Bud Tingwell

Charles William Tingwell AM (3 January 1923 – 15 May 2009), known professionally as 'Bud' Tingwell or Charles 'Bud' Tingwell, was an Australian actor. One of the veterans of Australian film, he acted in his first motion picture in 1946 and went on to appear in more than 100 films and numerous TV programs in both the United Kingdom and Australia.

Early life and military service Tingwell was born on 3 January 1923 in the Sydney suburb of Coogee, the son of William Harvey Tingwell and Enid (née Green). William volunteered as a surf lifesaver at Coogee Surf Life Saving Club where, in 1922, a colleague noticed Enid's pregnancy and asked, 'What's budding there?', and 'Bud' became the nickname for their infant son. As an adolescent, Bud was encouraged by his father to train as an accountant, but Tingwell failed the entrance exam.

While still at school, he became a cadet at Sydney radio station 2CH, soon becoming the youngest radio announcer in Australia.

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In January 1944, he was posted to No. 680 Squadron RAF, a photo reconnaissance unit, and flew 75 sorties in Mosquitos and Spitfires during the Italian campaign. Other aircraft that Tingwell was qualified to fly included the Bristol Blenheim, Martin Baltimore, Bristol Beaufighter and Airspeed Oxford. He was promoted to flying officer in June 1943 and flight lieutenant in December 1944.

Towards the end of the war, Tingwell was transferred back to Australia. He was posted to No. 5 Operational Training Unit RAAF as a flying instructor in June 1945, and then in December 1945, after the war had ended, he was posted to No. 87 Squadron RAAF, flying photo-reconnaissance Mosquitoes, until his demobilisation in March 1946.

Tingwell's war service earned him the 1939–45 Star, Italy Star, Defence Medal, War Medal 1939–1945, and Australia Service Medal 1939–1945. He remained a reservist into the 1950s.

Post-war life and acting career Australia After returning to Australia, Tingwell married his childhood sweetheart, Audrey May Wilson. They were to have two children, Christopher and Virginia.

He joined Doris Fitton's Independent Theatre company and appeared on stage from the mid-1940s in such classics as The Little Foxes by Lillian Hellman and Jean Giraudoux's The Madwoman of Chaillot

In 1946, Tingwell was given his first film role, in Smithy, cast as an RAAF control tower officer – winning the role since he could supply his own RAAF uniform. He made his leading role debut in Always Another Dawn. Filmink wrote Tingwell "was relatively green at the time, but even at this stage was an ideal leading man – handsome, good voice and posture, all that stuff. If he’d gone to Britain straight after this film, we think he would’ve become a movie star."

Tingwell had an excellent supporting role in Bitter Springs (1950), made by Ealing Studios with Chips Rafferty; Tingwell played Rafferty's bigoted son. He had a similar role in Kangaroo (1952), a Hollywood-financed film shot in Australia for 20th Century Fox. He then appeared in I Found Joe Barton (1952), the first TV show filmed in Australia.

Fox liked Tingwell's work in Kangaroo and invited him to Los Angeles to play the role of Lt. Harry Carstairs in The Desert Rats, in which he appeared opposite Chips Rafferty, James Mason and Richard Burton. They offered him a long-term contract but Tingwell turned it down because he wanted to return to Australia. In 1954, he co-starred with Gordon Chater in Top of the Bill, the first of the famous satirical revues staged at Sydney's Phillip Street Theatre.

UK career The Australian film and radio industries slumped with the advent of television and Tingwell decided to move to the UK. He used the opportunity of a role in Ealing's The Shiralee (1957), which was filmed in Australia and London. Tingwell travelled to England to complete his scenes and decided to stay.

The following year, he took on his first recurring television role, as Australian surgeon Alan Dawson in the live TV serial Emergency Ward 10 and its film spin-off Life in Emergency Ward 10 (1959).

He had small roles in Ealing's Dunkirk (1958), then Bobbikins (1959), Cone of Silence (1960), and Tarzan the Magnificent (1960).

Tingwell played the role of Inspector Craddock in all four films of the Miss Marple series, starring Margaret Rutherford, from 1961 to 1964: Murder, She Said (1961), Murder at the Gallop (1963), Murder Most Foul (1964) and Murder Ahoy! (1964). For Hammer Films he appeared in The Secret of Blood Island (1964) and Dracula: Prince of Darkness (1966).

He had the lead in a TV series An Enemy of the State (1965). He also appeared in various episodes of the popular crime series Dangerman during this period.

In the late 1960s, he performed various minor voice roles for the Gerry Anderson "Supermarionation" TV series Thunderbirds and Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons, besides appearing in the first series of Catweazle.

In 1969 until the end of the play's run, he appeared as Robert Danvers in the long running farce There's a Girl in My Soup at the Comedy Theatre, London.

He was the recurring character of motel manager Kevin McArthur in Crossroads in the late 1960s and early 1970s. (Vincent Ball played McArthur in 1970–1973). He had a small role in Nobody Runs Forever (1968) with Rod Taylor.

Return to Australia Tingwell appeared in many other films during his time in Britain, spending a total of 16 years as a "London Aussie". In 1973, he returned to Australia with his wife and children, and shortly after won the role of Inspector Reg Lawson in the long-running TV series Homicide. This was followed by small roles in a number of major Australian films, such as Breaker Morant (1980), Puberty Blues (1981) and All the Rivers Run (1983). He also played the recurring role of farmer Ted Campbell in the soap A Country Practice in the late 1980s and early 1990s and as the Narrator from The Flying Scotsman in Australia

Revival in popularity Tingwell's career went through a quiet period during the late 1980s and early 1990s, until he took on the role of 'Gramps' in "Charlie the Wonderdog", a recurring segment on The Late Show, in 1993. His role in The Late Show was later to win him a major role as lawyer Lawrence Hammill in the film The Castle (1997). He later stated that this role helped him to recover from the death of his wife the previous year.

After the success of The Castle, Tingwell's career underwent a revival during the late 1990s and early 2000s. This saw him take on small roles in the commercial films The Craic (1999) and The Dish (2000), and in the TV mini-series Changi, as well as the lead role in the romantic drama film Innocence (2000). He would also appear on sketch show Totally Full Frontal, playing himself, as well as a recurring guest role in the soap opera Neighbours from 2000 to 2003, playing Henry O'Rourke. He had previously appeared in the soap in 1993 as Bert Willis. He appeared as John Conroy in the musical theatre production The Man from Snowy River: Arena Spectacular, which toured Australian capital cities twice during 2002.

In 2004, Tingwell published a memoir, Bud: A Life. In 2006, he launched his own website, which attracted 500 registered users in just over a week. On 5 October that year, he created his first blog post. He continued to act regularly until his death, in a number of films and TV programmes including eight episodes of Bed of Roses that aired in 2010. Among his last appearances, he hosted both Celebrity Circus and 20 to 1 and appeared on a celebrity special of Temptation with his daughter, Virginia.

Accolades

Tingwell was inducted into the Logie Hall of Fame in 1994. In 2008, he was inducted into Australian Film Walk of Fame in honour of his career and achievements in film and television.

Tingwell was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in the Queen's Birthday Honours of June 1999.

Honours, awards and nominations Year !! Work !! Award !! Category !! Result

He was given a state funeral, which was held at St Paul's Cathedral, Melbourne, on 20 May.

Filmography

Film

Television Year Title Role Type 1956 Studio 57 Alan Caldwell Season 3, episode 10: "Mr. Cinderella" 1957–1962 Emergency Ward 10 Dr. Alan Dawson 331 episodes 1961 Theatre 70 Le Strange Season 1, episode 20: "The Watchmen of Saul"1963 Crane Albert Ringwood Season 1, episode 2: "Bad Company" ITV Play of the Week Season 9, episode 8: "Stella" 1963; 1967 The Avengers Mike Venner / Dr. Neville 2 episodes 1964 Beware of the Dog John Woodley 6 episodes 1965 Danger Man Kemp Season 1, episode 17: "The Affair at Castelevara" ITV Sunday Night Drama Donald Wedderburn Episode: "Suspense Hour: Nightmare on Instalments" Love Story Professor Bellamy Season 3, episode 13: "Girl on the Cliff" An Enemy of the State Harry Sutton 6 episodes 1965–1969 Out of the Unknown Mark Blaine / Captain Dantor / Captain Jaffe 3 episodes 1966 The Man in Room 17 Major David Winton Season 2, episode 11: "The Standard" Knock on Any Door Bill Anderson Season 2, episode 10: "White Rhino" Adam Adamant Lives! Benjamin Kinthley Season 1, episode 4: "The Sweet Smell of Disaster" BBC Play of the Month Johnson Season 2, episode 1: "Defection! The Case of Colonel Petrov" Thunderbirds Various characters (voices) Season 2, 3 episodes 1966–1969 The Troubleshooters Matthew Baber / Blue Hughes 2 episodes 1967 Uncle Charles Episode 4: "Bars of the Cage" Mickey Dunne Max Season 1, episode 2: "If Anyone Calls - I'm in the Doghouse" The Revenue Men Pringle Season 2, episode 4: "Who Needs Friends?" The Gamblers Walters Season 1, episode 4: "When the Chips Are Down" 1967–1968 Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons Doctor Fawn / various characters (voices) 29 episodes 1968 A Man of our Times David Soames 5 episodes Z-Cars Arthur Cranley Season 6, 2 episodes Detective Pederson Season 2, episode 4: "Lesson in Anatomy" Sherlock Holmes Carruthers Season 2, episode 14: "The Solitary Cyclist" 1969 ITV Playhouse Major George Fitzallan Season 2, episode 36: "The Marrying Kind"1970 Catweazle Mr. Bennet Season 1, 13 episodes The Wednesday Play John Mitchell Season 9, episode 25: "Chariot of Fire" UFO Beaver James Season 1, episode 14: "Mindbender"1972 Father, Dear Father Mr Welsh Season 6, episode 1: "The Cardboard Casanova" The Man from Haven Bank Manager Episode 1 Behind the Legend Arthur Phillip Season 1, episode 13: "Arthur Phillip"1973 Division 4 Detective Sergeant John Smith Season 5, episode 2: "Big Bad John" Boney Jeff Stanton Season 2, episode 4: "Boney and the Powder Trail" Certain Women Duncan Season 1, episode 1: "Freda" The Bellcrest Story Sam Urwin 5 episodes 1973–1976 Homicide Inspector Reg Lawson Seasons 10–13, 126 episodes1976 Power Without Glory Kenneth Murkett Miniseries, season 1, episode 18: "Rough and Tumble" Bellbird Paul Hadfield Episode 1525 1977–1982 The Sullivans Dr. Hammond / Doctor / Quiz Host / Voice of Priest 9 episodes 1978 Case for the Defence George McGee Episode 2: "The Killing of Toby McGee" Run From the Morning Vic Hennessy 6 episodes Father, Dear Father in Australia Dr Baker Episode 10: "Father Dear Father's Day" 1978–1980 Cop Shop Supt. Keith York / George Connolly / Graham Horner 5 episodes 1979 Skyways Harold Forbes 4 episodes 1980 Lawson's Mates Episode 5: "Tommy"1983 The Coral Island Sir Charles Rover Miniseries, episode 1 All the Rivers Run Uncle Charles Miniseries, 6 episodes Carson's Law Judge Warren / Brigadier Rattigan 5 episodes 1985 The Flying Doctors Oscar (voice) Miniseries, episode 3 Anzacs Narrator Miniseries, 1 episode: "The Making of ANZACS" 1985; 1986 Prisoner (a.k.a. Prisoner: Cell Block H) Dr. Massey / Mr. Hudson 5 episodes 1986 The Lancaster Miller Affair Sam Hayes Miniseries, 3 episodes My Brother Tom Justice Masters Miniseries, episode 2 The Fast Lane Bertie Season 2, episode 5: "Murder Most Fouled"1987 The Far Country Dr Morton Miniseries, 2 episodes The Harp in the South Father Cooley Miniseries, 3 episodes Poor Man's Orange Father Cooley Miniseries, 3 episodes 1988 House Rules Clarrie O'Donnell Episode 11989 The Magistrate Prologue Narrator Miniseries, 2 episodes All the Rivers Run 2 Uncle Charles Miniseries, 2 episodes 1990 Flair Bert Clarke Miniseries, 2 episodes G.P. Doug Season 2, episode 37: "Longing" 1990–1991 The Flying Doctors Hughie Geddes / Felix 2 episodes 1991 Boys from the Bush Graham Season 1, episode 8: "Mateship" Pugwall Terrence Humble Season 2, episode 20: "Mr Humble" Golden Fiddles Narrator 2 episodes 1992 Acropolis Now Customer Season 5, episode 12: "Here Come the Brides: Part One"1993 The Late Show Gramps in "Charlie the Wonder Dog" & "A Very Charlie Christmas" segments 7 episodes A Country Practice Santa Claus / Edward Seldon 2 episodes 1993; 2000; 2003 Neighbours Henry O'Rourke / Bert Willis 17 episodes 1994 Mother and Son The Judge Season 6, episode 5: "The Lamingtons" Ocean Girl Mr Carmody Season 1, episode 7: "Toxic Waste" Snowy River: The McGregor Saga Governor Season 1, episode 12: "Love Finds a Way" Wedlocked Episode 10: "Dating Game" 1994; 2004 Blue Heelers Charles Shaw / Hayes 2 episodes 1995 Home and Away Dr Gordon 8 episodes 1998 All Saints Dr Harry Mackay Season 1, episode 39: "Moment of Truth" The Violent Earth Bishop Guiart Miniseries, 3 episodes The Silver Brumby Benni / Narrator (voice) Animated series, season 3, episode 12: "Getting Together"1999 Totally Full Frontal Various characters 13 episodes Chuck Finn Old Snowy Season 1, episode 10: "Finn P.I. & Associates" 2000 Round the Twist Derek Season 3, episode 10: "The Tears of Innocence"2001 The Secret Life of Us Cyril Season 1, episode 14: "Better the Devil You Know" Changi Older David Collins Miniseries, 2 episodes 2001–2002 Something in the Air William Brown 7 episodes 2003 Legacy of the Silver Shadow Billings Episode 9: "Teenage Sidekicks"2005 Scooter: Secret Agent Lawrence Clemments Episode 22: "Operation: Senior Citizen" Celebrity Circus Host 2005–2009 20 to One Host 18 episodes 2010 Bed of Roses Sandy Wilsoncroft 8 episodes

Radio (partial)

As writer / director Year Title Role Venue / Co. Ref. 1967 Five, Four, Three, Two, One Playwright Golders Green Hippodrome, London 1981 "The Breaker" (with John Williamson) 100 True Blue – The Very Best of John Williamson

Publications Year Title Type Publisher 2004 "Bud: A Life" Memoir Macmillan Publishers 2009 "Charles ‘Bud’ Tingwell’s War Stories – The heroes, the battles, the tragedies and triumphs of WW2" Memoir Wilkinson Publishing