Sam Kydd

Sam Kydd's career began in the 'Big Band' era of the 1930s, and he started out as an M.C. for bands such as The Oscar Rabin Band. As an M.C., Sam told jokes, did impressions and tap danced. Sam appeared in at least 138 feature films during his career.

Sam Kydd's career began in the 'Big Band' era of the 1930s, and 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 was 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, 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 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, and The Cruel Sea. Sam's television appearances run into thousands (literally), as well as starring roles in Crane and Orlando, his many television appearances include: Dixon of Dock Green, The Army Game, Sykes, Hancock's Half Hour, Crossroads (Mr Walton), and Coronation Street (Frankie Baldwin). 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.

Thanks to Jonathan Kydd for the photographs of his father published on this website and also for permission to quote from biographical information which can also be found on Jonathan's own website: www.jonathankydd.com