John Nelson-Burton (Director of Baby)

Born on 12th October, 1923 in Carlisle John Nelson-Burton was a producer, director and writer for the BBC, ABC and later ATV. He was just eight years old when his mother, Margaret, passed away giving birth to his sister Mary. His father was a hotel porter and Burton followed in his father John’s footsteps for a short time working as hotel page boy, an errand boy or luggage carrier, according to the 1939 census. After the Second World War he was a Royal Navy Volunteer Reservist between 1946 and 1947[1].

Nelson initially worked in repertory theatre as a producer / director before breaking into television via the BBC. An example of his theatre work was a production of the play Trespass by Emlyn Williams during December 1952. Further plays that Nelson-Burton worked on included R F Delderfield’s The Orchard Walls mounted at the Savoy theatre in Exmouth for the West of England Theatre Company during August 1953. Joan Plowright was the lead star. Further productions for the company include The Noble Spaniard during July 1954, Affairs of State over August 1954 and The Tinder Box during December 1954. The last stage shows he produced before joining the BBC included The Living Room during March 1955 and Spark in Judea over April 1955 for the West of England Theatre Company. In September 1955 Nelson successfully applied to join the BBC where he was trained in all aspects of television production.

The first series to benefit from his training was the anthology drama series Tales From Soho (21st January – 3rd March 1956) with Nelson-Burton as the director on three episodes including the opening episode 'The Fiddle' (21st January 1956). The subsequent episodes were 'The Message' (28th January 1956) and 'Slippy Fives' (4th February 1956). These episodes were produced by Tony Richardson who would later direct the Nigel Kneale scripted film The Entertainer (1960). Only one episode of the series, 'The Fiddle', is currently preserved in the BBC archives. It’s worth noting that amongst the cast of the episode 'Slippy Fives' is Basil Dignam, the brother of Mark Dignam, who would later appear in Nelson’s Beasts episode 'Baby'. The series was written by Berkely Mather.

Still with the BBC Nelson then produced the half-hour play Flame in the Forest (22nd May 1956), which cast Honor Blackman in a tale a racial tensions written by the clergyman Cyril J Davey. This was then followed by another single play for the BBC in the shape of Romney (17th July 1956), a contemporary drama set in a large country home in Ireland. Nelson then reteamed with the writer Berkely Mather to produce and direct a six episode drama transmitted under the title of New Ramps for Old with Mervyn Johns and Harry H Corbett headlining the cast. The series of six dramas, billed as “self-contained studies of crime[2]” began with the instalment 'Hitched to a Star' (8th September 1956) which featured Alfie Bass as a financier involved in dodgy share dealing.

Nelson moved to the ITV franchise ABC in 1957 and his first project for the broadcaster was mystery thriller The Man Who Was Two (26th January – 23rd February 1957) which starred Ronald Howard as a man with amnesia who tries to unravel the truth behind his past. Nelson acted as the producer and director on the series. Nelson’s most notable early production for ITV was Hour of Mystery, an hour long anthology series which had each episode introduced by Donald Wolfit. Episodes include an adaptation of the Barre Lyndon play 'The Man in Half Moon Street' (22nd June), the tale of a scientist who has invented a way to prolong his life. However, to keep alive he must harvest a supply of glands. Then there was 'Confess, Killer' (13th July 1957) starring Alfred Burke as Detective Sergeant Wilson investigating a murder which set the tone for the remaining episodes which tended to be murder mysteries.  

As a screenwriter Nelson was responsible for two episodes of Armchair Theatre; 'Night of the Ding-Dong' (2nd February 1958) and 'The One Who Came Back' (16th March 1958) which he also directed. He had also previously directed the Armchair Theatre episodes 'Three O’clock Deadline' (16th December 1956) and 'Hilda Morgan' (1957) and would oversee another three episodes in this capacity; 'Breach of Marriage' (4th May 1958), 'Wings of the Wind' (29th June 1958) and 'Murder in Slow Motion' (5th October 1958). Following this he then joined ATV in July 1959. Amongst his first work at ATV was Epilogue to Capricorn (31st October – 5th December 1959) starring Jean Kent, Peter Wyngarde and Adrienne Corri. Again Nelson handled the dual role of producer and director on the programme. During the year Nelson also directed five episodes of the medical soap Emergency Ward 10. The following year he was the producer of the anthology series Suspense (28th February -19th May 1960).

For the drama anthology series Theatre 70 Nelson produced the episode 'Chance Witness' (21st January 1961) with Harry H Corbett in the lead role, having worked closely with him on the series New Ramps for Old. Corbett also featured in the cast of the Deadline Midnight story 'An Eye for Detail' (23rd September 1961) which Nelson directed. Following this Nelson was also the producer on three episodes of the drama anthology series Drama 61 delivering the stories 'Edge of Truth' (14th May 1961), 'The Dinner Party' (9th July 1961) and 'The Morning Face' (3rd September 1961). When the series was retitled as Drama 62 Nelson toiled on another two episodes; 'A Question of Pride' (23rd September 1962) and 'The Pinedus Affair' (2nd December 1962).

For the drama anthology series ITV Television Playhouse he worked on two episodes during 1963 – 'The Cage' (11th January 1963) and 'There’s No Room for You Here for A Start' (8th February 1963). The same year Nelson oversaw three episodes of the series Ghost Squad; 'Interrupted Requiem' (2nd February 1963), 'Hot Money' (25th May 1963) and 'The Golden Silence' (8th June 1963). He rounded off the year by working as director on three episodes of the business drama The Plane Makers; 'You Can’t Beat the System' (25th February 1963), 'Has Anybody Seen Costigan?' (25th March 1963) and 'Costigan’s Rocket' (12th November 1963). Nelson later returned for a single episode of the programme’s third season to deliver 'Other People Own Our Jungles Now' (27th October 1964). He also tackled two episodes of anthology series Drama 63 – 'Andersen' (16th June 1963) and 'The Perfect Friday' (8th September 1963), a crime thriller starring Charles Gray. The Stage felt it was “a neat play and though the twist at the end was over-played in an attempt to make it more forceful[3]”. He later worked as the director of an episode of Drama 64 – 'A Menace to Decent People' (21st June 1964). This play was reviewed in The Stage which noted “with more subtlety and less sentimentality 'A Menace to Decent People' could have been a play of substance.[4]”

For the next few years Nelson-Burton concentrated on directing and in this role he was responsible for the Edgar Wallace Mystery Theatre drama 'Never Mention Murder' (November 1964) which starred Dudley Foster as a doctor who kills his wife’s lover. Nelson-Burton oversaw his first episode of the long running anthology series Love Story with the episode 'The Apprentices' (4th August 1964) followed by two further instalments a year later; 'Give My Love to the Pilchards' (21st September 1965), which featured T P McKenna who he would later cast in 'Baby', and the story 'La Musica' (6th December 1965). Also during 1965 Nelson directed the single drama Sunday Out of Season which starred a fresh faced Ian McKellen and Lynn Redgrave. The same year he oversaw an episode of The Power Game – 'Lady for a Knight' (20th December 1965). The series featured Patrick Wymark, the father of actress Jane Wymark who would feature in the central role in Baby. The following year Nelson directed a further episode of the series, 'Safe Conduct' (21st November 1966).

Earlier in 1966 Nelson-Burton had directed 'The First Day of Spring' (2nd July 1966), an episode of the drama anthology Knock on Any Door. For the anthology strand Drama 66 Nelson-Burton then directed the episode 'Conduct to the Prejudice' (10th December 1966). As a screenwriter he had three episodes of the ITV Play of the Week to his credit which he also directed; 'A Tot at the Local' (6th December 1966), 'A Drug on the Market' (14th February 1967) and 'A Brand New Scrubbing Brush' (14th August 1967). The Stage reviewed 'A Drug on the Market' and was not impressed with the production “the director of the play, John Nelson Burton, was also the author, and he seemed to be so enamoured of his own lines that everyone had to be over-emphasised or underlined. His play would have been served better by another director[5]”. He was the director on an additional two instalments; 'Thick as Old Timber' (12th April 1965) and a version of Terence Rattigan’s 'The Browning Version' (25th April 1966). 'A Brand New Scrubbing Brush' was about the problems of fifteen year old boy who has been brought up by his uncle and has to return to live with his unemployed, alcoholic father. More anthology drama directing work came with two episodes of Happy Ever After – 'Feeling the Pinch' (18th November 1969) and 'The Marriage Vow' (21st November 1970).

His final credits as a producer was on the first season of the comedy series Albert and Victoria (13th June – 18th July 1970). Nelson also served as director on the series which was slated in reviews for being unfunny. The Stage commented “how was it that John Nelson Burton put his distinguished name on the production credits. Well, perhaps he needed the money.[6]” Nelson also wrote and directed an episode of the anthology series Happy Ever After – 'The Marriage Vow' (21st November 1970). The episode is worth noting as it featured the actor Mark Dignam in the cast who Nelson would later cast in the Beasts episode 'Baby'. During the early years of the 1970s Nelson-Burton also oversaw three episodes of the ITV Sunday Night Theatre series; 'Fade Out' (11th April 1970), 'Pleased to Meet You' (25th March 1973) and 'It Only Hurts for a Minute' (8th July 1973). 'Fade Out' dealt with the operations of a fictional TV company and was based on a play by David Watson. The production starred Stanley Baker. Further writer / director credits for anthology drama series included two instalments of the ITV Sunday Night Theatre series. 'The Midsummer Dream of Chief Inspector Blossom' (2nd January 1972) and 'Pleased to Meet You' (25th March 1973). During the 1970s Burton was also the chairman of the technicians union ACTT (Association of Cinematograph, Television and Allied Technicians).

In the years prior to Beasts Nelson-Burton directed the The ITV Play episode 'Mary, Mary' (8th April 1974) followed by episodes of Rooms during 1974 and 1975. He then worked on the Willis Hall scripted single drama Piano Smashers of the Golden Sun (1975) and three episodes of the ATV police series Hunter’s Walk; 'Intent' (1st June 1976) - which featured Simon MacCorkindale who Nelson-Burton would cast in 'Baby' - 'Not Me' (13th July 1976) and 'Interference' (20th July 1976). These episodes would mark him working with Nicholas Palmer who would also produce Beasts. Prior to recording Beasts Nelson had written and directed the single play Chicken (29th August 1976) with Nicholas Palmer in the producer’s seat. The play starred the sublime actor Ian Bannen as a man who has just axed 5000 jobs. He decides to relax by spending time in the country with his fiancée, but a humble chicken has other ideas… The production designer was Anthony Waller who would later contribute to the Beasts episodes 'During Barty’s Party' and 'Buddyboy'.

During 1977 Nelson-Burton wrote three consecutive episodes of the daytime drama series Rooms (28th April – 4th May 1977). His final directing credit was on the medical drama General Hospital and the episode 'Technical Hitch' (19th January 1979). His final screenwriting credit was the TV movie Drakes Venture (28th December 1980) which was directed and produced by Lawrence Gordon Clark ,who had overseen the BBC Christmas Ghost Story series of annual plays. This was a feature length drama from Westward Television depicting Francis Drake’s voyage of circumnavigation of the globe. John Thaw played Francis Drake.

Ted Scott, sound supervisor on many ATV programmes, recalls working with John in his memoir Cue Tape Please, Ted “I fondly remember the brilliant director, John Nelson-Burton ripping the telephone off the wall when someone had the audacity to ring during dress rehearsal. John took over the directorial responsibility for a long running series set in the newspaper world called Deadline Midnight. It had gotten tired until John came in. He revitalised the cast, injecting masses of enthusiasm into the crew as if it were the pilot for a sensational new series. After the live transmission, he came out of the control room on the gantry and addressed the floor; ‘Fantastic job everybody. I’m proud of you. Apart from a few cock-ups here, bloody marvellous…’[7]” 

Burton died on 19th August 1997, aged 73 years old.

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[1] Biographical details courtesy of Julian Jones

[2] “New Mather Series”, The Stage, 30^th August 1956, page 12

[3] Review by Marcia Scott, The Stage, 12^th September 1963, page 10

[4] Review by Brain de Salvo, The Stage, 25^th June 1964, page 12

[5] “Should Have Given Play to Another Director” by S Alice Frick, The Stage, 23^rd February 1967, page 12 

[6] “Predictable, Corny and Unfunny Comedy Series” by James Preston, The Stage, 18^th June 1970,

[7] Cue Tape Please, Ted by Ted Scott, self-published 2016

What Big Eyes in the TV Times

Coverage of the Beasts episode 'What Big Eyes' was reduced to a single listing with no supporting photographs. 

 

Ann Hollowood (Costume Designer for What Big Eyes)

Born in 1942 Hollowood was educated at Wimbledon College of Art in Theatre Design before entering television as a costume designer. During her career she would win two Emmy awards and a BAFTA for her outstanding costume design work.

Amongst her earliest television credits is the 1968 BBC adaptation of the classic story The Railway Children (12th May – 23rd June 1968) directed by Julia Smith. Hollowood is credited on all eight episodes. This was followed by work on a couple of episodes of the Alistair Sim starring BBC comedy series Misleading Cases – 'Right of Way' (9th October 1968) and 'Who Giveth This Woman' (30th October 1968). She began work for independent television with the ATV series This Is Tom Jones, a light entertainment series which ran for over fifty episodes between 1969 and 1971. Hollowood was the main costume designer for the series during this period.

She continued being employed by ATV during the 1970s and moved into providing costumes for serials and plays during this period. After her work on the Tom Jones series Hollowood worked on episodes of Thriller – 'Possession', 'Where the Action Is' AKA 'The Killing Game' and 'The Eyes Have It'. She then worked as the costume designer on the prestigious period drama Edward the Seventh (1st April – 1st July 1975) and after the series was transmitted in America in 1979 she was awarded the Emmy for Outstanding Costume Design for a Limited Series for her work on the programme. Her costume budget for each episode was reputed to be £5,000, more than double the BBC budget for a costume drama from this period.

Her first association with the Muppets was during work on the entertainment special Julie: My Favourite Things (18 April 1975) with Hollowood supplying costumes for both Julie Andrews and several Muppets that featured in sketches. As well as working on the Beasts episode 'What Big Eyes' during 1976 Hollowood also consolidated her association with The Muppet Show providing costumes for guest stars including John Denver, Dudley Moore, Marty Feldman and Gene Kelly amongst many others. She would work on the series throughout its run from 1976 up until 1981.

Following her sterling work on Edward the Seventh Hollowood was assigned to another prestigious period drama, Disraeli: Portrait of a Romantic (1978), a four episode dramatization of the life of the famous prime minister with Ian McShane in the eponymous role. Along with Sue Le Cash and Christine Wilson her work on the series earned an Emmy Award for Outstanding Costume Design for a Limited Series of a Special in 1979 following transmission in the US.

After the main series of The Muppet Show had finished Hollowood still continued to be regularly recruited to work on special editions or one-off programmes featuring them such as The Muppets Go to the Movies (20th May 1981) and The Fantastic Miss Piggy Show (17th September 1982). After ATV had ceased to exist following a shake-up in the television franchises Hollowood decided to go freelance, emboldened by her Emmy awards. Amongst her first freelance roles was costume designs for an American television version of Pygmalion (1983), which cast Peter O’Toole as Professor Higgins and Margot Kidder as Eliza Doolittle. Her career also took in a couple of low budget British films – the Southport lensed Mr Love (1985), Birmingham set musical drama Hearts and Emeralds (1986) and romantic drama Vroom (1988) which starred Clive Owen and David Thewlis.

She was reunited with Jim Henson to work on the anthology series The Storyteller during 1987 and 1988 and received a BAFTA award in 1989 for her work on the series beating the BBC’s adaptation of The Chronicles of Narnia. Work for Jim Henson continued with the fourth wall breaking anthology series The Jim Henson Hour (1989) and the single drama Living with Dinosaurs (1989). During 1990 Hollowood provided costume designs for the Clive Barker horror film Nightbreed and the TV movie The Old Man and the Sea (1990) which featured Anthony Quinn. She was also the costume designer on the first season of children’s science fiction comedy series Kappatoo produced by Tyne Tees Television. In 1991 she shared another BAFTA nomination alongside Polly Smith for their work on The Storyteller: Greek Myths (1991) which was a four-part spin off from the main anthology series. This was followed with design work on the film The Muppets Christmas Carol (1992).

She worked on the second series of the Dawn French comedy vehicle Murder Most Horrid 1994 followed with credits for the film The Second Jungle Book: Mowgli and Baloo (1997) and the American TV movie Mother Teresa: In The Name of God’s Poor (1997) which featured Geraldine Chaplin as Teresa.

In 1998 she was awarded an Emmy for Outstanding Costume Design in a Miniseries or Movie for her creations for the mini-series Merlin which starred Sam Neil as the titular wizard. The production was co-produced by Hallmark Entertainment who also bank rolled her next project, The Magical Legend of the Leprechauns (1999). She continued her association with Hallmark for her next two projects – the mini-series Jack and the Beanstalk: The Real Story (2001), directed by Brian Henson, and Hans Christian Andersen: My Life as a Fairy Tale (2003). Her final TV credit was on the American mini-series The Ten Commandments (2006). In 2009 the opera Alban was staged at St Alban’s Cathedral, Holborn. Hollowood was the costume designer for the production.

Hollowood died of a brain tumour in February 2014 at the age of 72. After her death the Ann Hollowood Prize for Costume Design was established and is awarded each year to a promising student at the Wimbledon College of Art.

Patricia Mason (2nd Woman Customer in What Big Eyes)

Mason was active onscreen between 1962 and 1980. She had extensive experience in theatre with early employment including time as part of the Lichfield Repertory Company in such productions as Search No More at the David Garrick theatre during June and July 1950 and When We Are Married over August 1950. She appeared as Cleopatra in The Enchanted Garden at the Saville theatre during October and November 1951 and as part of the newly formed Fraser Neal Players who opened a new season at the Dunfermline Opera House with the play Jeannie. This was followed by productions of Gaslight, Little Lambs Eat Ivy, Pick Up Girl and Mary Rose from April 1952. For a time she was a member of the Castle Players based at the Grand Theatre in Lancaster where she was involved in such productions as Black Coffee, Wuthering Heights, Madam Tic-Tac and This Happy Breed during 1953 and 1954.

Her earliest television role was as a cook in the Dr Finlay’s Casebook episode 'A Spotless Reputation' (25th October 1962). This debut was followed by Mason playing Lady Winseal in the ITV Play of the Week episode 'Double Stakes' (7th May 1963). Next was a small role as Miss Patterson in 'Slim Jim' (1st February 1964), an episode of Dixon of Dock Green, and another role in Dr Finlay’s Casebook playing Mrs Snoddie in the episode 'Stranger in Town' (22nd March 1964).

She played supporting roles in The Benny Hill Show episode 'Opportunity Calls' (6th November 1965) and was then absent from the screen for over a year before she featured in The Wednesday Play instalment 'Kippers and Curtains' (6th December 1967), followed by 'The Golden Dart' (4th August 1968), an episode of the BBC anthology series Detective. Her third and final appearance in Dr Finlay’s Casebook was as a matron in the episode 'The Visitation' (9th March 1969). She joined Terry Scott as part of the cast of his show Scott On… contributing to the episode 'Superstitions' (28th September 1969).

She had a rare big screen role playing a gentlewoman in Roman Polanski’s film version of Macbeth (1971). Her next television role was as Mrs Abbot in 'Public Concern' (20th October 1974), an episode of the business drama The Brothers. She then appeared in the BBC Play for Today production 'Sunset Across the Bay' (20th February 1975) which was written by Alan Bennet and directed by Stephen Frears. Mason played the role of Miss Venables.

Following her appearance as a shop customer in the Beasts episode 'What Big Eyes' Mason has a small role as a wife in the tenth episode of the BBC series Anna Karenina (9th April 1978). She also appeared as a Scottish lady in the first episode of the Armchair Thriller story 'Rachel in Danger' (21st February 1978).

TV Credits
1962 Dr Finlay’s Casebook – 'A Spotless Reputation'
1963 ITV Play of the Week – 'Double Stakes'
1964 Dixon of Dock Green – 'Slim Jim', Dr Finlay’s Casebook – 'Stranger in Town'
1965 The Benny Hill Show
1967 The Wednesday Play – 'Kippers and Curtains'
1968 Detective – 'The Golden Dart'
1969 Dr Finlay’s Casebook – 'The Visitation', Castle Haven (as Mrs Bolan), Scott On… 'Superstitions'
1974 The Brothers – 'Public Concern'
1975 The Dick Emery Show
1976 Beasts – 'What Big Eyes'
1977 Anna Karenina
1978 Armchair Thriller – 'Rachel in Danger'

Film Credits
1971 Macbeth
1975 The Adolescents

Janice Bean (Woman Customer in What Big Eyes)

Janice Bean was a popular stage actress who made her mark as a vocalist in several musical productions. Bean was active on television screens for a brief time during the 1970s.

During the 1973 pantomime period Bean was a cast member of a production of Jack and the Beanstalk at Devonshire Park, Eastbourne during December 1973 and January 1974. Bean played the role of Joan Blunderbore. Prior to her appearance in Beasts she was seen in the first season of the ATV children’s drama production The Siege of Golden Hill, playing the role of Mrs Adams.

Her only other notable credit was as a woman with a letter in 'Match of the Day' (18th January 1981) a fourth season episode of the sitcom A Sharp Intake of Breath.

STAGE CREDITS
Haymarket Theatre
1964 Fifty Years Ago (supporting lead actress Jessie Matthews)

Belgrade Theatre, Coventry
1968 No, No Nanette

Manchester Palace Theatre, Manchester
1969 Mr and Mrs (musical)
Champagne Follies (touring production)

Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham
1970 The Hollow (written by Agatha Christie)

Derby Playhouse
1970 Up The Rams (playing a history lecturer)

Harrogate Theatre, Harrogate
1971 – 1972 Salad Days (short tour of UK cities followed)

DEVONSHIRE PARK, Eastbourne
1973 – 1974 Jack and the Beanstalk

TV Credits
1975 Golden Hill (as Mrs Adams)
1976 Beasts – 'What Big Eyes'
1981 A Sharp Intake of Breath – 'Match of the Day'

Gerald James (Joe Nash in What Big Eyes)

 

James was born on 26th November 1917 in Brecon, Powys, Wales. He trained at RADA following in the footsteps of his grandfather, David James, who was also a stage actor, director and producer during the 1870s onwards. The earliest stage credit I can find for James is playing a schoolmaster in Public Saviour No.1 at the Piccadilly Theatre during July 1935. He made his debut on television with the one off BBC drama The Sound of Stillness (30th July 1952) in the role of Rhys-y-Ffynon. The play was written and produced by T C Thomas who would also cast James as Pryce Powell in Davy Jones’s Dinner (13th September 1955), a comedy short which Thomas had scripted and produced. The production had a sequel, Davy Jones’ Locker (6th December 1955), also written by Thomas. James was cast once more in the role of William Morgan.

His stage work during the 1950s includes Les Derniers Outrages presented by students of RADA at the Vanbrugh Theatre at the start of July 1957. He was cast as Sir William Davison in a production of Mary Stuart presented by the Old Vic Company at the Assembly Hall theatre during September 1958. On television James was amongst the cast of the obscure one-off musical drama The Orpheans (1st March 1956) and played the character of Mr Hobbs, a grocer, in two episodes of the BBC adaptation of Little Lord Fauntleroy (1957). Big Guns was a BBC crime drama which featured Warren Mitchell and Nigel Davenport amongst the cast. James had a small role as a hotel porter in the first episode, 'Go West Young Man' (1st January 1958). Just over three weeks later James appeared in the BBC drama anthology Television World Theatre playing the character Kassel in 'The Dark is Light Enough' (26th January 1958). Adapted for television by Christopher Fry from his own play the production boasted an impressive cast that also included Dame Edith Evans, Peter Wyngarde, Melvyn Hayes and fellow Beasts cast member Peter Halliday. James then joined Peter Cushing and Mary Morris in the cast of the BBC play Uncle Harry (8th May 1958) in the role of Mr Jenkins, which would be his last TV appearance for a few years.

Theatre work dominated James 1959 with a string of roles at the Old Vic theatre. The schedule including playing Monsieur Orgon in a revival of Moliere’s Tartuffe during February and March 1959, The Cenci by Percy Bysshe Shelley during April and May 1959 and a revival of Shakespeare’s As You Like It during September 1959. He played two supporting roles in a production of Richard II in November 1959. Finally there was The Merry Wives of Windsor during December 1959 playing Sir Hugh Evans. This period of Old Vic appearances continued into 1960 with roles in Saint Joan during February 1960 and What Every Woman Knows in April and May 1960. James played the father of Maggie who was in turn played by Maggie Smith. This was followed by a run of Henry V during May and June with James played Fluellen. During the 1960 Edinburgh Fringe Festival James appeared in a revival of Chekov’s play The Seagull based at Lyceum, Edinburgh.

He returned to television to appear in the Armchair Theatre production 'Clip Joint People' (4th December 1960) in a small role and, just over a fortnight later, he appeared in the one off drama The Eye of Allah (21st December 1960) playing Roger Bacon in an adaptation of the Rudyard Kipling story. Whilst his above appearances were broadcast James was toiling away in a theatre production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Old Vic from 20th December 1960. The anthology series One Step Beyond filmed a block of episodes in the UK using English actors and James featured in one episode, 'The Confession' (11th April 1961), alongside Donald Pleasence and Adrienne Corri. Between TV work James took on theatre work including Empress with Teapot at the Royal Court theatre during June 1961. This was followed by a role as Detective-Superintendent Hurst in 'Listen James' (23rd July 1961) an episode of the prestigious BBC Sunday Night Play series.

1962 would see James guest star in 'Diamond Studded Malaria' (23rd June 1962), an episode of The Cheaters, alongside fellow future Beasts cast member Glyn Houston. His only other television appearance for the year was in an episode of the BBC series Maigret playing Drouin in the episode 'The Crystal Ball' (12th November 1962). The Stag (1st March 1963) was a single drama which cast James as Dai Davies. Tom Bell headlined. For the anthology series Suspense James appeared in the episode 'Protection' (1st April 1963) playing another policeman, Detective Inspector Allen. Another role as a policeman, Inspector Meredith, in The Human Jungle instalment 'Time Check' (8th June 1963) followed which reunited him with Melvyn Hayes and Warren Mitchell who were also in the cast.

A look at the role that Wales and the Welsh have played in Shakespeare’s body of work was the topic of a BBC Wales programme, We Band of Brothers (29th July 1964). James was one of the actors interviewed for the documentary. He made his second Armchair Theatre appearance in the episode 'Daughter of the House' (16th April 1965) in the role of Henry. The stage continued to be James’ main area of employment; Much Ado About Nothing presented at The Old Vic during February 1965, Armstrong’s Last Goodnight by John Arden for the National Theatre at the Chichester Festival Theatre during early July 1965, a revival of Arthur Pinero’s play Trelawny of the Wells at the Chichester Festival Theatre in late July 1965 and the National Theatre Company production of The Royal Hunt of the Sun at the Old Vic during December 1966.

He featured as Leonato in a televised production of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing (1967) which used the cast of the then current Franco Zeffirelli National Theatre production of the play including Robert Stephens, Maggie Smith, Derek Jacobi, Michael Gambon, Frank Finlay and Graham Crowden. The play was believed lost from the archives for many decades until a copy was found in the Library of Congress in 2010. The programme was a filmed version of the current National Theatre Company production at The Old Vic. His television work continued with 'Taffy Came to My House' (8th March 1967), an episode of Thirty Minute Theatre, and 'Albinos in Black' (22nd January 1968) an instalment of Theatre 625. Late 1960’s theatre work included a version of Love’s Labour’s Lost at The Old Vic during December 1968 taking the role of Dull and in February 1969 the National Theatre Company’s H or Monologues at Front of Burning Cities by Charles Wood at the Old Vic.

W Somerset Maugham was a series of BBC adaptations of the eponymous authors work. James appeared in the episode transmitted 5th August 1969 in the role of Mr Carter, with his wife played by Joan Hickson. He then guest starred as Joe Jacklin in 'Anybody Here Seen Kelly?' (12th August 1969), an episode of the series Fraud Squad. Perhaps his most notable stage role of 1970 was in Back to Methuselah at the Old Vic presented by National Theatre Company. The production was directed by Donald McWhinnie who would cast James in the Beasts episode 'What Big Eyes'.

The Ten Commandments was a themed drama anthology produced by Yorkshire Television in which each episode explored one of the commandments. James appears in the episode 'A Bit of Family Feeling' (1st June 1971) as the father of the family which also included George Cole and Mary Ure. James continued with prestigious stage productions for both the National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company taking in Coriolanus during May 1971, Tyger – A Celebration of William Blake during July and August 1971 and The National Health during January 1972. James played Doctor Rees. All these performances were based at the Old Vic

After an absence of over a year James reappeared on TV with Gravediggers (24th November 1972), a half-hour single drama produced by BBC Wales. James featured as Harry. He made more appearances the following year with another thirty minute single drama, I Want to Marry Your Son (8th March 1973) and in Marked Personal, an afternoon drama series centred on the human resources department of a large company. James appeared as Ron Beavis in episode five (13th November 1973) and six (14th November 1973). James undertook the recurring role of Charlie Caldwell, the father of Hadleigh’s wife, in the second season of Hadleigh with the character appearing in seven episodes of the season. His final television role of 1973 was as a band leader in 'The Cornet Lesson' (24th December 1973) an edition of Centre Play.

James was seen as Fred Feeley in the ITV Sunday Night Drama story 'Harry Lifters' (17th November 1974) and guest starred as Mr Evercreech in 'Bed, Beautiful Bed' (22nd December 1974), an instalment of the John Alderton and Pauline Collins starring sitcom No, Honestly. 'Harry Lifters' featured James in the main role as a steward of a local yacht club. The Stage commented on his performance when reviewing the play: “But it was the faces that one remembered: Gerald James puzzled and hurt and truculent all at the same time, like a dog that doesn’t know whether to snap at his master or lick his hand.[1]” His most high profile acting job for 1974 was as Professor Frazier in the James Bond film The Man with the Golden Gun (1974).

The following year would see James guest star in a second season episode of The Last of the Summer Wine, playing Mr Green in 'The Changing Face of Rural Blamire' (19th March 1975). before a short return to Crown Court to appear as George Wilcox in the first episode of 'The Obsession' (14th May 1975). He undertook the role of Peters in the Play for Today production 'After The Solo' (25th November 1975). Written by John Challen the play also featured Leonard Rossiter as the father of a boy who has a superb singing voice but is due to lose it due to the onset of puberty. State of Emergency (4th – 18th December 1975) was a three-part contemporary thriller set in a parallel Britain under the control of a fascist regime. Resistance is growing and the country is on the brink of civil war. James played the character of John Godstone. He guest starred as Mr Cooper in 'Three’s Company' (16th January 1976), an episode of the sitcom Yus My Dear, and continued with comedy roles with the role of Uncle Boris in 'Sitting at My Piano' (12th March 1976) an episode of the sitcom sequel Yes, Honestly. James was next seen as Mr Potter, a ghost hunter, in The Ghosts of Motley Hall episode 'Old Gory' (2nd May 1976) before returning to the role of Charlie Caldwell for three episodes of the fourth season of Hadleigh. More guest roles followed with Bill Brand in the episode 'Resolution' (12th July 1976) and BBC 2 Playhouse: The Mind Beyond with James appearing in the episode 'Stones' (27th October 1976) which also featured Beasts actor J P McKenna in the cast.

Shortly after his appearance in Beasts James could be seen as Major Rice in three episodes of the drama series The Crezz before returning to the theatre with The Magic of Young Houdini, a new children’s show staged at the Phoenix Theatre during December 1976 and January 1977. James played the role of Mr Pompinstance, a theatre impresario in search of new magician for his theatre shows. 1977 would bring James a variety of comedy and dramatic appearances on television starting with guest starring as Mr Morton in 'Money Spasms' (30th January 1977), an instalment of the sitcom Doctor on the Go, and as Sir Harry Birt in an episode of Jubilee entitled 'Wind of Change' (1st May 1977). He made two appearances in the ATV series The Sound of Laughter which was a run of potential sitcom pilots, first as Mr Tandy in 'What a Performance' (18th August 1977), written by actor Kenneth Cope, and a few weeks later as Doctor Hamer in 'The Best of Friends' (1st September 1977). Both episodes were directed by Shaun O’Riordan who would later cast James in Sapphire and Steel. James returned to drama with the role of Higby in Stephen Poliakoff’s Stronger Than The Sun (11th March 1978?) and also guest starred as Inspector Landre in The Secret Army story 'Too Near Home' (2nd November 1977). For the children’s fantasy series A Traveller in Time (4th January – 1st February 1978) James played Uncle Barnabus whilst at the other end of the drama spectrum he could be seen as Hunter in The Professionals episode 'Stake Out' (3rd March 1978. James had a rare film role during the year with Mr Bridge in My Way Home (1978), a biographical drama directed and written by Bill Douglas. The following year he had a small role as a hotel porter in the film Yanks (1979).

Next was the role of George Tully, possibly his most widely recognised role due to the cult following of the series Sapphire and Steel. Tully is an ill-fated ghost hunter who becomes embroiled in a time invasion on a train station in an eight-part adventure that formed the second televised adventure for Sapphire and Steel. The story had no official title but has become known as 'The Railway Station' (31st July – 8th November 1979). This was followed by a regular role, as Major Cartwright, in Sally Ann (28th October – 16th December 1979), a drama centred on the work of The Salvation Army. His television roles for 1980 included Percy Fobbes in the Jukes of Picadilly episode 'Dulverton Green Part One' (10th March 1980) and Gabelle in a Hallmark television adaptation of A Tale of Two Cities. After this James was not present on screen until the guest role of Sticky Watts in 'Family Affairs' (7th January 1982), an episode of Ennal’s Point, a BBC drama set around a Royal National Lifeboat Association on the Welsh coast. He was then absent from television until the recurring role of Professor David Evans in episodes of the first season of the BBC wartime drama The Fourth Army (7th January – 25th March 1983). During 1984 James could be seen as Doctor Edward Cuss in the BBC adaptation of The Invisible Man (4th September – 9th October 1984) and the following year he was seen as Doctor Slammer in the first two episodes of The Pickwick Papers (6th and 13th January 1985).

With no screen appearances during 1986 James was not seen until a guest role as Zebediah in The District Nurse instalment 'The Appointed Hour' (22nd February 1987). In cinema he had a small role as a school headmaster in the John Boorman film Hope and Glory (1987). Sophia and Constance was a six-part BBC series based on The Old Wives’ Tales by Arnold Bennett. James appeared in the final episode (18th May 1988) as the character Bolders. He could also be seen in the Channel Four production A Vote for Hitler (2nd October 1988) as Thomas Jones.

It would be several years before James graced the screen again, but he returned in style with the award winning single play Written Off (1991). The play was only broadcast in Wales and won the BAFTA Cymru award for Best Drama in English in 1991. He then undertook the role of Percy Morgan in two episodes of The Old Devils (16th and 23rd March 1992), a three-part BBC series about ageing, friendship and Welsh nationalism. He then lent his vocal talents to Shakespeare: The Animated Tales voicing the role of Malvolio in 'Twelfth Night' (14th December 1992). The Sherman Plays was a HTV drama anthology series. James appeared in the episode 'The Sound of Stillness' (27th April 1993) which recalled how the Eppynt mountains in Wales were taken over by the army in 1941 resulting in the hill farmers being ousted from their homes for the creation of a firing range. Both James and his co-star Jack Walters had, in 1952, took the lead roles for the play’s premiere in Brecon. Forty one years later neither actor needed make up to age them as had been required in the theatre iteration. James made a further contribution to the BBC series Shakespeare: The Animated Tales voicing the role of Baptisa in the second season episode 'The Taming of the Shrew' (9th November 1994). More animation voice work followed with the role of Jacob (27th November 1996) in Testament: The Bible in Animation. For the London Weekend Television production of Tess of the D’Urbervilles (8th and 9th March 1998) James was the voice of the narrator. His final screen role was as William Campbell in 'Perfide Albion' (19th April 2001), an episode of the French television thriller series Une femme d’honneur. 

James passed away on 10th June 2006 aged 88. The Royal Welsh College of Music Drama has an annual award called the Gerald James Memorial Award for Acting which it gives each year to an acting student showing talent and potential.

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[1] “Not Enough Angostura” by Hazel Holt, The Stage, Thursday 21^st November 1974, page 19