The British actor, producer and writer Michael Medwin was born on 18th July 1923 in London who has been active in film and TV productions for over 6 decades.

He initially became popular in post WWII films where he was type-cast as brash, lively Cockneys in both war drama and light farce, but he later developed into intriguing and occasionally eccentric characters.
 
In the 1940’s he appeared in such films as The Piccadilly incident (1946), An Ideal Husband (1947), Just William’s Luck (1948), Forbidden (1949) and also Helter Skelter (19490 – he played the part of the BBC Boxing Commentator.
 
During the 1950’s and 1960’s the many films that he appeared in include, The Long Dark Hall (1951), Miss Robin Hood (19562), Hindle Wakes (1952), Doctor at Sea (1955), Doctor at Large (1957), Carry on Nurse (1959), Crooks Anonymous (1962), The Longest Day (1962), Night Must Fall (1964) and Rattle of a Single Man (1964).  One of his more famous roles was a Nephew Fred in 1970’s Scrooge.
 
The many TV series that he has appeared in include Shoestring, Call Me Mister, Boon, Colin’s Sandwich, Twenty Thousand Streets Under the Sky and Heartbeat.

The actor Billy Russell was born 16th July 1893 in Birmingham, England as Adam George Brown.  He started his film acting career in the late 1930’s and made over 40 appearances in films and TV shows through to his death in 1971.  He died 25th November 1971 in London.

One of his earliest film appearances was in an uncredited role as Adolf Hitler (pictured) in 1940’s Night Train to Munich.  Other films that he appeared in include The Galloping Major (1951) (2nd image), The Man in the White Suit (1951), Judgement Deferred (1952) and his final role as the Professor attacked by the Droogs in 1971’s A Clockwork Orange. 

His TV appearances include: as Captain Coffin in Poison Island (1965), Sam Carter in United! (1966), Toby Smith in The Newcomers (1969) and as Robert Creedle in The Woodlanders (1970).
 

Born David Edgar Alderson Horne on 14 July 1898 in Sussex, the actor and playwright David Horne began his film career in the 1930s, after a distinguished early career in the theatre. He was generally seen portraying pompous, self-satisfied characters. He never managed to rise to the "star" level in his silver screen acting career, but he was an indispensable character actor, and played many utility parts such as desk clerks, newspaper editors, police officials, lawyers and doctors. He continued his theatre work until his death on15 March 1970.

For fans of Basil Radford and Naunton Wayne, he appeared alongside them in 1940’s Night Train to Munich – he played the role of an ‘Official at the prague Steelworks’ (pictured).
 
Of the 113 film and TV appearances that he made, the more memorable productions include: The Mill on the Floss (1936), The Stars Look Down (1940, Inspector Hornleigh Goes to It (1941), The Day Will Dawn (1942), The Man from Morocco (1945), Saraband for Dead Lovers (1948), Madeleine (1950), The Intruder (1953), Three Cases of Murder and Nurse on Wheels (1963.
 
His TV roles include appearances in 1952’s The Pickwick Papers, Dr Nesbit in 1958’s More Than Robbery, The Small House at Allington (1960) and 1960’s Police Surgeon.
 

One of Britain's most beloved eccentric comedians, the irrepressible, gap-toothed Terry-Thomas was born Thomas Terry Hoar Stevens in Finchley on 14th July 1911. Deemed to have no acting talent at school, he took to music and soon fronted his own jazz band, "The Rhythm Maniacs", in which he also played ukulele. His initial experience in the work force was, at best humdrum, at worst traumatic. He started as a transport clerk with the Union Cold Storage Company, went on selling meat at the Smithfield Markets and then peddled insurance policies for Norwich Union. By both choice and inclination, he didn't fit into any of these jobs, was often bullied and consequently adopted as his life-long mantra the motto "I Shall Not Be Cowed".

He turned to professional ballroom dancing, found work in films as an extra and performed comedy monologues, as well as impersonations in night clubs and cabaret.. The onset of World War II put his burgeoning career on hold. He enlisted in the Army Signals Corps rising to the rank of sergeant. Between 1940 and 1942, Terry participated in the ENSA program, staging his own shows "Cabaret Parade" and "Stars in Battledress". It was at this time, that he first adopted the affected mannerisms, which later became his stock-in-trade. He also demonstrated an amazing repertoire for imitating popular vocalists and for recreating all types of sound effects with his voice.

In July 1946, Terry joined the cast of the revue "Piccadilly Hayride" and suddenly became the comic discovery of the year, which ended with a Royal Variety Performance in front of King and Queen. His proper breakthrough, though, came via his radio show "To Town with Terry" (and its sequel), aired on the BBC Home Service from October 1948. This opened many doors, including Terry getting his own TV series, How Do You View? (1949).

During 1949 he appeared in a cameo role as himself in the mad-cap comedy Helter Skelter (pictured).

After a brace of nondescript roles, he was finally cast as the effete, derisive Major Hitchcock in the first of several films produced by the Boulting brothers, Private's Progress (1956). For several years after, Terry's popularity flourished with similar films taking a jaundiced view of British institutions.

Such films include Lucky Jim (1957), Blue Murder at St. Trinian's (1957), Tom Thumb (1958), starred as the titular Carlton-Browne of the F.O. (1959), I’m All Right Jack (1959), School for Scoundrels (1960) and  Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines (1965).

He came to epitomise the archetypal British 'silly ass' -- an instantly recognisable figure replete with RAF-style moustache, cheeky gap-toothed grin, mobile eyebrows, flashy waistcoats, button-hole carnation, suede shoes and enormous cigarette holders (including one studded with 42 diamonds!). Life imitated art, when it came to womanising, clothing and accessories. Terry, a founding member of the London Waistcoat Club, ended up owning more than 150 of these garments, in addition to 80 Savile Row bespoke suits.

Terry-Thomas died in Godalming, Surrey, on 8th January 1990 at the age of 78.