Derek Farr


Derrick Capel Farr was an English actor who appeared regularly in British films and television from 1938 until his death in 1986. His more famous roles include Group Captain John Whitworth in The Dam Busters.

Career

After working as a schoolteacher, he took to the stage in 1937, and in 1938 got his first film role. He served in the Second World War, and after the war resumed his acting career, mainly in character parts. He did, however, continue to appear as male leads and second male leads in a number of films in the late 1940s and 1950s, including Noose, Murder Without Crime and Young Wives' Tale. In 1952 he appeared in the West End in the thriller Murder Mistaken by Janet Green.
In the early 1980s he played 16 roles in The War of the Roses cycle in the BBC Television Shakespeare series.

Personal life

His second marriage was in 1947 to actress Muriel Pavlow, whom he met in 1941 while filming Quiet Wedding, and again on the set of The Shop at Sly Corner. Their maid of honour was Glynis Johns, with whom they had both performed in Quiet Wedding. They remained married until Farr's death in March 1986, aged 74.

Partial filmography

Miracles Do Happen – Greenlaw's Secretary The Outsider – Q Planes – Minor Role Black Eyes – Minor Role Inspector Hornleigh on Holiday – Bridge Club Member Freedom Radio – HansQuiet Wedding – Dallas ChaytorSpellbound – Laurie BaxterWanted for Murder – Jack WilliamsQuiet Weekend – Denys RoydTeheran – Pemberton GrantCode of Scotland Yard – Robert GrahamBond Street – Joe MarshNoose – Capt. Jumbo HydeThe Story of Shirley Yorke – Gerald RytonSilent Dust – Maxwell OliverMan on the Run – Sgt. Peter Burden, alias BrownDouble Confession – Jim MedwayMurder Without Crime – StephenYoung Wives' Tale – Bruce BanningReluctant Heroes – Michael FoneLittle Big Shot – Sergeant WilsonFront Page Story – TealeEight O'Clock Walk – Peter TannerBang! You're Dead – Detective GreyThe Dam Busters – Group Captain J. N. H. Whitworth, D.S.O., D.F.C.Value for Money – Duke PopplewellThe Man in the Road – Ivan Mason / Dr. James PaxtonTown on Trial – Mark RoperDoctor At Large – Dr. Potter-ShineThe Vicious Circle – Kenneth PalmerThe Truth About Women – AnthonyAttempt to Kill – Det. Insp. MinterDeadline Midnight – Paul VetterThe Saint – John Clarron / Mrs. JaffertyThe Human JungleThe Projected Man – Inspector Davis30 Is a Dangerous Age, Cynthia – TV AnnouncerThe Johnstown Monster – HamerPope Joan – Count BrisiniCrossroads – Timothy HunterNightingale's Boys – Bill NightingaleStar Maidens – Professor EvansBlake's 7 – Professor EnsorSome Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em – Dr Mender