Philip Stainton

Philip Stainton (9 April 1908 – 1 August 1961) was an English actor. Stainton appeared in several Ealing comedies and major international movies. He specialized in playing friendly or exasperated uniformed policemen, but also appeared in other comic and straight roles in British and Australian productions.

After beginning in repertory, in the postwar years he worked steadily in bit and featured parts in theatrical films; twice being directed by John Ford and once by John Huston when they shot on European or overseas locations. He first visited Australia as part of a touring company presenting Agatha Christie’s play Witness for the Prosecution.

Stainton and his actress wife immigrated to Australia in the late 1950s to appear in a series of live television plays as the medium was beginning in that country. From 1957 to 1959 he had the distinction to headline the first Australian sitcom Take That which was broadcast in Melbourne by HSV-7.

He also adapted and produced a version of the gaslight melodrama East Lynne which became a hit around the circuit of surviving music hall venues in the early 1960s and was subsequently revived. During a centenary performance at impresario George Miller's Bowl Music Hall (basement of The Capitol, Melbourne), he succumbed to a heart attack on 1 August 1961.

Filmography

Eyes That Kill (1947) Night Beat (1947) - Sgt. Black (uncredited) Scott of the Antarctic (1948) - Second Questioner The Blue Lagoon (1949) - Mr. Ansty Passport to Pimlico (1949) - P.C.Spiller Poet's Pub (1949) - Mr. Lott (uncredited) Don't Ever Leave Me (1949) - Detective Inspector Trottie True (1949) - Arthur Briggs (uncredited) The Spider and the Fly (1949) - Café Manager Boys in Brown (1949) - Principal Prison Officer The Elusive Pimpernel (1950) - Jellyband White Corridors (1951) - Sawyer Appointment with Venus (1951) - Constable Angels One Five (1952) - Police Constable The Quiet Man (1952) - Anglican Bishop (uncredited) Made in Heaven (1952) - Stanley Grimes Monsoon (1952) - Putsi Innocents in Paris (1953) - Nobby Clarke Mogambo (1953) - John Brown-Pryce Hobson's Choice (1954) - Denton Forbidden Cargo (1954) - Seaburyness Police Sergeant (uncredited) Isn't Life Wonderful! (1953) - Dr. Mason Up to His Neck (1954) - Mr. Woo John and Julie (1955) - London Police Sergeant The Woman for Joe (1955) - Sullivan Cast a Dark Shadow (1955) - Charlie Man The Ladykillers (1955) - The Sergeant Who Done It? (1956) - Jimmy Maddox, Frankie's Agent Moby Dick (1956) - Bildad Reach for the Sky (1956) - Police Constable