Edward Rigby
Encyclopedia
Edward Rigby was a British character actor.
, and Wye Agricultural College. Under his real name, Edward Coke, (Rigby was his mother's maiden name) he served in the Artists' Rifles
and Royal Field Artillery
in World War One and was awarded the Military Cross
, cited on 17 September 1917 "for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty as artillery Liaison Officer. At a time when all communication with his artillery group was severed, he made repeated attempts to restore the connection, and personally crossed a river under heavy fire in his efforts to mend the cable and to lay fresh ones. He showed the greatest gallantry and disregard of danger throughout the operation, and only desisted from his efforts on receiving the direct order from his Headquarters to do so."
He married in 1912, Phyllis Muriel Austin, novelist. Their son, Cyril Edward Rigby Coke (1914–1993) television director, married Muriel Young
(1923–2001) ITV announcer and TV presenter.
, with roles in more than 150 films from 1933 to 1951.
on 11 April 1951.
Early life
Rigby was the son of Jamaican-born Dr. William Harriot Coke (1851–1922) and his wife Liverpool-born Mary Elizabeth (1850–1929) of 17 High Street, Ashford. He was educated at HaileyburyHaileybury and Imperial Service College
Haileybury and Imperial Service College, , is a prestigious British independent school founded in 1862. The school is located at Hertford Heath, near Hertford, from central London, on of parkland occupied until 1858 by the East India College...
, and Wye Agricultural College. Under his real name, Edward Coke, (Rigby was his mother's maiden name) he served in the Artists' Rifles
Artists' Rifles
The Artists Rifles is a volunteer regiment of the British Army. Raised in London in 1859 as a volunteer light infantry unit, the regiment saw active service during the Boer Wars and World War I, earning a number of battle honours; however, it did not serve outside of Britain during World War II, as...
and Royal Field Artillery
Royal Field Artillery
The Royal Field Artillery of the British Army provided artillery support for the British Army. It came into being when the Royal Artillery was divided on 1 July 1899, it was reamalgamated back into the Royal Artillery in 1924....
in World War One and was awarded the Military Cross
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
, cited on 17 September 1917 "for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty as artillery Liaison Officer. At a time when all communication with his artillery group was severed, he made repeated attempts to restore the connection, and personally crossed a river under heavy fire in his efforts to mend the cable and to lay fresh ones. He showed the greatest gallantry and disregard of danger throughout the operation, and only desisted from his efforts on receiving the direct order from his Headquarters to do so."
He married in 1912, Phyllis Muriel Austin, novelist. Their son, Cyril Edward Rigby Coke (1914–1993) television director, married Muriel Young
Muriel Young
Muriel Young was a British television continuity announcer, presenter and producer.-Early life:...
(1923–2001) ITV announcer and TV presenter.
Career
He made his first stage appearance in 1900 at the Grand in Fulham and later toured Australia, America and Canada. He followed his first film appearance, the 1910 silent The Blue BirdThe Blue Bird (1910 film)
The Blue Bird is a 1910 silent film, based on the play by Maurice Maeterlinck and starring Pauline Gilmer as Mytyl and Olive Walter as Tytyl. It was filmed in England.- Cast :*Pauline Gilmer as Mytyl*Olive Walter as Tytyl...
, with roles in more than 150 films from 1933 to 1951.
Death
He collapsed in the street at Richmond and when taken to Richmond Hospital was found to be dead. He was cremated at Mortlake CrematoriumMortlake Crematorium
Mortlake Crematorium is a crematorium in Mortlake, a district of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, United Kingdom. It is situated on the banks of the River Thames by Chiswick Bridge and serves the west and south-west of London, that is the Boroughs of Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham,...
on 11 April 1951.
Partial filmography
- The Blue BirdThe Blue Bird (1910 film)The Blue Bird is a 1910 silent film, based on the play by Maurice Maeterlinck and starring Pauline Gilmer as Mytyl and Olive Walter as Tytyl. It was filmed in England.- Cast :*Pauline Gilmer as Mytyl*Olive Walter as Tytyl...
(1910) - Gay Old Dog (1935)
- WindfallWindfall (1935 film)Windfall is a 1935 British drama film adapted by Jack Celestin and Randall Faye from the R. C. Sherriff play of the same title. The film was directed by Frederick Hayward and George King with starring Edward Rigby and Marie Ault and George Carney....
(1935) - Lorna DooneLorna Doone (1934 film)Lorna Doone is a 1934 British drama film directed by Basil Dean and starring Victoria Hopper, John Loder and Margaret Lockwood. It is based on the novel Lorna Doone by R.D...
(1935) - No LimitNo Limit (1936 film)No Limit is a 1935 British comedy film which was released by Associated Talking Pictures. It starred George Formby and Florence Desmond.-Synopsis:...
(1935) - Land Without MusicLand Without MusicLand Without Music is a 1936 British comedy film directed by Walter Forde and starring Richard Tauber, Diana Napier and Jimmy Durante.The film is also known as Forbidden Music in the USA.- Plot summary :...
(1936) - This Green Hell (1936)
- AccusedAccused (film)Accused is a 1936 British mystery film directed by Thornton Freeland.-Plot:Two dance partners become embroiled in a murder mystery when one of the dancers is accused of murder.-Cast:*Douglas Fairbanks, Jr......Tony Seymour...
(1936) - Irish for LuckIrish for LuckIrish for Luck is a 1936 British comedy film directed by Arthur B. Woods and starring Athene Seyler, Margaret Lockwood and Patric Knowles. An impoverished Irish Duchess tries to survive on her small income. It was also known as Meet the Duchess. It was adapted from a novel by L.A.G. Strong.-Cast:* ...
(1936) - Queen of Hearts (1936)
- The Heirloom MysteryThe Heirloom MysteryThe Heirloom Mystery is a 1937 British drama film directed by Maclean Rogers and starring Edward Rigby, Mary Glynne and Gus McNaughton. After being secret commissioned by a man to create a replica piece of furniture so he can sell the valuable original without his wife knowing, Charles' Marriot's...
(1936) - Mr Smith Carries On (1937)
- Jump for Glory (1937)
- The Show Goes OnThe Show Goes OnThe Show Goes On is a 1937 British musical comedy film directed by Basil Dean and starring Gracie Fields, Owen Nares and John Stuart.-Plot summary:...
(1937) - The Fatal Hour (1937)
- Under a CloudUnder a CloudUnder a Cloud is a 1937 British drama film directed by George King and starring Betty Ann Davies, Edward Rigby, Bernard Clifton, Brian Buchel and Peter Gawthorne. A man returns from Australia and tries to reconcile with his estranged family....
(1937) - Mr Smith Carries On (1937)
- Young and InnocentYoung and InnocentYoung and Innocent is a 1937 British film directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring Nova Pilbeam, Derrick De Marney and John Longden...
(1937) - A Yank at OxfordA Yank at OxfordA Yank at Oxford is a 1938 British film, directed by Jack Conway from a screenplay by John Monk Saunders and Leon Gordon. It was produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer British Studios...
(1938) - Kicking the Moon AroundKicking the Moon AroundKicking the Moon Around is a 1938 British musical comedy film directed by Walter Forde and starring Bert Ambrose, Evelyn Dall and Harry Richman. In an effort to discover whether his fiancee is a golddigger a millionaire's son pretends to have lost all his money...
(1938) - Yellow SandsYellow Sands (film)Yellow Sands is a 1938 British comedy drama film directed by Herbert Brenon and starring Marie Tempest, Belle Chrystall, Wilfrid Lawson and Robert Newton. A wealthy dying woman's relatives gather, unaware that they have all been cut out of the will...
(1938) - The Stars Look DownThe Stars Look Down (film)The Stars Look Down is a 1940 British film based on A. J. Cronin's novel of the same title, initially published in 1935, which chronicles various injustices in a mining community in North East England. The film, co-scripted by Cronin and directed by Carol Reed, stars Michael Redgrave as Davey...
(1939) - Poison PenPoison Pen (film)Poison Pen is a 1939 British psychological drama, directed by Paul L. Stein and starring Flora Robson, Reginald Tate and Ann Todd. The film is an adaptation of a novel by Welsh author Richard Llewellyn...
(1939) - The Proud ValleyThe Proud ValleyThe Proud Valley is a 1940 Ealing Studios film starring the African-American actor Paul Robeson. Filmed on location in the South Wales coalfield the heart of the main coal mining region of Wales, the film tells the story of a Black American miner and singer who gets a job in a mine and joins a male...
(1940) - Sailors Don't Care (1940)
- KippsKipps (1941 film)Kipps, also known as The Remarkable Mr. Kipps, is a 1941 comedy film adaptation of H. G. Wells' novel of the same name, directed by Carol Reed...
(1941) - Penn of PennsylvaniaPenn of PennsylvaniaPenn of Pennsylvania is a 1941 British historical drama film directed by Lance Comfort and starring Deborah Kerr, Clifford Evans, Dennis Arundell, Henry Oscar, Herbet Lomas and Edward Rigby. The film depicts the life of the Quaker founder of Pennsylvania, William Penn...
(1941) - Let the People SingLet the People Sing (film)Let the People Sing is a 1942 British comedy film directed by John Baxter and starring Alastair Sim, Fred Emney and Edward Rigby. A small town bands together to try to save their music hall from closure. It was based on the novel Let the People Sing by J.B...
(1942) - Went the Day Well?Went the Day Well?"Went the Day Well?" is a British war film produced by Ealing Studios in 1942 as unofficial propaganda. It tells of how an English village is taken over by German paratroopers . Made during the war, it reflects the greatest potential nightmares of many Britons of the time, although the threat of...
(1942) - They Met in the DarkThey Met in the DarkThey Met in the Dark is a 1943 British thriller film directed by Karel Lamac and starring James Mason, Joyce Howard and Edward Rigby. A cashiered Royal Naval officer and a young woman join forces to solve a murder and hunt down a German spy ring.-Cast:...
(1943) - A Canterbury TaleA Canterbury TaleA Canterbury Tale is a 1944 British film by the film-making team of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger. It stars Eric Portman, Sheila Sim, Dennis Price and Sgt. John Sweet; Esmond Knight provided narration and played several small roles. For the postwar American release, Raymond Massey narrated...
(1944) - I Live in Grosvenor SquareI Live in Grosvenor SquareI Live in Grosvenor Square is a British war film, directed and produced by Herbert Wilcox—a forerunner of his "London films" collaboration with his wife, actress Anna Neagle. The film deploys a tragi-comic plot in a context of US-British wartime co-operation, and displays icons of popular music...
(1945) - The AgitatorThe Agitator (1945 film)The Agitator is a 1945 British drama film directed by John Harlow and starring William Hartnell, Mary Morris and John Laurie. A young socialist is forced to question his beliefs when he unexpectedly inherits a large firm. It was based on the novel Peter Pettenger by William Riley.-Cast:* William...
(1945) - The Years BetweenThe Years Between (film)The Years Between is a 1946 British film starring Michael Redgrave, Valerie Hobson and Flora Robson in an adaptation of The Years Between by Daphne du Maurier...
(1946) - The Three Weird SistersThe Three Weird SistersThe Three Weird Sisters is a 1948 British melodrama with Gothic influences, directed by Daniel Birt and starring Nancy Price, Mary Clare, Mary Merrall and Raymond Lovell. The screenplay was adapted by Dylan Thomas and Louise Birt from the novel The Case of the Weird Sisters by Charlotte Armstrong...
(1948) - DaybreakDaybreak (1948 film)Daybreak is a 1948 British film noir drama film, directed by Compton Bennett and starring Eric Portman, Ann Todd and Maxwell Reed. A sombre, bleak film, Daybreak was filmed in 1946, but ran into trouble with the BBFC, resulting in a delay of almost two years before its release...
(1948) - Easy MoneyEasy Money (1948 film)Easy Money, a satirical 1948 British film about one of the most beloved traditions of the English middle class, the football pool, is composed of four tales about the effect a major win has on four different groups in the postwar period...
(1948) - Christopher ColumbusChristopher Columbus (film)Christopher Columbus is a 1949 British biographical film starring Fredric March as Christopher Columbus and Florence Eldridge as Queen Isabella. It was based on the novel Christopher Columbus by Rafael Sabatini.-Cast:...
(1949) - A Run for Your MoneyA Run for Your MoneyA Run for Your Money is a 1949 Ealing Studios comedy film starring Donald Houston and Meredith Edwards as two Welshmen visiting London for the first time...
(1949) - The Happiest Days of Your LifeThe Happiest Days of Your LifeThe Happiest Days of Your Life is a 1950 British comedy film directed by Frank Launder, based on the play by John Dighton. The two men also wrote the screenplay. It's one of a stable of classic British film comedies produced by Frank Launder and Sidney Gilliat for British Lion Film Corporation. The...
(1950) - Double ConfessionDouble ConfessionDouble Confession is a 1950 British crime film directed by Ken Annakin and starring Derek Farr, Joan Hopkins, Peter Lorre and William Hartnell....
(1950) - The MudlarkThe MudlarkThe Mudlark is a 1950 film made in Britain by 20th Century Fox, is a fictionalized account of how Queen Victoria was eventually brought out of her mourning for her dead husband, Prince Albert...
(1950) - Into the Blue (1950)
- Circle of DangerCircle of DangerCircle of Danger is a 1951 British thriller film directed by Jacques Tourneur and starring Ray Milland, Patricia Roc and Naunton Wayne. An American travels to England to discover the truth behind his brother's death during the Second World War...
(1951)