Valentine Dyall: Difference between revisions

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{{short description|British actor}}
{{EngvarB|date=November 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2017}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Valentine Dyall
| image = Valentine Dyall.jpg
| image = Valentine Dyall.jpg
| image_size = 200px
| caption =
| caption =
| birth_date = {{birth date|df=y|1908|5|7}}
| birth_date = {{birth date|df=y|1908|5|7}}
| birth_place = [[w:London|London]], England
| birth_place = [[London|London]], England
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=y|1985|06|24|1908|05|07}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=y|1985|06|24|1908|05|07}}
| death_place = [[w:Haywards Heath]], [[w:West Sussex]], England
| death_place = [[Haywards Heath]], [[West Sussex]], England
|spouse = {{plainlist|
|spouse = {{plainlist|
*{{marriage|Marjorie Stonor|23 April 1935|1940|end=div.}}
*{{marriage|Marjorie Stonor|23 April 1935|1940|end=div.}}
Line 19: Line 13:
|children = 3
|children = 3
| years_active = 1942–1985
| years_active = 1942–1985
| notable_works = {{ubl |Radio's "The Man in Black" |''[[w:The Haunting (1963 film)|The Haunting]]'' {{smaller|(1963)}} |''[[w:Casino Royale (1967 film)|Casino Royale]]'' {{smaller|(1967)}} |{{longitem|''[[The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (radio series)|The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy]]'' radio series}}}}
| notable_works = {{ubl |Radio's "The Man in Black" |''[[The Haunting (1963 film)|The Haunting]]'' {{smaller|(1963)}} |''[[Casino Royale (1967 film)|Casino Royale]]'' {{smaller|(1967)}} |{{longitem|''[[The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (radio series)|The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy]]'' radio series}}}}
}}
}}
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'''Valentine Dyall''' (7 May 1908&nbsp;– 24 June 1985) was an English [[w:character actor|character actor]]. He worked regularly as a voice actor, and was known for many years as "The Man in Black", the narrator of the [[w:BBC Radio|BBC Radio]] horror series ''[[w:Appointment with Fear (radio)|Appointment with Fear]]''.
'''Valentine Dyall''' (7 May 1908&nbsp;– 24 June 1985) was an English [[character actor|character actor]]. He worked regularly as a voice actor, and was known for many years as "The Man in Black", the narrator of the [[BBC Radio|BBC Radio]] horror series ''[[Appointment with Fear (radio)|Appointment with Fear]]''.


He was the son of the actor [[w:Franklin Dyall|Franklin Dyall]] and the actress and author Mary Phyllis Joan Logan, who acted and wrote as [[w:Concordia Merrel|Concordia Merrel]].
He was the son of the actor [[Franklin Dyall|Franklin Dyall]] and the actress and author Mary Phyllis Joan Logan, who acted and wrote as [[Concordia Merrel|Concordia Merrel]].


== 1930s to 1950s ==
== 1930s to 1950s ==
In 1934, Dyall appeared with his father, actor [[w:Franklin Dyall|Franklin Dyall]], at the Manchester Hippodrome in Sir [[w:Oswald Stoll|Oswald Stoll]]'s presentation of Shakespeare's ''[[w:Henry V (play)|Henry V]]'', playing the roles of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Captain Gower, and a cardinal of France. He also appeared in one movie with his father, the 1943 spy thriller ''[[w:Yellow Canary (film)|Yellow Canary]]''; Dyall's part was that of a German [[w:U-boat|U-boat]] commander attempting to kidnap a British agent from a ship in the Atlantic, while his father played the ship's captain.  
In 1934, Dyall appeared with his father, actor [[Franklin Dyall|Franklin Dyall]], at the Manchester Hippodrome in Sir [[Oswald Stoll|Oswald Stoll]]'s presentation of Shakespeare's ''[[Henry V (play)|Henry V]]'', playing the roles of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Captain Gower, and a cardinal of France. He also appeared in one movie with his father, the 1943 spy thriller ''[[Yellow Canary (film)|Yellow Canary]]''; Dyall's part was that of a German [[U-boat|U-boat]] commander attempting to kidnap a British agent from a ship in the Atlantic, while his father played the ship's captain.  


In the same year he had a small role as a German officer in ''[[w:The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp|The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp]]'' and, the following year, played the [[w:John the Fearless|Duke of Burgundy]] in [[w:Laurence Olivier|Laurence Olivier]]'s film version of ''[[w:Henry V (1944 film)|Henry V]]''.
In the same year he had a small role as a German officer in ''[[The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp|The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp]]'' and, the following year, played the [[John the Fearless|Duke of Burgundy]] in [[Laurence Olivier|Laurence Olivier]]'s film version of ''[[Henry V (1944 film)|Henry V]]''.


In 1946, he appeared, uncredited, as the character Stephen Lynn in the romantic film drama ''[[w:Brief Encounter|Brief Encounter]]''; Lynn is protagonist Alec Harvey's friend whose unexpected arrival spoils Alec's opportunity of consummating his romance.
In 1946, he appeared, uncredited, as the character Stephen Lynn in the romantic film drama ''[[Brief Encounter|Brief Encounter]]''; Lynn is protagonist Alec Harvey's friend whose unexpected arrival spoils Alec's opportunity of consummating his romance.


During the 1950s, Dyall made several guest appearances in episodes of the [[w:BBC Home Service|BBC Home Service]] radio comedy series ''[[The Goon Show]]'', parodying his familiar radio persona.
During the 1950s, Dyall made several guest appearances in episodes of the [[BBC Home Service|BBC Home Service]] radio comedy series ''[[The Goon Show]]'', parodying his familiar radio persona.


In 1960, he played the witch Jethrow Keane in ''[[w:The City of the Dead (film)|The City of the Dead]]'' (known as ''[[w:Horror Hotel|Horror Hotel]]'' in the United States).
In 1960, he played the witch Jethrow Keane in ''[[The City of the Dead (film)|The City of the Dead]]'' (known as ''[[Horror Hotel|Horror Hotel]]'' in the United States).


== 1960s ==
== 1960s ==
Dyall appeared in [[w:Robert Wise|Robert Wise]]'s 1963 film ''[[w:The Haunting (1963 film)|The Haunting]]'' as Mr. Dudley, the sinister caretaker of the haunted Hill House. Also that year, he played the central character Lord Fortnum in [[Spike Milligan]] and [[John Antrobus]]'s stage play ''[[w:The Bedsitting Room (play)|The Bedsitting Room]]'', set in the aftermath of nuclear war. The play opened at the [[w:Mermaid Theatre|Mermaid Theatre]] on 31 January.<ref name="thebedsittingroom">Milligan, Spike & Antrobus, John, ''The Bedsitting Room'', Tandem: London, 1973. First published in Great Britain by Margaret & Jack Hobbs, 1970. Published by Universal-Tandem, 1972.</ref><ref name="Spike&Co">{{cite book |last=McCann |first=Graham |title=Spike & Co. |year=2006 |publisher=[[w:Hodder & Stoughton|Hodder & Stoughton]] |location=London |isbn=978-0-340-89809-3}} p.&nbsp;158.</ref> Dyall narrated the [[w:Mondo film|mondo]] documentary ''The Mystery and the Pleasure'' in 1966, and part-narrated the pseudo-documentary ''[[w:The Naked World of Harrison Marks|The Naked World of Harrison Marks]]'' in 1967. In the same year he voiced the character of evil mastermind Dr. Noah in the [[w:James Bond|James Bond]] parody movie ''[[w:Casino Royale (1967 film)|Casino Royale]]'', and also provided the voice of the [[w:mummy|mummy]] narrator in ''[[w:Secrets of Sex|Secrets of Sex]]'' (1969).
Dyall appeared in [[Robert Wise|Robert Wise]]'s 1963 film ''[[The Haunting (1963 film)|The Haunting]]'' as Mr. Dudley, the sinister caretaker of the haunted Hill House. Also that year, he played the central character Lord Fortnum in [[Spike Milligan]] and [[John Antrobus]]'s stage play ''[[The Bedsitting Room (play)|The Bedsitting Room]]'', set in the aftermath of nuclear war. The play opened at the [[Mermaid Theatre|Mermaid Theatre]] on 31 January.<ref name="thebedsittingroom">Milligan, Spike & Antrobus, John, ''The Bedsitting Room'', Tandem: London, 1973. First published in Great Britain by Margaret & Jack Hobbs, 1970. Published by Universal-Tandem, 1972.</ref><ref name="Spike&Co">{{cite book |last=McCann |first=Graham |title=Spike & Co. |year=2006 |publisher=[[Hodder & Stoughton|Hodder & Stoughton]] |location=London |isbn=978-0-340-89809-3}} p.&nbsp;158.</ref> Dyall narrated the [[Mondo film|mondo]] documentary ''The Mystery and the Pleasure'' in 1966, and part-narrated the pseudo-documentary ''[[The Naked World of Harrison Marks|The Naked World of Harrison Marks]]'' in 1967. In the same year he voiced the character of evil mastermind Dr. Noah in the [[James Bond|James Bond]] parody movie ''[[Casino Royale (1967 film)|Casino Royale]]'', and also provided the voice of the [[mummy|mummy]] narrator in ''[[Secrets of Sex|Secrets of Sex]]'' (1969).


With [[w:Dusty Springfield]], Dyall co-hosted the [[w:BBC|BBC]] music variety series ''Decidedly Dusty'' in 1969; [[w:Lost television broadcast|no complete episode has survived]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tvbrain.info/tv-archive?showname=Decidedly+Dusty&type=lostshow|title=Decidedly Dusty|website=TV Brain|access-date=7 May 2022}}</ref>
With [[Dusty Springfield]], Dyall co-hosted the [[BBC|BBC]] music variety series ''Decidedly Dusty'' in 1969; [[Lost television broadcast|no complete episode has survived]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tvbrain.info/tv-archive?showname=Decidedly+Dusty&type=lostshow|title=Decidedly Dusty|website=TV Brain|access-date=7 May 2022}}</ref>


== 1970s and 1980s ==
== 1970s and 1980s ==
In 1975, at London's [[w:Royal Court Theatre|Royal Court Theatre]], Dyall played Dr. Rance in a major revival of [[w:Joe Orton|Joe Orton]]'s play ''[[w:What the Butler Saw (play)|What the Butler Saw]]''. Between 1977 and 1979, he appeared as Dr. Pascal Keldermans in the BBC television series ''[[w:Secret Army (television)|Secret Army]]''. He was in the cast of the BBC's ''[[w:Doctor Who|Doctor Who]]'' to portray the [[w:Black Guardian|Black Guardian]] in several serials (''[[w:The Armageddon Factor|The Armageddon Factor]]'' from 1979 and the ''[[w:Mawdryn Undead|Mawdryn Undead]]''{{\}}''[[w:Terminus (Doctor Who)|Terminus]]''{{\}}''[[w:Enlightenment (Doctor Who)|Enlightenment]]'' trilogy in 1983). At around the same time as ''The Armageddon Factor'', he featured in the radio version of ''[[The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (radio series)|The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy]]'', playing Gargravarr. In the TV and [[w:Vinyl record|LP]] versions, he voiced the computer [[w:Minor characters from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy#Deep Thought|Deep Thought]]. He also played the character Norl in the ''[[w:Blake's 7|Blake's 7]]'' episode "City at the Edge of the World" and [[w:List of minor Blackadder characters#Lord Angus|Lord Angus]] in the 1983 ''[[w:The Black Adder|Black Adder]]'' episode "[[w:Witchsmeller Pursuivant|Witchsmeller Pursuivant]]". Also in 1983, he joined many other ''Doctor Who'' cast and crew members at [[w:Longleat|Longleat]] for the show's 20th anniversary celebrations.
In 1975, at London's [[Royal Court Theatre|Royal Court Theatre]], Dyall played Dr. Rance in a major revival of [[Joe Orton|Joe Orton]]'s play ''[[What the Butler Saw (play)|What the Butler Saw]]''. Between 1977 and 1979, he appeared as Dr. Pascal Keldermans in the BBC television series ''[[Secret Army (television)|Secret Army]]''. He was in the cast of the BBC's ''[[Doctor Who|Doctor Who]]'' to portray the [[Black Guardian|Black Guardian]] in several serials (''[[The Armageddon Factor|The Armageddon Factor]]'' from 1979 and the ''[[Mawdryn Undead|Mawdryn Undead]]''{{\}}''[[Terminus (Doctor Who)|Terminus]]''{{\}}''[[Enlightenment (Doctor Who)|Enlightenment]]'' trilogy in 1983). At around the same time as ''The Armageddon Factor'', he featured in the radio version of ''[[The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (radio series)|The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy]]'', playing Gargravarr. In the TV and [[Vinyl record|LP]] versions, he voiced the computer [[Minor characters from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy#Deep Thought|Deep Thought]]. He also played the character Norl in the ''[[Blake's 7|Blake's 7]]'' episode "City at the Edge of the World" and [[List of minor Blackadder characters#Lord Angus|Lord Angus]] in the 1983 ''[[The Black Adder|Black Adder]]'' episode "[[Witchsmeller Pursuivant|Witchsmeller Pursuivant]]". Also in 1983, he joined many other ''Doctor Who'' cast and crew members at [[Longleat|Longleat]] for the show's 20th anniversary celebrations.


In 1984, Dyall appeared in the BBC ''[[w:Miss Marple (TV series)|Miss Marple]]'' episode "[[w:The Body in the Library (1984 TV film)|The Body in the Library]]". His last role on television was as Marcade in the [[w:BBC Television Shakespeare|BBC Television Shakespeare]] production of ''[[w:Love's Labour's Lost|Love's Labour's Lost]]''. His role as Captain Slarn in the ''Doctor Who'' radio serial ''[[w:Slipback|Slipback]]'' was recorded on {{date|10 June 1985}}, just 14 days before his death, and was broadcast posthumously.
In 1984, Dyall appeared in the BBC ''[[Miss Marple (TV series)|Miss Marple]]'' episode "[[The Body in the Library (1984 TV film)|The Body in the Library]]". His last role on television was as Marcade in the [[BBC Television Shakespeare|BBC Television Shakespeare]] production of ''[[Love's Labour's Lost|Love's Labour's Lost]]''. His role as Captain Slarn in the ''Doctor Who'' radio serial ''[[Slipback|Slipback]]'' was recorded on {{date|10 June 1985}}, just 14 days before his death, and was broadcast posthumously.


==Filmography==
==Filmography==
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{{Div col|colwidth=30em}}
* ''[[w:The Missing Million|The Missing Million]]'' (1942) as Supporting Role (film debut) (uncredited)
* ''[[The Missing Million|The Missing Million]]'' (1942) as Supporting Role (film debut) (uncredited)
* ''[[w:The Day Will Dawn|The Day Will Dawn]]'' (1942) as German Guard at Cell Door Hatchway (uncredited)
* ''[[The Day Will Dawn|The Day Will Dawn]]'' (1942) as German Guard at Cell Door Hatchway (uncredited)
* ''[[w:Much Too Shy|Much Too Shy]]'' (1942) as Defence Counsel (uncredited)
* ''[[Much Too Shy|Much Too Shy]]'' (1942) as Defence Counsel (uncredited)
* ''[[w:The Silver Fleet|The Silver Fleet]]'' (1943) as Markgraf
* ''[[The Silver Fleet|The Silver Fleet]]'' (1943) as Markgraf
* ''[[w:The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp|The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp]]'' (1943) as Von Schönborn
* ''[[The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp|The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp]]'' (1943) as Von Schönborn
* ''[[w:Yellow Canary (film)|Yellow Canary]]'' (1943) as German Commander
* ''[[Yellow Canary (film)|Yellow Canary]]'' (1943) as German Commander
* ''[[w:Hotel Reserve|Hotel Reserve]]'' (1944) as Warren Skelton
* ''[[Hotel Reserve|Hotel Reserve]]'' (1944) as Warren Skelton
* ''[[w:Henry V (1944 film)|Henry V]]'' (1944) as [[w:Philip III, Duke of Burgundy|Duke of Burgundy]]
* ''[[Henry V (1944 film)|Henry V]]'' (1944) as [[Philip III, Duke of Burgundy|Duke of Burgundy]]
* ''[[w:Latin Quarter (1945 film)|Latin Quarter]]'' (1945) as Prefecture of Police
* ''[[Latin Quarter (1945 film)|Latin Quarter]]'' (1945) as Prefecture of Police
* ''[[w:Brief Encounter|Brief Encounter]]'' (1945) as Stephen Lynn as Alec's 'Friend' (uncredited)
* ''[[Brief Encounter|Brief Encounter]]'' (1945) as Stephen Lynn as Alec's 'Friend' (uncredited)
* ''[[w:I Know Where I'm Going!|I Know Where I'm Going!]]'' (1945) as Mr. Robinson
* ''[[I Know Where I'm Going!|I Know Where I'm Going!]]'' (1945) as Mr. Robinson
* ''[[w:Pink String and Sealing Wax|Pink String and Sealing Wax]]'' (1945) as Police Inspector
* ''[[Pink String and Sealing Wax|Pink String and Sealing Wax]]'' (1945) as Police Inspector
* ''[[w:Caesar and Cleopatra (film)|Caesar and Cleopatra]]'' (1945) as 1st. Guardsman
* ''[[Caesar and Cleopatra (film)|Caesar and Cleopatra]]'' (1945) as 1st. Guardsman
* ''[[w:Night Boat to Dublin|Night Boat to Dublin]]'' (1946) as Sir George Bell
* ''[[Night Boat to Dublin|Night Boat to Dublin]]'' (1946) as Sir George Bell
* ''Cyprus is an Island'' (1946) as Narrator (voice)
* ''Cyprus is an Island'' (1946) as Narrator (voice)
* ''[[w:The White Unicorn|The White Unicorn]]'' (1947) as Storton
* ''[[The White Unicorn|The White Unicorn]]'' (1947) as Storton
* ''[[w:Corridor of Mirrors (film)|Corridor of Mirrors]]'' (1948) as Counsel for Defence (uncredited)
* ''[[Corridor of Mirrors (film)|Corridor of Mirrors]]'' (1948) as Counsel for Defence (uncredited)
* ''[[w:Night Comes Too Soon|Night Comes Too Soon]]'' (1948) as Dr. George Clinton
* ''[[Night Comes Too Soon|Night Comes Too Soon]]'' (1948) as Dr. George Clinton
* ''[[w:My Brother's Keeper (film)|My Brother's Keeper]]'' (1948) as Inspector at Milton Wells
* ''[[My Brother's Keeper (film)|My Brother's Keeper]]'' (1948) as Inspector at Milton Wells
* ''[[w:Woman Hater (1948 film)|Woman Hater]]'' (1948) as Spencer
* ''[[Woman Hater (1948 film)|Woman Hater]]'' (1948) as Spencer
* ''[[w:The Story of Shirley Yorke|The Story of Shirley Yorke]]'' (1948) as Edward Holt
* ''[[The Story of Shirley Yorke|The Story of Shirley Yorke]]'' (1948) as Edward Holt
* ''[[w:The Case of Charles Peace|The Case of Charles Peace]]'' (1949) as Storyteller
* ''[[The Case of Charles Peace|The Case of Charles Peace]]'' (1949) as Storyteller
* ''[[w:The Glass Mountain (1949 film)|The Glass Mountain]]'' (1949) as Opera Narrator (uncredited)
* ''[[The Glass Mountain (1949 film)|The Glass Mountain]]'' (1949) as Opera Narrator (uncredited)
* ''[[w:The Queen of Spades (1949 film)|The Queen of Spades]]'' (1949) as St. Germain's messenger
* ''[[The Queen of Spades (1949 film)|The Queen of Spades]]'' (1949) as St. Germain's messenger
* ''[[w:For Them That Trespass|For Them That Trespass]]'' (1949) as Toastmaster at Drew Party
* ''[[For Them That Trespass|For Them That Trespass]]'' (1949) as Toastmaster at Drew Party
* ''[[w:Man on the Run|Man on the Run]]'' (1949) as Army Judge Advocate
* ''[[Man on the Run|Man on the Run]]'' (1949) as Army Judge Advocate
* ''[[w:Christopher Columbus (1949 film)|Christopher Columbus]]'' (1949) as Narrator (voice)
* ''[[Christopher Columbus (1949 film)|Christopher Columbus]]'' (1949) as Narrator (voice)
* ''[[w:Doctor Morelle|Doctor Morelle]]'' (1949) as Dr. Morelle
* ''[[Doctor Morelle|Doctor Morelle]]'' (1949) as Dr. Morelle
* ''[[w:Vengeance Is Mine (1949 film)|Vengeance is Mine]]'' (1949) as Charles Heywood
* ''[[Vengeance Is Mine (1949 film)|Vengeance is Mine]]'' (1949) as Charles Heywood
* ''[[w:Helter Skelter (1949 film)|Helter Skelter]]'' (1949) as Man Telling Story at BBC (uncredited)
* ''[[Helter Skelter (1949 film)|Helter Skelter]]'' (1949) as Man Telling Story at BBC (uncredited)
* ''[[w:Diamond City (film)|Diamond City]]'' (1949) as Opening Narration (uncredited)
* ''[[Diamond City (film)|Diamond City]]'' (1949) as Opening Narration (uncredited)
* ''[[w:Miss Pilgrim's Progress|Miss Pilgrim's Progress]]'' (1949) as Superintendent
* ''[[Miss Pilgrim's Progress|Miss Pilgrim's Progress]]'' (1949) as Superintendent
* ''[[w:Man in Black (film)|Man in Black]]'' (1949) as The Man in Black – Story-Teller
* ''[[Man in Black (film)|Man in Black]]'' (1949) as The Man in Black – Story-Teller
* ''[[w:Golden Salamander (film)|Golden Salamander]]'' (1950) as Ben Ahrim (uncredited)
* ''[[Golden Salamander (film)|Golden Salamander]]'' (1950) as Ben Ahrim (uncredited)
* ''[[w:The Body Said No!|The Body Said No!]]'' (1950) as John Sutherland
* ''[[The Body Said No!|The Body Said No!]]'' (1950) as John Sutherland
* ''[[w:Room to Let (1950 film)|Room to Let]]'' (1950) as Dr. Fell
* ''[[Room to Let (1950 film)|Room to Let]]'' (1950) as Dr. Fell
* ''Stranger at My Door'' (1950) as Paul Wheeler
* ''Stranger at My Door'' (1950) as Paul Wheeler
* ''[[w:Salute the Toff|Salute the Toff]]'' (1952) as Inspector Grice
* ''[[Salute the Toff|Salute the Toff]]'' (1952) as Inspector Grice
* ''[[w:Hammer the Toff|Hammer the Toff]]'' (1952) as Inspector Grice
* ''[[Hammer the Toff|Hammer the Toff]]'' (1952) as Inspector Grice
* ''[[w:Ivanhoe (1952 film)|Ivanhoe]]'' (1952) as Norman Guard
* ''[[Ivanhoe (1952 film)|Ivanhoe]]'' (1952) as Norman Guard
* ''[[w:Paul Temple Returns|Paul Temple Returns]]'' (1952) as Superintendent Bradley
* ''[[Paul Temple Returns|Paul Temple Returns]]'' (1952) as Superintendent Bradley
* ''[[w:Strange Stories (film)|Strange Stories]]'' (1953) as Storyteller / Narrator
* ''[[Strange Stories (film)|Strange Stories]]'' (1953) as Storyteller / Narrator
* ''[[w:The Final Test|The Final Test]]'' (1953) as Man in Black (uncredited)
* ''[[The Final Test|The Final Test]]'' (1953) as Man in Black (uncredited)
* ''[[w:Knights of the Round Table (film)|Knights of the Round Table]]'' (1953) as Narrator (uncredited)
* ''[[Knights of the Round Table (film)|Knights of the Round Table]]'' (1953) as Narrator (uncredited)
* ''[[w:Johnny on the Spot|Johnny on the Spot]]'' (1954) as Tyneley
* ''[[Johnny on the Spot|Johnny on the Spot]]'' (1954) as Tyneley
* ''The Devil's Jest'' (1954) as Intelligence Director
* ''The Devil's Jest'' (1954) as Intelligence Director
* ''[[w:Suspended Alibi|Suspended Alibi]]'' (1957) as Inspector Kayes
* ''[[Suspended Alibi|Suspended Alibi]]'' (1957) as Inspector Kayes
* ''[[w:Night Train for Inverness|Night Train for Inverness]]'' (1960) as Inspector Kent (uncredited)
* ''[[Night Train for Inverness|Night Train for Inverness]]'' (1960) as Inspector Kent (uncredited)
* ''[[w:Identity Unknown (1960 film)|Identity Unknown]]'' (1960) as Ambrose
* ''[[Identity Unknown (1960 film)|Identity Unknown]]'' (1960) as Ambrose
* ''[[w:The City of the Dead (film)|The City of the Dead]]'' aka ''Horror Hotel'' (1960) as Jethrow Keane
* ''[[The City of the Dead (film)|The City of the Dead]]'' aka ''Horror Hotel'' (1960) as Jethrow Keane
* ''[[w:Fury at Smugglers' Bay|Fury at Smugglers' Bay]]'' (1961) as Narrator (uncredited)
* ''[[Fury at Smugglers' Bay|Fury at Smugglers' Bay]]'' (1961) as Narrator (uncredited)
* ''[[w:Fate Takes a Hand|Fate Takes a Hand]]'' (1961) as Wilson
* ''[[Fate Takes a Hand|Fate Takes a Hand]]'' (1961) as Wilson
* ''[[w:The Haunting (1963 film)|The Haunting]]'' (1963) as Mr. Dudley
* ''[[The Haunting (1963 film)|The Haunting]]'' (1963) as Mr. Dudley
* ''[[w:The Horror of It All|The Horror of It All]]'' (1964) as Reginald Marley
* ''[[The Horror of It All|The Horror of It All]]'' (1964) as Reginald Marley
* ''Son of Oblomov'' (1964) as Tarantyev
* ''Son of Oblomov'' (1964) as Tarantyev
* ''One Man Band'' (1965) as Sir Lance Corporal
* ''One Man Band'' (1965) as Sir Lance Corporal
* ''[[w:The Wrong Box|The Wrong Box]]'' (1966) as Oliver Pike Harmsworth
* ''[[The Wrong Box|The Wrong Box]]'' (1966) as Oliver Pike Harmsworth
* ''The Mystery and the Pleasure'' (1966) as Narrator (voice)
* ''The Mystery and the Pleasure'' (1966) as Narrator (voice)
* ''[[w:The Night of the Generals|The Night of the Generals]]'' (1967) as German Radio Announcer (voice, uncredited)
* ''[[The Night of the Generals|The Night of the Generals]]'' (1967) as German Radio Announcer (voice, uncredited)
* ''[[w:Casino Royale (1967 film)|Casino Royale]]'' (1967) as Vesper Lynd's Assistant / Dr. Noah's Voice (uncredited)
* ''[[Casino Royale (1967 film)|Casino Royale]]'' (1967) as Vesper Lynd's Assistant / Dr. Noah's Voice (uncredited)
* ''[[w:The Naked World of Harrison Marks|The Naked World of Harrison Marks]]'' (1967) as Narrator (voice)
* ''[[The Naked World of Harrison Marks|The Naked World of Harrison Marks]]'' (1967) as Narrator (voice)
* ''[[w:Bedazzled (1967 film)|Bedazzled]]'' (1967) as [[w:God in Christianity|God]] (voice, uncredited)
* ''[[Bedazzled (1967 film)|Bedazzled]]'' (1967) as [[God in Christianity|God]] (voice, uncredited)
* ''[[w:Oedipus the King (1968 film)|Oedipus the King]]'' (1968) as Chorus Leader (voice)
* ''[[Oedipus the King (1968 film)|Oedipus the King]]'' (1968) as Chorus Leader (voice)
* ''[[w:Secrets of Sex|Secrets of Sex]]'' (1970) as The Mummy (voice)
* ''[[Secrets of Sex|Secrets of Sex]]'' (1970) as The Mummy (voice)
* ''[[w:Lust for a Vampire|Lust for a Vampire]]'' (1971) as Count Karnstein (voice, uncredited)
* ''[[Lust for a Vampire|Lust for a Vampire]]'' (1971) as Count Karnstein (voice, uncredited)
* ''[[The Great McGonagall (film)|The Great McGonagall]]'' (1975) as Narrator of the Werewolf Break (voice, uncredited)
* ''[[The Great McGonagall (film)|The Great McGonagall]]'' (1975) as Narrator of the Werewolf Break (voice, uncredited)
* ''[[w:The Slipper and the Rose|The Slipper and the Rose]]'' (1976) as 2nd Major Domo
* ''[[The Slipper and the Rose|The Slipper and the Rose]]'' (1976) as 2nd Major Domo
* ''[[w:Come Play with Me (1977 film)|Come Play with Me]]'' (1977) as Minister of Finance
* ''[[Come Play with Me (1977 film)|Come Play with Me]]'' (1977) as Minister of Finance
* ''[[w:Arabian Adventure|Arabian Adventure]]'' (1979) as Jinnee (voice)
* ''[[Arabian Adventure|Arabian Adventure]]'' (1979) as Jinnee (voice)
* ''[[w:Peter and Paul (film)|Peter and Paul]]'' (1981, TV Movie) as [[w:Seneca the Younger|Seneca]]
* ''[[Peter and Paul (film)|Peter and Paul]]'' (1981, TV Movie) as [[Seneca the Younger|Seneca]]
* ''[[w:Britannia Hospital|Britannia Hospital]]'' (1982) as Mr. Rochester (final film)
* ''[[Britannia Hospital|Britannia Hospital]]'' (1982) as Mr. Rochester (final film)
{{div col end}}
{{div col end}}


===Television===
===Television===
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{{div col}}
* ''[[w:The Avengers (TV programme)|The Avengers]]'' (1968) as Butler
* ''[[The Avengers (TV programme)|The Avengers]]'' (1968) as Butler
* ''[[w:Secret Army (TV series)|Secret Army]]'' (1977-1979) as Dr. Pascal Keldermans
* ''[[Secret Army (TV series)|Secret Army]]'' (1977-1979) as Dr. Pascal Keldermans
* ''[[w:Doctor Who|Doctor Who]]'' (1979-1983) as [[w:Black Guardian|Black Guardian]]
* ''[[Doctor Who|Doctor Who]]'' (1979-1983) as [[Black Guardian|Black Guardian]]
* ''[[w:Blake's 7|Blake's 7]]'' (1980) as Norl
* ''[[Blake's 7|Blake's 7]]'' (1980) as Norl
* ''[[w:BBC Television Shakespeare#All's Well That Ends Well|All's Well That Ends Well]]'' (1981) as [[w:List of Shakespearean characters (A-K)#A|The Astringer]]
* ''[[BBC Television Shakespeare#All's Well That Ends Well|All's Well That Ends Well]]'' (1981) as [[List of Shakespearean characters (A-K)#A|The Astringer]]
* ''[[The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy]]'' (1981) as [[w:Minor characters from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy#Deep Thought|Deep Thought]]
* ''[[The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy]]'' (1981) as [[Minor characters from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy#Deep Thought|Deep Thought]]
* ''[[Blackadder]]'' (1983) as [[List of minor Blackadder characters#Lord Angus|Lord Angus]]
* ''[[Blackadder]]'' (1983) as [[List of minor Blackadder characters#Lord Angus|Lord Angus]]
* ''[[w:Martin Luther, Heretic|Martin Luther]]'' (1983) as Chancellor
* ''[[Martin Luther, Heretic|Martin Luther]]'' (1983) as Chancellor
* ''[[w:The Body in the Library#Film, TV, Radio or theatrical adaptations|The Body in the Library]]'' (1984) as Lorrimer
* ''[[The Body in the Library#Film, TV, Radio or theatrical adaptations|The Body in the Library]]'' (1984) as Lorrimer
* ''[[w:BBC Television Shakespeare#Love's Labour's Lost|Love's Labour's Lost]]'' (1985) as [[w:List of Shakespearean characters (L-Z)#M|Marcade]]
* ''[[BBC Television Shakespeare#Love's Labour's Lost|Love's Labour's Lost]]'' (1985) as [[List of Shakespearean characters (L-Z)#M|Marcade]]
{{div col end}}
{{div col end}}



Latest revision as of 23:32, 17 February 2023

Valentine Dyall
Valentine Dyall.jpg
Born(1908-05-07)7 May 1908
London, England
Died24 June 1985(1985-06-24) (aged 77)
Years active1942–1985
Notable work
Spouses
Marjorie Stonor
(m. 1935; div. 1940)
Babette Jones
(m. 1941)
Kathleen E. Woodman
(m. 1970)
Children3

Valentine Dyall (7 May 1908 – 24 June 1985) was an English character actor. He worked regularly as a voice actor, and was known for many years as "The Man in Black", the narrator of the BBC Radio horror series Appointment with Fear.

He was the son of the actor Franklin Dyall and the actress and author Mary Phyllis Joan Logan, who acted and wrote as Concordia Merrel.

1930s to 1950s

In 1934, Dyall appeared with his father, actor Franklin Dyall, at the Manchester Hippodrome in Sir Oswald Stoll's presentation of Shakespeare's Henry V, playing the roles of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Captain Gower, and a cardinal of France. He also appeared in one movie with his father, the 1943 spy thriller Yellow Canary; Dyall's part was that of a German U-boat commander attempting to kidnap a British agent from a ship in the Atlantic, while his father played the ship's captain.

In the same year he had a small role as a German officer in The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp and, the following year, played the Duke of Burgundy in Laurence Olivier's film version of Henry V.

In 1946, he appeared, uncredited, as the character Stephen Lynn in the romantic film drama Brief Encounter; Lynn is protagonist Alec Harvey's friend whose unexpected arrival spoils Alec's opportunity of consummating his romance.

During the 1950s, Dyall made several guest appearances in episodes of the BBC Home Service radio comedy series The Goon Show, parodying his familiar radio persona.

In 1960, he played the witch Jethrow Keane in The City of the Dead (known as Horror Hotel in the United States).

1960s

Dyall appeared in Robert Wise's 1963 film The Haunting as Mr. Dudley, the sinister caretaker of the haunted Hill House. Also that year, he played the central character Lord Fortnum in Spike Milligan and John Antrobus's stage play The Bedsitting Room, set in the aftermath of nuclear war. The play opened at the Mermaid Theatre on 31 January.[1][2] Dyall narrated the mondo documentary The Mystery and the Pleasure in 1966, and part-narrated the pseudo-documentary The Naked World of Harrison Marks in 1967. In the same year he voiced the character of evil mastermind Dr. Noah in the James Bond parody movie Casino Royale, and also provided the voice of the mummy narrator in Secrets of Sex (1969).

With Dusty Springfield, Dyall co-hosted the BBC music variety series Decidedly Dusty in 1969; no complete episode has survived.[3]

1970s and 1980s

In 1975, at London's Royal Court Theatre, Dyall played Dr. Rance in a major revival of Joe Orton's play What the Butler Saw. Between 1977 and 1979, he appeared as Dr. Pascal Keldermans in the BBC television series Secret Army. He was in the cast of the BBC's Doctor Who to portray the Black Guardian in several serials (The Armageddon Factor from 1979 and the Mawdryn Undead / Terminus / Enlightenment trilogy in 1983). At around the same time as The Armageddon Factor, he featured in the radio version of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, playing Gargravarr. In the TV and LP versions, he voiced the computer Deep Thought. He also played the character Norl in the Blake's 7 episode "City at the Edge of the World" and Lord Angus in the 1983 Black Adder episode "Witchsmeller Pursuivant". Also in 1983, he joined many other Doctor Who cast and crew members at Longleat for the show's 20th anniversary celebrations.

In 1984, Dyall appeared in the BBC Miss Marple episode "The Body in the Library". His last role on television was as Marcade in the BBC Television Shakespeare production of Love's Labour's Lost. His role as Captain Slarn in the Doctor Who radio serial Slipback was recorded on 10 June 1985, just 14 days before his death, and was broadcast posthumously.

Filmography

Television

Bibliography

  • 1954: Unsolved Mysteries
  • 1955: Famous Sea Tragedies
  • 1957: Flood of Mutiny

References

  1. ^ Milligan, Spike & Antrobus, John, The Bedsitting Room, Tandem: London, 1973. First published in Great Britain by Margaret & Jack Hobbs, 1970. Published by Universal-Tandem, 1972.
  2. ^ McCann, Graham (2006). Spike & Co. London: Hodder & Stoughton. ISBN 978-0-340-89809-3. p. 158.
  3. ^ "Decidedly Dusty". TV Brain. Retrieved 7 May 2022.

External links