Acting
Dec 17, 1922
London, England, UK
Tony Melody
Acting
Biography
Anthony John Melody (18 December 1922 – 26 June 2008), known professionally as Tony Melody, was an English television character actor who appeared in a number of long running comedies and soap operas, with more than 100 television roles. Born in London where his father was stationed in the Royal Horse Guards, Melody grew up in Goole, Yorkshire. He started his career as a professional singer and dancer and, whilst serving in the RAF during WWII, participated as such with the Ralph Reader Gang Show, entertaining the troops. In peace time, Melody began a double act with Jimmy Clitheroe, his neighbour in Bispham, Blackpool, which continued up until the entertainer's death in 1973. From the 1970s onwards, Melody was getting regular television work, in comedies at first, but gradually becoming more varied as time went on. In 1979 he starred in John Schlesinger's movie Yanks, which led to greater dramatic work on both film and television. Throughout his broadcasting, career he continued to work live in summer season (at holiday camps such as Butlin's, and in seaside resorts such as Blackpool and Skegness). He also worked in pantomime. Melody was married twice and had four children: three sons and a daughter from his first marriage. He died in a nursing home from cancer after a short illness on 26 June 2008, aged 85. His funeral was held at Carleton Crematorium, Blackpool, Lancashire on 3 July, and was survived by his second wife.
Feature Films (17)
During WWII, the United States set up army bases in Great Britain as part of the war effort. Against their proper sensibilities, many of the Brits don't much like the brash Yanks, especially when it comes to the G.I.s making advances on the lonely British girls. One relationship that develops is between married John, an Army Captain, and the aristocratic Helen, whose naval husband is away at war. Helen loves her husband, but Helen and John are looking for some comfort during the difficult times.
Yanks
Duke Turnbeau (David Soul) has come to England, in the 1930s, as a way to improve his fortunes. For some reason, he believes that his larcenous ways will bring him prosperity in the country which at one time or another has had rulership over a large portion of the globe. While there, he meets Rosie McCratchit (Pamela McMyler), a lovely Irish gal who could do with some improvement in her fortunes as well. Together, they have a series of legal, quasi-legal and definitely illegal adventures, including Duke's cow-roping and Rosie's response to the mud-wrestling challenge of the Amazon Lady, as well as an attempted armored-car robbery.
The Stick Up
A man with learning difficulties suffers neglect and ill-treatment, and this is only exasperated when his parents die and nobody seems to know what to do with him. A sequel to this film, titled "Walter and June", was released in 1983 and set 19 years later in time. In the United States, these two are sometimes bundled together under the title "Loving Walter".
Walter
Two separate people, a man and a woman, find something very stirring about the sea turtles in their tank at the London Zoo. They meet and form an odd, but sympathetic camaraderie as they plan to steal two of the turtles and free them into the ocean.
Turtle Diary
Television & Series (37)
Set during the 1960s in the fictional North Yorkshire village of Aidensfield, this enduringly popular series interweaves crime and medical storylines.
Heartbeat
Chinese British Detective Sergeant John Ho solves cases in the East End of London. Ho fits the pattern of the maverick detective, prepared to use unorthodox methods to solve his cases, which emerged in series like Z Cars and The Sweeney.
The Chinese Detective
Rumpole of the Bailey is a British television series created and written by the British writer and barrister John Mortimer. It stars Leo McKern as Horace Rumpole, an aging London barrister who defends any and all clients, and has been spun off into a series of short stories, novels, and radio programmes.
Rumpole of the Bailey
Brenda leads a conventional domestic life, but after 21 years of marriage she starts to take small steps away from her settled existence.
Home and Away
Cannon and Ball star as security guards Trevor and Bernard at the Margaret Thatcher Plaza shopping centre Trevor Purvis and his senior, Bernard Cooney, are security guards at the Margaret Thatcher Plaza shopping precinct. Whilst Bernard is eager to just get on and get the shift completed, Purvis is a little more casual with his use of company time.
