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 Senat ...

.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 stage. "He appeared in British revues, plays and films before delighting

Broadway Broadway may refer to: Theatre * Broadway Theatre (disambiguation) * Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S. ** Broadway (Manhattan), the street **Broadway Theatre (53rd Stree ...

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 tr ...

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 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) or key lines of dialogue may, w ...

'' 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 Sir Charles Spencer Chaplin Jr. (16 April 188925 December 1977) was an English comic actor, filmmaker, and composer who rose to fame in the era of silent film. He became a worldwide icon through his screen persona, the Tramp, and is conside ...

'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 onl ...

''. 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 ''Christmas in Connecticut'' is a 1945 American Christmas romantic comedy film about an unmarried city magazine writer who pretends to be a farm wife and mother and then falls in love with a returning war hero. The film was directed by English ...

'' 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 hom ...

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 are l ...

's ''

The Ford Show, Starring Tennessee Ernie Ford ''The Ford Show'' (also known as ''The Ford Show, Starring Tennessee Ernie Ford'' and ''The Tennessee Ernie Ford Show'') is an American variety program, starring singer and folk humorist Tennessee Ernie Ford, which aired on NBC on Thursday eveni ...

''. 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 ''Mr. Belvedere'' is an American sitcom that originally aired on ABC from March 15, 1985, to July 8, 1990. The series is based on the Lynn Aloysius Belvedere character created by Gwen Davenport for her 1947 novel ''Belvedere'', which was later ...

'' made its debut. He made other guest appearances on television

sitcom A sitcom, a 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 troupe may use ...

s of the 1960s, including Fess Parker's ABC series, '' Mr. Smith Goes to Washington'' and Stanley Holloway'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 broadc ...

'' 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''. 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 ...

'', 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 Buckingham Palace () is a London royal residence and the administrative headquarters of the monarch of the United Kingdom. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is often at the centre of state occasions and royal hospitality. It ...

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 ma ...

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'' (1931) - Lord Tony Carderay * '' Josser on the River'' (1932) - Donald * ''

Leave It to Smith Leave may refer to: * Permission (disambiguation) ** Permitted absence from work *** Leave of absence, a period of time that one is to be away from one's primary job while maintaining the status of employee *** Annual leave, allowance of time away ...

'' (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.Woo ...

'' (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 ''Royal Cavalcade'', also known as ''Regal Cavalcade'', is a 1935 British, black-and-white, drama film directed by six separate directors: Thomas Bentley (Supervising Director), Herbert Brenon, Norman Lee, Walter Summers, W. P. Kellino and Mar ...

'' (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 ...

'' (1936) - Policeman * '' A Damsel in Distress'' (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 a ...

'' (1938) - Comte d'Artois * '' Sweethearts'' (1938) - Norman Trumpett * ''

The Girl Downstairs ''The Girl Downstairs'' is a 1938 American romantic comedy film directed by Norman Taurog and starring Franciska Gaal, Franchot Tone and Walter Connolly. It is a remake of the 1936 Austrian film '' Catherine the Last'' directed by Henry Koster, w ...

'' (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 ''My Life with Caroline'' is a 1941 RKO Pictures American comedy film directed by Lewis Milestone and starring Ronald Colman and Anna Lee, in her second Hollywood film and her first in a starring role. The screenplay was written by John Van D ...

'' (1941) - Paul * '' A Yank in the R.A.F.'' (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 ''Immortal Sergeant'' is a 1943 American war film directed by John M. Stahl for 20th Century Fox. Set in the North African desert during World War II, it stars Henry Fonda as a corporal lacking in confidence in both love and war, Maureen O'Hara ...

'' (1943) - Tom Benedict * '' Forever and a Day'' (1943) - Assistant Hotel Manager * '' Claudia'' (1943) - Jerry Seymour * ''

Sweet Rosie O'Grady ''Sweet Rosie O'Grady'' is a 1943 Technicolor musical film about an American singer who attempts to better herself by marrying an English duke, but is harassed by a reporter. Directed by Irving Cummings, it stars Betty Grable and Robert Young. ...

'' (1943) - Charles, Duke of Trippingham * '' The Horn Blows at Midnight'' (1945) - Composer / Archibald 'Archie' Dexter * '' Molly and Me'' (1945) - Harry Phillips / Peabody, the Butler * ''

'' (1945) - John Sloan * '' The Dolly Sisters'' (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 198 ...

'' (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 son ...

'' (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 arm ...

'' (1948) - Capt. Grover A. Walsh * ''

That Lady in Ermine ''That Lady in Ermine'' is a 1948 American Technicolor musical film directed by Ernst Lubitsch. The screenplay by Samson Raphaelson is based on the 1919 operetta ''Die Frau im Hermelin'' by Rudolph Schanzer and Ernst Welisch. Although Lubitsch ...

'' (1948) - Alberto * ''

That Wonderful Urge ''That Wonderful Urge'' is a 1948 20th Century Fox screwball comedy film directed by Robert B. Sinclair and starring Tyrone Power and Gene Tierney.''Harrison's Reports'' film review; November 27, 1948, page 190. It is a remake of '' Love Is News ...

'' (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'' (1952) - Lentulus * '' Black Widow'' (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 "Rock-a-bye baby in the tree top" (sometimes "Hush-a-bye baby in the tree top") is a nursery rhyme and lullaby. It has a Roud Folk Song Index number of 2768. Words First publication The rhyme is believed to have first appeared in print in ...

'' (1958) - Harold Hermann * '' Back Street'' (1961) - Dalian * ''

Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation ''Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation'' is a 1962 American comedy film directed by Henry Koster and starring James Stewart and Maureen O'Hara. The film is based on the novel ''Mr. Hobbs' Vacation'', by Edward Streeter and features a popular singer of the ...

'' (1962) - Reggie McHugh * '' What a Way to Go!'' (1964) - Painter * ''

Sergeant Deadhead ''Sergeant Deadhead'' is a 1965 musical comedy film directed by Norman Taurog and starring Frankie Avalon. It features many cast members who appeared in the ''Beach Party'' movies. Plot Sergeant Deadhead is a bumbling soldier who is sent to the g ...

'' (1965) - Lt. Comm. Talbott * '' Do Not Disturb'' (1965) - Simmons

Selected stage credits

* ''

Chance Acquaintance ''Chance Acquaintance'' is a 1927 play by the British writer John Van Druten, one of his earliest. It was staged at the Criterion Theatre in the West End for a run of 19 performances between 2 and 19 November 1927. The cast included Helen Haye, ...

'' 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