Fred Groves

Fred Groves (8 August 1880 – 4 June 1955) was a British actor of the celebrated Groves acting family. On stage from 1896, he appeared in the original West End production of Noël Coward's Cavalcade (1931–2); and was a leading man in silent films, latterly becoming a character player in movies. He appeared in the 1925 play Number 17 in the West End.

He was a son of Charles Groves (1843–1909), a well-known Victorian and Edwardian comedic actor who made appearances on Broadway and in London's West End. He was also a nephew of the Fred Karno comedian Walter Groves (1856–1906), and a half-brother to the film and stage actor Charles Groves (1875–1955).

Among his feature film appearances was the comedy Sally In Our Alley. It marked the screen debut of Gracie Fields, an established music hall star. Gracie's husband, the screenwriter Archie Pitt was set to play the leading role of Alf Cope, but during the first week of filming, as Fields and Pitt were travelling back from shooting, their car crashed. Though Fields escaped injury, Pitt was forced to withdraw from the cast in order to recuperate. Due to his experience and availability, the role was quickly recast with Groves taking Pitt's place.

Selected filmography

Maria Marten (1913, Short) - William Corder Popsy Wopsy (1913) The Suicide Club (1914) - The President The Loss of the Birkenhead (1914) - Seth Her Luck in London (1914) - Richard Lenowen The Idol of Paris (1914) - Philippe Castelle Honeymoon for Three (1915) - Cornelius V. Van Dam Gilbert Gets Tiger-It is (1915, Short) - Gilbert Gilbert Dying to Die (1915, Short) - Gilbert Florence Nightingale (1915) - Doctor From Shopgirl to Duchess (1915) - Duke of St. Baynum The World's Desire (1915) - Sir Richard Bennett Her Nameless Child (1915) - Arthur Ford Home (1915) - Steven Armitage Mr. Lyndon at Liberty (1915) - Tom Morrison Fine Feathers (1915) - Richard Dean Charity Ann (1915) - Graham Trevor A Will of Her Own (1915) - Dr. Blake The Firm of Girdlestone (1915) - Ezra Girdlestone Meg the Lady (1916) - Giles Curwen Esther (1916, Short) - Haman Driven (1916) - John Staffurth The Two Roads (1916) - Reverend Basil Egerton The Manxman (1916) - Pete Quillian - A fisherman Mother Love (1916) - Alfie Smith (1917) - Tom Freeman Drink (1917) - Coupeau The Grit of a Jew (1917) - Russell The Labour Leader (1917) - John Webster Castle of Dreams (1919) - John Morton London Pride (1920) - Cuthbert Tunks Garryowen (1920) - Michael French Judge Not (1920) - Burke Squibs (1921) - PC Charlie Lee The Mayor of Casterbridge (1921) - Michael Henchard A Master of Craft (1922) - Captain Flower The Crimson Circle (1922) - Inspector Parr Squibs Wins the Calcutta Sweep (1922) - P. C. Lee Rogues of the Turf (1923) - Bill Higgins Squibs M.P. (1923) - PC Charlie Lee Squibs' Honeymoon (1923) - PC Charlie Lee Memories (1925, Short) - The Husband Suspense (1930) - Pvt. Lomax Escape (1930) - Shopkeeper Sally in Our Alley (1931) - Alf Cope Out of the Blue (1931) - Bannister Blair The World, the Flesh, the Devil (1932) - Dick Morgan The Ghost Camera (1933) - Innkeeper Puppets of Fate (1933) - Arthur Brandon A Glimpse of Paradise (1934) - Joshua Ware The Old Curiosity Shop (1934) - Showman (uncredited) Dance Band (1935) - Pantomime Act Beloved Imposter (1936) - Jack Harding Royal Cavalcade (1936) - Sam Waldock Second Bureau (1936) - Sgt. Colleret The Squeaker (1937) - Martin (uncredited) Vessel of Wrath (1938) - Dutch Sea Captain (uncredited) The Viper (1938) - Inspector Bradlaw The Challenge (1938) - Favre Strange Boarders (1938) - (uncredited) No Parking (1938) - Walsh Climbing High (1938) - Doorman (uncredited) 21 Days (1940) - Barnes An Ideal Husband (1947) - Phipps, Goring's Butler Night Beat (1947) - PC Kendall My Brother Jonathan (1948) - Lisha Hodgkiss My Brother's Keeper (1948) - Landlord Old Mother Riley's New Venture (1949) - Grigsby Your Witness (1950) - Dart Player #6 (uncredited) The Girl Who Couldn't Quite (1950) - Manservant Up for the Cup (1950) - Hardcastle (final film role)