Erik Chitty


Erik Chitty was an English stage, film and television actor.

Early life

Chitty was the son of a flour miller, Frederick Walter Chitty and his wife Ethel Elsie Assistance née Franklin; they married in 1902. He attended Dover College and Jesus College, Cambridge, where he was one of the founders of the Cambridge University Mummers, before training at RADA and becoming a professional actor. He then ran his own repertory company in Frinton-on-Sea.

Personal life

Chitty and former actress Hester Bevan married 1936, and they had two daughters and one son. He was also a keen genealogist.

Television career

Early television (1936–1939)

Chitty was an early player in the fledgling BBC television output, which started in November 1936 until it was closed at the beginning of WWII.Pyramus And Thisbe, 23 July 1937, Snout
  • Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, 2 March 1938, Guildenstern
  • Henry IV 22 March 1938, "Valet"
  • The White Chateau, 11 November 1938, Trooper of Uhlans/Orderly/Linesman
  • Ednas Fruit Hat, 27 January 1939, Cousin SidThe Tempest, 5 February 1939, Boatswain
  • The Unquiet Spirit, 7 March 1939 "Hall Porter"Katharine and Petruchio, 12 April 1939, "A Tailor"
  • Annajanska, The Bolsjevik Empress 2 May 1939, "Stammfest"
  • The Day is Gone, 4 August 1939, Radio announcer's voice
  • The Advantages of Paternity 12 May 1939, "Brunov"

Television postwar (1946 onwards)

His television credits included a major role as the aged "Mr Smith" in Please Sir!, and multiple appearances in Dads Army, Raffles, Doctor Who, Danger Man, Maigret, Man About the House and The Goodies. He appeared in the TV musical Pickwick for the BBC in 1969.

Filmography

Contraband – Cloakroom attendant Oliver Twist – Workhouse Board member Forbidden – SchofieldAll Over the Town – FrobisherYour Witness – Judge's clerkChance of a Lifetime – Silas Pike Circle of Danger - Box-office clerk John Wesley – Trustee of GeorgiaTime Is My Enemy – Ballistics expertViews on Trial – Sterling SilverRaising a Riot – Mr Buttons Footsteps in the Fog – HedgesWindfall – After the Ball – WaiterZoo Baby – Vulture manLeft Right and Centre – Deputy returning officerThe Devil's Disciple – Uncle TitusThe Day They Robbed the Bank of England – Gudgeon Not a Hope in Hell – JoeRaising the Wind – Elderly Man at concertFollow That Man – DoctorFirst Men in the Moon – Gibbs, Cavor's hired man The Horror of It All – Grandpa MarleyDoctor Zhivago – Old SoldierCasino Royale – Sir James Bond's butler Bedazzled – Seed – Sir Stanley Moon's butler Anne of the Thousand Days – Priest Arthur? Arthur! – Uncle RattyA Nice Girl Like Me – VicarTwinky – Lawyer's elderly clientSong of Norway – HelstedThe Railway Children – PhotographerLust for a Vampire – Professor HerzThe Statue – MouserPlease Sir! – Mr SmithThe Amazing Mr. Blunden – Mr ClavertonThe Vault of Horror – Old waiter Op de Hollandse toer – Mr MolenaarThe Flying Sorcerer – Sir RogerFall of Eagles - Hertling, German ChancellorOne of Our Dinosaurs Is Missing – Museum guardThe Bawdy Adventures of Tom Jones – Sam The Seven-Per-Cent Solution – The butlerJabberwocky – Second door-opener / Servant A Bridge Too Far – Organist