William Reginald Gardiner (27 February 1903 – 7 July 1980) was an English actor on the stage, in films and on television.

Early years

Gardiner was born in Wimbledon, England, and he was a graduate of the

Royal Academy of Dramatic Art The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA; ) is a drama school in London, England, that provides vocational conservatoire training for theatre, film, television, and radio. It is based in the Bloomsbury area of Central London, close to the Sena ...

.Katz, Ephraim (1979). ''The Film Encyclopedia: The Most Comprehensive Encyclopedia of World Cinema in a Single Volume''. Perigee Books. . pp. 465–466. His parents wanted him to be an architect, but he insisted on a career as an actor.

Stage and radio

Gardiner started as a ''super'' on stage and eventually became well known on the

West End West End most commonly refers to: * West End of London, an area of central London, England * West End theatre, a popular term for mainstream professional theatre staged in the large theatres of London, England West End may also refer to: Pl ...

stage. "He appeared in British revues, plays and films before delighting Broadway audiences in 1935 with a wallpaper imitation act in ''At Home Abroad''." His other Broadway credits include ''Little Glass Clock'' and ''An Evening with Beatrice Lillie''. He was also well known to

radio Radio is the technology of signaling and communicating using radio waves. Radio waves are electromagnetic waves of frequency between 30 hertz (Hz) and 300 gigahertz (GHz). They are generated by an electronic device called a transm ...

listeners, and was known on the air for his amusing train and car noises.

Film

Gardiner worked in almost 100 movies. He started film work in crowd scenes, making his big film break in

1927 Events January * January 1 – The British Broadcasting ''Company'' becomes the British Broadcasting ''Corporation'', when its Royal Charter of incorporation takes effect. John Reith becomes the first Director-General. * January 7 * ...

the

silent film A silent film is a film with no synchronized Sound recording and reproduction, recorded sound (or more generally, no audible dialogue). Though silent films convey narrative and emotion visually, various plot elements (such as a setting or era) ...

'' The Lodger'', by

Alfred Hitchcock Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock (13 August 1899 – 29 April 1980) was an English filmmaker. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of cinema. In a career spanning six decades, he directed over 50 featur ...

His Hollywood film debut came in 1936. During his career he was cast in numerous roles, often as a British butler. One of his most famous roles was that of Schultz in Charlie Chaplin's ''

The Great Dictator ''The Great Dictator'' is a 1940 American anti-war political satire black comedy film written, directed, produced, scored by, and starring British comedian Charlie Chaplin, following the tradition of many of his other films. Having been the ...

''. He also performed memorable turns as Beverly Carlton (a parody of Noël Coward) in '' The Man Who Came to Dinner'', the spurned "almost-husband" in ''

The Doctor Takes a Wife ''The Doctor Takes a Wife'' is a 1940 screwball comedy film starring Loretta Young and Ray Milland as a best-selling author and medical school instructor, respectively, who find it convenient to pretend to be married, even though they initially l ...

'', '' Christmas in Connecticut'' and – one of his most memorable roles – in the Laurel and Hardy epic '' The Flying Deuces''.

Television

On 4 October 1956 Gardiner appeared with

Greer Garson Eileen Evelyn Greer Garson (29 September 1904 – 6 April 1996) was an English-American actress and singer. She was a major star at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer who became popular during the Second World War for her portrayal of strong women on the h ...

as the first two guest stars in the series premiere of

NBC The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) is an American English-language commercial broadcast television and radio network. The flagship property of the NBC Entertainment division of NBCUniversal, a division of Comcast, its headquarters ...

's '' The Ford Show, Starring Tennessee Ernie Ford''. In 1956 he was the guest star on '' The Millionaire'' in the episode "The Story of Waldo Francis Turner". Also in 1956 he starred as the title character in a pilot for "Mr. Belvedere", nearly thirty years before the more successful '' Mr. Belvedere'' made its debut. He made other guest appearances on television

sitcom A sitcom, a Portmanteau, portmanteau of situation comedy, or situational comedy, is a genre of comedy centered on a fixed set of characters who mostly carry over from episode to episode. Sitcoms can be contrasted with sketch comedy, where a troup ...

s of the 1960s, including

Fess Parker Fess Elisha Parker Jr. (born F. E. Parker Jr.;Weaver, Tom.Sci-Fi Swarm and Horror Horde: Interviews with 62 Filmmakers p. 148 (McFarland 2012). August 16, 1924 – March 18, 2010),(March 18, 2010Daniel Boone Actor Fess Parker Dies at 85" ''CBS ...

's ABC series, ''

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington ''Mr. Smith Goes to Washington'' is a 1939 American Political drama, political Comedy drama, comedy-drama film directed by Frank Capra, starring Jean Arthur and James Stewart, and featuring Claude Rains and Edward Arnold (actor), Edward Arnold. ...

'' and

Stanley Holloway Stanley Augustus Holloway (1 October 1890 – 30 January 1982) was an English actor, comedian, singer and monologist. He was famous for his comic and character roles on stage and screen, especially that of Alfred P. Doolittle in ''My F ...

's '' Our Man Higgins''. He appeared in the 1964 '' Perry Mason'' episode "The Case of the Ugly Duckling", as business owner Albert Charity, and in an episode of ''

Alfred Hitchcock Presents ''Alfred Hitchcock Presents'' is an American television anthology series created, hosted and produced by Alfred Hitchcock, aired on CBS and NBC between 1955 and 1965. It features dramas, thrillers and mysteries. Between 1962 and 1965 it was r ...

'' ("Banquo's Chair"). In 1966, he was featured on ''

Green Acres ''Green Acres'' is an American television sitcom starring Eddie Albert and Eva Gabor as a couple who move from New York City to a country farm. Produced by Filmways as a sister show to '' Petticoat Junction'', the series was first broad ...

'' as orchestra conductor Sir Geoffrey in the first-season episode "Culture". His last major role was alongside

Phyllis Diller Phyllis Ada Diller (née Driver; July 17, 1917 – August 20, 2012) was an American stand-up comedian, actress, author, musician, and visual artist, best known for her eccentric stage persona, self-deprecating humor, wild hair and clothes, and ...

in her 1966–1967 ABC series ''

The Pruitts of Southampton ''The Pruitts of Southampton'' is an American situation comedy that aired during the 1966-67 season on the ABC network. The show was based on the novel ''House Party'' (1954) by Patrick Dennis. It was ABC's attempt to turn female stand-up comic P ...

''. Also in 1967 he made a guest appearance on ''

Petticoat Junction ''Petticoat Junction'' is an American television sitcom that originally aired on CBS from September 1963 to April 1970. The series takes place at the Shady Rest Hotel, which is run by Kate Bradley; her three daughters Billie Jo, Bobbie Jo, and B ...

'', in the episode "Uncle Joe and the Master Plan", as Gaylord Martindale. He played role of Mr. Maudlin in season 6, episode 19, "Dead as a Dude" of ''77 Sunset Strip''.

Recordings

Gardiner recorded a curious and eccentric classic called "Trains", which was regularly played on the 1950s British radio programme '' Children's Favourites''. This record consisted of a tipsy-sounding Gardiner reciting a monologue, which he first introduced in the 1935 Broadway revue ''At Home Abroad'', about steam railway engines (which he claimed were 'livid beasts') and impersonating both the engines themselves and the sound of trains running on the track. This latter he famously characterised as 'diddly-dee, diddly-dum' to mimic the sound pattern as the four pairs of bogie wheels ran over joins between the lengths of track – a sound no longer heard since welded rail joins were introduced. "Trains" was released as a 78 and a 45 by English

Decca Records Decca Records is a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934 by Lewis, Jack Kapp, American Decca's first president, and Milton Rackmil, who later became American Decca's president. ...

(F 5278) which remained on catalogue into the 1970s. At the end of the record Gardiner signs off with "Well folks, that's all: back to the asylum." He was summoned to Buckingham Palace to give a performance in person.

Personal life

Gardiner was married twice. He first married Wyn Richmond, a British actress, but they divorced. Later he married model Nadia Petrova. Gardiner had a son out of wedlock with Jane Bagnato in Toronto, Canada: Reginald James "Jamie" Gardiner was born January 1, 1939. He left Jane and his son after three years to marry Nadia. Jamie's last name was changed to Williams at age 8, after his mother married Reginald Williams in 1947.

Death

Gardiner died of a

heart attack A myocardial infarction (MI), commonly known as a heart attack, occurs when blood flow decreases or stops to the coronary artery of the heart, causing damage to the heart muscle. The most common symptom is chest pain or discomfort which m ...

at his home in Westwood, California, on 7 July 1980. He was survived by his wife.

Filmography

* '' The Lodger'' (1927) - Dancer at Ball (uncredited) * ''

The Perfect Lady ''The Perfect Lady'' is a 1931 British comedy film directed by Frederick J. Jackson and Milton Rosmer and starring Moira Lynd, Henry Wilcoxon and Reginald Gardiner. It was made at Elstree Studios (Shenley Road), Elstree Studios by British Intern ...

'' (1931) - Lord Tony Carderay * '' Josser on the River'' (1932) - Donald * '' Leave It to Smith'' (1933) - Lord Redwood * '' Radio Parade'' (1933) - Himself * '' The Diplomatic Lover'' (1934) - Dersingham * '' Virginia's Husband'' (1934) - John Craddock * ''

Borrow a Million ''Borrow a Million'' is a 1934 British comedy film directed by Reginald Denham and starring Reginald Gardiner, Vera Bogetti and Wally Patch. It was made at Wembley Studios as a quota quickie by the British subsidiary of the Fox Film Company.Wood ...

'' (1934) - Alastair Cartwright * ''

A Little Bit of Bluff ''A Little Bit of Bluff'' is a 1935 British comedy film directed by Maclean Rogers and starring Reginald Gardiner, Marjorie Shotter and Clifford Heatherley. The screenplay concerns a man who poses as a detective to recover some stolen jewels. C ...

'' (1935) - Hugh Rigby * '' Royal Cavalcade'' (1935) - Bus Conductor * ''Opening Night'' (1935) * ''

Born to Dance ''Born to Dance'' is an American musical film starring Eleanor Powell and James Stewart, directed by Roy Del Ruth and released in 1936 by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The score was composed by Cole Porter. Plot summary While on leave, sailor Ted B ...

'' (1936) - Policeman * ''

A Damsel in Distress The damsel in distress is a recurring narrative device in which one or more men must rescue a woman who has either been kidnapped or placed in general peril. Kinship, love, or lust (or a combination of those) gives the male protagonist the motiv ...

'' (1937) - Keggs * '' Everybody Sing'' (1938) - Jerrold Hope * ''

Marie Antoinette Marie Antoinette Josèphe Jeanne (; ; née Maria Antonia Josepha Johanna; 2 November 1755 – 16 October 1793) was the last queen of France before the French Revolution. She was born an archduchess of Austria, and was the penultimate child ...

'' (1938) - Comte d'Artois * '' Sweethearts'' (1938) - Norman Trumpett * '' The Girl Downstairs'' (1938) - Willie * '' The Flying Deuces'' (1939) - François * '' The Night of Nights'' (1939) - J. Neville Prime * ''

'' (1940) - John Pierce * '' Dulcy'' (1940) - Schuyler Van Dyke * ''

'' (1940) - Commander Schultz * '' My Life with Caroline'' (1941) - Paul * ''

A Yank in the R.A.F. ''A Yank in the R.A.F.'' is a 1941 American black-and-white war film directed by Henry King and starring Tyrone Power and Betty Grable. Released three months before the attack on Pearl Harbor plunged the United States into World War II, it is ...

'' (1941) - Roger Pillby * '' Sundown'' (1941) - Lt. Rodney 'Roddy' Turner * '' The Man Who Came to Dinner'' (1942) - Beverly Carlton * '' Captains of the Clouds'' (1942) - Scrounger Harris * '' Immortal Sergeant'' (1943) - Tom Benedict * '' Forever and a Day'' (1943) - Assistant Hotel Manager * '' Claudia'' (1943) - Jerry Seymour * '' Sweet Rosie O'Grady'' (1943) - Charles, Duke of Trippingham * ''

The Horn Blows at Midnight ''The Horn Blows at Midnight'' is a 1945 comedy fantasy film directed by Raoul Walsh, and starring Jack Benny. Following its poor box-office, Benny often exploited the film's failure for laughs over the next 20 years in his radio and television ...

'' (1945) - Composer / Archibald 'Archie' Dexter * '' Molly and Me'' (1945) - Harry Phillips / Peabody, the Butler * '' Christmas in Connecticut'' (1945) - John Sloan * ''

The Dolly Sisters Rosie Dolly (October 24, 1892 – February 1, 1970) and Jenny Dolly (October 24, 1892 – June 1, 1941), known professionally as The Dolly Sisters, were Hungarian-American identical twin dancers, singers and actresses, popular in vaudeville an ...

'' (1945) - Tony, Duke of Breck * ''

Do You Love Me "Do You Love Me" is a rhythm and blues song recorded by the Contours in 1962. Written and produced by Motown Records owner Berry Gordy Jr., it appeared twice on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart, reaching numbers three in 1962 and eleven in 1 ...

'' (1946) - Herbert Benham * '' One More Tomorrow'' (1946) - James 'Jim' Aloysius Fisk * '' Cluny Brown'' (1946) - Hilary Ames * ''

I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now "I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now" is a popular song. The music was written by Harold Orlob, the lyrics by Will M. Hough and Frank R. Adams. Orlob worked for Joseph E. Howard generating songs for Howard's productions and Howard presented the so ...

'' (1947) - Will Hough * ''

Fury at Furnace Creek '' Fury at Furnace Creek '' is a 1948 American Western film directed by H. Bruce Humberstone and starring Victor Mature, Coleen Gray, Glenn Langan, and Reginald Gardiner. Plot Troops are massacred at a Furnace Creek fort in 1880 after an army ...

'' (1948) - Capt. Grover A. Walsh * '' That Lady in Ermine'' (1948) - Alberto * '' That Wonderful Urge'' (1948) - Count André de Guyon * '' Wabash Avenue'' (1950) - English Eddie * '' I'll Get By'' (1950) - Himself (uncredited) * '' Halls of Montezuma'' (1951) - Sgt. Johnson * ''

Elopement Elopement is a term that is used in reference to a marriage which is conducted in a sudden and secretive fashion, usually involving a hurried flight away from one's place of residence together with one's beloved with the intention of getting ma ...

'' (1951) - Roger Evans * ''

Androcles and the Lion Androcles ( el, Ἀνδροκλῆς, alternatively spelled Androclus in Latin), is the main character of a common folktale about a man befriending a lion. The tale is included in the Aarne–Thompson classification system as type 156. The ...

'' (1952) - Lentulus * ''

Black Widow Black widow may refer to: Spiders * Black widow spider, a common name for some species of spiders in the genus ''Latrodectus'' American species * ''Latrodectus apicalis'', the Galapagos black widow * ''Latrodectus curacaviensis'', the South Amer ...

'' (1954) - Brian Mullen * '' Ain't Misbehavin''' (1955) - Anatole Piermont Rogers * '' The Birds and the Bees'' (1956) - Gerald * ''

The Story of Mankind ''The Story of Mankind'' is a book written and illustrated by Dutch-American journalist, professor, and author Hendrik Willem van Loon. It was published in 1921. In 1922, it was awarded the Newbery Medal for an outstanding contribution to children ...

'' (1957) - William Shakespeare * '' Rock-A-Bye Baby'' (1958) - Harold Hermann * '' Back Street'' (1961) - Dalian * '' Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation'' (1962) - Reggie McHugh * ''

What a Way to Go! ''What a Way to Go!'' is a 1964 American black comedy film directed by J. Lee Thompson and starring Shirley MacLaine, Paul Newman, Robert Mitchum, Dean Martin, Gene Kelly, Bob Cummings and Dick Van Dyke. Plot In a dream-like pre-credit sequ ...

'' (1964) - Painter * '' Sergeant Deadhead'' (1965) - Lt. Comm. Talbott * '' Do Not Disturb'' (1965) - Simmons

Selected stage credits

* '' Chance Acquaintance'' by

John Van Druten John William Van Druten (1 June 190119 December 1957) was an English playwright and theatre director. He began his career in London, and later moved to America, becoming a U.S. citizen. He was known for his plays of witty and urbane observation ...

(1927) * '' A Present from Margate'' by Ian Hay (1933)

Radio appearances

References

External links

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Gardiner, Reginald 1903 births 1980 deaths English male stage actors English male radio actors English male film actors English male television actors 20th-century English male actors Burials at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills) 20th-century American male actors Alumni of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art British expatriate male actors in the United States People from Westwood, Los Angeles