A History Of Liverpool Thespians - Brian Oulton

Brian Oulton was born on the 11th of February 1908 in Liverpool. Trained at RADA, he made his stage debut in the late 1920s and spent much of his career acting, writing and directing for the theatre. Brian was married in 1936 to the actress Peggy Thorpe-Bates, probably best remembered for her portrayal of the wife of Horace Rumpole ("she who must be obeyed") in the first television series of John Mortimer's novels in the television series 'Rumpole of the Bailey'. The couple lived in Stratford Upon Avon until her death in 1989 at the age of 75.

A character actor, he made his acting debut in 1939, just before the outbreak of the Second World War on stage in Liverpool repertory theatre. He served in the army during the conflict and on returning to Britain in 1945, resumed his career on the stage and appeared in films; briefly in romantic leads, but later made a name for himself playing the same pompous character in numerous films, or being comic foil in "Carry On" comedies and will be a familiar face to many Carry On fans. He appeared in several of the films, often as slightly snobbish, upper class figures who were really no better than they ought to be!

As Henry Bray in 'Carry On Nurse'

He first joined the Carry On team in November 1958 for what would be his most substantial role in the series. He played Henry Bray, one of the patients in the ward in which the film was based. Henry was a snobbish character who actually had rather humble origins as the regular visits from his wife Rhoda (Hilda Fenemore) would reveal. Although restricted to bed for most of the film, it is an effective performance and no doubt the success of this role resulted in future call backs from producers Rogers and Thomas. He next appeared in 'Carry On Constable' in 1959, playing a brief role as the department store manager constables Kenneth Williams and Charles Hawtrey visit during an outbreak of shoplifting. This sets up the glorious scene of Williams and Hawtrey undercover and in drag as Agatha and Ethel! Brian then returned to Pinewood for the role of Brutus opposite Kenneth Williams' Julius Caesar in 'Carry On Cleo'. In the famous scene where Kenneth gives a speech in Churchillian tones, you can see Brian visibly corpse and break into giggles! Brian's last big screen outing with the gang came in late 1968 with the classic 'Carry On Camping'. He appears near the beginning of the film in the role of another shop manager, this time the camping shop where Sid Boggle and Bernie Lugg visit to find out more information about Paradise Camp. Brian shares a funny scene with Charles Hawtrey and the glamorous Valerie Leon. While this marked Brian's last role in the film series, he did return to the world of Carry On once more, for the Carry On Christmas special in 1972. In this episode, entitled 'Carry On Stuffing', Brian played the "Oriental Orator".

As Master Snelgrove in 'Young Sherlock Holmes'

 

He worked for Peter Rogers and Gerald Thomas in several other films away from the Carry On franchise and appeared in 'No Kidding' (1960), 'Raising The Wind' (1961) and 'The Iron Maiden' (1962). Other films included a diverse range of titles: 'Doctor in the House' (1954); 'The 39 Steps' (1959); 'The Bulldog Breed' (1960); 'The Kiss of the Vampire' (1963) and 'The Intelligence Men' (1965). In 1969, he appeared as an eccentric psychic medium in 'Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)', in the episode 'Never Trust a Ghost'; as a hypochondriac GP in 'Doctor at Large'. Further appearances were in 'On the Buses' (1971); 'Ooh You Are Awful!' (1972); 'Gandhi' (1982) and 'Young Sherlock Holmes' (1985). On TV Brian popped up in a myriad of supporting roles over the years, including parts in 'The Adventures of Robin Hood' (1958); 'Hancock's Half Hour' (1960); 'The Army Game' (1960); 'The Rag Trade' (1961); 'Steptoe and Son' (1962); 'The Saint ' (1963); 'Coronation Street' (1964); 'George and The Dragon' (1967); two different roles in 'The Avengers' (1964; 1969); a regular role in 'Mr Digby Darling' (1969); 'Crown Court' (1975); Brideshead Revisited' (1981); 'Lenny Henry Tonite' (1986) and his final screen credit in 'American Playhouse' (1988).

On radio, he is best remembered for playing the role of Cyril in the long running BBC series of Richmal Crompton's 'Just William'. He was also a stage actor and playwright, writing and starring in productions such as 'Births, Marriages and Deaths' (1975), and 'For Entertainment Only' (1976).
Brian lived with his wife Peggy in Stratford-upon-Avon until her death in 1989 at the age of 75 with the couple having two children, a son and a daughter, the actress Jenny Oulton.
Brian Oulton died on the 13th of April 1992 in London aged 84. 

see also :- http://www.thefootballvoice.com/2023/07/a-history-of-liverpool-thespians-fred.html