Francis Matthews (2 September 1927 – 14 June 2014) was an English actor, best known for playing

Paul Temple Paul Temple is a fictional character created by English writer Francis Durbridge. Temple is a professional author of crime fiction and an amateur private detective. With his wife Louise, affectionately known as 'Steve' in reference to her ...

in the BBC television series of the same name and for voicing Captain Scarlet in ''

Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons ''Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons'', often shortened to ''Captain Scarlet'', is a British science fiction television series created by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson and filmed by their production company Century 21 Productions for distributor ...

''.

Early life

Matthews was born in

York York is a cathedral city with Roman origins, sited at the confluence of the rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. It is the historic county town of Yorkshire. The city has many historic buildings and other structures, such as a ...

on 2 September 1927, to Henry and Kathleen Matthews. His father was a

shop steward A union representative, union steward, or shop steward is an employee of an organization or company who represents and defends the interests of their fellow employees as a labor union member and official. Rank-and-file members of the union hold ...

at the

Rowntree's Rowntree's is a British confectionery brand and former business based in York, England. Rowntree developed the Kit Kat (introduced in 1935), Aero (introduced in 1935), Fruit Pastilles (introduced in 1881), Smarties (introduced in 1937) brands ...

chocolate factory near York. His parents took him often to the theatre, where he gained a love of acting. He attended

St George's RC Primary School York is a cathedral city with Roman origins, sited at the confluence of the rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. It is the historic county town of Yorkshire. The city has many historic buildings and other structures, such as a m ...

, then St Michael's Jesuit College in

Leeds Leeds () is a city and the administrative centre of the City of Leeds district in West Yorkshire, England. It is built around the River Aire and is in the eastern foothills of the Pennines. It is also the third-largest settlement (by popul ...

. He found work as a stagehand at the Theatre Royal in Leeds, and made his theatrical debut in 1945 in the play ''

The Corn Is Green ''The Corn Is Green'' is a 1938 semi-autobiographical play by Welsh dramatist and actor Emlyn Williams. The play premiered in London at the Duchess Theatre in September 1938; with Sybil Thorndike as Miss Moffat and Williams himself portraying Mo ...

'' before performing his national service in the

Royal Navy The Royal Navy (RN) is the United Kingdom's naval warfare force. Although warships were used by English and Scottish kings from the early medieval period, the first major maritime engagements were fought in the Hundred Years' War against Fr ...

. After leaving the military he returned to the stage, appearing in a 1954 touring production of the play ''No Escape'', which starred Flora Robson. He made his West End debut in 1956.

Career

In the 1950s and 1960s, Matthews's film roles for

Hammer Studios Hammer Film Productions Ltd. is a British film production company based in London. Founded in 1934, the company is best known for a series of Gothic fiction, Gothic horror and fantasy films made from the mid-1950s until the 1970s. Many of thes ...

included the Baron's assistant in '' The Revenge of Frankenstein'' (1958) and the heroes of '' Dracula: Prince of Darkness'' and ''

Rasputin the Mad Monk ''Rasputin the Mad Monk'' is a 1966 Hammer horror film directed by Don Sharp and starring Christopher Lee as Grigori Rasputin, the Russian peasant- mystic who gained great influence with the Tsars prior to the Russian Revolution. It also feat ...

'' (both 1966). On television, from 1969 to 1971, he played Francis Durbridge's amateur private detective Paul Temple in the BBC series of the same name.Wilkie, Agnes (1986)
Smoothie and the Brat
, ''

Evening Times The ''Glasgow Times'' is an evening tabloid newspaper published Monday to Saturday in the city of Glasgow, Scotland. Called ''The Evening Times'' from 1876, it was rebranded as the ''Glasgow Times'' on 4 December 2019.Morecambe and Wise Eric Morecambe (John Eric Bartholomew, 14 May 1926 – 28 May 1984) and Ernie Wise (Ernest Wiseman, 27 November 1925 – 21 March 1999), known as Morecambe and Wise (and sometimes as Eric and Ernie), were an English comic double act, workin ...

in the films '' The Intelligence Men'' (1965) and '' That Riviera Touch'' (1966), which led to a close friendship with

Eric Morecambe John Eric Bartholomew, (14 May 1926 – 28 May 1984), known by his stage name Eric Morecambe, was an English comedian who together with Ernie Wise formed the double act Morecambe and Wise. The partnership lasted from 1941 until Morecambe's d ...

. He also appeared throughout the 1960s and 1970s in a variety of television comedy roles, including '' Eric & Ernie's Christmas Show, 1977''. He appeared alongside George Cole in Charles Woods' sitcom ''

Don't Forget To Write! ''Don't Forget to Write!'' is a British television sitcom, broadcast by the BBC from 1977 to 1979. Plot The central character is Gordon Maple ( George Cole) who was formerly a successful playwright, but is now procrastinating, lacking self-confid ...

'' (1977) as a successful writer. In 1967, Matthews provided the character voice of Captain Scarlet, in imitation of

Cary Grant Cary Grant (born Archibald Alec Leach; January 18, 1904November 29, 1986) was an English-American actor. He was known for his Mid-Atlantic accent, debonair demeanor, light-hearted approach to acting, and sense of comic timing. He was one of ...

, for

Gerry Gerry is both a surname and a masculine or feminine given name. As a given name, it is often a short form (hypocorism) of Gerard, Gerald or Geraldine. Notable people with the name include: Surname *Elbridge Gerry (1744–1814), fifth US vice pre ...

and Sylvia Anderson's Supermarionation television series ''

''. (He divided his time, during the recording sessions, between his work there and his stage appearances in

Noël Coward Sir Noël Peirce Coward (16 December 189926 March 1973) was an English playwright, composer, director, actor, and singer, known for his wit, flamboyance, and what ''Time'' magazine called "a sense of personal style, a combination of cheek and ...

's play ''

Private Lives ''Private Lives'' is a 1930 comedy of manners in three acts by Noël Coward. It concerns a divorced couple who, while honeymooning with their new spouses, discover that they are staying in adjacent rooms at the same hotel. Despite a perpetu ...

''.) In the late 1970s, he served as narrator and host for '' Follow Me!'', a BBC educational programme that offered a "

crash course A crash course is an educational or research course conducted over a very short period of time. These rapid learning programs may also be described by the ambiguous term crash program. Crash Course may also refer to: Television and movies * ''Cr ...

" in the English language to foreign viewers. In 1986, Matthews and his wife, Angela Browne, appeared together in the BBC adaptation of the

Josephine Tey Josephine Tey was a pseudonym used by Elizabeth MacKintosh (25 July 1896 – 13 February 1952), a Scottish author. Her novel '' The Daughter of Time'' was a detective work investigating the role of Richard III of England in the death of the Pr ...

novel '' Brat Farrar''. In 2000, they starred in two Ray Cooney plays on the cruise ship MS ''Marco Polo'', while she was sailing to the

Antarctic The Antarctic ( or , American English also or ; commonly ) is a polar region around Earth's South Pole, opposite the Arctic region around the North Pole. The Antarctic comprises the continent of Antarctica, the Kerguelen Plateau and othe ...

: '' Run For Your Wife'' and '' Funny Money''.

Personal life

Matthews was married to actress Angela Browne from 1963 until her death in 2001; the couple had three sons. Two, Damien Matthews and Paul Rattigan, are actors; the other, Dominic, is an artist and musician. Matthews' younger brother, Paul Shelley, is also an actor; they had a sister, Maura.

Death

Matthews died at the age of 86 on 14 June 2014, following a short illness. He was survived by his three sons, seven grandchildren, and his two siblings.

Filmography

* ''At Your Service, Ltd.'' (1951) - Roger Buckett * '' BBC Sunday-Night Theatre'' (1954–1957, TV Series) - Ken Wilson, Ensign Trefusis * ''Truant in Park Lane'' (1955) - Robert * '' St. Ives'' (1957, TV Series) - Ronald Glichrist * ''My Friend Charles'' (1956) - Ken Palmer * '' Bhowani Junction'' (1956) - Ranjit Kasel * ''The Talking Cat'' (1956) - Lancelot * ''ITV Television Playhouse'' (1956, TV Series) - Richard Hinton, Paul * ''Esmé Divided'' (1957) - Esmé Vignoles * '' The New Adventures of Charlie Chan'' (1957) - Derek Robinson * ''

Small Hotel ''Small Hotel'' is a 1957 British comedy film directed by David MacDonald and stars Gordon Harker, Marie Lohr, John Loder, and Janet Munro. It is based on the play of the same name by Rex Frost. Premise Albert, a crafty old waiter in a count ...

'' (1957) - Alan Pryor * '' O.S.S.'' (1957, TV Series) - Peter Fox * ''

The Mark of the Hawk ''The Mark of the Hawk'' (also called ''Accused'') is a 1957 drama film, directed by Michael Audley with a screenplay by Lloyd Young (better known for his sound work on other films) and H. Kenn Carmichael. The film stars Eartha Kitt and Sidney P ...

'' (1957) - Overholt * ''The Killing Stones'' (1958) - Desai * ''

The Adventures of Robin Hood (TV series) ''The Adventures of Robin Hood'' is a British television series comprising 143 half-hour, black and white episodes broadcast weekly between 1955 and 1959 on ITV. It starred Richard Greene as the outlaw Robin Hood, and Alan Wheatley as his n ...

'' (1957–1958, TV Series) - Roland, Ali ben Azra * '' The Revenge of Frankenstein'' (1958) - Doctor Hans Kleve * ''A Woman Possessed'' (1958) - John * ''

I Only Arsked! ''I Only Arsked!'' is a 1958 British comedy film directed by Montgomery Tully and starring Bernard Bresslaw, Michael Medwin and Alfie Bass. It was based on the television series ''The Army Game'' and was made by Hammer Films. Plot Slapstick ens ...

'' (1958) - Mahmoud * ''

Corridors of Blood ''Corridors of Blood'' (aka ''Doctor from Seven Dials'')Tom Weaver, ''The Horror Hits of Richard Gordon'', Bear Manor Media 2011 p 80-95 is a 1958 British-American period drama film directed by Robert Day and starring Boris Karloff and Christop ...

'' (1958) - Jonathan Bolton * ''

The Vise ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the ...

'' (1958–1959, TV Series) - Miles, Rex Varney, Jayo * ''

Theatre Night ''Theatre Night'' is the umbrella title under which adaptations of classic and contemporary stage plays were usually broadcast on BBC 2 BBC Two is a British free-to-air public broadcast television network owned and operated by the BBC. It ...

'' (1959, TV Series) - Guy Stevens * ''

Interpol Calling ''Interpol Calling'' was a 1959 Rank Organisation and Jack Wrather Productions British television crime drama series for ITC Entertainment. The programme, which ran for one series of 39 half-hour monochrome episodes, followed the adventures of ...

'' (1960) - Fawley * ''

Man from Interpol ''Man from Interpol'' is a 1960 TV series produced by The Danzigers. The NBC series was filmed in England and the music was scored by jazz musician Tony Crombie. Premise Anthony Smith, an agent based at Britain's Interpol Division at Scotland ...

'' (1960) - Richard Martin, Maharajah Of Den * ''

Biggles James Bigglesworth, nicknamed "Biggles", is a fictional pilot and adventurer, the title character and hero of the ''Biggles'' series of adventure books, written for young readers by W. E. Johns (1893–1968). Biggles made his first appearance ...

'' (1960, TV Series) * '' Sentenced for Life'' (1960) - Jim Richards * '' The Cheaters'' (1961, TV Series) - Jack * '' The Hellfire Club'' (1961) - Sir Hugh Manning * ''

The Treasure of Monte Cristo ''The Treasure of Monte Cristo'' is a 1961 British film directed by Monty Berman and Robert S. Baker. The film features Rory Calhoun as an army captain in 1815 who goes off in search of a treasure on the island of Monte Cristo. It is a prequel ...

'' (1961) - Louis Auclair * ''The Pursuers'' (1961) - David * ''

Triton Triton commonly refers to: * Triton (mythology), a Greek god * Triton (moon), a satellite of Neptune Triton may also refer to: Biology * Triton cockatoo, a parrot * Triton (gastropod), a group of sea snails * ''Triton'', a synonym of ''Triturus'' ...

'' (1961, TV series) - Lieutenant Lamb * ''

The Lamp in Assassin Mews ''The Lamp in Assassin Mews'' is a 1962 British comedy crime film directed by Godfrey Grayson and starring Francis Matthews, Lisa Daniely and Ian Fleming. The film's plot concerns a local council's plans to gentrify an area, which are disrup ...

'' (1962) - Jack * '' Nine Hours to Rama'' (1963) - Rampure * ''

Hancock Hancock may refer to: Places in the United States * Hancock, Iowa * Hancock, Maine * Hancock, Maryland * Hancock, Massachusetts * Hancock, Michigan * Hancock, Minnesota * Hancock, Missouri * Hancock, New Hampshire ** Hancock (CDP), New Hampshir ...

'' (1963, TV series) - Elmo Dent * '' A Stitch in Time'' (1963) - Benson * ''

A Little Big Business ''A Little Big Business'' is a British comedy television series which originally aired on ITV After a pilot episode in 1963,Perry p.124 it was followed by two full series in 1964 and 1965. Several of the leading roles were recast after the pilo ...

'' (1964–1965, TV Series) - Simon Lieberman * ''

The Beauty Jungle ''The Beauty Jungle'' (also known as Contest Girl) is a 1964 British film directed by Val Guest. Plot Shirley lives in Bristol. While on a seaside holiday at Butlins holiday camp a young typist Shirley Freeman (Janette Scott) is persuaded by ...

'' (1964) - Taylor * '' Murder Ahoy'' (1964) - Lieutenant Compton * '' The Intelligence Men'' (1965) - Thomas * '' Dracula: Prince of Darkness'' (1966) - Charles Kent * ''

'' (1966) - Ivan * '' That Riviera Touch'' (1966) - Hotel manager * ''

Just Like a Woman "Just Like a Woman" is a song by American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan first released on his seventh studio album, ''Blonde on Blonde'' on June 20, 1966. It was written by Dylan and produced by Bob Johnston. A shorter edit was released as a sin ...

'' (1967) - Lewis McKenzie * ''

'' (1967–1968, TV Series) - Captain Scarlet (voice) * '' Crossplot'' (1969) - Ruddock * ''

'' (1969–1971, TV Series) - Paul Temple * '' Taste of Excitement'' (1970) - Mr. Breese * ''

Five Women for the Killer ''Five Women for the Killer'' (originally titled ''5 donne per l'assassino'') is an Italian ''giallo'' film directed in 1974 by Stelvio Massi. '' Il Giorno'' wrote "the film has the merit of a quick direction that does not spare chills and twists ...

'' (1974) - Giorgio Pisani * '' Brat Farrar'' (1986) - Alec Loding * ''Bunch of Five'' (1992) - Mr. Strathclyde * '' Taggart'' (1993) - Dr. Gerald Napier * '' The Detectives'' (1995, TV Series) - Duke of Connemara * ''

Jonathan Creek ''Jonathan Creek'' is a long-running British mystery crime drama series produced by the BBC and written by David Renwick. It stars Alan Davies as the titular character, who works as a creative consultant to a stage magician while also solvi ...

'' (1998, TV Series) - Jerry Bellinitus * '' Do Not Disturb'' (1999) - Manager * '' Heartbeat'' (2002–2003, TV Series) - Dr. James Alway * ''

The Royal ''The Royal'' is a British period medical drama, produced by Yorkshire Television (later part of ITV Studios), and broadcast on ITV1 from 2003 until its cancellation in 2011. The series is set in the 1960s and focuses on the lives of the ...

'' (2003) - Dr. James Alway * ''Cary Comes Home'' (2004) - Cary Grant * ''

All About George ''All About George'' is a family sitcom which follows the extended family of George Kinsey (Rik Mayall). The show includes five generations, from George's grandmother (Edna Doré) to his first granddaughter, Jasmine. Only one series was made and ...

'' (2005) - Ted * '' Beautiful People'' (2009, TV Series) - Mr. Bunions * '' Run For Your Wife'' (2012) - (final film role)

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Matthews, Francis 1927 births 2014 deaths 20th-century English male actors 21st-century English male actors English male film actors English male stage actors English male television actors English male voice actors Male actors from Leeds Male actors from York 20th-century Royal Navy personnel People educated at Mount St Mary's Catholic High School, Leeds