James Hayter
James Hayter (23 April 1907 – 27 March 1983) was a British actor.
He was born in Lonavala, India, brought up in Scotland and died in Spain. His best remembered film roles include Friar Tuck in the 1952 film The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men and Samuel Pickwick in The Pickwick Papers of the same year. His rotund appearance and fruity voice made him a natural choice for such roles.
A pupil of Dollar Academy, he became a graduate of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, his film career began in 1936 in Sensation, but was interrupted by World War II during which he served in the Royal Armoured Corps. His later career included roles in TV series such as The Forsyte Saga (1967), The Onedin Line and Are You Being Served?. His 1946 television series Pinwright's Progress, shown on the BBC, is recognised as the first real example of the half-hour situation comedy format in the history of British television. He was also the original narrator of the UK television advertisements for Mr. Kipling cakes. In fact, these ads led to his departure from Are You Being Served?; the cake company paid him a significant bonus to withdraw from the series, as they felt his reputation lent an air of dignity to their snack advertisements.
In the film Oliver!, he played Mr Jessop the book shop owner. He appeared in scenes when Dodger steals a gentleman's wallet outside the book shop and also when Oliver is in court charged with the robbery.
Hayter used to have a tree house in his back garden where he would retire of an evening to learn and practise his lines from his current script.
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Acted in
The Light Princess
1978
as Owl (voice)
Father Brown
1974
Are You Being Served?
1972
as Mr. Tebbs
Burke & Hare
1972
as Dr. Selby
The Onedin Line
1971
as Captain Webster
Not Tonight, Darling
1971
as Mr. Finlay / grocer owner
The Blood on Satan's Claw
1971
as Squire Middleton
The Firechasers
1971
as Inspector Herman
The Horror of Frankenstein
1970
as Bailiff
Song of Norway
1970
as Butler to Berg
David Copperfield
1969
as Porter
The Flaxton Boys
1969
as Nathan
Oliver!
1968
as Mr. Jessop
A Challenge for Robin Hood
1967
as Friar Tuck
Cop-Out
1967
as Harry Hawkins
Lawrence of Arabia
1962
as Sheik in Arab Council (uncredited)
Out of the Fog
1962
as Daniels
Go to Blazes
1962
as Pipe Smoker
The Avengers
1961
as Ticket Collector
The 39 Steps
1959
as Mr Memory
The Captain's Table
1959
as Earnshaw
I Was Monty's Double
1958
as Sgt. Adams
Fair Game
1958
The Big Money
1958
as Mr Frith
Gideon's Day
1958
as Robert Mason
Gideon's Day
1958
as Mason
Sail Into Danger
1957
as Monty
The Heart Within
1957
as Grandfather Willard
Mañana...
1957
as Silvestre
Abandon Ship
1957
as 'Cookie' Morrow
It's a Wonderful World
1956
as Bert Fielding
Port Afrique
1956
as Nino
Keep It Clean
1956
as Mr. Bouncenboy
Touch and Go
1955
as Kimball
Land of the Pharaohs
1955
as Mikka
Beau Brummell
1954
as Mortimer
The Awakening
1954
as The Chief
For Better, for Worse
1954
as The Plumber
A Day to Remember
1953
as Fred Collins
Will Any Gentleman...?
1953
as Dr. Smith
Always a Bride
1953
as Dutton
Four Sided Triangle
1953
as Dr. Harvey
The Great Game
1953
as Joe Lawson
Royal Review
1953
as Commentator (voice)
The Pickwick Papers
1952
as Samuel Pickwick
The Crimson Pirate
1952
as Prof. Prudence
I'm A Stranger
1952
as Horatio Flowerdew
The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men
1952
as Friar Tuck
Calling Bulldog Drummond
1951
as Bill
Tom Brown's Schooldays
1951
as Old Thomas
Flesh and Blood
1951
as Sir Douglas Manley
Trio
1950
as Albert Foreman (segment "The Verger")
Waterfront
1950
as Ship's Captain
Night and the City
1950
as Figler (uncredited)
Your Witness
1950
as Prouty
Morning Departure
1950
The Spider and the Fly
1949
as Mayor
Passport to Pimlico
1949
as Commissionaire
Dear Mr. Prohack
1949
as Carrell Quire
Don't Ever Leave Me
1949
as Man with Summons
All Over the Town
1949
as Councillor Baines
For Them That Trespass
1949
as John Craigie 'Jocko' Glenn
The Blue Lagoon
1949
as Dr Murdock
Once a Jolly Swagman
1949
as Pa Fox
Silent Dust
1949
as Pringle
Helter Skelter
1949
as Inn Landlord
No Room at the Inn
1948
as Councilor Trouncer
Bonnie Prince Charlie
1948
as Kingsburgh
Quartet
1948
as Foreman of the Jury
Woman Hater
1948
as Mr. Burrell
The Fallen Idol
1948
as Perry
A Song for Tomorrow
1948
as Nicholas Klausmann
My Brother Jonathan
1948
as Tom Morse
Vice Versa
1948
as Bandmaster
The End of the River
1947
as Chico
The October Man
1947
as Garage Man
Captain Boycott
1947
as Music Hall Comic (uncredited)
The Mark of Cain
1947
as Dr. White
The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby
1947
as Ned and Charles Cheeryble
School for Secrets
1946
as Warrant Officer
The Laughing Lady
1946
as Ostler
Sailors Three
1940
as Hans
Band Waggon
1940
as (uncredited)
Come on George!
1939
as Barker
Murder in Soho
1939
as Nick Green
The Moon in the Yellow River
1938
as Captain Potts
Marigold
1938
as Peter Gloag
Big Fella
1938
as Chuck
Aren't Men Beasts!
1937
as Minor Role
Sensation
1936
as Jock