Graham Crowden RIP

A wonderful actor, with a great talent for comedy...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-11598137

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graham_Crowden

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Very_Peculiar_Practice (BCG thread about the show... https://www.comedy.co.uk/forums/thread/5320/ )

Possibly his most well-known role was opposite Stephanie Cole in the genial old people's home sitcom Waiting For God. However, I think his best TV role was as Jock McCannon in the BBC/Andrew Davies series A Very Peculiar Practice, a show which I would urge a lot more people to see. It was an often very dark comedy, and the type of comedy drama which managed to be both genuinely funny and genuinely good drama. Jock remains one of my favourite TV characters and, along with (The Fall And Rise Of Reginald Perrin's) Doc Morrissey, one of the funniest on-screen doctors ever.

The other show that he had a major role in (not listed in his Wiki bio for some reason) is the BBC's adaptation of the whimsical comic novel Love On A Branch Line (which also starred Leslie Philips & David Haig). This series also never seems to get a repeat screening, but it was also really, really good.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love_on_a_Branch_Line_(TV_series)

RIP, Mr Crowden.

Sad news, but a good age.

Superb and memorable in a variety of roles in the Lindsay Anderson trilogy 'If', 'O! Lucy Man' and 'Britannia Hospital'

(Though Brittania Hospital is, to be honest, dreadful...)

Quote: Tim Walker @ October 21 2010, 5:07 PM BST

(Though Brittania Hospital is, to be honest, dreadful...)

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The only thing I can remember about that film is a scene involving man with a sheep's body. I think.

Sounds bizarre. Yes Graham was fantastic in Waiting For God, underrated series IMO. I would easily rank it alongside One Foot In The Grave and Keeping Up Appearances in my favourite 90s sitcoms list

Quote: Tim Walker @ October 21 2010, 5:07 PM BST

(Though Brittania Hospital is, to be honest, dreadful...)

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Watch it again. Even bad Lindsay Anderson movies have enough astonishing moments to make up for most of the bland dross that passes for moviemaking nowadays.

Quote: chipolata @ October 21 2010, 5:14 PM BST

The only thing I can remember about that film is a scene involving man with a sheep's body. I think.

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That's the middle film in the trilogy, O Lucky Man, much better than the more famous If imo, a really interesting movie, it's fantastic. Also has Helen Mirren in it looking all young and sultry and rather shagable.

Waiting For God is one of my favourite comedies of all time. Such a shame.

RIP Graham. Never seen Waiting For God. His only appearance I can think of was as the Vicar who organised a game of cricket featuring Freddie Trueman in the final instalment of Two In Clover.

Very Peculiar Practice - classic drama. Great actor. RIP.

Quote: Jack Massey @ October 22 2010, 11:23 AM BST

RIP Graham. Never seen Waiting For God. His only appearance I can think of was as the Vicar who organised a game of cricket featuring Freddie Trueman in the final instalment of Two In Clover.

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Never seen Waiting For God? You should rectify that.

Wasn't he also in The Amazing Mr Blunden?

Great actor. loved him in A Very Peculiar Practice too (When Andrew Davies had something to write about).

Not so good as Soldeed in Horns of the Nimon - in fact f**king terrible as Soldeed, in probably the worst Dr. Who story ever. He must've been taking the piss.

Quote: Tuumble @ October 22 2010, 11:46 AM BST

Wasn't he also in The Amazing Mr Blunden?

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Yes, and Up The Chastity Belt with Frankie Howerd.