Campbell Copelin
Campbell Copelin (1902-1988) was an English actor, who moved to Australia in the 1920s and worked extensively in film, theatre, radio and television. He had a notable association with J.C. Williamson Ltd and frequently collaborated with F. W. Thring and Frank Harvey.[1] He often played villains.
Biography
He served in the army, then emigrated to Australia. He worked on the land, then as a commercial artist before deciding to become an actor.[2]
Criminal History
In 1928 he was fined for using indecent language and resisting arrest.[3]
On the night of 18 March 1931 Copelin took a £1,000 plane out for a joyride in Melbourne and crashed it into Sandridge golf links, causing him to spend several months in hospital.[4] "I had never seen Melbourne by night," he said, "so I decided to have a look. It was wonderful and I'm going to have another look as soon as I can, but next time I'll do it In a safer way."[5]
He was charged with stealing the plane[6] but these charges were later withdrawn on the basis that he had suffered enough through his injuries.[7] Years later he said he was injured in a general plane accident.[8]
In 1933 Copelin was arrested and fined for stealing a police bicycle.[9]
Selected filmography
Film
- Two Minutes Silence (1933)
- Clara Gibbings (1934) - Errol Kerr
- The Streets of London (1934)
- A Ticket in Tatts (1934) - Harvey Walls
- Sheepmates (1934, abandoned)
- It Isn't Done (1937) - Ronald Dudley
- Tall Timbers (1937) - Charles Blake
- Lovers and Luggers (1938) - Archie
- Typhoon Treasure (1938) - Alan Richards
- Brighton Rock (1948) - Police Inspector
- Kiss the Blood Off My Hands (1948) - Publican
- Hills of Home (1948) - Minor Role (uncredited)
- Command Decision (1948) - Correspondent (uncredited)
- Sword in the Desert (1949) - Sgt. Chapel
- Challenge to Lassie (1949) - Thief (uncredited)
- Twelve O'Clock High (1949) - Mr. Britton (uncredited)
- Three Came Home (1950) - English Radio Announcer (uncredited)
- Please Believe Me (1950) - English Bobby (uncredited)
- Rogues of Sherwood Forest (1950) - Officer (uncredited)
- Portrait of Clare (1950) - Inspector Cunningham
- Midnight Episode (1950) - The General
TV Credits
- A Dead Secret (1959, TV Movie)
- Night of the Ding Dong (1959, TV Movie) - Mr. Kelp
- Marriage Lines (1962, TV Movie)
- Lola Montez (1962, TV Movie)
- The Angry General (1964, TV Movie)
Select Theatre Credits
- The Unfair Sex (1927)
- Eliza Comes to Stay (1927)
- Outward Bound (1927)
- The Last Warning (1927)
- The Alarm Clock (1927)
- Scandal (1928)
- Sport of Kings (1928)
- Bird in Hand (1929)
- This Thing Called Love (1930)
- In Port (1930)
- Eliza Comes to Stay (1930)
- On the Spot (1931)
- The Calendar (1931)
- A Warm Corner (1931)
- As Husbands Go (1931)[10]
- The Streets of London (1933)
- Rope (1933)
- Collits' Inn (1933)
- Mother of Pearl (1934)
- The Shining Hour (1935)[11]
- Night Must Fall (1936)
- Lovers Leap (1936)
- Frenchie and the Lily (1952)[12]
- Murder Story (1954)[13]
- Nude with Violin (1958)
- Who'll Come A-Waltzing (1962–63)
References
- "WHO ARE OUR POTENTIAL STARS?". Table Talk. Melbourne. 31 August 1933. p. 17. Retrieved 16 March 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
- "A "Quiet Evening" with CAMPBELL COPELIN". Table Talk. Victoria, Australia. 27 September 1934. p. 19. Retrieved 15 April 2020 – via Trove.
- "ACTOR FINED". The Argus (Melbourne). Victoria, Australia. 25 April 1928. p. 7. Retrieved 15 April 2020 – via Trove.
- 'Actor Crashes in Plane; Seriously Hurt', The Mail (Adelaide) Saturday 19 March 1932 p2
- "SEE CITY". The Sun. New South Wales, Australia. 26 March 1932. p. 7 (LAST RACE RESULTS). Retrieved 15 April 2020 – via Trove.
- CAMPBELL COPELIN IN COURT. The Argus (Melbourne), Thursday 16 June 1932, p5.
- "CAMPBELL COPELIN IN COURT". The Argus (Melbourne). Victoria, Australia. 16 June 1932. p. 5. Retrieved 15 April 2020 – via Trove.
- "ACTOR IS DOGGED BY ILL-LUCK". The Labor Daily. New South Wales, Australia. 7 June 1937. p. 5. Retrieved 15 April 2020 – via Trove.
- "MOMENTS WHEN AN ACTOR FEELS THE URGE". Smith's Weekly. New South Wales, Australia. 2 December 1933. p. 10. Retrieved 15 April 2020 – via Trove.
- "Untitled". Smith's Weekly. New South Wales, Australia. 7 November 1931. p. 8. Retrieved 15 April 2020 – via Trove.
- "THE SHINING HOUR". The Age. Victoria, Australia. 9 September 1935. p. 10. Retrieved 15 April 2020 – via Trove.
- "London sees Melbourne woman's play". The Argus (Melbourne). Victoria, Australia. 9 January 1952. p. 5. Retrieved 15 April 2020 – via Trove.
- "LONDON'S NEW PLAY --". The Age. Victoria, Australia. 21 August 1954. p. 17. Retrieved 15 April 2020 – via Trove.