John Bluthal

John Bluthal: 

† Aug 4 1929 – Nov 15 2018

It's pretty likely that much loved actor John Bluthal is mostly recognised by the recent generation of TV viewers for his portrayal of Frank, the sensitive, elderly, gay parishioner of 'The Vicar of Dibley'. To older viewers he is unmistakable as one of Spike Milligan's mischievous cronies from his 'Q' series (see also: Keith Smith; Sheila Steafel) or possibly as Manny Cohen, the archetypal Jewish tailor from the long-running sitcom 'Never Mind the Quality, Feel the Width'. 
  

As Frank in 'The Vicar of Dibley'

In fact, the tailor schtick was to prove a bit of a recurring theme (see: Solly Salmon in 'Minder', and similar turns in 'Allo Allo' and 'Super Gran', not to mention 'Carry On Don't Lose your Head'). Of Polish Jewish heritage, he has been called upon to portray an extensive range of ethnicities, particularly during the pre-correctness years of British TV: Pakistani, Italian, Greek, Irish, American, Indian, Russian, and many more. It's helped him rack up a phenomenal list of classic TV credits: Comedies from 'Hancock', 'Sykes' and 'The Goodies' to 'Not Only But Also' and 'One Foot In The Grave'; dramas like 'The Saint', 'The Avengers', 'The Baron' and 'Man In A Suitcase' from the cult TV era, through to the post-'80s plod of 'Morse', 'Bergerac', 'Casualty' and 'The Life and Loves of a She-Devil'.

Bluthal was the voice of Commander Zero in Gerry Anderson's 'Fireball XL-5' and also the voice of HBX Belgrade in the Hancock episode 'The Radio Ham'. 
                

 

In 'Doctor Down Under'

With Spike Milligan in Q7

In the cinema, his talents were on show in 'The Mouse in the Moon' (1963), the kitchen-sink classic 'This Is My Street' (1964), 'Help!' (1965), 'The Knack' (1965), 'Casino Royale' (1967), 'Don't Raise the Bridge, Lower the River' (1968), 'The Bliss of Mrs Blossom' (1969), The Return of the Pink Panther' (1975), and 'The Fifth Element' (1997). 

With Leo McKern in 'Help!' (1965)

"A licence for my… minkey?" 'The Return of the Pink Panther' (1975)

John Bluthal - imdb

Keith Smith

Keith Smith: 

† Feb 26 1926 – Mar 30 2008

Trim, versatile, dormouse-faced actor whom I always remember as one of Spike Milligan's smiley stooges in the 'Q' series. He was also a feature of such classic TV as 'The Beiderbecke Trilogy', 'Z-Cars', 'Gurney Slade', 'Minder' (naturally), 'Worzel Gummidge', 'George & Mildred', and 'The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists'.

'The Magnificent Seven Deadly Sins' (1971) - the RAC man
spots the badge on Ian Carmichael's roller... 

As the punctillious headmaster in 'The Beiderbecke Connection'

Keith Smith - imdb

Graham Stark

Graham Stark: 

† Jan 20 1922 – Oct 29 2013

Real character actor royalty, Mr Stark has brightened hundreds of British comedies, particularly those involving his good friends Peter Sellers and Spike Milligan. His resumé is extensive - well over a hundred entries on imdb - but some highlights include the 'Pink Panther' films, 'Alfie', 'The Wrong Box', 'The Plank' and 'Le Petomane'. Surprising lowpoints are 'Boon', 'Hi-De-Hi' and 'Let's Get Laid'. Almost a star.

Here's an obscure little treat: 'Simon Simon'

Graham Stark - imdb profile

Stella Tanner

Stella Tanner: 

† Jan 1 1926 - Mar 26 2012

Often turning up as a housekeeper, landlady or angry housewife, she is probably in your DVD collection somewhere and I bet you can hear her voice in your mind's ear... Maybe in 'Fawlty Towers', 'The Rag Trade', or 'Budgie'? Or perhaps more likely, married to the Pakistani Dalek in Spike Milligan's Q5.

Edit Mar 2012: Sadly, Stella Tanner has passed on since I originally wrote this entry in April 2010.

Stella Tanner - imdb profile