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