A. E. Matthews

A.E. Matthews OBE (22 November 1869 - 25 July 1960) was born in Bridlington, Yorkshire, England. Nicknamed "Matty", he was christened Alfred Edward Matthews. He was born in a small cottage, now demolished, which existed on the site of the current B&Q store in the town. The actor was affectionately regarded by the British public, playing innumerable character roles on the stage and in film for eight decades, including the wartime tour of The First Mrs. Fraser, with Dame Marie Tempest and Barry Morse and later in the extremely popular films Carry on Admiral, Doctor at Large and Around the World in 80 Days, amongst many others.

From World War II until his death he enjoyed renown as one of British cinema's most famous crotchety, and sometimes rascally, old men.

Matthews' other most well-known films include The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp, The Million Pound Note (with Gregory Peck), Inn for Trouble, The Magic Box, The Ghosts of Berkeley Square and Just William's Luck.

This much-loved man appeared on the TV programme "This Is Your Life", a notable feature of which was at the end, where while regaling audience and viewers with his engaging reminiscences, he was faded out. He was working as an actor right up to the time of his death aged 91.

In his ninetieth year, A. E. Matthews made national headlines by sitting, for several days and nights, on the pavement outside his beautiful Georgian home near London, his purpose being to prevent the city council from installing a new streetlight, the design of which he felt was totally out of keeping with the neighbourhood and which badly needed improvement.

In 2008 Greg Knight the Member of Parliament for East Yorkshire which includes ‘Matty’s’ birthplace Bridlington, launched a campaign to have his achievements recognised with a blue plaque.

He appeared in a recording of popular 1950's radio programme "The Goon Show", which featured a lamp-post.

External links

* [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0559920/ IMDb entry]
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* [http://ibdb.com/person.asp?ID=15584 Internet Broadway Database entry]
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* [http://www.bris.ac.uk/theatrecollection/search/people_sub_plays?forename=A%20E&surname=MATTHEWS&job=Actor&pid=16247&image_view=Yes&x=19&y=17 Performance details in University of Bristol Theatre Archive]
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* [http://www.britmovie.co.uk/actors/m/006.html A.E. Matthews Biography]