"Palmers
People:
The Anthology
of British Film and Television Actors"
has been written to provide a comprehensive list of British film performers
with the most complete list of their film and tv credits found in print.
Nearly 19,000 players are listed, along with approaching 1,000,000 titles.
Nevertheless, it is impossible to list every actor and every film, although
that is the aim of this work. I therefore apologize for any omissions; they
are unintentional.
I have
attempted a complete scope of British actors, going back to 1895 and
continuing to the present. Listings are alphabetical; hence no need for an
index. The Scottish, Irish, Welsh, Australian, New Zealand, Canadian, South
African and other British Commonwealth performers are identified and
included, as are British-born actors whose films were made outside the U.K.
(as in Hollywood). By the same token, actors born in foreign countries but
who filmed solely or primarily in England are included. All performers,
from well-known stars and co-stars to supporting and character actors, as
well as stunt and background players, are listed.
Years of
birth/death are listed where I was able to trace them; due to the great
number of small-part or lesser-known players listed this was not always
possible due to lack of available information. Dates have been verified at
the Records Office and by birth/death certificates whenever possible. I
trust the reader will therefore find fewer errors concerning dates than in
other reference books.
A brief
character description is given for each actor, followed by the list of films
in chronological order. I have tried to list the year of the film's
release, which is generally the same as when it was completed, but I do
apologize for any errors and hope the reader will understand the difficulty
in cross-checking a work of this size. Television films, plays, and serials
are also included. Although the emphasis of this book is on “films,” I do
not intend a lenghthy discussion on what constitutes a film; hence the
inclusion of television work. Most actors these days appear on television,
as the motion picture industry has changed a great deal the last decade or
two, and there are now comparatively few studios.
Finally, I
have inserted a few special features, i.e. a list of those actors who have
been bestowed titles, those who have made at least 100 films, and winners of
the British and American Academy Awards.
In conclusion, any additions, corrections, comments,
criticisms, etc. will be welcome by myself, and can reach me directly at
2645 Teresita Street, San Diego, California, 92104.
