Thorley Walters

Thorley Walters

Thorley Swinstead Walters (12 May 1913 – 6 July 1991) was an English character actor.

He is probably best remembered for his comedy film roles such as in Two-Way Stretch and Carlton-Browne of the FO. He also appeared in the acclaimed TV drama Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. Walters played Sherlock Holmes sidekick Doctor Watson in four unrelated films: Sherlock Holmes and the Deadly Necklace (1962), The Best House in London (1969), The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother (1975), and Silver Blaze (1977). He featured in three of the St Trinian's movies, starting as an army major in Blue Murder at St Trinian's. He later appeared as Butters, assistant to Education Ministry senior civil servant Culpepper-Brown (Eric Barker) in The Pure Hell of St Trinian's and played the part of Culpepper-Brown in The Wildcats of St Trinian's. In the 1960s he also appeared in several Hammer horror films, including The Phantom of the Opera (1962), Dracula, Prince of Darkness (1966), Frankenstein Created Woman (1967) and Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed (1969). In the DVD commentary to The Man Who Haunted Himself, Roger Moore mentioned that co-star Walters lived in Dolphin Square, the prestigious apartment block in Pimlico, London in which some scenes of the film were shot. Thorley and Richard Hope-Hawkins visited the ailing Terry-Thomas in Barnes, London in 1989. Walters had starred with Terry in the Boulting Brother's film Carlton-Browne of the F.O., and was shocked at his appearance (he was ill with Parkinson's Disease). That visit resulted in the "Terry-Thomas Gala" held in the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in the same year which raised funds to help Terry live the rest of his life in comfort. Hope-Hawkins was with Walters and actress Siobhan Redmond, when he died in a London nursing home. Actor Ian Bannen gave the main address at his funeral held at Golders Green. Description above from the Wikipedia article Thorley Walters, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Acting

2025

Mrs. Weekley's Lover

Baron Von Richthofen

1994

The World of Hammer

Self (archive footage)

1991

1988

1988

1986

David Copperfield

Richard 'Mr Dick' Babley

1986

1985

Bulman

Unknown

1984

1983

The Sign of Four

Major John Sholto

1979

Henry V

Charles the Sixth, King of France

1979

Minder

Magistrate

1979

1979

1979

Worzel Gummidge

Colonel Bloodstock

1978

Strangers

Unknown

1977

1977

1977

Raffles

Lord Lochmaben

1977

Silver Blaze

Dr. Watson

1976

Beasts

Sir Ramsey

1976

1975

1975

Chips with Everything

Wing Commander

1974

1974

1973

1973

Thriller

Dr. Ledworth

1972

The Edwardians

Edward, Prince of Wales

1972

The Edwardians

King Edward VII

1972

1972

Young Winston

Major Finn

1972

Vampire Circus

Burgermeister

1972

The Lotus Eaters

Maj. Edward Woolley

1971

The Persuaders!

John Hatton

1971

Cousin Bette

Baron Hector Hulot

1970

There's a Girl in My Soup

Manager of Carlton Hotel

1970

1970

Bartleby

The Colleague

1970

Trog

Magistrate

1970

Play for Today

Old Wedding Guest

1970

1970

The Misfit

Forbes-Erskine

1969

The Best House in London

Doctor Watson (uncredited)

1969

1969

1969

1968

Twisted Nerve

Sir John Forrester

1968

Ooh La La!

The Prince

1967

1966

1966

1966

The Psychopath

Martin Roth

1966

1965

1965

Rotten to the Core

Chief Constable Preston

1964

A Home of Your Own

Estate agent

1964

1964

1963

Heavens Above!

Tranquilax Executive

1962

1962

1961

Murder She Said

Cedric Ackenthorpe

1960

1960

Two-Way Stretch

Colonel Parkright

1960

Suspect

Special Agent Prince

1959

Carlton-Browne of the F.O.

Colonel Bellingham

1957

1957

1956

Armchair Theatre

Professor Mortimer

1956

Private's Progress

Captain Bootle

1951

Hallmark Hall of Fame

Stanley Baldwin

1945

1944

1935

Infos

Full Name
Thorley Walters
Gender
Male
Date of Birth
5/12/1913
Date of Death
7/6/1991
Also Known As

Thorley Swinstead Walters