Mervyn Johns
Biography
David Mervyn Johns was a Welsh stage, film, and television actor born in Pembroke, Pembrokeshire, Wales, United Kingdom, on February 18, 1899. Initially studying dentistry, he transitioned to acting training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. He became a fixture and an unexpected star of British movies during the Second World War before moving into post-war supporting roles. Among his fondly remembered parts is Bob Cratchit alongside Alastair Sim in the film A Christmas Carol in 1951. He was also the father of actress Glynis Johns, with whom he appeared in The Halfway House in 1944 and The Sundowners in 1960. He died on September 6, 1992, at the age of 93.
Career overview
David Mervyn Johns was born on February 17, 1899, in Pembroke, Pembrokeshire, Wales, United Kingdom. Initially studying dentistry, he later transitioned to acting training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Johns became a Welsh stage, film, and television actor who emerged as a fixture and unexpected star of British movies during the Second World War, subsequently moving quickly into post-war supporting roles.
Among his fondly remembered parts is his portrayal of Bob Cratchit alongside Alastair Sim as Ebenezer Scrooge in the 1951 film version of A Christmas Carol. He also appeared alongside his daughter, actress Glynis Johns, in the films The Halfway House in 1944 and The Sundowners in 1960. His extensive career included eighty-eight known acting credits in movies and television shows.
Johns passed away on September 6, 1992, at the age of 93.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
90 titles- Shoestring (1979) as Reverend James Appleby
- The New Avengers (1976) as Elderly Man
- House of Mortal Sin (1976) as Father Duggan
- The National Health (1973) as Rees
- A Thinking Man as Hero (1973) as Lord Beale
- Crown Court (1972) as Arthur Charles Parfitt
- The Adventurer (1972) as Franz Kolmar
- Who Killed the Cat? (1966) as Henry Fawcett
- The Heroes of Telemark (1965) as Col. Wilkinson
- Pardon the Expression (1965) as Jacob Elijah Burgess
- Pardon the Expression (1965) as Jeb
- Detective (1964)
- A Jolly Bad Fellow (1964) as Willie Pugh-Smith
- 55 Days at Peking (1963) as Clergyman
- The Day of the Triffids (1963) as Mr. Coker
- The Old Dark House (1963) as Potiphar Femm
- 80,000 Suspects (1963) as Buckridge
- The Saint (1962) as Dr. Davis
- The Avengers (1961) as Brandon Storey
- Drama 61-67 (1961) as Charlie Dowsett
- The Rebel (1961) as Manager of Art Gallery, London
- No Love for Johnnie (1961) as Charlie Young
- Francis of Assisi (1961) as Brother Juniper
- A Call on Kuprin: Part 2 (1961) as Holloway
- A Call on Kuprin: Part 1 (1961) as Holloway
- Echo of Barbara (1961) as Sam Roscoe
- Maigret (1960) as Inspector Fumel
- Danger Man (1960) as Armstrong
- Sunday-Night Play (1960) as Holloway
- The Sundowners (1960) as Jack Patchogue
- Once More, with Feeling! (1960) as Mr. Alonzo Wilbur Jr.
- Never Let Go (1960) as Alfie Barnes
- No Hiding Place (1959)
- The Third Man (1959) as Geoffrey Ormsby
- The Devil's Disciple (1959) as Rev. Maindeck Parshotter
- The Gypsy and the Gentleman (1958) as Brook
- The Vicious Circle (1957) as Dr. George Kimber
- The Surgeon's Knife (1957) as Mr. Waring
- Doctor at Large (1957) as Mr. Smith
- The Counterfeit Plan (1957) as Louie Bernard
- Danger List (1957) as Mr. Ellis
- Moby Dick (1956) as Peleg
- 1984 (1956) as Jones
- Armchair Theatre (1956) as Prison Officer Graves
- Armchair Theatre (1956) as George Thompson
- The Intimate Stranger (1956) as Ernest Chaple
- Find the Lady (1956) as Hurst
- Dixon of Dock Green (1955) as Mr. Farmer
- The Blue Peter (1955) as Captain Snow
- Romeo and Juliet (1954) as Friar Laurence
- The Master of Ballantrae (1953) as MacKellar
- Valley of Song (1953) as Griffiths
- The Oracle (1953) as Tom Mitchum
- The Magic Box (1952) as Goitz
- Tall Headlines (1952) as Uncle Ted
- Scrooge (1951) as Bob Cratchit
- Sunday Night Theatre (1950) as Samuel Pepys
- Tony Draws a Horse (1950)
- Helter Skelter (1949) as Ernest Bennett
- Edward, My Son (1949) as Harry Sempkin
- Diamond City (1949) as Hart
- Counterblast (1948) as Dr. Bruckner, the Beast of Ravensbruck
- Quartet (1948) as Samuel Sunbury (segment "The Kite")
- Easy Money (1948) as Herbert Atkins
- Captain Boycott (1947) as Watty Connell
- The Captive Heart (1946) as Pte. Evans
- They Knew Mr. Knight (1946) as Tom Blake
- Dead of Night (1945) as Walter Craig (Segment "Linking Story")
- Pink String and Sealing Wax (1945) as Edward Sutton
- Twilight Hour (1945) as Major John Roberts
- The Halfway House (1944) as Rhys
- San Demetrio London (1943) as Greaser John Boyle - M.V. San Demetrio
- The Bells Go Down (1943) as Sam
- My Learned Friend (1943) as Grimshaw
- Went the Day Well? (1942) as Charlie Sims
- The Next of Kin (1942) as No 23: Mr Davis
- The Foreman Went to France (1942) as Official, Passport Office
- Convoy (1940) as His Mate
- Girl in the News (1940) as James Fetherwood
- Saloon Bar (1940) as Wickers
- Jamaica Inn (1939) as Thomas
- Pride and Prejudice (1938) as Sir Willian Lucas
- Storm in a Teacup (1937) as Court Bailiff (uncredited)
- The Last Curtain (1937) as Hemp
- Night Ride (1937) as Trapped Miner
- Dishonour Bright (1936) as French Postcard Seller
- In the Soup (1936) as Meakin
- The Guv'nor (1935) as Bank Director
- Foreign Affaires (1935) as Courtroom Interpreter (uncredited)
- Lady in Danger (1934) as Reporter
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Mervyn Johns best known for?
Mervyn Johns is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Shoestring (1979), Hunger (2008), The National Health (1973), Crown Court (1972).
When and where was Mervyn Johns born?
Mervyn Johns was born on February 17, 1899 in Pembroke, Pembrokeshire, Wales, UK. They passed away on September 6, 1992.
How many credits does Mervyn Johns have?
Mervyn Johns has accumulated over 90 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1934 to 1979.
What is Mervyn Johns's background in cinema and television?
David Mervyn Johns was a Welsh stage, film, and television actor born in Pembroke, Pembrokeshire, Wales, United Kingdom, on February 18, 1899. Initially studying dentistry, he transitioned to acting training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. He became a fixture and an unexpected star of British movies during the Se...
Mervyn Johns by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- The Avengers (1961) as Brandon Storey — aged about 62
- Shoestring (1979) as Reverend James Appleby — aged about 80
- Francis of Assisi (1961) as Brother Juniper — aged about 62
- Danger Man (1960) as Armstrong — aged about 61
- Scrooge (1951) as Bob Cratchit — aged about 52
- The Saint (1962) as Dr. Davis — aged about 63
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