A tonic for the troops... Final curtain falls on a prolific star
Rhondda-born Glyn Houston, the last of a generation of Welsh actors who rose to fame in the 1940s and 50s, has died at the age of 93. Here, we look back at his long and varied career...
DURING a career of almost 70 years Glyn Houston appeared in more than 80 films, as well as on radio and in theatres before making a name for himself as a television star from the 1960s to the 1990s.
Rhondda-born Glyn was the first on-screen lover of Joan Collins in her debut cinema appearance in Turn The Key Softly, and worked alongside the likes of Clark Gable, Alan Ladd and Lana Turner.
Glyn was the younger brother of matinee idol Donald Houston and became a contemporary and close friend of fellow Welsh actors Richard Burton and Stanley Baker.
Although Glyn admitted his star did not shine as brightly as his colleagues,’ it certainly shone twice as long. His career continued until he retired at the age of 88 when he bowed out after playing Danny Abse in a BBC Radio 4 documentary.
Dean Powell, who co-wrote his autobiography, A Black and White Actor, said his death marks the end of a generation of great Welsh actors.
“Glyn was a true gentleman. He was kind, generous and an incredibly funny man who was a pleasure to know for over 20 years,” he said.
“He enjoyed his career and was proud of his achievements.
“Glyn enjoyed life, his family and his hobbies. He always had time to speak to you”
Glyndwr Desmond Houston was born on October 23, 1925, at 10 Thomas Street, Tonypandy, the second of three children to Elsie May Jones and footballer Alex Houston, of Dundee. Elsie died aged just 29 and Glyn and his siblings were brought up by their gran, “Mam” Jones.
Glyn briefly left the Rhondda to work for the Bristol Aeroplane Company, living in Weston-super-Mare, before volunteering for the Fleet Air Arm as an air-gunner in the latter part of World War II.
He was sent to Singapore, where he transferred to the Royal Signals Regiment, and his commanding officer soon recognised Glyn as a confident and ambitious stand-up comedian who could entertain his fellow troops.
He joined the Entertainments National Service Association and within a week he was promoted to acting sergeant and formed a show called Flags are Flying, which toured India, featuring sitcom-writer Jim Perry, who based his hit programme It Ain’t Half Hot Mum on Glyn’s troop. Thirty years later, Glyn appeared on the comedy.
After the war, Glyn settled in London and throughout the 1950s he appeared in dozens of films in cameo and bit-part roles alongside the major film stars of the day.
Some of Glyn’s early films included Waterfront, with Burton, Trio, with Michael Horden, Home to Danger, with Baker and as the railway shunter in High Treason with Kenneth Griffith. By the end of 1953 he was playing the part of Philips in a famous British film of its time The Cruel Sea with Jack Hawkins.
He appeared in the famous John and Hayley Mills film Tiger Bay, set in the docklands of Cardiff.
With the advent of television the need for fresh young talent was greater than ever. From his role in the first soap opera of its kind, The Grove Family, he took the lead next to Oliver Reed in The Brigand of Kandahar and to critical acclaim in The Rescuers. He also played Davy Morgan opposite Rachel Thomas in How Green Was My Valley.
Glyn met his wife, Shirley Lawrence, in 1954 when she worked as stage manager of the Whitehall Theatre. His television roles were major and frequent, ranging from Taxi, with Sid James, to playing opposite Patrick McGoohan in Danger Man. He appeared frequently in the role of Detector Inspector James in No Hiding Place, also The Saint, Dixon of Dock Green, Z Cars and Detective Superintendent Jones in Softly Softly.
His TV career during the 1970s and 80s was prolific, including Bless This House, Doctor Who, Minder, Inspector Morse and the comedy Keep It In The Family.
Glyn, who died on June 30, leaves two daughters, two grandchildren and a great-grandchild.