Brian Oulton

Biography Born in Liverpool, Lancashire, Oulton made his acting debut in 1939 as a lead actor. During the Second World War he served in the British Army, and returned to acting playing character roles in 1946; he made a name for himself playing the same pompous character in numerous films, ranging from Last Holiday (1950) to Young Sherlock Holmes (1985). Many of his film roles were in comedies, and he went on to appear in several Carry On films.

In 1969, he appeared as an eccentric psychic medium in Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) in the episode "Never Trust a Ghost"; as a hypochondriac GP in Doctor at Large; again as a GP in the episode A Cellar Full of Silence (1968) of the classic spy-fi series Department S; and in the 1981 Granada TV serial Brideshead Revisited. He was also a stage actor and playwright, writing and starring in productions such as Births, Marriages and Deaths (1975), and For Entertainment Only (1976). Brian Oulton's radio credits include the role of Cyril in the long-running children's favourite Just William.

Brian Oulton lived latterly in Stratford-upon-Avon and was married to the actress Peggy Thorpe-Bates (from 1938 to 1989, her death), best known for her portrayal of the wife of Horace Rumpole ("she who must be obeyed") in the first television series of John Mortimer's novels. The couple had two children, a son and a daughter.

Selected filmography

Sally in Our Alley (1931) as Minor Role (uncredited) Too Many Husbands (1938) as Pottelby Miranda (1948) as Manell Warning to Wantons (1949) as Gilbertier It's Not Cricket (1949) as Simon Herbage The Huggetts Abroad (1949) as Travel Clerk Last Holiday (1950) as Prescott Young Wives' Tale (1951) as Man in pub Castle in the Air (1952) as Phillips Will Any Gentleman...? (1953) as Mr Jackson The Dog and the Diamonds (1953) as Mr. Plumpton The Million Pound Note (1954) as Lloyd Doctor in the House (1954) as Medical Equipment Salesman The Crowded Day (1954) as Mr. Preedy Miss Tulip Stays the Night (1955) as Dr Willis Reluctant Bride (1955) as Prof. Baker The Deep Blue Sea (1955) as Drunk Private's Progress (1956) as M.O. at Gravestone Camp The Man Who Never Was (1956) as Wills Officer (uncredited) Charley Moon (1956) as Mr. Paxton Brothers in Law (1957) as Client The Good Companions (1957) as Fauntley Let's Be Happy (1957) as Hotel Valet Happy Is the Bride (1958) as 2nd Magistrate The Silent Enemy (1958) as Holford The Spaniard's Curse (1958) as Frank Porter Carry On Nurse (1959) as Henry Bray The 39 Steps (1959) as Mr Pringle I'm All Right Jack (1959) as Appointments Board Examiner The Devil's Disciple (1959) as Mr. Brudenell Carry On Constable (1960) as Store Manager A French Mistress (1960) as Third Governor There Was a Crooked Man (1960) as Ashton Suspect (1960) as Director The Bulldog Breed (1960) as Bert Ainsworth (cinema manager) No Kidding (1960) as Vicar Very Important Person (1961) as Scientist Raising the Wind (1961) as Concert Agent Hair of the Dog (1962) as Gregory Willett Jigsaw (1962) as Frank Restlin Steptoe and Son (1962) as Piano Owner The Damned (1963) as Mr Dingle Kiss of the Vampire (1963) as 1st disciple Carry On Cleo (1964) as Brutus The Intelligence Men (1965) as Laundry Basket Man Devils of Darkness (1965) as The Colonel Department S (1968) as Dr Davis Carry On Camping (1969) as Mr. Short Some Will, Some Won't (1970) as Mr Dale On the Buses (1971) as Bus Depot Manager Mr. Forbush and the Penguins (1971) as Foot Store Man Ooh… You Are Awful (1972) as Funeral Director Carry On Christmas (1972) as Oriental Orator The Old Curiosity Shop (1979) as The Schoolmaster Gandhi (1982) as Clerk of Court Young Sherlock Holmes (1985) as Master Snelgrove