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Andrew Cruickshank

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For 19th century Victorian colonial politician, seeAndrew Cruikshank.

Andrew Cruickshank
Born
Andrew John Maxton Cruickshank

(1907-12-25)25 December 1907
Aberdeen,Scotland
Died29 April 1988(1988-04-29)(aged 80)
London,England
NationalityScottish
Years active1937–1988
SpouseCurigwen Lewis

Andrew John Maxton Cruickshank(25 December 1907 inAberdeen,Aberdeenshire– 29 April 1988 inLondon[1][2]) was a Scottish actor, most famous for his portrayal of Dr Cameron in the long-running UKBBCtelevision seriesDr. Finlay's Casebook,which ran for 191 episodes from 1962 until 1971.[3]

Life and career

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Andrew Cruickshank (Junior) was born to Andrew and Annie Cruickshank (Cadger),[4]and was educated atAberdeen Grammar School.He was to have entered the profession ofcivil engineeringafter completing his education, but instead joinedprovincialrepertory theatres,[citation needed]leading to 1930 roles inOthelloat theSavoy TheatreinLondon,as Maudelyn inRichard of Bordeauxat theEmpire TheatreonBroadwayin 1934,[5]and culminating in his principal appearance (as three characters) on theLondonstagein 1935, at theGate Theatrein the playVictoria Regina.In 1939 Cruickshank played Claudius inTyrone Guthrie's modern-dress and uncutHamletat The Old Vic withAlec Guinnessin the title role. He returned to Broadway in 1951 until 1952, as theEarl of WarwickinGeorge Bernard Shaw's playSaint Joan,withUta Hagenin the lead role.[5]

His first film role followed in 1937, as thepoetRobert BurnsinAuld Lang Syne.Subsequently, however, he would betypecastinto portrayals of formal authority figures, such asjudgesanddoctors.[6]

He appeared in many television plays and series, amongst themA. J. Cronin'sDr. Finlay's Casebook,containing his most famous characterisation, Doctor Angus Cameron, a crusty but erudite senior partner in the ruralgeneral practicerun inTannochbrae,with the help of the much younger Doctor AlanFinlay(Bill Simpson) and "stiffPresbyterian"housekeeper Janet (Barbara Mullen).[7]The highly popularBBCproduction ran from 16 August 1962 until 3 January 1971, after which Cruickshank continued with it onBBC Radio 4for seven years, it having been adapted to that format since 10 March 1970. He finally bade farewell to the character on 18 December 1978, following its parting episode, "Going Home".[8]In 1963 he played the title role in the BBC sitcomMr Justice Duncannon,having appeared as that character in the final episode of the 1962 sitcomBrothers in Law.[9]

In August 1985, Cruickshank presentedThe Auld Alliance: A Personal Viewas part of theSaltire Society'sEdinburgh Festival Fringeprogramme.[10]

His final performance on the stage was as Justice Treadwell inBeyond Reasonable Doubtat theQueen's Theatrein 1987.[4]His last appearance of any kind was at the age of 80, in the first episode ( "Kicks" )[11]of series two of theITVtelevision production,King and Castle,[12]which starredNigel PlanerandDerek Martinas partners in a debt collection agency, and in which Cruickshank played "Mr Hodinett". It was aired on 10 May 1988, just over a week after his death.[12]

He was chair of the board of directors ofEdinburgh Festival Fringebetween 1970 and 1983.[citation needed]

Personal life

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He married actressCurigwen Lewisin 1939, and they had one son and two daughters.[4]

Theatre

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Year Title Role Company Director Notes
1982 & 1985 Ane Satyre of the Thrie Estaites Abbot Scottish Theatre Company Tom Fleming play bySir David Lindsay,adapted byRobert Kemp

Memorial

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He has been immortalised inMilton Keynes,Buckinghamshire,by the naming of a road in his honour (Cruickshank Grove).[13]

Partial filmography

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Publications

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  • Andrew Cruickshank: An Autobiography(1988) Weidenfeld & Nicolson, London.

References

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  1. ^Date of birth and deathArchived25 September 2012 at theWayback Machine:BFI.orgwebsite.
  2. ^Google Books search: "Andrew Cruickshank", "29 April 1988"– listed inOxford dictionary of national biography(2004, p. 518);Annual Obituary, 1988(p. 182)
  3. ^Dr Finlay's Casebook:BBC Scotlandwebsite.
  4. ^abcStage performances (1930–1987)and other biography:Filmreferencewebsite.
  5. ^abRoles on Broadway,John Maudelyn (Richard of Bordeaux), Earl of Warwick (Saint Joan):IBDBwebsite.
  6. ^First film roleinAuld Lang Syne(1937):Fandangowebsite.
  7. ^Dr Finlay's Casebook,more detailed profile:British Film Institute'sScreenonlinewebsite.
  8. ^""Finlay" radio episode listings ".Archived from the original on 27 October 2009.Retrieved31 October2007.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link):from Ian Beard's personal website.
  9. ^Lewishohn, Mark(2003).Radio Times Guide to TV Comedy.London:BBC Worldwide.ISBN0-563-48755-0.
  10. ^EEdinburgh International Festival Programme, The Saltire Society, August 1985
  11. ^His final role,Mr Hodinett inKing & Castle,ITV, 1988: BFI.org website.
  12. ^abKing and Castle,ITV:TVwebsite.
  13. ^Cruickshank GroveArchived14 October 2007 at theWayback Machine,the road named after him in Milton Keynes:Crownhill.org.ukwebsite.
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