Arnold Ridley
Encyclopedia
Major William Arnold Ridley, OBE (7 January 1896 – 12 March 1984) was an English playwright and actor, first notable as the author of the play The Ghost Train and later in life for portraying the elderly Private Charles Godfrey
in the popular British sitcom Dad's Army
(1968–77).
, Bath, England where his father was a gymnastics instructor and ran a boot and shoe shop. Arnold attended the Clarendon School and the Bath City Secondary School
where he was a keen sportsman. Afterwards, he attended and graduated from the Education Department of the University of Bristol
, played Hamlet
in a student production and undertook teaching practice at an Elementary School in Bristol.
service in August 1914. He was rejected due to a toe injury, but in 1915 was able to enlist as a private in the Somerset Light Infantry. He saw active service in the First World War, sustaining several serious injuries: his left arm was left virtually useless by injuries sustained on the Somme, his legs were riddled with shrapnel and the legacy of a blow to the head by a German soldier's rifle butt left him prone to blackouts. He was medically discharged from the army with the rank of Lance Corporal
and after the war he went into acting. In 1918, he joined Birmingham Repertory Theatre, staying for two years and playing 40 parts, before moving on to Plymouth, where he eventually had a break from the stage when his war injuries began to trouble him.
After spending an evening stranded at Mangotsfield Railway Station, near Bristol, Ridley was inspired to write the play, The Ghost Train (1923) (later a film with Arthur Askey
). It was a tale of passengers stranded at a haunted railway station in Cornwall, with one of the characters playing a detective trying to catch smugglers. The show became a huge success, enjoying 665 performances in London's West End and two revivals. He also wrote over 30 other plays including The Wrecker
(1924), Keepers of Youth (1929) and The Flying Fool (1929) and Recipe for Murder (1936).
Having unsuccessfully attempted to establish a film company between the wars, Ridley rejoined the army in 1939 with the rank of Major and again saw active service with the British Expeditionary Force
in France during the Second World War, but was discharged on health grounds. During this time he adapted the Agatha Christie
novel Peril at End House into a West End play
. He worked regularly as an actor, including an appearance in the 1964 British comedy Crooks in Cloisters
. He was also known for playing Doughy Hood in the radio soap The Archers
in the 1960s. However he only became a household name during the 1970s when he was offered the role of Private Charles Godfrey, the gentle platoon medic in one of the most successful British sitcoms: Dad's Army
. He continued to appear into his eighties. He was appointed an OBE in the Queen's New Year's Honours List of 1982, for services to the theatre.
He was married three times. Firstly from January 1926 to 1939, then a short marriage beginning in 1939 before his final marriage to actress Althea Parker (1911–2001) on 3 October 1945; they had one son Nicholas (b 1947). Arnold Ridley died in hospital in Northwood in 1984 after falling at his home at the age of 88 and was cremated at the Golders Green Crematorium
.
His collection of theatrical memorabilia was left to the University of Bristol and has been made available online.
Private Charles Godfrey
For the American football player see Charles Godfrey Private Charles Godfrey MM is a fictional Home Guard platoon member and retired shop assistant portrayed by Arnold Ridley on the BBC television sitcom Dad's Army.-Personality:Godfrey is a gentle, mild-mannered and kindly - though more complex...
in the popular British sitcom Dad's Army
Dad's Army
Dad's Army is a British sitcom about the Home Guard during the Second World War. It was written by Jimmy Perry and David Croft and broadcast on BBC television between 1968 and 1977. The series ran for 9 series and 80 episodes in total, plus a radio series, a feature film and a stage show...
(1968–77).
Early life
Ridley was born in WalcotWalcot, Bath
Walcot is a suburb of the city of Bath, England. It lies to the north-north-east of the city centre, and is an electoral ward of the city.The parish church, on The Paragon is dedicated to St Swithin and was built in 1779-90 by John Palmer....
, Bath, England where his father was a gymnastics instructor and ran a boot and shoe shop. Arnold attended the Clarendon School and the Bath City Secondary School
Beechen Cliff School
Beechen Cliff School is a boys' secondary school in Bath, Somerset, England. Founded in 1896, it has 1,145 students aged 11 to 18.There are around 830 boys in years 7 to 11 and a co-educational sixth form of over 200 students...
where he was a keen sportsman. Afterwards, he attended and graduated from the Education Department of the University of Bristol
University of Bristol
The University of Bristol is a public research university located in Bristol, United Kingdom. One of the so-called "red brick" universities, it received its Royal Charter in 1909, although its predecessor institution, University College, Bristol, had been in existence since 1876.The University is...
, played Hamlet
Hamlet
The Tragical History of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, or more simply Hamlet, is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1599 and 1601...
in a student production and undertook teaching practice at an Elementary School in Bristol.
Career
Ridley was a student teacher and had made his theatrical debut in 'Prunella' at the Theatre Royal, Bristol when he volunteered for British ArmyBritish Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
service in August 1914. He was rejected due to a toe injury, but in 1915 was able to enlist as a private in the Somerset Light Infantry. He saw active service in the First World War, sustaining several serious injuries: his left arm was left virtually useless by injuries sustained on the Somme, his legs were riddled with shrapnel and the legacy of a blow to the head by a German soldier's rifle butt left him prone to blackouts. He was medically discharged from the army with the rank of Lance Corporal
Lance Corporal
Lance corporal is a military rank, used by many armed forces worldwide, and also by some police forces and other uniformed organizations. It is below the rank of corporal, and is typically the lowest non-commissioned officer, usually equivalent to the NATO Rank Grade OR-3.- Etymology :The presumed...
and after the war he went into acting. In 1918, he joined Birmingham Repertory Theatre, staying for two years and playing 40 parts, before moving on to Plymouth, where he eventually had a break from the stage when his war injuries began to trouble him.
After spending an evening stranded at Mangotsfield Railway Station, near Bristol, Ridley was inspired to write the play, The Ghost Train (1923) (later a film with Arthur Askey
Arthur Askey
Arthur Bowden Askey CBE was a prominent English comedian.- Life and career :Askey was born at 29 Moses Street, Liverpool, the eldest child and only son of Samuel Askey , secretary of the firm Sugar Products of Liverpool, and his wife, Betsy Bowden , of Knutsford, Cheshire...
). It was a tale of passengers stranded at a haunted railway station in Cornwall, with one of the characters playing a detective trying to catch smugglers. The show became a huge success, enjoying 665 performances in London's West End and two revivals. He also wrote over 30 other plays including The Wrecker
The Wrecker
The Wrecker is a British play, written in 1924 by Arnold Ridley, who much later played Private Godfrey in Dad's Army.The play is about an old engine driver who thinks his engine is malevolent and self-aware...
(1924), Keepers of Youth (1929) and The Flying Fool (1929) and Recipe for Murder (1936).
Having unsuccessfully attempted to establish a film company between the wars, Ridley rejoined the army in 1939 with the rank of Major and again saw active service with the British Expeditionary Force
British Expeditionary Force (World War II)
The British Expeditionary Force was the British force in Europe from 1939–1940 during the Second World War. Commanded by General Lord Gort, the BEF constituted one-tenth of the defending Allied force....
in France during the Second World War, but was discharged on health grounds. During this time he adapted the Agatha Christie
Agatha Christie
Dame Agatha Christie DBE was a British crime writer of novels, short stories, and plays. She also wrote romances under the name Mary Westmacott, but she is best remembered for her 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections , and her successful West End plays.According to...
novel Peril at End House into a West End play
Peril at End House (play)
Peril at End House is a 1940 play based on the 1932 novel of the same name by Agatha Christie. The play is by Arnold Ridley, who much later played Private Godfrey in Dad's Army....
. He worked regularly as an actor, including an appearance in the 1964 British comedy Crooks in Cloisters
Crooks in Cloisters
Crooks in Cloisters is a British-made comedy released in 1964 and starring Ronald Fraser as 'Little Walter' , the boss of a gang of forgers, including Bernard Cribbins as 'Squirts' , Melvyn Hayes as 'Willy' , Grégoire Aslan as 'Lorenzo' , and Davy Kaye as 'Specs' .-Synopsis:After pulling off...
. He was also known for playing Doughy Hood in the radio soap The Archers
The Archers
The Archers is a long-running British soap opera broadcast on the BBC's main spoken-word channel, Radio 4. It was originally billed as "an everyday story of country folk", but is now described on its Radio 4 web site as "contemporary drama in a rural setting"...
in the 1960s. However he only became a household name during the 1970s when he was offered the role of Private Charles Godfrey, the gentle platoon medic in one of the most successful British sitcoms: Dad's Army
Dad's Army
Dad's Army is a British sitcom about the Home Guard during the Second World War. It was written by Jimmy Perry and David Croft and broadcast on BBC television between 1968 and 1977. The series ran for 9 series and 80 episodes in total, plus a radio series, a feature film and a stage show...
. He continued to appear into his eighties. He was appointed an OBE in the Queen's New Year's Honours List of 1982, for services to the theatre.
He was married three times. Firstly from January 1926 to 1939, then a short marriage beginning in 1939 before his final marriage to actress Althea Parker (1911–2001) on 3 October 1945; they had one son Nicholas (b 1947). Arnold Ridley died in hospital in Northwood in 1984 after falling at his home at the age of 88 and was cremated at the Golders Green Crematorium
Golders Green Crematorium
Golders Green Crematorium and Mausoleum was the first crematorium to be opened in London, and one of the oldest crematoria in Britain. The land for the crematorium was purchased in 1900, costing £6,000, and was opened in 1902 by Sir Henry Thompson....
.
His collection of theatrical memorabilia was left to the University of Bristol and has been made available online.
Filmography
- The Interrupted JourneyThe Interrupted JourneyThe Interrupted Journey is a 1949 British thriller film directed by Daniel Birt and Valerie Hobson, Richard Todd, Christine Norden and Tom Walls. A man fleeing with his mistress narrowly escapes a train crash after he pulls the emergency chord and is wracked with guilt...
(1949) - Green Grow the RushesGreen Grow the Rushes (film)Green Grow the Rushes is a British comedy film from the production company A.C.T. Films. -Plot:Three British government bureaucrats arrive in Kent to inquire as to why the costal marsh is not being cultivated...
(1951) - Stolen FaceStolen FaceStolen Face is a British film noir directed by Terence Fisher for Hammer Film Productions. With its theme of a man who, after the sudden end of a powerful romance with a beautiful blonde tries to recreate her by altering the appearance of another woman, it is clearly a forerunner of Vertigo...
(1952) - Wings of Mystery (1963)
- Crooks in CloistersCrooks in CloistersCrooks in Cloisters is a British-made comedy released in 1964 and starring Ronald Fraser as 'Little Walter' , the boss of a gang of forgers, including Bernard Cribbins as 'Squirts' , Melvyn Hayes as 'Willy' , Grégoire Aslan as 'Lorenzo' , and Davy Kaye as 'Specs' .-Synopsis:After pulling off...
(1964) - A Man for All Seasons (1966)
- Dad's ArmyDad's Army (film)Dad's Army is a 1971 feature film based on the BBC television sitcom Dad's Army. Directed by Norman Cohen, it was filmed between series three and four and was based upon material from the early episodes of the television series...
(1971) - Carry on GirlsCarry On GirlsCarry On Girls is the 25th Carry On film, released in Britain in 1973. The film is notable for being the first not to feature either Kenneth Williams or Charles Hawtrey. Williams was appearing in a West End play, My Fat Friend. Hawtrey had been dropped from the series the year before...
(1973) - The Amorous MilkmanThe Amorous MilkmanThe Amorous Milkman is a 1975 British comedy film directed by Derren Nesbitt and starring Julie Ege, Diana Dors and Brendan Price. A young milkman enjoys a number of adventures with bored woman on his round.-Cast:* Julie Ege as Diana* Diana Dors as Rita...
(1975)
Television Roles
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1968–1977 | Dad's Army Dad's Army Dad's Army is a British sitcom about the Home Guard during the Second World War. It was written by Jimmy Perry and David Croft and broadcast on BBC television between 1968 and 1977. The series ran for 9 series and 80 episodes in total, plus a radio series, a feature film and a stage show... |
Private Godfrey |
External links
- Arnold Ridley archive at the University of Bristol Theatre Collection, University of BristolUniversity of BristolThe University of Bristol is a public research university located in Bristol, United Kingdom. One of the so-called "red brick" universities, it received its Royal Charter in 1909, although its predecessor institution, University College, Bristol, had been in existence since 1876.The University is...
- performances by Arnold Ridley listed in Theatre Archive, University of Bristol