Michael Ripper


Michael George Ripper was an English character actor who appeared in many British horror, comedy and science fiction films.

Career

Ripper began his film career in quota quickies in the 1930s and until the late 1950s was virtually unknown; he was seldom credited. Along with Michael Gough he played one of the two murderers in Laurence Olivier's film version of Richard III.
From the late 1940s Ripper became a mainstay in Hammer Film Productions playing supporting character roles: coachmen, peasants, tavern keepers, pirates, soldiers, and sidekicks. Appearing in more of the company's films than any other performer, these included There Is No Escape, X the Unknown, The Camp on Blood Island, The Revenge of Frankenstein, The Mummy, The Brides of Dracula, Captain Clegg, The Scarlet Blade, The Reptile, The Plague of the Zombies and The Mummy's Shroud.
Some of Ripper's parts were little better than glorified bits, but his penultimate role for Hammer Films was a significant supporting part as a landlord in Scars of Dracula in 1970.
Ripper is also well remembered for his role as a jockey/horse trainer in The Belles of St. Trinian's and the liftman in the next three of the St. Trinian's comedies, and on television for his role as Thomas the chauffeur in the BBC comedy Butterflies and as Burke, one of the two criminals in the youth television series Freewheelers.
Ripper's other television roles include Mr Shepherd, Aunt Sally's owner, in Worzel Gummidge, a judge in "Voice in The Night", a 1958 episode of The Adventures of William Tell, in a 1960 episode of Danger Man entitled "The Lovers" in the role of Miguel Torres, as well as in the 1962 episode entitled "The Island" as Kane, Phunkey in The Pickwick Papers and the Drones Porter in Jeeves and Wooster.

Partial filmography

Twice Branded – Minor role Prison Breaker – Not So Dusty – Bit Role To Catch a Thief – The Heirloom Mystery Nothing Like Publicity – Pearls Bring Tears – Busman's Holiday – CrookFarewell to Cinderella – Undetermined Role Strange Adventures of Mr. Smith – Undetermined Role Fifty-Shilling Boxer – Father Steps Out – Minor Role Why Pick on Me? – Easy Riches – CuthbertPaid in Error – Minor Role His Lordship Regrets – You're the Doctor – His Lordship Goes to Press – Luck of the Navy Miracles Do Happen – Morning Comet Reporter Blind Folly – Captain Boycott – Pat NolanOliver Twist – BarneyThe Dark Road – Andy AndersonNoose – Nelson The History of Mr. Polly – Third Store Employee Carrying Packages The Rocking Horse Winner – 2nd Chauffeur The Adventures of PC 49 Investigating the Case of the Guardian Angel – FingersYour Witness – Samuel 'Sam' BaxterLet's Have a Murder - GunmanA Case for PC 49 – George SteeleLady Godiva Rides Again – Joe Old Mother Riley's Jungle Treasure – JakeSecret People – CharlieTreasure Hunt – Removal Man Derby Day – 1st Newspaper Reporter Folly to Be Wise – Drill CorporalAlf's Baby – MikeThe Story of Gilbert and Sullivan – LouisAppointment in London – Bomb AimerBlood Orange – EddieThe Intruder – MechanicPersonal Affair – Reporter The Rainbow Jacket – Benny LoderThe Belles of St. Trinian's – Albert FaningThe Sea Shall Not Have Them – BotterhillTale of Three Women – Simkins The Constant Husband – Left Luggage AttendantGeordie – ReporterSecret Venture – Bill RymerRichard III – Forrest, 2nd murdererA Man on the Beach - as Unnamed Chauffeur 1984 – Outer Party OratorYield to the Night – Roy, bar good-timerReach for the Sky – Warrant Officer WestThe Green Man – WaiterX the Unknown – Sgt. Harry GrimsdykeThe Steel Bayonet – Pvt. MiddleditchQuatermass 2 – ErnieWoman in a Dressing Gown – PawnbrokerThese Dangerous Years – Pvt. SimpsonNot Wanted on Voyage – Steward MacyThe One That Got Away – Corporal The Naked Truth – J.E. Freeman – Greengrocer Blue Murder at St Trinian's – Eric – The LiftmanThe Camp on Blood Island – Japanese DriverUp the Creek – DecoratorThe Revenge of Frankenstein – KurtGirls at Sea – Jumper, MarineFurther Up the Creek – Ticket CollectorI Only Arsked! – AzimQuatermass and the Pit – SergeantThe Man Who Could Cheat Death – Morgue Attendant Bobbikins – Naval Petty Officer The Mummy – PoacherThe Ugly Duckling – BennyJackpot – Lenny LaneSink the Bismarck! – Able Seaman, Lookout 'Suffolk' Dead Lucky – Percy SimpsonThe Brides of Dracula – CoachmanNot a Hope in Hell – SidA Circle of Deception – Monsieur ChauvelThe Pure Hell of St Trinian's – LiftmanThe Curse of the Werewolf – Old SoakA Matter of WHO – SkipperPetticoat Pirates – TugThe Pirates of Blood River – Mack, a pirateCaptain Clegg – Jeremiah Mipps The Phantom of the Opera – Longfaced CabbieOut of the Fog (1962 film) – TichA Prize of Arms – Cpl. FreemanThe Amorous Prawn – AngusTwo Left Feet – Uncle RegThe Punch and Judy Man – WaiterWhat a Crazy World – The Common ManSwallows and Amazons – Old BillieThe Scarlet Blade – PabloThe Human Jungle - - as DublaneThe Devil-Ship Pirates – Pepe, a pirateEvery Day's a Holiday – Mr. George PullmanThe Curse of the Mummy's Tomb – AchmedThe Secret of Blood Island – Lt TojokoThe Spy Who Came in from the Cold – Lofthouse The Plague of the Zombies – Sergeant Jack SwiftRasputin the Mad Monk – Waggoner The Reptile – Tom BaileyThe Great St Trinian's Train Robbery – The LiftmanWhere the Bullets Fly – AngelThe Deadly Bees – David HawkinsThe Mummy's Shroud – LongbarrowTorture Garden – Gordon Roberts Inspector Clouseau – Steven FreyThe Lost Continent – Sea LawyerDracula Has Risen from the Grave – MaxJourney into Darkness – Albert Cole Moon Zero Two – 1st Card PlayerMumsy, Nanny, Sonny and Girly – Zoo attendantTaste the Blood of Dracula – CobbScars of Dracula – LandlordThat's Your Funeral – Arthur The Creeping Flesh – CarterNo Sex Please, We're British – Traffic WardenLegend of the Werewolf – Sewerman