Cyril Raymond

Cyril William North Raymond MBE (13 February 1899 – 20 March 1973) was a British character actor. He maintained a stage and screen career from his teens until his retirement, caused by ill health, in the 1960s.

His many stage, film and television roles include Fred Jesson, the husband of Celia Johnson's Laura Jesson in Brief Encounter (1945).

Life and career Raymond was the son of Herbert Linton Raymond and his second wife, Rose ( Knowles). Herbert died in 1906 at the Grand Hotel, Broad Street, Bristol, which he and his wife ran.

Raymond became a pupil at Sir Herbert Tree's Academy of Dramatic Art. He made his professional debut in 1914 at the Garrick Theatre, London, playing the Second Spanish Gentleman in Bluff King Hal.

As Little Billee in Trilby he supported Tree's Svengali at His Majesty's Theatre in 1915. While still a boy actor he appeared in plays by Louis N. Parker, Edward Knoblock and Harold Brighouse. In 1916, he played a major juvenile role, Lord Deerford, in Parker's Disraeli. The Observer reported that he "played very cleverly". A film was made of the play; he repeated his role of Deerford.

In 1922 Raymond married the actress Iris Hoey. They had one child, John Raymond, who became an author and critic. The couple co-starred in several West End plays in the 1920s; Raymond also worked extensively with the producer Basil Dean. He and Hoey divorced in 1936 and the following year he married the actress Gillian Lind.

On television, he appeared in the 1961 Danger Man episode entitled "Name, Date and Place" as Nash. http://danger-man.co.uk/episodeDetails.asp?episodeID=19&seriesNo=1

In the 1960s, Raymond appeared in plays by writers of the younger generation, including Nigel Dennis, Giles Cooper and John Osborne. This was one of his last appearances, and ill health obliged him to retire several years before his death.

Filmography (incomplete)

The Hypocrites (1916) – Leonard Wilmore Disraeli (1916) – Lord Deeford I Will (1919) – Harris Giles His Last Defence (1919) – David Hislop The Scarlet Kiss (1920) Wuthering Heights (1920) – Hareton Sonia (1921) – Tom Dainton Single Life (1921) – John Henty Moth and Rust (1921) – Fred Black Cocaine (1922) The Faithful Heart (1922) – Albert Oughterson These Charming People (1931) – Miles Winter The Ghost Train (1931) – Richard Winthrop The Happy Ending (1931) – Anthony Fenwick A Man of Mayfair (1931) – Charles Condemned to Death (1932) – Jim Wrench The Frightened Lady (1932) – Sergeant Ferraby The Shadow (1933) – Jim Silverton The Lure (1933) – Paul Dane Strike It Rich (1933) – Slaughter The Man Outside (1933) – Captain Fordyce Mixed Doubles (1933) – Reggie Irving Home, Sweet Home (1933) – John Falkirk Keep It Quiet (1934) – Jack Royal Cavalcade (1935) – Undetermined Minor Role (uncredited) The Tunnel (1935) – Harriman It's Love Again (1936) – Montague Tomorrow We Live (1936) – George Warner Accused (1936) – Guy Henry Thunder in the City (1937) – James Dreaming Lips (1937) – PC Stardust (1938) – Jerry Sears Night Alone (1938) – Tommy The Spy in Black (1939) – The Rev. John Harris Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1939) – Teacher (uncredited) Come On George! (1939) – Jimmy Taylor Saloon Bar (1940) – Harry Small The First of the Few (1942) – Radio Control Officer (uncredited) Brief Encounter (1945) – Fred Jesson Men of Two Worlds (1946) – Education Officer This Was a Woman (1948) – Austin Penrose Quartet (1948) – Railway Passenger (segment "The Colonel's Lady") The Jack of Diamonds (1949, co-wrote screenplay with Nigel Patrick) – Roger Keen Angels One Five (1952) – Squadron Leader Barry Clinton Rough Shoot (1953) – Cartwright The Heart of the Matter (1953) – Carter (uncredited) The Gay Dog (1954) – Rev. Gowland The Crowded Day (1954) – Philip Stanton One Just Man (1954) Lease of Life (1954) – The Headmaster Charley Moon (1956) – Bill The Baby and the Battleship (1956) – P.M.O. The Safecracker (1958) – Inspector Frankham Dunkirk (1958) – General The Viscount Gort V.C. No Kidding (1960) – Col. Matthews Carry On Regardless (1961) – Army Officer Don't Talk to Strange Men (1962) – Mr. Painter Night Train to Paris (1964) – Insp. Fleming

Selected stage credits Summertime by Louis N. Parker (1919) The Last Hour by Charles Bennett (1928) The Return of the Soldier by John Van Druten (1928) There's Always Juliet by John Van Druten (1931) Tony Draws a Horse by Lesley Storm (1939) Under the Counter by Arthur Macrae (1945) Happy with Either by Margaret Kennedy (1948) Towards Zero by Agatha Christie and Gerald Verner (1956) Aunt Edwina by William Douglas Home (1959)

Notes, references and sources