Raymond Francis
Encyclopedia
Raymond Francis was an English actor best known for his role as Detective Chief Superintendent Tom Lockhart in the Associated-Rediffusion
detective series Murder Bag, Crime Sheet and No Hiding Place
. He played the role of Lockhart in these series from 1956 to 1967, and the character was one of the first recurring television detectives.
Born in London, his first listed television role was as Dr Watson alongside Alan Wheatley
's Holmes in a 1951 BBC TV series of Sherlock Holmes
stories, one of the earliest TV adaptations of the tales. He later reprised the role in 1984.
His distinguished appearance often led to roles as senior policemen, military men and English aristocracy; he played such parts in series including The Cedar Tree
, Tales of the Unexpected
, After Julius, Drummonds
, the first Joan Hickson Miss Marple
episode "The Body in the Library
", and his final appearance was in a 1987 Ruth Rendell Mysteries adaptation.
He was also a noted stage actor and made several appearances in films such as Carrington V.C. and Reach for the Sky
. He was married to actress Margaret Towner and had three children; his son Clive Francis
is also an actor.
Associated-Rediffusion
Associated-Rediffusion, later Rediffusion, London, was the British ITV contractor for London and parts of the surrounding counties, on weekdays between 1954 and 29 July 1968. Transmissions started on 22 September 1955.-Formation:...
detective series Murder Bag, Crime Sheet and No Hiding Place
No Hiding Place
No Hiding Place is a British television series that was produced at Wembley Studios by Associated-Rediffusion for the ITV network between 16 September 1959 and 22 June 1967....
. He played the role of Lockhart in these series from 1956 to 1967, and the character was one of the first recurring television detectives.
Born in London, his first listed television role was as Dr Watson alongside Alan Wheatley
Alan Wheatley
Alan Wheatley was a radio announcer who turned to stage and screen acting in the 1930s and was much seen in British films, being a television actor during the black and white era....
's Holmes in a 1951 BBC TV series of Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes is a fictional detective created by Scottish author and physician Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The fantastic London-based "consulting detective", Holmes is famous for his astute logical reasoning, his ability to take almost any disguise, and his use of forensic science skills to solve...
stories, one of the earliest TV adaptations of the tales. He later reprised the role in 1984.
His distinguished appearance often led to roles as senior policemen, military men and English aristocracy; he played such parts in series including The Cedar Tree
The Cedar Tree
The Cedar Tree was an extremely popular television serial that ran from 1976-1979 on ITV in the United Kingdom.It involved the saga of the Bourne family, hailing from an aristocratic background, before the turn of the Second World War....
, Tales of the Unexpected
Tales of the Unexpected (TV series)
Tales of the Unexpected is a British television series originally aired between 1979 and 1988, made by Anglia Television for ITV. Filming began in 1978.The series was an anthology of different tales...
, After Julius, Drummonds
Drummonds (TV series)
Drummonds was a 1985 British television series set in a boarding school for boys during the mid 1950s. It was produced for the ITV Network by London Weekend Television and ran for two seasons between 1985 and 1987. It starred Richard Pasco as the school's headmaster, George Drummond.The series was...
, the first Joan Hickson Miss Marple
Miss Marple (TV series)
Miss Marple is a British television series based on the Miss Marple murder mystery novels by Agatha Christie. It starred Joan Hickson in the title role, and aired from 1984 to 1992. All twelve original Miss Marple Christie novels have been dramatised. The screenplays were written by T. R...
episode "The Body in the Library
The Body in the Library (1984 TV film)
The Body in the Library is a 1984 television film adaption of Agatha Christie's 1942 detective novel The Body in the Library which was co-produced by the BBC and the A&E Network. The film uses an adapted screenplay by T. R. Bowen and was directed by Silvio Narizzano...
", and his final appearance was in a 1987 Ruth Rendell Mysteries adaptation.
He was also a noted stage actor and made several appearances in films such as Carrington V.C. and Reach for the Sky
Reach for the Sky
Reach for the Sky is a 1956 British biographical film of aviator Douglas Bader, based on the 1954 biography of the same name by Paul Brickhill. The film stars Kenneth More and was directed by Lewis Gilbert. It won the BAFTA Award for Best British Film of 1956.-Plot:In 1928, Douglas Bader, a...
. He was married to actress Margaret Towner and had three children; his son Clive Francis
Clive Francis
-Early life:He is the son of actors Raymond Francis and Margaret Towner. He was born in Eastbourne.His father played Detective Chief Superintendent Tom Lockhart in the 1960s series No Hiding Place and his mother still acts today - most recently she played Jira, Anakin Skywalker's friend, in Star...
is also an actor.