|
Michael Robbins (Arthur Rudge) 1930 - 1992 (Age 62).
Michael Robbins began his professional life as
a bank clerk. However through amateur dramatics he turned professional actor, gaining enormous experience with various reportary
theater companies. He went on into television work and finally became part of the successful 'ON THE BUSES'
team in 1969. In 1972 he returned to the London stage to star with Tom Courtenay in 'Time and Time Again'
Michael
is sadly no longer with nor his wife Hal Dyer appeared in Holiday On The Buses who I interviewed for
the fan club, a lovely lady.
Mark Reynolds remembers working with Michael Robbins I had the pleasure of working with Michael Robbins on two occasions in the very early 1990s when I was a young actor
employed now and again by BBC Radio Light Entertainment as a voices man. We recorded two comedy drama pilot shows together
that were both sadly not commissioned to go to series.
He was a delightful man, easy to talk to and great fun to be with. I don't recall (and this
is a quarter of a century ago) him telling me any tales of his time 'On the Buses' but I do remember tales he told
of his friend Tommy Cooper.
Tommy
Cooper apparently when having a party at his home would place shop window manikins into his various cloakrooms. Of course
this led to people who needed to pay a visit thinking the WC was occupied leading to much 'crossing of legs'. Tommy
would hang around nearby, chuckling.
It is well known in showbiz circles that Tommy was 'careful with his money' and Michael recalled a lovely
summers day when Tommy bought a round of drinks for all his pals (which I took it was a rare event). Tommy proudly brought
the tray of drinks outside and stood next to Michael whereupon a wasp landed on Tommy's pint. "Spit that out!"
roared the comedy legend to the hapless insect, "you ruddy well spit that out!"
As a fan of all
things Peter Sellers and Pink Panther I was also very interested to hear this nugget from Michael who played a butler moonlighting
as a transvestite club singer in 'The Pink Panther Strikes Again'. It was not flagged up in the credits that Michaels
song in the club was dubbed by Julie Andrews, wife of the movies director Blake Edwards.
I recall the last time I worked with Michael that he looked unwell, quite
jaundiced, and I was sorry to hear that he had passed away not long afterwards.
He made my early foray into radio comedy much easier with his kind support;
I will always remember that he was the guy who taught me how to turn the page of the script soundlessly on microphone. A
lovely man and I cherish the memory of working with him towards the end of his career.
CAREER DETAILS 1953
'Murder In The Cathedral' The Library Theatre Manchester March/April 1956 Caesar and Cleopatra" at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre UK. Opened 12th June 1956. The
members of the Cast were Alan ROWE. Albert Finney. Angus MaCkay. Bernard Hepton. Bunny May. Michael Robbins.
1956
THE BIRMINGHAM REPERTORY THEATRE
AUTUMN SEASON HAPPY AS LARRY BY DONAGH MACDONAGH
THE CAST INCLUDED ALBERT
FINNEY AS THE FOURTH TAILOR
RONALD HINES, GEOFFREY TAYLOR, JOHN HOWLETT, COLIN GEORGE, ERIC JONES, SONIA FRASER, MICHAEL
ROBBINS.....
DIRECTED BY BERNARD HEPTON
THE GIMMICK" With Barbara Windsor
Bernard Braden, Barbara Kelly, Patrick Boxhill and Michael Robbins (played police seargent 1959 The Avengers 1961 Ghost Squad1961, The
Saint1962, Crane1962, Dimensions of Fear 1963, Doctor Who 1963, Rattle of a Simple Man 1964, The Bargee 1964, Redcap 1964,
Dead Man's Chest 1965, The Man in Room 17 1965, The Whisperers, 1966 Adamant Lives
1966,
Up the Junction 1967, Film, starring Suzy Kendall, Dennis Waterman, Maureen Lipmann, Adrienne Posta, Liz
Fraser, Ruby Head, Susan George, Michael Robbins, Michael Gottard and Billy Murray
Callan 1967,
Turn Out the Lights, , starring in with Yootha Joyce, Michael Robbins, Dermot
Kelly, Arthur Lowe, Robert Dorning and Trevor Bannister 1967
Till Death Us Do Part, State Of The Union UK 1968,
1969 Department
S", 1969
All the Way up
1969-1973 On the Buses the series TheLooking Glass War 1970,
Villain 1971 , Zeppelin 1971 On the Buses 1971 Mutiny
On the Buses 1972 That's Your Funeral 1972, 1972 "TIME AND TIME AGAIN" Comedy Theatre London
West-End opened August 16th 1972 With Cheryl Kennedy, Bridget Turner, Barry Andrews and Michael Robbins 1973
No Sex Please, We're British, film Starring:
John Bindon, Ronnie Corbett, Margaret Nolan, Beryl Reid, Arthur Lowe, Ian Ogilvy, David Swift, Susan Penhaligon, Valerie Leon,
Gerald Sim, Michael Bates, Cheryl Hall, Robin Askwith, Stephen Greif, Michael Ripper, Michael Robbins.
Holiday
on the Buses 1973
Home
From Home UK 1973
How's Your Father 1974, Man About the House, 1974, Thick As Thieves 1974
TheGood Life 1975, TheSweeney1975,
George and Mildred 1976, ThePink Panther Strikes Again 1976 TheFuzz 1977 ,Brendish 1977, Devenish 1977, Heavy Mob 1977
Cannon and Ball Sat 28th July , With guest stars Liza Goddard, Michael
Robbins and Chris Cregan 1979
'Dick Whittington' at the Wimbledon Theatre starring the great Eric Sykes,
t Brian Murphy from 'George and Mildred', Roy Kinnear, Jan Hunt and Michael Robbins
TheSaint and the Brave
Goose 1981, TheGreat Muppet Caper 1981, Don Chase 1981 1981/82 'DICK WHITTINGTON AND HIS CAT'
AT THE WIMBLEDON THEATRE, LONDON STARRING ERIC SYKES, , ROY KINNEAR, JAN HUNT, BRIAN MURPHY AND MICHAEL ROBBINS 1982 Victoria
Victoria A movie about a down-and-out female singer takes a job as a female impersonator (?!)
and to her surprise becomes the toast of Paris cabarets in the 1930's, delighting her gay mentor and confusing an American
admirer. Academy Award Nominations: 7, including Best (Adapted) Screenplay, Best Actress--Julie Andrews. Academy Awards: Best
Original Song ), Michael Robbins (Hotel Manager), TheMerry
Wives of Windsor 1982, TheBounder1982 Dick Emery Presents UK 1982
Chinese detective in (episode 8
series 2, secret state).1982
PS It's Paul Squire 1983
Fairly Secret Army 1984,
Lost in London
1985, EastEnders
1985
Dempsey and Makepeace,Michael played a character called simmons,the episode was called
jericho scam,the episode number was 23 which was in series 3,the episode aired on september 13th 1986 Lord Peter
Wimsey 1987
Just Ask for Diamond1988, TheNew Statesman 1988
ONR FOOT IN THE GRAVE 'episdoe
In Luton Airport No-one can hear you scream' 4th Oct 1990
THE MAN IN THE LONG BLACK COAT (30 December 1991)
he played Mr killick and again in 1991 christmas special: The
man in the long black coat
1993 SAVE ME film with Michael Robbins (further info wanted)
Recordings
Also did you know he was
also the voice in some PG Tips ads. PG Tips chimps TV commercials had voices provided by many well- known actors such as Mr Shifter the piano
removal man (with Michael Robbins and Kenneth Connor), the Brooke Bond secret agent series (with Michael Jayston and Pat Coombs),
and The Old Bailey (with Kenneth Williams and Michael Robbins) to name but a few..
RECORDS
1976
LIZA OF LAMBETH LP issued in 1976 on THAMES THA 100 cast included.....MICHAEL ROBBINS , PATRICIA HAYES, BRYAN MARSHALL and
KATE WILLIAMS (nurse in Holiday ON THE BUSES)
|
