Extra!!

[adeUK]

This is slightly off-topic to start with. I came across an obituary - just a couple of lines really - of a chap I'd never heard of. I didn't recognise his name; I could't have named any of his film appearances; having said that, I was astounded he was still alive. His name was Robert Whitney. IMDb doesn't mention his most important contribution to film history. One look at him in costume made me smile: Robert Whitney is arguably the most familiar extra in film history, certainly one of the most parodied.



Who are the most familiar extra "characters" in British films? I don't necessarily mean actors: we seem to be very good at identifying faces here.



Robert Whitney, by the way, was the policeman who wordlessly encourages Gene Kelly to get on his way at the end of the Singin' in the Rain title number. He was 95 when he died last week. For some reason, Paddington Bear pops into my head!

[ChristineCB]

Interesting!



I wonder how often that Singin' In The Rain Lampost scene is shown?



I also saw that Barry Nelson died April 7th or so. He was the first James Bond (1954 TV episode), and after a decade to recover from that portrayal, a more fitful Bond was cast.

[batman]

Sorry to hear Barry Nelson had died ... I liked that TV Casino Royale ... especially Peter Lorre as Le Chiffre ... when the new version was announced Mr Nelson was interviewed ... he looked like Willie Nelson ... watch out Daniel Craig!