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William Franklyn

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Name
  
William Franklyn

Role
  
Actor


Children
  
Sabina Franklyn

Parents
  
Leo Franklyn, Mary Rigby

William Franklyn i436photobucketcomalbumsqq85cornershop15Brit

Full Name
  
William Leo Franklyn

Born
  
22 September 1925 (
1925-09-22
)
Kensington, London, England, UK

Died
  
October 31, 2006, London, United Kingdom

Spouse
  
Margo Johns (m. 1952–1962), Susannah Carroll

Movies and TV shows
  
Similar People
  
Sabina Franklyn, Margo Johns, Robert Asher, Val Guest, Guy Green

Classic tv ad for schweppes starring william franklyn


William Leo Franklyn (22 September 1925 – 31 October 2006) was a British actor, perhaps best known for voicing the "Schhh... You Know Who" adverts for Schweppes from 1965 to 1973. He also performed on stage, film, television and radio, taking over from Peter Jones as "The Book" (the narrator) in the third, fourth and fifth radio series of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. He is also known for his portrayal of Sexton Blake for BBC Radio 4 in 1967.

Contents

William Franklyn William Franklyn

William franklyn miller on tv


Early life

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Franklyn was born in Kensington into an acting family: his maternal grandfather, Arthur Rigby, Sr and uncle, Arthur Rigby, Jr, mother, Mary Rigby, and father, Leo Franklyn, were all actors. He was taken to Australia as a baby, where his father toured with musical comedies. The young Franklyn attended Wesley and Haileybury Colleges, both in Melbourne and developed an abiding love of cricket. He later trialled as a fast bowler for Essex, and opened the bowling for the Stage Cricket Club. He also became a leg spinner, and ran his own team, the Sargentmen, raising money for the Malcolm Sargent Cancer Fund for Children.

William Franklyn A Short Biography of William Franklyn

He returned to London, aged 11. He was evacuated to Luscombe Castle in Devon in the Second World War. His stage career began at the age of 18, when he appeared in My Sister Eileen at the Savoy Theatre in 1943. He was called up to join the Parachute Regiment, and was sent to Palestine.

Career

He appeared in Arsenic and Old Lace at Southsea Pier in 1946, soon after he was demobilised, and settled on an acting career. He continued to tour with the play in repertory for six years. In a slow period, he traded as an antiques dealer, taking junk away on a barrow from rich areas of London and selling it as antiques.

He went on to perform on the stage, on television and radio, and in several films. He appeared in several films in the 1950s, including Quatermass 2 in 1957, and took a starring role in the 1961 film Pit of Darkness which was the B-feature shown with Adam Faith's What A Whopper. He featured in the 1965 Morecambe and Wise film The Intelligence Men.

He appeared in London's West End in comedies such as There's A Girl in My Soup and Tunnel of Love. After perfunctory Italian lessons, he directed a version of There's A Girl in My Soup in Italy, with Italian actors, in Italian. On television, he was a panellist on game shows such as What's My Line? and Call My Bluff. He played Jacques Fleury in The Adventures of the Scarlet Pimpernel (1955–56) and Peter Dallas in the spy drama series Top Secret (1961–62), and also appeared in several episodes of The Avengers.

He was featured on This Is Your Life (1978), appeared in the 1984 comedy television series The Steam Video Company, and in G.B.H. (1991) and Diana: Her True Story (1993).

He was also known for commercial voice-over work; he appeared on screen in 10 commercials and voiced another 40 from 1965 to 1973. The "Schhh... You Know Who" Schweppes adverts Franklyn voiced were created by Ogilvy and Mather.

He voiced Danger Mouse in the unbroadcast pilot for the British television series (although David Jason replaced him in all broadcast episodes).

On radio, he was the reader of the quotes on BBC Radio 4's Quote Unquote for 11 years, until shortly before his death, and also read for The News Quiz. In 2004 and 2005 he took over the role of "The Book" (the narrator) from his friend Peter Jones for the third, fourth and fifth radio series of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

Personal life

Franklyn was married twice: first to Margo Johns in 1952; they had a daughter, actress Sabina Franklyn, but were divorced in 1962. He remarried in 1969; he and his second wife, Susanna, had two daughters, Francesca Franklyn, a film producer, and Melissa Franklyn, an actress.

Franklyn died of prostate cancer in October 2006.

Filmography

Actor
2004
The Courtroom (TV Series) as
Judge Matthew Johnson
- Dead in the Water (2004) - Judge Matthew Johnson
2001
Doctors (TV Series) as
Hugo Stephenson
- A Second Chance (2001) - Hugo Stephenson
2001
Startopia (Video Game) as
Lead Vocals (voice)
1999
French and Saunders (TV Series) as
James
- Witless Silence (1999) - James
1997
Jonathan Creek (TV Series) as
Narrator of Banana Commercial
- Jack in the Box (1997) - Narrator of Banana Commercial (voice, uncredited)
1996
El último viaje de Robert Rylands as
Robert Rylands
1996
London Suite (TV Movie) as
Widley
1994
Lovejoy (TV Series) as
Burgess
- Guns and Roses (1994) - Burgess
1993
Splitting Heirs as
Andrews
1993
Diana: Her True Story (TV Movie) as
Lord Mountbatten
1992
The Upper Hand (TV Series) as
Eric
- Surprise, Surprise (1992) - Eric
1992
Moon and Son (TV Series) as
George Milestone
- Nearly Dearly Departed (1992) - George Milestone
1991
G.B.H. (TV Mini Series) as
Distinguished Gent
- Message Received (1991) - Distinguished Gent
- Message Sent (1991) - Distinguished Gent
- Only Here on a Message (1991) - Distinguished Gent
1984
Kelly Monteith (TV Series)
- Episode #6.3 (1984)
1984
The Steam Video Company (TV Series) as
Various / Bruno Franklyn / Pawnbroker / ...
- The Fall of the House of Franklyn (1984) - Various / Bruno Franklyn / Pawnbroker / -
- Amityville II Luton Town 3 (1984) - Various / Queen Elizabeth / Curly
- The Secret of Plankton Lodge (1984) - Various / Deirdre Plankton
- I Was Hitler's Bookie (1984) - Various / Barrister
- Creature from the Black Forest Gateau (1984) - Various / Sir Brimsley Oakhampton OBE Bob Todd and Bath / Barry Cryer
- The Strange Case of Doctor Jekyll (1984) - Various / Doctor Henry Jekyll / Mr. Hyde
1982
Nutcracker as
Sir Arthur Cartwright
1978
Horizon (TV Series documentary) as
Narrator
- Hello Universe (1981) - Narrator
- Zero G (1978) - Narrator
1969
ITV Playhouse (TV Series) as
Ashley Munroe / James Innes / Charles
- The Purple Twilight (1979) - Ashley Munroe / James Innes
- Mixed Foursome (1969) - Charles
1977
The New Avengers (TV Series) as
McKay
- Hostage (1977) - McKay
1977
Paradise Island (TV Series) as
Cuthbert Fulworthy
- Here Is the News (1977) - Cuthbert Fulworthy
- Who Do You Do-? (1977) - Cuthbert Fulworthy
- The Great Pig Hunt (1977) - Cuthbert Fulworthy
- Happy Birthday Cuthbert (1977) - Cuthbert Fulworthy
- Is Anybody There? (1977) - Cuthbert Fulworthy
- A Stranger in Paradise (1977) - Cuthbert Fulworthy
- Pilot (1977) - Cuthbert Fulworthy
1976
What's on Next? (TV Series) as
Various (1976-1978)
1975
Whodunnit? (TV Series) as
Voiceover
- Pop Goes the Weasel (1975) - Voiceover
1973
The Satanic Rites of Dracula as
Torrence
1972
Get Charlie Tully as
Arnold Van Cleef
1972
My Wife Next Door (TV Series) as
Willie
- Dream Girl (1972) - Willie
1972
Doctor in Charge (TV Series) as
Jeremy de Quincy
- That's My Uncle! (1972) - Jeremy de Quincy
1971
Justice (TV Series) as
James Kirby
- The Most Important Thing of All (1971) - James Kirby
1970
North West Confidential (Short) as
The man
1969
The Champions (TV Series) as
Hartington
- The Gun-Runners (1969) - Hartington
1965
The Avengers (TV Series) as
Brinstead / Omrod
- Killer (1968) - Brinstead
- Silent Dust (1965) - Omrod
1968
Thirty-Minute Theatre (TV Series) as
Roy Haines
- Something to Hide: The Caretaker's Flat (1968) - Roy Haines
- Something to Hide: The Studio (1968) - Roy Haines
- Something to Hide: The First Floor (1968) - Roy Haines
1966
The Baron (TV Series) as
Kent Jordan
- The Edge of Fear (1966) - Kent Jordan
1966
Mogul (TV Series) as
Michael Rennane
- The Bigger They Are (1966) - Michael Rennane
1966
Public Eye (TV Series) as
Kurt Heller
- You're Not Cinderella, Are You? (1966) - Kurt Heller
1966
Cul-de-sac as
Cecil
1966
The Magical World of Disney (TV Series) as
Tom King
- The Legend of Young Dick Turpin: Part 2 (1966) - Tom King
- The Legend of Young Dick Turpin: Part 1 (1966) - Tom King
1965
The Intelligence Men as
Colonel Grant
1965
The Legend of Young Dick Turpin as
Tom King
1964
Curtain of Fear (TV Series) as
Hans Liebert
- The Regan Solution (1964) - Hans Liebert
- The Shand Solution (1964) - Hans Liebert
- The Linton Compact (1964) - Hans Liebert
- The Tannikov Dilemma (1964) - Hans Liebert
- The Liebert Question (1964) - Hans Liebert
- The Rassilov Code (1964) - Hans Liebert
1964
The Dickie Henderson Show (TV Series) as
Greg
- The Boy Friend (1964) - Greg
1957
Armchair Theatre (TV Series) as
Arthur Maxwell / John Hamilton / Paul Lorimer
- A Nice Little Business (1964) - Arthur Maxwell
- The Big Deal (1961) - John Hamilton
- The Last Flight (1957) - Paul Lorimer
1963
No Cloak - No Dagger (TV Series) as
Ian Lambart
- Episode #1.6 (1963) - Ian Lambart
- Episode #1.5 (1963) - Ian Lambart
- Episode #1.4 (1963) - Ian Lambart
- Episode #1.3 (1963) - Ian Lambart
- Episode #1.2 (1963) - Ian Lambart
- Episode #1.1 (1963) - Ian Lambart
1962
Maigret (TV Series) as
Count Maurice
- The Countess (1962) - Count Maurice
1961
Top Secret (TV Series) as
Peter Dallas
- Escape to Danger (1962) - Peter Dallas
- Dance for Spies (1962) - Peter Dallas
- Dangerous Project (1962) - Peter Dallas
- The Life Stealers (1962) - Peter Dallas
- Vengeance at La Vina (1962) - Peter Dallas
- The Eagle of San Gualo (1962) - Peter Dallas
- Maggie (1962) - Peter Dallas
- The Second Man (1962) - Peter Dallas
- The Death of Stefano (1962) - Peter Dallas
- The Burning Question (1962) - Peter Dallas
- The Man from Carataz (1962) - Peter Dallas
- Threat from the Past (1962) - Peter Dallas
- Festival of Fear (1961) - Peter Dallas
- Shakedown at Saramino (1961) - Peter Dallas
- The Men from Yesterday (1961) - Peter Dallas
- The Little One Is Dangerous (1961) - Peter Dallas
- X (1961) - Peter Dallas
- After the Fair (1961) - Peter Dallas
- The Disappearing Trick (1961) - Peter Dallas
- Vendetta (1961) - Peter Dallas
- Stranger in Cantabria (1961) - Peter Dallas
- The Inca Dove (1961) - Peter Dallas
- Merchant of Death (1961) - Peter Dallas
- The Dead Village (1961) - Peter Dallas
- Death on Wheels (1961) - Peter Dallas
- Destination Buenos Aires (1961) - Peter Dallas
1961
Pit of Darkness as
Richard
1960
International Detective (TV Series) as
Larry Sullivan / Conrad Schneider
- The Washington Case (1961) - Larry Sullivan
- The Bismarck Case (1960) - Conrad Schneider
1961
Fury at Smugglers' Bay as
The Captain
1960
No Wreath for the General (TV Series) as
Dr. Roger Kenyon
- Episode #1.6 (1960) - Dr. Roger Kenyon
- Episode #1.5 (1960) - Dr. Roger Kenyon
- Episode #1.4 (1960) - Dr. Roger Kenyon
- Episode #1.3 (1960) - Dr. Roger Kenyon
- Episode #1.2 (1960) - Dr. Roger Kenyon
- Episode #1.1 (1960) - Dr. Roger Kenyon
1960
On Trial (TV Series) as
W.T. Stead
- W.T. Stead (1960) - W.T. Stead
1960
The Big Day as
Mr. T. Selkirk
1959
No Hiding Place (TV Series) as
Paul Kendon / Jerry Fleming
- The Last Flight of the Eel (1960) - Paul Kendon
- Everybody Loves Jerry (1959) - Jerry Fleming
1960
Upgreen - And at 'Em
1959
ITV Play of the Week (TV Series) as
Larry Dean / Lt. Commander Mark Heyward / Martin Carew
- The Green Pack (1960) - Larry Dean
- The Signal (1959) - Lt. Commander Mark Heyward
- The Winner (1959) - Martin Carew
1960
Interpol Calling (TV Series) as
Nevil
- Slow Boat to Amsterdam (1960) - Nevil
1959
The Flying Doctor (TV Series) as
Murphy
- Time Bomb (1959) - Murphy
1955
BBC Sunday-Night Theatre (TV Series) as
Joe Parker / David / Dick Dudgeon / ...
- A Spoke in the Wheel (1959) - Joe Parker
- The Girl at the Next Table (1957) - David
- The Devil's Disciple (1956) - Dick Dudgeon
- The Seat of the Scornful (1956) - Frederick Barlow
- The Makepeace Story #4: The New Executive (1955) - Bob Makepeace
1959
Breakout as
Capt. Tony Long
1958
The Snorkel as
Wilson
1958
The World Our Stage (TV Series) as
Dick Pepper (The Tunnel of Love)
- Episode #1.3 (1958) - Dick Pepper (The Tunnel of Love)
1957
Dick and the Duchess (TV Series) as
Elegant Harry
- The Club (1957) - Elegant Harry
1957
The New Adventures of Charlie Chan (TV Series) as
Jack Pearson / Richard Dawson
- The Death of a Don (1957) - Jack Pearson
- Backfire (1957) - Richard Dawson
1957
Italian Love Story (TV Movie) as
Captain Bracken
1957
The Flesh Is Weak as
Lloyd Buxton
1957
City After Midnight as
Ned Atwood
1957
Quatermass 2 as
Brand
1957
The Adventures of Sir Lancelot (TV Series) as
Baron Mortaise
- The Mortaise Fair (1957) - Baron Mortaise
1957
Boyd Q.C. (TV Series)
- Hit and Run (1957)
1956
Rheingold Theatre (TV Series) as
Roger Benning / Stanley / David Butler
- Bulldog Drummond and 'The Ludlow Affair' (1957) - Roger Benning
- The Way Home (1956) - Stanley
- A Likely Story (1956) - David Butler
1955
ITV Television Playhouse (TV Series) as
George Lawrence / Hawksley / Bluey
- The Lion's Share One Bright Day (1956) - George Lawrence
- The Invaders (1956)
- Bamboo Bars (1956) - Hawksley
- Mid Level (1955) - Bluey
1956
New Ramps for Old (TV Series) as
Digger Minden
- Strictly Legal (1956) - Digger Minden
1956
The Count of Monte Cristo (TV Series) as
Phillipe / Dubroc
- Burgundy (1956) - Phillipe
- The Carbonari (1956) - Dubroc
1956
Lilli Palmer Theatre (TV Series) as
Donald / Ted Harvey
- Forecast Unsettled (1956) - Donald
- Bride Wore an Opal Ring (1956) - Ted Harvey
1955
The Scarlet Pimpernel (TV Series) as
Fleury / Jacques Fleury
- The Ambassador's Lady (1955) - Fleury
- Something Remembered (1955) - Jacques Fleury
1955
Lucky Strike (TV Movie) as
Tom Spragge
1955
Above Us the Waves as
No. 1, X2
1955
The Love Match as
Arthur Ford
1955
Out of the Clouds as
Control Tower Radio Operator (uncredited)
1954
Shop Spoiled as
Studio Official
1954
Time Is My Enemy as
Sgt. Peter Thompson
1954
The Runaway Bus as
Crook in Opening Sequence (voice, uncredited)
1953
Operation Diplomat as
Dr. Gillespie (uncredited)
1953
Johnny, You're Wanted (TV Mini Series) as
Dr. Matthews
- One Way Traffic (1953) - Dr. Matthews
- Left-hand Drive (1953) - Dr. Matthews
- Blind Corner (1953) - Dr. Matthews
1953
Seven Little Australians (TV Mini Series)
- A Day in Town (1953)
1952
Secret People as
Surgeon (uncredited)
Writer
1961
Top Secret (TV Series) (writer - 1 episode)
- X (1961) - (writer)
Self
2001
Heroes of Comedy (TV Series documentary) as
Self
- Dick Emery (2002) - Self
- Leonard Rossiter (2001) - Self
2000
The 100 Greatest TV Ads (TV Special) as
Self
1990
Washes Whiter (TV Series documentary) as
Self - Narrator
- The Getaway People (1990) - Self - Narrator (voice)
- Buy Some for Lulu (1990) - Self - Narrator (voice)
- Big! Big! Big! (1990) - Self - Narrator (voice)
- She's Not a Moron She's Your Wife (1990) - Self - Narrator (voice)
1986
Forty Minutes (TV Series documentary) as
Narrator
- Botham's Out (1986) - Narrator (voice)
1982
Give Us a Clue (TV Series) as
Self - Panellist
- Episode #6.11 (1983) - Self - Panellist
- Episode #5.15 (1982) - Self - Panellist
1981
Survival (TV Series documentary) as
Self - narrator
- Sea of Eden (1981) - Self - narrator
1980
Plasterboard Today (Documentary short) as
Self - Commentator
1976
Looks Familiar (TV Series) as
Self - Guest
- Episode dated 3 April 1980 (1980) - Self - Guest
- Episode dated 26 January 1976 (1976) - Self - Guest
1977
Masterspy (TV Series) as
Self - Host
- Episode dated 14 April 1979 (1979) - Self - Host
- Episode dated 8 October 1977 (1977) - Self - Host
1977
Those Wonderful TV Times (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode dated 6 August 1978 (1978) - Self
- Episode #2.14 (1977) - Self
1974
This Is Your Life (TV Series documentary) as
Self
- William Franklyn (1978) - Self
- Pam Ayres (1976) - Self
- Ray Cooney (1975) - Self
- Robert Morley (1974) - Self
1971
The World About Us (TV Series documentary) as
Self - Narrator
- Voyage of the Hokule'a (1978) - Self - Narrator (voice)
- Lord of the Tremors (1972) - Self - Narrator (voice)
- A Cold Wind on the Heath (1971) - Self - Narrator (voice)
1974
Horizon (TV Series documentary) as
Self - Commentator
- The Red Planet (1977) - Self - Commentator (voice)
- Fusion: The Energy Promise (1974) - Self - Commentator (voice)
1976
Woodland Harvest (Documentary short) as
Self - Commentator
1976
The Sweepstakes Game (TV Series) as
Self - Panellist
- Episode #1.9 (1976) - Self - Panellist
1975
Whodunnit? (TV Series) as
Self - Panellist
- Dead Ball (1976) - Self - Panellist
- Death at the Top (1975) - Self - Panellist
1975
Celebrity Squares (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #1.2 (1975) - Self
1971
Call My Bluff (TV Series) as
Self / Self - Team Captain
- Episode #9.16 (1975) - Self
- Episode #9.15 (1975) - Self
- Episode #8.20 (1974) - Self - Team Captain
- Episode #8.19 (1974) - Self - Team Captain
- Episode #8.16 (1973) - Self
- Episode #8.15 (1973) - Self
- Episode #6.18 (1971) - Self
- Episode #6.17 (1971) - Self
1973
What's My Line? (TV Series) as
Self - Panellist
1972
He Said, She Said (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #2.3 (1972) - Self
1971
It's Lulu (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #2.2 (1971) - Self
1970
The Morecambe & Wise Show (TV Series) as
Self
- 1970 Christmas Show (1970) - Self
1969
The Dave Allen Show (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #1.2 (1969) - Self
1960
Saturday Spectacular (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode dated 19 November 1960 (1960) - Self
Archive Footage
2011
Cinemassacre's Monster Madness (TV Series documentary) as
Torrence
- The Satanic Rites of Dracula (2011) - Torrence
2009
Mars: A Horizon Guide (TV Movie documentary) as
Self - Narrator (uncredited)
2008
Truly, Madly, Cheaply!: British B Movies (TV Movie documentary) as
Richard Logan (uncredited)
1989
Peter Cushing: A One-Way Ticket to Hollywood (TV Movie documentary) as
The Captain

References

William Franklyn Wikipedia


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