Sam
Kydd's career began in the 'Big Band' era of the 1930s; he started out
as an M.C. for bands such as The Oscar Rabin Band. As an M.C.,
Sam told
jokes, did impressions, tap danced (he had given tap dancing lessons at
his mother's house in Chiswick, West London) and introduced the singers
and guest artistes. Sam would also sing a song or two himself!
Band
Leader Oscar Rabin had formed a band as early as 1922, this was known
as The Romany Five, performing at the Palais de Dance in Derby
(a city in the East-Midlands of England). However, it was in the
1930's
and the period leading up to the Second World War when The Oscar Rabin
Band had become one of the best known British dance bands that Sam Kydd
joined them as an M.C. During this time the band toured throughout the
country.
Sam's
day jobs included working in the bedding department at Whiteley's
Department store in Bayswater, London and later for Alvis Cars, he also
entered talent contests where there would be cash prizes.
Sam
Kydd's father had served in the Army and Sam joined the Territorial
Army in the late 1930s, which meant that he was one of the first to be
'called-up' for service. Following a period of his training at military friendly colleges, Sam
was
sent with the British Expeditionary Force to Calais. Later, Sam
was
captured by the enemy, and spent the rest of the war as a P.O.W.
(Prisoner of War), he wrote a book: For You The War Is Over,
about his five years in captivity. In the book, Sam makes light
of the
severe deprivation and ill-health he suffered whilst at the prison camp.
When the war was over, Sam recommenced his career as an M.C. and later
got his first film role in The Captive Heart (1946), after he
answered a newspaper advertisement asking for 'advisors' for a film on
Prisoners of War. Twenty advisors were used for the film, not
only to
talk about their wartime experiences, but to become supporting artistes
in the film.
For a while in the late 1950s, Sam introduced programmes on television
after the 6pm news; writing all his own scripts and dressed as
different characters. Sam also played a character on television
called Fred
the Burglar, where he would advise people on crime prevention and
how not to get burgled!
Sam Kydd's prolific film career of at least 138 feature films, spanned
five decades and included: Scott of the Antarctic, Passport
to Pimlico, The Blue Lamp, Angels One Five, Island of Terrorand The Cruel Sea.
Sam's television appearances run into thousands (literally), as well as
starring roles inCrane andOrlando,
his many television appearances include: Dixon ofDock Green,
The Army Game, Sykes, Hancock's Half Hour,
Crossroads (Mr Walton) and Coronation Street
(Frank 'Frankie' Baldwin 1980-1982). Sam Kydd's legacy of
feature films and television appearances ensures that he can be seen
regularly on our television screens still to this day.
