Nicholas Parsons

Nicholas Parsons

Born: October 10, 1923
Died: January 28, 2020
in Grantham, Lincolnshire, England, UK
Christopher Nicholas Parsons (10 October 1923 – 28 January 2020) was an English actor, straight man and radio and television presenter. He was the long-running presenter of the comedy radio show Just a Minute and hosted the game show Sale of the Century during the 1970s and early 1980s.

Parsons was born and grew up in Grantham, Lincolnshire, and was educated at St Paul's School, London. He became a full-time actor following the Second World War and began appearing in various theatre, film and television roles, including support to Arthur Haynes. He began presenting Just a Minute in 1967 and never missed a show until 2018. In addition to his well-known roles on this and Sale of the Century, he appeared as a guest on other television shows, including Doctor Who and Have I Got News for You.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Movies for Nicholas Parsons...

Title: Tales of the Tardis
Character: The Rev. Mr. Wainwright
Released: November 1, 2023
Type: TV
Classic Doctor Who duos are reunited as they board a very special TARDIS on a nostalgic voyage through space and time.
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Title: Good Omens
Character: Dagon (voice)
Released: May 31, 2019
Type: TV
Aziraphale, an angel, and Crowley, a demon, join forces to find the Antichrist and stop Armageddon.
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Brains of Britain (or How Quizzing Became Cool)
Title: Brains of Britain (or How Quizzing Became Cool)
Character: Self
Released: November 30, 2016
Type: Movie
We all love a good quiz. So here's a question - when did ordinary contestants turn into the pro-quizzers of today? Giving the answers are Victoria Coren Mitchell, Judith Keppel, Chris Tarrant, Mark Labbett, Nicholas Parsons and many more. Narrated by Ben Miller.
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The Incredible Story of Marie Antoinette's Watch with Nicholas Parsons
Title: The Incredible Story of Marie Antoinette's Watch with Nicholas Parsons
Character: Himself - Presenter
Released: October 6, 2016
Type: Movie
Nicholas Parsons explores his life-long enthusiasm for clocks when he goes in search of the most valuable and famous watch in the world - the so-called Marie Antoinette.
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Filmed in Supermarionation
Title: Filmed in Supermarionation
Character: Self
Released: October 11, 2014
Type: Movie
The definitive documentary about the iconic television series developed by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson and their production companies (AP Films and Century 21 Pictures). Supermarionation was a revolutionary technique used in all their programmes throughout the 1960s including Stingray, Captain Scarlet and, most famously, Thunderbirds.
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Frost on Sketch Shows
Title: Frost on Sketch Shows
Character: Self
Released: March 13, 2013
Type: Movie
Sir David Frost traces the development of the sketch show over the last fifty years, from variety theatre to primetime television.
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There Is No Plane to Zagreb
Title: There Is No Plane to Zagreb
Character: English cuckold
Released: November 20, 2012
Type: Movie
A retrospective of events in director Louis van Gasteren’s life from 1964 to 1969, filmed by him in that period and reflected on from his vantage point over 40 years later at the age of 90.
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Title: Comedy World Cup
Character: Self
Released: September 15, 2012
Type: TV
David Tennant hosts the competition to determine which of Britain's comedians have the biggest fountain of funny knowledge
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Title: Just a Minute
Character: Himself (host)
Released: March 26, 2012
Type: TV
Just a Minute is a BBC Radio 4 radio comedy and television panel game chaired by Nicholas Parsons. Its first transmission on Radio 4 was on 22 December 1967, three months after the station's launch. The Radio 4 programme won a Gold Sony Radio Academy Award in 2003. The object of the game is for panellists to talk for sixty seconds on a given subject, "without repetition, hesitation or deviation". The comedy comes from attempts to keep within these rules and the banter among the participants. In 2011 comedy writer David Quantick ascribed Just a Minute's success to its "insanely basic" format, stating, "It's so blank that it can be filled by people as diverse as Paul Merton and Graham Norton, who don't have to adapt their style of humour to the show at all."
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The Unforgettable Norman Wisdom
Title: The Unforgettable Norman Wisdom
Character: Himself - Friend
Released: November 8, 2011
Type: Movie
Family and friends pay tribute to the funnyman, who was one of Britain's best-loved stars of stage, TV and film for more than 50 years - and also became a cult figure in Albania, where his films were ruled to be acceptable entertainment during the country's long years of isolation during the Cold War. Including contributions by Norman's son Nick, singer Vera Lynn and actress Honor Blackman.
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Title: Celebrity Antiques Road Trip
Character: Self - Participant
Released: October 24, 2011
Type: TV
Antiques experts accompany celebrities on a road trip around the UK searching for treasures and competing to make the most money at auction
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13 Hours That Saved Britain
Title: 13 Hours That Saved Britain
Character: Eyewitnesses
Released: April 20, 2011
Type: Movie
In this documentary, experts dissect the Battle of Britain, which took place on Sept. 15, 1940 — a day that determined the fate of the nation.
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Title: Feast
Released: March 3, 2009
Type: TV
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Title: How TV Changed Britain
Character: Himself
Released: June 1, 2008
Type: TV
A look at the impact of television on British culture.
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Title: What the Dickens?
Character: Self
Released: May 28, 2008
Type: TV
What the Dickens is a television panel game hosted by Sandi Toksvig. Team captains were Dave Gorman and Tim Brooke-Taylor for the first series and Sue Perkins and Chris Addison for the second and third. It is recorded at Sky Studios in West London.
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Title: All Star Mr & Mrs
Released: April 12, 2008
Type: TV
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Lady Godiva
Title: Lady Godiva
Released: January 25, 2008
Type: Movie
Quirky young art teacher Jemima takes up a £100,00 bet to ride through the town naked on horseback like Lady Godiva to keep her beloved Art Factory open.
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Kenneth Williams: Fantabulosa!
Title: Kenneth Williams: Fantabulosa!
Character: Himself
Released: March 16, 2006
Type: Movie
Kenneth Williams was the star of the Carry Ons and Round the Horne. Despite his fame, he led a life full of mental torture as he tried to overcome his homosexuality in 1950s Britain. This film follows his life and eventual death based on the many diaries he kept
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Title: Agatha Christie's Marple
Character: Father Gorman
Released: December 12, 2004
Type: TV
The adventures of Miss Jane Marple, an elderly spinster living in the quiet little village of St Mary Mead. During her many visits to friends and relatives in other villages, Miss Marple often stumbles upon mysterious murders which she helps solve. Although the police are sometimes reluctant to accept Miss Marple's help, her reputation and unparalleled powers of observation eventually win them over.
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Title: Celebrity Mastermind
Released: December 26, 2003
Type: TV
Celebrity Mastermind is a British television quiz show broadcast by BBC television. The show is a spin-off of the long-running quiz show Mastermind, with the exception that all the contestants are celebrities. As with the main show, John Humphrys is the host and question-master. Magnus Magnusson was quizmaster on the 2003/04 episodes featuring Jonathan Meades as winner.
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Another Audience With Ken Dodd
Title: Another Audience With Ken Dodd
Character: Self
Released: February 9, 2002
Type: Movie
Once again, Ken Dodd (with over 40 years in his trade) performs his unique set in front of a host of celebrities gathered to show their appreciation of his enduring talent.
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Wendy Richard: A Life on the Box
Title: Wendy Richard: A Life on the Box
Released: June 12, 2001
Type: Movie
Profile of actress Wendy Richard's remarkable television career, featuring classic clips and contributions from colleagues.
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Title: Just A Minute (1999)
Released: April 19, 1999
Type: TV
Just A Minute (1999 Edition)
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Hospital!
Title: Hospital!
Character: Wheelchair Man
Released: March 30, 1997
Type: Movie
Comedy about a brilliant young brain surgeon set in an unorthodox hospital. A "Naked Gun" type comedy from Britain, this one-off special was made specifically for the launch of Channel 5 in 1997.
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Title: Never Mind the Buzzcocks
Character: Self
Released: November 12, 1996
Type: TV
Never Mind the Buzzcocks is a comedy panel game show with a pop and rock music theme. The show is infamous for its dry, sarcastic humour and scathing, provocative attacks on the pop industry.
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Title: Style Challenge
Released: September 2, 1996
Type: TV
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Title: The Alphabet Game
Released: August 5, 1996
Type: TV
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Title: Good Morning Summer
Released: May 30, 1995
Type: TV
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Title: Just A Minute (1994)
Released: January 6, 1994
Type: TV
The Radio Show comes to TV
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Title: Star Pets
Released: September 24, 1992
Type: TV
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Title: Frank Sidebottom's Fantastic Shed Show
Character: Himself
Released: January 10, 1992
Type: TV
Frank Sidebottom's very own TV show, broadcast from the converted shed that functioned as his showbiz HQ. Also featuring diminutive sidekick Little Frank, the shows include Frank’s take on Crimewatch, Timperley’s contribution to Manchester’s Olympic bid, pioneering rocket science in the back garden, and even a staging of Live Aid 2!
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Title: Cluedo
Character: Reverend Green
Released: July 25, 1990
Type: TV
Cluedo was a UK television game show based on the board game of the same name. Each week, a reenactment of the murder at the stately home Arlington Grange of a visiting guest was played and, through a combination of interrogating the suspects and deduction, celebrity guests had to discover who committed the murder, which of six weapons and in which room it was committed, whilst viewers were invited to play along at home.
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Title: Spatz
Character: Nicholas Parsons
Released: February 21, 1990
Type: TV
Spatz is a children's comedy series that ran on CITV during the 1990s, produced by Thames Television and created by Andrew Bethell. The show originally ran from 21 February 1990 to 10 April 1992. The show centred around a fast food restaurant situated in a fictional shopping mall in Cricklewood, London. It was operated by two Canadians, Karen Hansson, Spatz International's European Co-ordinator, and Thomas "TJ" Strickland, the restaurant's manager. Vas Blackwood, Stephanie Charles, Jonathan Copestake, Sue Devaney, Joe Greco, Katy Murphy and Ling Tai appeared as Spatz restaurant employees. Guest stars included David Harewood, Rhys Ifans, Gary Lineker, Danny John-Jules and Nicholas Parsons.
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Doctor Who: The Curse of Fenric
Title: Doctor Who: The Curse of Fenric
Character: Reverend Wainwright
Released: November 15, 1989
Type: Movie
The Doctor and Ace arrive at a secret military base during World War II, where an ancient evil from the Doctor's past prepares to make his final deadly move. As hideous vampires rise from the sea and Russian commandoes begin to close in, they are confronted not only with a mystery from the distant past but also a terrifying vision of mankind's future...
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Title: Bodger and Badger
Released: September 13, 1989
Type: TV
Bodger and Badger is a BBC children's comedy programme which was first broadcast in 1989. It starred Andy Cunningham as Simon Bodger, who had a badly behaved companion, a talking badger with a love for mashed potatoes.
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Title: A Bit of Fry & Laurie
Released: January 13, 1989
Type: TV
A British comedy television series with turns of phrase and elaborate wordplay, written by and starring former Cambridge Footlights members Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie.
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Mr Jolly Lives Next Door
Title: Mr Jolly Lives Next Door
Character: Himself
Released: March 5, 1988
Type: Movie
A couple of bored escorts find themselves suddenly involved with a hit gang and an ax murderer - Mr. Jolly. Gratuitous violence, rivers of blood, and maximum hilarity, all rolled into one.
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Title: The New Statesman
Character: Nicholas Parsons
Released: September 13, 1987
Type: TV
The New Statesman is a British sitcom of the late 1980s and early 1990s satirising the Conservative government of the time.
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Title: Surprise, Surprise
Character: Self
Released: May 6, 1984
Type: TV
Surprise, Surprise is a British television programme originally hosted by Cilla Black and produced by London Weekend Television for ITV. It ran for 14 series from 6 May 1984 to 5 September 1997, after which four annual specials were produced between 1998 to 2001. In 2012, the show returned after a 11-year hiatus. The revived version is produced by ITV Studios and presented by Holly Willoughby. The show is currently in its second series.
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Title: The Comic Strip Presents...
Character: Nicholas Parsons
Released: November 2, 1982
Type: TV
The Comic Strip is a group of British comedians, who came to prominence in the 1980s. They are known for their television series The Comic Strip Presents... which was labelled as an example of alternative comedy. The core members are Adrian Edmondson, Dawn French, Rik Mayall, Nigel Planer, Peter Richardson, Jennifer Saunders and Alexei Sayle with frequent appearances by Keith Allen, Robbie Coltrane and others.
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Title: Countdown
Released: November 2, 1982
Type: TV
The clock is ticking as contestants compete in games of lexical dexterity and numerical agility.
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Title: Wogan
Character: Self
Released: May 4, 1982
Type: TV
Wogan is a British television chat show
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Title: An Audience with...
Character: Self
Released: January 8, 1978
Type: TV
An Audience with... is a British entertainment television show produced by London Weekend Television, in which a host, usually a singer or comedian, performs for an invited audience of celebrity guests, interspersed with questions from the audience, in a light hearted revue/tribute style.
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Spy Story
Title: Spy Story
Character: Ben Toliver
Released: January 1, 1976
Type: Movie
A nuclear war specialist returns from a mission gathering data on Soviet communications and electronic warfare techniques in the Arctic Ocean to find that his flat has been broken into and mysteriously re-decorated.
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The Best Of Benny Hill
Title: The Best Of Benny Hill
Released: May 23, 1974
Type: Movie
A theatrical film compilation of the popular Benny Hill show.
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S.S. France
Title: S.S. France
Character: Narrator
Released: May 9, 1973
Type: Movie
An onboard documentary following the passengers and crew of S.S. France on a trip from Southampton to New York and back. The film includes a look behind the scenes at what it takes to operate all that goes on during a voyage.
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Title: Sale of the Century
Character: Host
Released: October 9, 1971
Type: TV
Sale of the Century was a UK game show based on a US game show of the same name. It was first shown on ITV from 1971 to 1983, hosted by Nicholas Parsons. The first series was supposed to air only in the Anglia region, but it rolled out to other regions since 8 January 1972 and achieved full national coverage by the end of 10 May 1975, at which point it was one of the most popular shows on the network - spawning the often-mocked catchphrase "and now, from Norwich, it's the quiz of the week." It has been revived twice first on Sky One from 1989 to 1990 hosted by Peter Marshall and then on Challenge TV in 1997 hosted by Keith Chegwin.
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Danger Point
Title: Danger Point
Released: January 2, 1971
Type: Movie
Three irresponsible teenagers borrow a yacht belonging to the local Sea Scouts and run out of fuel. They hoist the sail in an endeavour to stop the boat drifting on to the notoriously dangerous Bradda Head, but find themselves in even greater trouble in the shape of a sea-mine.
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Title: The Benny Hill Show
Released: November 19, 1969
Type: TV
The Benny Hill Show is a British comedy television show that starred Benny Hill and aired in various incarnations between 15 January 1955 and 30 May 1991 in over 140 countries. The show focused on sketches that were full of slapstick, mime, parody, and double-entendre. Thames Television cancelled production of the show in 1989 due to declining ratings and large production costs at £450,000 per show.
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Title: The Ugliest Girl in Town
Character: David Courtney
Released: September 26, 1968
Type: TV
The Ugliest Girl in Town is a short-lived American sitcom produced by Screen Gems for ABC. It ran from September 26, 1968 to January 30, 1969. Timothy Blair is a Hollywood talent agent. He falls in love with Julie Renfield, a British actress who is visiting the United States to do a movie. After that movie is finished, she returns to England. To assist his brother Gene complete a photography assignment, Timothy dresses as a hippie and poses for a photo shoot. The photos are sent to a modeling agent in England who assumes that they are of a woman. He offers "her" a job. Knowing that this would be the only chance to go to Great Britain and be with Julie, Tim accepts and dubs himself "Timmie". Tim has two weeks of vacation to spend as much time with Julie as he can, but when as he is about to leave with his brother, Gene loses £11,000 gambling. Unless he pays him back, Tim has to continue being Timmie for a while longer. In 2002, TV Guide ranked the series number 18 on its '50 Worst TV Shows of All Time' list.
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Don't Raise the Bridge, Lower the River
Title: Don't Raise the Bridge, Lower the River
Character: Dudley Heath
Released: July 12, 1968
Type: Movie
George Lester is a man who is chasing rainbows, looking for the pot of gold at the end. When his wife, Pamela grows tired of being dragged all over the world, she leaves him. While she is away, George converts her family home into a discotheque, when she returns, she threatens to send George to jail for fraud, cause she didn't give her approval. George needing some fast bucks, decides to turn to an old cohort of his, William Homer but Willy's a little short. George then decides to steal the plans to a new drill, Pamela's suitor, Dudley Heath is working on. But when George gets the mumps, he can't make it to the meeting place and refuses to give Willy the plans unless he gives him the cash first. And the buyers won't give unless they see the merchandise first.
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The Ghost Goes Gear
Title: The Ghost Goes Gear
Released: September 1, 1966
Type: Movie
Unbeknownst to the Spencer Davis Group, their manager is upper class, grew up in a haunted manor, and is called Algernon. When they visit his home, they find out that the family is broke, they don't have the money to pay the servants, and their home is going to ruin. Spencer suggests that they advertise the home (and the ghost) and charge admission.
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The Wrong Box
Title: The Wrong Box
Character: Alan Frazer Scrope
Released: June 19, 1966
Type: Movie
In Victorian England, a fortune now depends on which of two brothers outlives the other—or can be made to have seemed to do so.
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Title: Call My Bluff
Released: October 17, 1965
Type: TV
Two teams of three alternate between giving and guessing the meanings of obscure English words.
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Every Day's a Holiday
Title: Every Day's a Holiday
Character: Julian Goddard
Released: July 14, 1965
Type: Movie
A group of teenagers take jobs at a holiday camp for the summer and enter a TV talent show
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Murder Ahoy
Title: Murder Ahoy
Character: Dr. Crump
Released: September 22, 1964
Type: Movie
During an annual board of trustees meeting, one of the trustees dies. Miss Marple thinks he’s been poisoned after finding a chemical on him. She sets off to investigate at the ship where he had just come from. The fourth and final film from the Miss Marple series starring Margaret Rutherford as the quirky amateur detective.
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Title: Doctor Who
Character: The Rev. Mr. Wainwright
Released: November 23, 1963
Type: TV
The adventures of The Doctor, a time-traveling humanoid alien known as a Time Lord. He explores the universe in his TARDIS, a sentient time-traveling spaceship. Its exterior appears as a blue British police box, which was a common sight in Britain in 1963 when the series first aired. Along with a succession of companions, The Doctor faces a variety of foes while working to save civilizations, help ordinary people, and right many wrongs.
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Doctor in Love
Title: Doctor in Love
Character: Dr. Hinxman
Released: July 12, 1960
Type: Movie
Doctors Burke and Hare leave the confines of St Swithins for the world of general practice, stopping off on the way as patients at the Foulness Anti-cold Unit. Hare then takes up a position as junior in a well-healed G.P.'s surgery while Burke continues to sow his doctorial wild oats.
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Title: Four Feather Falls
Released: February 25, 1960
Type: TV
Four Feather Falls was the third puppet TV show produced by Gerry Anderson for Granada Television. It was based on an idea by Barry Gray, who also wrote the show's music. The series was the first to use an early version of Anderson's Supermarionation puppetry. Thirty-nine 13-minute episodes were produced, broadcast by Granada from February until November 1960. The setting is the late 19th-century fictional Kansas town of Four Feather Falls, where the hero of the series, Tex Tucker, is sheriff. The four feathers of the title refers to four magical feathers given to Tex by the Indian chief Kalamakooya as a reward for saving his grandson: two allowed Tex's guns to swivel and fire without being touched whenever he was in danger, and two conferred the power of speech on Tex's horse and dog. Tex's speaking voice was provided by Nicholas Parsons, and his singing voice by Michael Holliday. The series has never been repeated on British television, but it was released on DVD in 2005.
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Upstairs and Downstairs
Title: Upstairs and Downstairs
Character: Brian
Released: November 2, 1959
Type: Movie
On marrying the boss's daughter, Richard takes his father-in-law's advice to hire a live-in domestic. He soon finds good help is hard to come by. Run-ins follow with dipsomaniacs, bank robbers, a Welsh lass who takes one look at London and runs, and an Italian charmer who turns the place into a bawdy house. Then when Ingrid arrives from Sweden things actually start to get complicated.
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Carlton-Browne of the F.O.
Title: Carlton-Browne of the F.O.
Character: Rodgers
Released: March 10, 1959
Type: Movie
Great Britain has had an international agreement for the last 50 years with a small pacific island. It has been ignored until the death of their king brings it to the attention of the Foreign Office in Whitehall. They decide to send Cadogan de Vere Carlton-Browne to re-establish friendly relations.
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Too Many Crooks
Title: Too Many Crooks
Character: Tommy
Released: March 8, 1959
Type: Movie
Accident-prone Fingers runs a pretty unsuccessful gang. They try and rob wealthy but tricky Billy Gordon - who distrusts banks and fears the Inland Revenue - but he sees Fingers and the boys off. So they decide to kidnap his daughter, only to end up with his wife Lucy. Gordon makes out he couldn't be more pleased, spuring Lucy to take charge of the hopeless bunch of villains.
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Happy Is the Bride
Title: Happy Is the Bride
Character: John Royd
Released: March 4, 1958
Type: Movie
In a quiet summer corner of Wiltshire that is forever England, David and Janet decide to tie the knot. Unfortunately this is the cue for everyone else to take over proceedings, to the dismay of the couple and the increasing despair of Janet's father.
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Brothers in Law
Title: Brothers in Law
Character: Charles Poole
Released: March 4, 1957
Type: Movie
Roger Thursby is an overly keen, newly-qualified barrister who rubs his fellow barristers up the wrong way. When he is thrown in at the deep-end, with a particularly hot-tempered judge and tricky case, Thursby learns how to prove himself not only to the judge and fellow barristers but also to the public gallery.
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Eyewitness
Title: Eyewitness
Character: House Surgeon
Released: August 14, 1956
Type: Movie
When she has a fight, with her husband, Lucy runs out of the house, and into a night of terror. She heads for the local cinema, and in doing so, becomes the only eyewitness to a couple of crooks, who are robbing the cinema's safe. In her haste to escape the thieves, she is knocked down by a passing bus, and is taken to the local hospital. The two crooks follow, and wait for a chance to finish her off, and thus eliminate the only person who can tie them to the robbery.
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The Long Arm
Title: The Long Arm
Character: Police Constable Bates
Released: June 1, 1956
Type: Movie
Scotland Yard detectives attempt to solve a spate of safe robberies across England beginning with clues found at the latest burglary in London. The film is notable for using a police procedural style made popular by Ealing in their 1950 film The Blue Lamp. It is known in the US as The Third Key.
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An Alligator Named Daisy
Title: An Alligator Named Daisy
Character: News Interviewer (uncredited)
Released: December 13, 1955
Type: Movie
Returning from a cricket match in Ireland, Peter Weston gains a pet alligator from another passenger who abandons it with him. He is horrified and while his first instinct is to get rid of it he develops a relationship with a young Irishwoman who appears to be entwined with the reptile. He soon discovers that Daisy is tame and seems to be the way to Moira's heart.
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Simon and Laura
Title: Simon and Laura
Character: TV Producer
Released: November 2, 1955
Type: Movie
Bickering married performers agree to star in a "Mr. and Mrs." TV show.
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Title: The Adventures of Robin Hood
Character: Sir Walter of the Glen
Released: September 26, 1955
Type: TV
The legendary character Robin Hood and his band of merry men in Sherwood Forest and the surrounding vicinity. While some episodes dramatised the traditional Robin Hood tales, most episodes were original dramas created by the show's writers and producers.
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To Dorothy, a Son
Title: To Dorothy, a Son
Character: Passport Official
Released: October 31, 1954
Type: Movie
Under a complicated bequest from her uncle, Myrtle stands to inherit $2,000,000 if her ex-husband doesn't have any male heirs on the way, else he gets the cash. She journies from New York to England, and finally tracks him down with his heavily pregnant new wife. Should she try and woo him back or challenge the legality of the new marriage?
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The Master of Bankdam
Title: The Master of Bankdam
Character: Edgar Hoylehouse
Released: August 20, 1947
Type: Movie
Two brothers struggle for control of the family business in 19th century Yorkshire.