Felix Aylmer

Sir Felix Edward Aylmer Jones (21 February 1889 – 2 September 1979) was an English stage actor who also appeared in the cinema and on television. Aylmer made appearances in films with comedians such as Will Hay and George Formby.

Early life Felix Edward Aylmer Jones was born in Corsham, Wiltshire, the second of six children (five sons and a daughter) of Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Edward Aylmer Jones, of the Royal Engineers, and his wife Lilian, née Cookworthy. He was educated at King James's Grammar School, Almondbury, near Huddersfield, where he was a boarder from 1897 to 1900, Magdalen College School, and Exeter College, Oxford, where he was a member of Oxford University Dramatic Society (OUDS).

His memorable style of delivery—dignified and learned— was frequently mimicked by comedians such as Peter Sellers and Kenneth Williams. Indeed, as dramatist and barrister John Mortimer noted, the mannerisms Aylmer brought to bear in his roles came to be imitated in real life by judges on the bench. Williams observed that although his impersonation of Aylmer was a speciality during his days with ENSA, the Armed Forces Entertainment Association, he came to the conclusion that none of the troops knew who was being impersonated.

Aylmer was President of Equity from 1950 to 1969. He was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 1950 King's Birthday Honours and knighted in the 1965 Queen's Birthday Honours.

He was also the narrator in the original version (and recobbled cut) of Richard Williams' unfinished animated project, The Thief and the Cobbler (1993).

At the age of 80 Felix Aylmer played a villain in an episode of Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) entitled "It's Supposed to be Thicker than Water". His last major screen role was as the Abbot in the sitcom Oh, Brother!, opposite Derek Nimmo (1968–70). He appeared as a doctor in an episode of the TV series Jason King called "If It's Got To Go, It's Got To Go" in 1972, at the age of 83.

Aylmer lived in Painshill House in Cobham, Surrey and died in a nursing home in Pyrford on 2 September 1979, at the age of 90. The Calendar Lord Forlingham Quartet Martin (segment "The Colonel's Lady")

Edward, My Son Mr Hanray Alice in Wonderland Dr Liddell / The Cheshire Cat Voice Christopher Columbus Father Perez Prince of Foxes Count Marc Antonio Verano

Your Witness British judge released as Eye Witness in USA So Long at the Fair British consul Trio Bank manager (segment "The Verger") She Shall Have Murder Mr Playfair

1951–1960

Year Title Role Notes 1951 No Highway Sir Philip Uncredited The Lady with a Lamp Lord Palmerston The House in the Square Sir William, the Physician Uncredited, released as I'll Never forget You in USA Quo Vadis Plautius 1952 Ivanhoe Isaac The Man Who Watched the Trains Go By Mr. Merkemans released as The Paris Express in USA 1953 The Master of Ballantrae Lord Durrisdeer Knights of the Round Table Merlin The Triangle Brisetout (segment "A Lodging for the Night") 1954 The Love Lottery Winant The Angel Who Pawned Her Harp Joshua Webman 1956 Loser Takes All The Other Anastasia Chamberlain 1957 Saint Joan Inquisitor 1958 I Accuse! Edgar Demange The Two-Headed Spy Cornaz The Doctor's Dilemma Sir Patrick Cullen Separate Tables Mr. Fowler 1959 The Mummy Stephen Banning 1960 Never Take Sweets from a Stranger Clarence Olderberry Sr. From the Terrace James Duncan MacHardie Exodus Dr Liberman The Hands of Orlac Dr Francis Cochrane

1961–1992

Year Title Role Notes 1962 The Road to Hong Kong Grand Lama The Boys Judge 1963 The Running Man Parson 1964 Becket Archbishop of Canterbury The Chalk Garden Judge McWhirrey 1965 Masquerade Henrickson 1966 Out of the Unknown Mr. Bone Episode: Walk's End 1968The Champions Old Man Episode: The Beginning Decline and Fall... of a Birdwatcher Judge Hostile Witness Justice Osborne 1968–1970 Oh, Brother! Father Anselm 19 episodes 1970 Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) Joshua Crackan Episode: It's Supposed to be Thicker than Water 1972 Jason King Dr Wilstein Episode: If It's Got to Go, It's Got to Go 1973 Oh, Father! Father Anselm Two episodes 1992 The Thief and the Cobbler Narrator Original version and recobbled cut; released posthumously