Robb Wilton

Robert Wilton Smith (28 August 1881 – 1 May 1957), better known as Robb Wilton, was an English comedian and actor. He was best known for his filmed monologues during the 1930s and 1940s, in which he played incompetent authority figures. His trademark was to put his hand over part of his face at the punchline.

Early life Wilton was born Robert Wilton Smith in the Everton district of Liverpool on 28 August 1881. He was a grand-uncle of actor Robin Askwith.

Career Wilton had a dry Lancashire accent, which suited his comic persona as a procrastinating and work-shy impediment to the general public. His first theatre work was as a villain in melodramas, but he soon found himself getting laughs from his audience and, by 1909, was touring music halls as a comedian.

He was also a stand-up comedian and one of his jokes was: "A bloke went into a pub and asked, "What soft drinks have you got, barman?". Barman says, "I've got some without vanilla, some without lime, some without lemon. Ah, and one with peppermint!" "Oh, damn", says the customer, "That's the very one I wanted without!"

In October 1928, he appeared in a short film, The Fire Brigade, made in the Phonofilm sound-on-film process. He then appeared in several films from 1934, generally in supporting comic roles. His last film appearance was in the Arthur Askey vehicle The Love Match in 1955.

Wilton was inducted into the exclusive entertainers' fraternity, the Grand Order of Water Rats and served as its "King Rat" in 1947.

Death On 1 May 1957, Wilton died in Broadgreen Hospital, Liverpool, at the age of 75 following an operation.

Selected filmography The Fire Brigade (short) (1928) Love, Life and Laughter (1934) The Secret of the Loch (1934) Look Up and Laugh (1935) Servants All (1936) It's Love Again (1936) Calling the Tune (1936) Two's Company (1936) Stars on Parade (1936) Mother, Don't Rush Me (1936) The Interrupted Honeymoon (1936) Fine Feathers (1937) Take My Tip (1937) The Gang's All Here (1939) The Love Match (1955)