor contrasting comedically with Askey's short stature, homely appearance, Lancashire provincial accent and working class performance persona. Their working partnership broke up during World War 2 when Murdoch joined the Armed Forces, but they briefly reprised it in the late 1950s for the television series Living It Up.
World War II
Murdoch was conscripted into the Royal Air Force in 1941, serving as a junior intelligence officer with Bomber Command, before being posted to the Department of Allied Air Force and Foreign Liaison as a Flight Lieutenant. In 1943 he joined the Directorate of Administrative Plans at the Air Ministry, where he shared an office with Wing Commander Kenneth Horne, being responsible for the supply of aircraft and air equipment to Russia. He finished the war with the rank of Squadron Leader.
Career
Murdoch teamed up with Kenneth Horne in the BBC Radio comedy series Much Binding in the Marsh from 1944 to 1954.
He performed in the long-running radio comedy series The Men from the Ministry from 1962 to 1977.
He composed a suggestive doggerel about Ella Wheeler Wilcox as lyrics to accompany the opening bars of Alexandre Luigini's Ballet Égyptien.
In the early 1980s Murdoch provided the English narration for the Polish animated version of The Moomins, from the classic series of books by Tove Jansson.
Murdoch had a long-running regular role as 'Uncle Tom', the briefless senior barrister of chambers, in Rumpole of the Bailey from 1978 to 1990.
Personal life
He married the actress Peggy Rawlings in 1932, and they had three children, Belinda, Jane and Timothy.
Murdoch died on 9 October 1990, aged 83. His final performance in the Rumpole series was broadcast a few months later in 1991.
Selected radio broadcasts
Selected television appearances
Filmography
Actor
1978
Rumpole of the Bailey (TV Series) as
Uncle Tom
- Rumpole and the Quacks (1991) - Uncle Tom
- Rumpole and the Summer of Discontent (1991) - Uncle Tom
- Rumpole and the Quality of Life (1988) - Uncle Tom
- Rumpole and Portia (1988) - Uncle Tom
- Rumpole and the Tap End (1988) - Uncle Tom
- Rumpole and the Barrow Boy (1988) - Uncle Tom
- Rumpole and the Bubble Reputation (1988) - Uncle Tom
- Rumpole's Last Case (1987) - Uncle Tom
- Rumpole and the Judge's Elbow (1987) - Uncle Tom
- Rumpole and the Official Secret (1987) - Uncle Tom
- Rumpole and the Blind Tasting (1987) - Uncle Tom
- Rumpole and the Old, Old, Story (1987) - Uncle Tom
- Rumpole and the Last Resort (1983) - Uncle Tom
- Rumpole and the Sporting Life (1983) - Uncle Tom
- Rumpole and the Female of the Species (1983) - Uncle Tom
- Rumpole and the Old Boy Net (1983) - Uncle Tom
- Rumpole's Return (1980) - Uncle Tom
- Rumpole and the Age for Retirement (1979) - Uncle Tom
- Rumpole and the Course of True Love (1979) - Uncle Tom
- Rumpole and the Fascist Beast (1979) - Uncle Tom
- Rumpole and the Man of God (1979) - Uncle Tom
- Rumpole and the Married Lady (1978) - Uncle Tom
- Rumpole and the Honourable Member (1978) - Uncle Tom
- Rumpole and the Younger Generation (1978) - Uncle Tom
1988
Mr. Majeika (TV Series) as
Worshipful Wizard
- Bye Bye Barty, Barty Bye Bye (1990) - Worshipful Wizard
- Yes Sir, That's My Baby (1990) - Worshipful Wizard
- I've Grown Accustomed to His Face (1990) - Worshipful Wizard
- Someday My Doodles Will Come (1990) - Worshipful Wizard
- Catch a Falling Ball (1990) - Worshipful Wizard
- Fangs for the Memory (1990) - Worshipful Wizard
- There's a Coach Coming In- (1990) - Worshipful Wizard
- Here Comes the Bride (1989) - Worshipful Wizard
- Jim Genie (1989) - Worshipful Wizard
- Ghostclusters (1989) - Worshipful Wizard
- Happy Birthday to You (1989) - Worshipful Wizard
- Gonna Wash Those Spells Right Out of My Hair (1989) - Worshipful Wizard
- Will Ye No Come Back Again (1989) - Worshipful Wizard
- Have Yourself a Wizard Little Christmas (1988) - Worshipful Wizard
- Show Me the Way to Go Home (1988) - Worshipful Wizard
- Wooden It Be Lovely (1988) - Worshipful Wizard (voice)
- Some Enchanted Evening (1988) - Worshipful Wizard (voice)
- Bewitched, Bothered and Be-Wilhermina-d (1988) - Worshipful Wizard (voice)
- Rule Britlandia (1988) - Worshipful Wizard (voice)
- He Came from Walpurgis (1988) - Worshipful Wizard (voice)
1988
Never the Twain (TV Series) as
Colonel Wainwright
- Born to Blush Unseen (1988) - Colonel Wainwright
1986
Whoops Apocalypse as
Cabinet Minister
1983
Blackadder (TV Series) as
Ross, A Lord
- Witchsmeller Pursuivant (1983) - Ross, A Lord
1981
Winston Churchill: The Wilderness Years (TV Mini Series) as
Lord Halifax
- What Price Churchill? (1981) - Lord Halifax
- The Long Tide of Surrender (1981) - Lord Halifax
1981
Doctors' Daughters (TV Series) as
Dr. 'Biggin' Hill
- Dr Sadie (1981) - Dr. 'Biggin' Hill
- Professional Misconduct (1981) - Dr. 'Biggin' Hill
- Needle Match (1981) - Dr. 'Biggin' Hill
- Double Your Mummy (1981) - Dr. 'Biggin' Hill
- General Practice (1981) - Dr. 'Biggin' Hill
- A Change of Sex (1981) - Dr. 'Biggin' Hill
1980
The Mystery of the Disappearing Schoolgirls (TV Movie) as
Lord Chamberlain
1980
The Professionals (TV Series) as
Sir Alan Sternfield
- Hijack (1980) - Sir Alan Sternfield
1978
The Three Kisses (TV Movie) as
Professor Christopher Littlecherry
1978
Warrior Queen (TV Series) as
Olussa
- Episode #1.5 (1978) - Olussa
1978
In the Looking Glass (TV Series)
- Space (1978)
1978
Hazell (TV Series) as
Dornford
- Hazell Pays a Debt (1978) - Dornford
1977
Moomins (TV Series short) as
Narrator - English (1982) (voice)
1977
The New Avengers (TV Series) as
Pinman Perry
- Dead Men Are Dangerous (1977) - Pinman Perry
1977
Owner Occupied (TV Movie) as
Colonel Washbrook
1968
Orlando (TV Series) as
Beau-Beau Geste
- Where Was Moosh When the Lights Went Out? (1968) - Beau-Beau Geste
- Dont Look Now (1968) - Beau-Beau Geste
- When Did You Last See Your Father? (1968) - Beau-Beau Geste
- Orlando and the Return of Moosh: Beau Geste and All That (1968) - Beau-Beau Geste
1963
Walter and Connie (TV Series) as
Manager
- Walter and Connie Selling Cars (1963) - Manager
1960
Not a Hope in Hell as
Bertie
1959
Strictly Confidential as
Cmdr. Bissham-Ryley
1959
This Is the BBC
1952
Silk, Satin, Cotton, Rags (TV Series) as
Max Rollo
- Exit Miss Graham (1952) - Max Rollo
- Satin (1952) - Max Rollo
- Silk (1952) - Max Rollo
1951
The Magic Box as
Sitter in Bath Studio
1950
Lilli Marlene as
F / Lt. Murdoch
1949
The Gay Adventure as
David Felton
1948
It Happened in Soho as
Scott The News Reporter
1948
At Home (TV Movie)
1948
Kaleidoscope (TV Series) as
Self in Sir! I Have An Idea segment
- Episode #2.16 (1948) - Self in Sir! I Have An Idea segment
- Episode #2.15 (1948) - Self in Sir! I Have An Idea segment
- Episode #2.14 (1948) - Self in Sir! I Have An Idea segment
- Episode #2.13 (1948) - Self in Sir! I Have An Idea segment
- Episode #2.12 (1948) - Self in Sir! I Have An Idea segment
- Episode #2.11 (1948) - Self in Sir! I Have An Idea segment
1944
You Can't Do Without Love as
Illusionist
1941
I Thank You as
'Stinker' (as Richard {Stinker} Murdoch/Richard Murdoch)
1941
The Ghost Train as
Teddy Deakin (as Richard {Stinker} Murdoch)
1940
Charley's (Big-Hearted) Aunt as
'Stinker' Burton
1940
Band Waggon as
Stinker Murdoch (as Richard Stinker Murdoch)
1938
The Terror as
Detective Lewis
1938
Byng-Ho! (TV Series)
- Episode dated 17 March 1938 (1938)
1937
Red Peppers (TV Movie) as
George Pepper
1937
Over She Goes as
Sergeant Oliver
1934
Evergreen as
Undetermined Role (uncredited)
1932
Looking on the Bright Side as
Dancer (uncredited)
Writer
1948
At Home (TV Movie)
Soundtrack
1941
I Thank You (performer: "Half Of Everything Is Yours" - uncredited)
1940
Band Waggon (performer: "The Only One Who's Difficult is You", "Boomps-a-Daisy", "Old King Cole" - uncredited)
1937
Over She Goes (performer: "We Policemen Think We Police Are Grand")
Self
1987
Wogan (TV Series) as
Self
- Wogan's Radio Fun (1987) - Self
- Wogan's Radio Fun (1987) - Self
1956
This Is Your Life (TV Series documentary) as
Self / Self (via telephone)
- Maurice Denham (1985) - Self
- John Mills (1983) - Self
- Richard Murdoch (1978) - Self
- Arthur Askey (1974) - Self (via telephone)
- Kenneth Horne (1962) - Self
- Arthur Askey - 1 (1959) - Self
- Harry S. Pepper (1956) - Self
1984
The Time of Your Life (TV Series) as
Self
- Dame Anna Neagle (1984) - Self
1983
The Crazy Gang: A Celebration (TV Movie documentary) as
Self
1983
Give Us a Clue (TV Series) as
Self - Panellist
- Episode #6.2 (1983) - Self - Panellist
1983
Footlights! (TV Movie documentary) as
Self
1975
Looks Familiar (TV Series) as
Self - Guest
- Episode dated 3 August 1982 (1982) - Self - Guest
- Episode dated 3 March 1981 (1981) - Self - Guest
- Episode dated 15 October 1975 (1975) - Self - Guest
1981
The Old Boy Network (TV Series documentary) as
Self
- Richard Murdoch (1981) - Self
1980
Royal Variety Performance (TV Special) as
Self
1976
A World of Music (TV Series) as
Self
- Another Opening, Another Show (1976) - Self
1975
2nd House (TV Series) as
Self
- The Sound of Laughter (1975) - Self
1970
Under the Table You Must Go (Documentary) as
Self
1970
Frost on Sunday (TV Series) as
Self
- Mike Newman, Blue Mink & Eamonn Andrews (1970) - Self (uncredited)
- Gene Pitney, Michael Bentine & Lou Rawls (1970) - Self
- Morty Gunty (1970) - Self
- Matt Monro (1970) - Self
- Ian Carmichael (1970) - Self
- Episode #2.2 (1970) - Self
- Rolf Harris (1970) - Self
1969
Frost on Saturday (TV Series) as
Self
- Colour TV Special (1969) - Self
1968
The Golden Shot (TV Series) as
Self
- RAF 50th Anniversary Show (1968) - Self
1968
Gala Variety: The Royal Air Forces Association Jubilee Festival (TV Special) as
Self
1967
Dee Time (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #2.10 (1967) - Self
1966
Know Your Onions (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #1.1 (1966) - Self
1966
Call My Bluff (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #2.6 (1966) - Self
1963
Comedy Bandbox (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #2.11 (1963) - Self
1962
Let's Imagine (TV Series) as
Self / Self - Pianist
- Being an Inventor (1962) - Self
- The Perfect Garden (1962) - Self - Pianist
1961
Does the Team Think? (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #1.8 (1961) - Self
1960
Laugh Line (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #1.20 (1960) - Self
1957
Living It Up (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #2.5 (1958) - Self
- Episode #2.4 (1958) - Self
- Episode #2.3 (1958) - Self
- Episode #2.2 (1958) - Self
- Episode #2.1 (1958) - Self
- Episode #1.3 (1957) - Self
- Episode #1.2 (1957) - Self
- Episode #1.1 (1957) - Self
1955
This Is Show Business (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #8.3 (1957) - Self
- Episode #6.4 (1956) - Self
- Episode #5.2 (1955) - Self
1957
The Windmill Theatre: Twenty-Five Years Non-Stop (TV Movie) as
Self - Host
1956
Northern Showground (TV Series) as
Self - Presenter
- Episode #1.6 (1956) - Self - Presenter
- Episode #1.5 (1956) - Self - Presenter
- Episode #1.4 (1956) - Self - Presenter
- Episode #1.3 (1956) - Self - Presenter
- Episode #1.2 (1956) - Self - Presenter
- Episode #1.1 (1956) - Self - Presenter
1955
It's Magic (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #2.6 (1955) - Self
1954
Variety Parade (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #1.21 (1955) - Self
- Episode #1.16 (1955) - Self
- Episode #1.12 (1954) - Self
1955
Face the Music (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #3.1 (1955) - Self
1954
Television Christmas Party (TV Movie) as
Self
1953
Garrison Theatre (TV Series) as
Self - Presenter
- Episode #1.1 (1953) - Self - Presenter
1953
The Centre Show (TV Series) as
Self - Presenter
- Episode dated 7 July 1953 (1953) - Self - Presenter
1951
The Top Hat (TV Series) as
Self - Presenter
- Episode dated 7 July 1951 (1951) - Self - Presenter
1948
Saturday Night at the Palace (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #2.1 (1948) - Self
1938
Variety (TV Series) as
Self / Self - Comedian
- Episode dated 4 October 1947 (1947) - Self
- Episode dated 9 December 1946 (1946) - Self
- Episode dated 18 November 1946 (1946) - Self
- Episode dated 15 January 1938 (1938) - Self - Comedian
1938
Cabaret (TV Series) as
Self - Comedian
- Episode dated 6 October 1938 (1938) - Self - Comedian
1938
Re-View (TV Series) as
Self - Performer
- Episode dated 24 February 1938 (1938) - Self - Performer
Archive Footage
2021
The Beatles: Get Back (TV Mini Series documentary) as
Self - Comic Actor
- Part 2: Days 8-16 (2021) - Self - Comic Actor
1998
Heroes of Comedy (TV Series documentary) as
Self
- Arthur Askey (1998) - Self
1995
What Did You Do in the War, Auntie? 1939-45 (TV Mini Series) as
Self
- The Factory of Entertainment (1995) - Self (as Richard 'Stinker' Murdoch)
1986
Chasing Rainbows - A Nation and Its Music (TV Series documentary) as
Self
- Running Riot: Music and Humour (1986) - Self
1978
Clapper Board (TV Series)
- Arthur Askey: Part 2 (1978)
References
Richard Murdoch Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA