Francis Matthews (actor)


Francis Matthews was an English actor, best known for playing Paul Temple in the BBC television series of the same name and for voicing Captain Scarlet in Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons.

Early life

Matthews was born in York on 2 September 1927, to Henry and Kathleen Matthews. His father was a shop steward at the Rowntree's chocolate factory near York. His parents often took him to the theatre, where he gained a love of acting. He attended St George's RC Primary School, then St Michael's Jesuit College in Leeds.
He found work as a stagehand at the Theatre Royal in Leeds, and made his theatrical debut in 1945 in the play The Corn Is Green before performing his national service in the Royal Navy. After leaving the military he returned to the stage, appearing in a 1954 touring production of the play No Escape, which starred Flora Robson. He made his West End debut in 1956.

Career

In the 1950s and 1960s, Matthews's film roles for Hammer Studios included the Baron's assistant in The Revenge of Frankenstein and the heroes of Dracula: Prince of Darkness and Rasputin the Mad Monk. On television, from 1969 to 1971, he played Francis Durbridge's amateur private detective Paul Temple in the BBC series of the same name.
Matthews starred opposite Morecambe and Wise in the films The Intelligence Men and That Riviera Touch, which led to a close friendship with Eric Morecambe. He also appeared throughout the 1960s and 1970s in a variety of television comedy roles, including Eric & Ernie's Christmas Show, 1977. He appeared alongside George Cole in Charles Woods' sitcom Don't Forget To Write! as a successful writer.
In 1967, Matthews provided the character voice of Captain Scarlet, in imitation of Cary Grant, for Gerry and Sylvia Anderson's Supermarionation television series Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons. Also in 1967 he appeared in The Avengers episode entitled "Mission... Highly Improbable".
In the late 1970s, he served as narrator and host for Follow Me!, a BBC educational programme that offered a "crash course" in the English language to foreign viewers.
In 1986, Matthews and his wife, Angela Browne, appeared together in the BBC adaptation of the Josephine Tey novel Brat Farrar. In 2000, they starred in two Ray Cooney plays on the cruise ship MS Marco Polo, while she was sailing to the Antarctic: Run For Your Wife and Funny Money.

Personal life

Francis Matthews' younger brother, Paul Shelley, is also an actor; they had a sister, Maura..
Matthews was married to actress Angela Browne from 1963 until her death in 2001; the couple had three sons. Two, Damien Matthews and Paul Rattigan, are actors; the other, Dominic, is an artist and musician.

Death

Matthews died at the age of 86 on 14 June 2014, following a short illness. He was survived by his three sons, seven grandchildren, and his two siblings.

Filmography

At Your Service, Ltd. - Roger BuckettBBC Sunday-Night Theatre - Ken Wilson, Ensign TrefusisTruant in Park Lane - RobertSt. Ives - Ronald GilchristMy Friend Charles - Ken PalmerBhowani Junction - Ranjit KaselThe Talking Cat - LancelotITV Television Playhouse - Richard Hinton, PaulEsmé Divided - Esmé VignolesThe New Adventures of Charlie Chan - Derek RobinsonSmall Hotel - Alan PryorO.S.S. - Peter FoxThe Mark of the Hawk - OverholtThe Killing Stones - DesaiThe Adventures of Robin Hood (TV series) - Roland, Ali ben AzraThe Revenge of Frankenstein - Doctor Hans KleveA Woman Possessed - JohnI Only Arsked! - MahmoudCorridors of Blood - Jonathan BoltonThe Vise - Miles, Rex Varney, JayoTheatre Night - Guy StevensInterpol Calling - FawleyMan from Interpol - Richard Martin, Maharajah Of DenBiggles Sentenced for Life - Jim RichardsThe Cheaters - JackThe Hellfire Club - Sir Hugh ManningThe Treasure of Monte Cristo - Louis AuclairThe Pursuers - DavidTriton - Lieutenant LambThe Battleaxe - Tony EversThe Lamp in Assassin Mews - JackNine Hours to Rama - RampureHancock - Elmo DentA Stitch in Time - BensonA Little Big Business - Simon LiebermanThe Beauty Jungle - TaylorMurder Ahoy - Lieutenant ComptonThe Intelligence Men - ThomasDracula: Prince of Darkness - Charles KentRasputin the Mad Monk - IvanThat Riviera Touch - Hotel managerJust Like a Woman - Lewis McKenzieCaptain Scarlet and the Mysterons - Captain Scarlet Crossplot - RuddockPaul Temple - Paul TempleTaste of Excitement - Mr. BreeseFive Women for the Killer - Giorgio PisaniBrat Farrar - Alec LodingBunch of Five - Mr. StrathclydeTaggart - Dr. Gerald NapierThe Detectives - Duke of ConnemaraJonathan Creek - Jerry BellinitusDo Not Disturb - ManagerHeartbeat - Dr. James AlwayThe Royal - Dr. James AlwayCary Comes Home - Cary GrantAll About George - TedBeautiful People - Mr. BunionsRun For Your Wife -

Theatre

Help Stamp Out Marriage! – Stuart Wheeler

Radio

  • Cast, In Order of Disappearance – [A A Charles Paris Mystery|Charles Paris Mystery|Charles Paris]
  • So Much Blood – Charles Paris