Hubbry Logo
Philip FriendPhilip FriendMain
Open search
Philip Friend
Community hub
Philip Friend
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Philip Friend
Philip Friend
Philip Friend
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Philip Friend in Thunder on the Hill (1951) trailer

Philip Wyndham Friend (20 February 1915 in Horsham, Sussex – 1 September 1987 in Chiddingfold, Surrey) was a British film and television actor.[1]

Philip Friend in Buccaneer's Girl (1950) trailer

Career

[edit]

Britain

[edit]

Friend went to Bradfield College where he became interested in acting. He began appearing in musical comedies in 1935, and was soon working on the West End. He was in a production of French Without Tears that was on Broadway. He returned to London and was busy on the stage until war broke out after which he joined the Royal Fusiliers.[2]

Friend had small roles in British films like Inquest (1939), The Midas Touch (1940), and Old Bill and Son (1941).

He was in Dangerous Moonlight (1941), 'Pimpernel' Smith (1941), Sheepdog of the Hills (1941), Back-Room Boy (1942), The Day Will Dawn (1942), The Next of Kin (1942), In Which We Serve (1942), The Young Mr. Pitt (1942), and We Dive at Dawn (1943).

Friend had bigger parts in The Bells Go Down (1943) with Tommy Trinder, Warn That Man (1943) with Gordon Harker and The Flemish Farm (1943), and could be seen in Two Thousand Women (1944). He had a decent sized role in Great Day (1945).

Friend returned to the stage with Pink String and Sealing Wax and The First Gentleman.[2]

Hollywood

[edit]

In February 1946 Friend signed a contract with David O. Selznick who brought the actor to Hollywood.[3] Selznick wound up not using Friend in any of his films.

Friend had a support part in My Own True Love (1948) with Phyllis Calvert. He could also be seen in Enchantment (1948).

Friend was a British soldier in Sword in the Desert (1949) at Universal. They liked his work and signed him to a contract, casting him in the lead of Buccaneer's Girl (1950) with Yvonne de Carlo. Friend was kept at Universal for Spy Hunt (1950), then the studio dropped him. They hired him back to play the villain in Smuggler's Island (1951).[4] He was in Thunder on the Hill (1951).[5]

Friend had the star role in The Highwayman (1952) for Monogram Pictures.[6][7]

Friend began appearing on TV in such shows as The Philco-Goodyear Television Playhouse and Kraft Theatre. On Broadway he was meant to join the cast of Faithfully Yours but Equity objected.[8] Instead he starred in Jane in 1952.[9]

Return to Britain

[edit]

Friend returned home to be in Desperate Moment (1953). He had support roles in Background (1952), The Diamond (1954), Dick Turpin: Highwayman (1956), Cloak Without Dagger (1956) and The Betrayal (1956). He also appeared regularly on British TV shows such as The Errol Flynn Theatre.

Friend's later work included Son of Robin Hood (1958), The Solitary Child (1958), Web of Suspicion (1959), The Fur Collar (1962), Stranglehold (1962), and The Vulture (1966).

One of his last appearances was in the TV movie Suez 1956 (1979).

Personal life

[edit]

Friend was married to the actress Eileen Erskine, and they had two sons.[2]

Partial filmography

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Philip Friend

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Philip Friend (20 February 1915 – 1 September 1987) was a British best known for his supporting roles in mid-20th-century films and television, often portraying suave leading men or authoritative figures in British and occasional Hollywood productions. Born Philip Wyndham Friend in , , , he began his acting career in the late with small roles in British films such as (1939) and The Midas Touch (1940). His early work included appearances in wartime productions like Noël Coward's (1942), where he played a minor naval officer, marking one of his first notable credits alongside stars like and . Friend's career peaked in the and , spanning over 38 film and television credits until 1967, with roles in thrillers, adventures, and dramas such as (1951) opposite , Buccaneer's Girl (1950) with , and Cloak Without Dagger (1956). He also appeared in television series like (1956) and later films including Son of Robin Hood (1959) and The Vulture (1967). Despite working in both theater and Hollywood, Friend remained a without achieving major stardom. In his personal life, Friend was married to actress Eileen Erskine, and the couple resided in . He passed away at age 72 in , , , concluding a four-decade in .

Early Life

Birth and Family Background

Philip Wyndham Friend was born on 20 February 1915 in , , . Details about his family background are not well-documented.

Education and Initial Interests

Philip Friend's formal education details are not extensively documented in available records, but his early passion for the is evident from his swift entry into professional . He began his career on in 1935, starting with roles in musical comedies that highlighted his emerging talent as a . This initial foray into quickly propelled him to greater visibility. In , Friend made his Broadway debut in Terence Rattigan's French Without Tears, portraying Kenneth Lake in the production that ran from September 1937 to January 1938, marking a significant step in his development as an . His affinity for light comedy and dramatic roles during this period laid the foundation for his subsequent work in British films and beyond.

Career

Early Theatre and British Films (1930s–1940s)

Friend began his professional acting career on the stage in 1935, initially appearing in musical comedies before transitioning to more prominent West End productions. His early theatre work highlighted his charm and versatility as a leading man in light comedies. In 1937, he achieved a significant breakthrough with his Broadway debut in Terence Rattigan's French Without Tears at the Henry Miller Theatre, portraying Kenneth Lake in the production that opened on September 28, 1937, and ran for 111 performances. This role, part of a comedy exploring the romantic entanglements of young Englishmen in France, marked Friend's entry into international theatre and solidified his reputation for suave, youthful characters. Transitioning to film in the late 1930s, Friend made his screen debut in the British courtroom drama (1939), directed by Roy Boulting, where he played the ambitious Richard Neale KC opposite . This supporting role introduced him to cinema audiences amid the pre-war British film industry. Throughout the 1940s, Friend became a familiar face in British productions, often cast in supporting roles that capitalized on his athletic build and debonair persona, frequently evoking a more accessible version of in adventure and wartime narratives. During , Friend's film career aligned with the era's and morale-boosting efforts, featuring in several key and releases. In Leslie Howard's anti-Nazi thriller 'Pimpernel' Smith (1941), he portrayed the idealistic student Harrison, assisting in the rescue of intellectuals from . He followed with a role as a Polish pilot in Brian Desmond Hurst's (1941), contributing to the film's romantic wartime aviation theme. Other notable 1942 appearances included (1942), Noël Coward's directorial debut, where Friend played the torpedo operator Torps aboard a beleaguered , emphasizing themes of British resilience. That year, he also featured as a pilot in The Avengers (1942) and in the espionage drama The Next of Kin (1942), warning against careless talk. Friend's post-1942 roles continued to blend drama and light adventure, such as the firefighter Bob in Basil Dearden's The Bells Go Down (1943), depicting the London Blitz's Auxiliary Fire Service. In 1944, he appeared in Frank Launder's all-female wartime comedy 2,000 Women as a brief romantic interest in a French internment camp setting, and in Basil Dearden's utopian fantasy They Came to a City (1944). By the mid-1940s, Friend had amassed over a dozen British film credits, primarily in ensemble casts that underscored his reliability in period pieces and morale films, though he rarely headlined. His work during this decade laid the foundation for his later international opportunities, blending theatrical poise with cinematic presence.

World War II Military Service

During the outbreak of in September 1939, Philip Friend enlisted in the and was assigned to the Royal Fusiliers, an infantry regiment of the . He served actively with the regiment for three years, participating in military operations as part of the Allied forces against in Europe. Friend's wartime duties interrupted his burgeoning acting career, but he was honorably discharged around 1942, allowing him to return to the stage and screen by 1943. His service in the Royal Fusiliers later inspired personal reflections, including an expressed ambition to produce a film depicting the regiment's experiences.

Hollywood Transition and Roles (1946–1952)

Following his military service in World War II, Philip Friend transitioned to Hollywood in 1946 after signing a term contract with producer David O. Selznick, who sought to import promising British talent to American cinema. Although signed by Selznick, Friend did not appear in any of his films and instead worked for other studios. This move marked Friend's entry into the U.S. film industry, where he aimed to establish himself as a suave leading man, leveraging his stage experience from London productions and pre-war British films. However, his Hollywood career unfolded amid the post-war studio system's emphasis on B-pictures and supporting roles for imported actors, limiting him to mid-tier productions despite initial promise. Friend made his American screen debut in the romantic drama Enchantment (1948), produced by and directed by Irving Reis, playing the supporting role of Pelham Dane, a veteran entangled in a of and regret. The film, shot in black-and-white with cinematography by the acclaimed in his final project, highlighted Friend's polished English demeanor but positioned him as a secondary figure opposite stars like and . This debut paved the way for further opportunities, including a supporting part as Michael Heath, the son of a widowed American officer, in the Paramount romance My Own True Love (1949), where he shared the screen with and in a story of transatlantic wartime romance. By 1949, Friend secured work at Universal-International, appearing as the British officer Lieutenant Ellerton in the adventure film Sword in the Desert, a pro-Zionist set during the British Mandate in , starring and . His performance impressed studio executives, leading to a series of contracts and leading roles in Universal's low-budget adventures. He took the male lead as the refined pirate Frederic Baptiste opposite in the Buccaneer's Girl (1950), a colorful musical that emphasized his debonair charm amid seafaring action. Friend followed with the espionage thriller Spy Hunt (1950) for , portraying the suspicious hunter Chris Denson in a tense narrative of intrigue on the Italian coast, co-starring . Universal rehired Friend for antagonistic turns, casting him as the scheming husband Allan Craig in the tropical adventure Smuggler's Island (1951), where he provided villainous contrast to leads Jeff Chandler and Evelyn Keyes in a tale of buried treasure and smuggling. He then played Sidney Kingham, the despairing fiancé of a convicted murderer, in the Universal film noir Thunder on the Hill (1951), directed by Douglas Sirk and starring Claudette Colbert as a nun unraveling a mystery during a flood. Friend's Hollywood phase culminated in the title role of the highwayman in Monogram Pictures' The Highwayman (1951), a period adventure based on Alfred Noyes' poem, where he led a band of robbers in 18th-century England alongside Wanda Hendrix, though the low-budget production underscored the challenges of achieving stardom in B-films. Despite these varied roles, Friend's time in Hollywood yielded no major breakthroughs, prompting his return to Britain by the mid-1950s.

Return to Britain and Later Work (1950s–1970s)

After concluding his Hollywood engagements in the early 1950s, Philip Friend returned to Britain, where he resumed work in the British film industry, appearing in a series of supporting roles in thrillers and adventure films. In the mid-1950s, Friend established himself in the UK film scene with roles such as Captain Bob Sawyer in the thriller Desperate Moment (1953), a tense border-crossing drama starring , and Inspector McClaren in the espionage film The Diamond (1954). He continued with adventure-oriented parts, including Major Felix Gratton in Cloak Without Dagger (also known as Operation Conspiracy, 1956), a low-budget British spy thriller. By the late 1950s, his film work shifted toward character roles, such as James Random in the psychological drama The Solitary Child (1958) and Dorchester in the historical adventure Son of (1959), reflecting a move from leads to more ensemble supporting parts in modestly budgeted productions. Friend's career in the 1960s increasingly turned to television, where he took on recurring guest roles in popular British series. Notable appearances included Steffan in the crime film Stranglehold (1962) and Eddie Morgan in the TV serial The Fur Collar (1962), but he found steady work on shows like Z Cars, portraying Mr. Hassall in episodes from 1968. He also played Commander Hawke in the children's adventure series Freewheelers (1968–1973), appearing in episodes such as "Thunderbolt!" and "Blockade" in 1969, contributing to the program's focus on youthful espionage and invention themes. By the 1970s, his on-screen output diminished, with sparse television guest spots signaling a gradual retirement from acting, though he remained active in occasional stage work until the early 1980s.

Personal Life

Marriage and Family

Philip Friend was married to the actress Eileen Erskine, known for roles in films such as (1946) and This Happy Breed (1944). The couple had a son, Martyn Friend, who pursued a career as a , working on series including Emmerdale Farm and : 4.50 from Paddington. Erskine outlived Friend, passing away in 1995.

Later Years and Death

After appearing in his final film role as the Vicar in The Vulture (1967), Friend retired from acting and withdrew from public life. He spent his remaining years in quiet retirement in , , where he resided with his wife, actress Eileen Erskine. Friend died on 1 September 1987 in at the age of 72. He was buried in an undisclosed location, though records suggest ties to his birthplace in , .

Filmography

Selected Film Roles

Philip Friend's film career spanned over four decades, encompassing roles in British wartime dramas, Hollywood adventures, and later British thrillers and period pieces. His performances often showcased his suave, leading-man presence, though he frequently played supporting characters in major productions. Below is a selection of his key film roles, highlighting significant contributions across different phases of his career.
YearFilm TitleRoleNotes
1939InquestRichard Neale KCFriend portrayed a young in this drama based on a real-life , marking one of his early credited roles in British cinema.
1941Pimpernel SmithSpencerIn Leslie Howard's anti-Nazi adventure, Friend played a aiding in the rescue of intellectuals from , contributing to the film's wartime elements.
1943The Bells Go DownBobAs a enduring the London Blitz, Friend supported in this drama depicting civilian heroism during .
1948EnchantmentPelham DaneIn this American romantic drama directed by Irving Reis, Friend appeared as a suitor in a multi-generational story of love and regret, starring alongside and .
1949Sword in the DesertLt. EllertonFriend took on the role of a conflicted British officer in this Hollywood about Jewish refugees smuggling arms to , co-starring and .
1950Buccaneer's GirlFrederic BaptistePortraying a refined pirate captain, Friend shared leads with in this Universal-International set in 19th-century New Orleans, blending adventure and musical elements.
1951Thunder on the HillSidney KinghamIn Douglas Sirk's suspenseful drama, Friend played a supporting role in a convent-set mystery involving and a flood, opposite and .
1953Desperate MomentCapt. Bob SawyerFriend depicted a escapee racing to prove his innocence in this British thriller directed by Compton Bennett, featuring and .
1954The DiamondInsp. McClarenAs a probing a heist in , Friend starred in this Anglo-American crime , emphasizing international intrigue and pursuit.
1958Son of Robin HoodDorchesterIn this Hammer Films adventure, Friend supported Al Hedison as a nobleman in a tale of medieval against corrupt rule.
1967The VultureThe VicarFriend's later role as a clergyman in this British horror-mystery involved elements and a family curse, directed by Lawrence Huntington.

Television and Stage Appearances

Friend's stage career began in 1935 with appearances in British musical comedies, transitioning to West End productions before his Broadway debut. In 1937, he starred as Kenneth Lake in Terence Rattigan's French Without Tears at the Henry Miller Theatre, a role that highlighted his suave, youthful charm in a about English students at a school. The production ran for 111 performances, marking one of his early international successes. Following his time in Hollywood, Friend returned to in 1952, originating the role of Gilbert Dabney in the Broadway comedy Jane at the Coronet Theatre, which explored domestic mishaps in a lighthearted vein. Though his later stage work was less documented, these appearances underscored his versatility in comedic and dramatic theater during the pre- and eras. On television, Friend frequently contributed to British anthology and series programming from the 1950s onward, often in supporting roles that leveraged his polished demeanor. He appeared in episodes of The Errol Flynn Theatre (1956–1957), an adventure hosted by , where he featured in dramatizations of classic tales. Similarly, he guest-starred in Colonel March of (1955) and The Vise (1954), crime dramas that showcased his ability to portray authoritative figures. In the late 1950s and 1960s, Friend's television roles included Martin Clearwater in (1959), a suspense series based on the film, emphasizing intrigue and moral ambiguity. He also portrayed Mr. Hassall in the police procedural (1962), contributing to the show's realistic depiction of . Later credits encompassed Sir Geoffrey Freshwater in the comedy series Moody and Pegg (1974), a role that brought humor to his established screen presence. These appearances, spanning genres from mystery to , reflected his steady work in British through the 1970s.
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.