Don Stannard
Don Stannard | |
|---|---|
 Dick Barton publicity still | |
| Born | 1915 |
| Died | 9 July 1949 (aged 33–34) Cookham Dean, Berkshire, England, UK |
| Alma mater | RADA |
| Occupation | Actor |
Don Stannard (10 September 1915 – 9 July 1949) was a British actor.[1]
Born in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex,[2] Stannard was the son of a banker,[3] A. Gordon Smythe Stannard, and Abigail Stannard. He attended Lindisfarne College[4] and trained at RADA, graduating in 1935.[2] He acted in repertory theater and had bit parts in English films, and inability to gain recognition nearly caused him to give up acting and join his father in banking.[4]
He was a stand-in for Robert Donat before a screen test led to his being signed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1937.[3] The subject of the test in England was a young woman, and Stannard's face was seen only in flashes opposite her. Louis B. Mayer, who was in London on a talent search, saw the test and signed Stannard to a contract.[4]
He is best remembered for playing the secret agent Dick Barton in three Hammer films: Dick Barton: Special Agent, Dick Barton Strikes Back and Dick Barton at Bay.[5] A fourth Barton film was scheduled, Dick Barton in Africa, but Stannard was killed in a car crash driving back from the wrap party and Hammer elected not to continue the series.[6][7]
Stannard was also an author, playwright, and poet.[4]
Filmography
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1938 | Hold That Kiss | Captain in Moving Picture | Uncredited |
| 1939 | Bridal Suite | Best Man | Uncredited |
| 1945 | Don Chicago | Ken Cressing | |
| 1945 | Pink String and Sealing Wax | John Bevan | |
| 1945 | Caesar and Cleopatra | Roman Officer | Uncredited |
| 1946 | I'll Turn to You | Roger Meredith | |
| 1947 | Death in High Heels | Detective Charlesworth | |
| 1948 | Dick Barton: Special Agent | Dick Barton | |
| 1949 | The Temptress | Derek Clifford | |
| 1949 | Dick Barton Strikes Back | Dick Barton | |
| 1950 | Dick Barton at Bay | (final film role) |
References
[edit]- ↑ "Don Stannard". BFI. Archived from the original on 7 March 2016.
- 1 2 Fabrique. "Donald Stannard — RADA". www.rada.ac.uk.
- 1 2 "Ameche to Appear in Paramount Film; Expected to Begin Work Jan. 1 in 'Ensenada'--Mayer Signs Stannard, British Actor". The New York Times. 15 October 1937. p. 18. Retrieved 18 March 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "Accidental Screen Test Meant Contract For Don Stannard". Portland Press Herald. 11 October 1938. p. 16. Retrieved 18 March 2026.
- ↑ "Don Stannard". www.aveleyman.com.
- ↑ Bruce G. Hallenbeck, British Cult Cinema: Hammer Fantasy and Sci-Fi, Hemlock Books 2011 p46
- ↑ "Don Stannard - Biography, Movie Highlights and Photos". AllMovie.
External links
[edit]- Don Stannard at IMDb
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