Ronald Shiner
Ronald Alfred Shiner (8 June 1903 in London – 29 June 1966 in London) was a British stand-up comedian and comedic actor whose career encompassed film, West End theatre and music hall. A former Royal Northwest Mounted Police Officer, farmer, greengrocer, milkman, bookie's... Read full bio →
Featured Characters
Roles you can spot in Whatthemovie snapshots
The Night We Got the Bird
Cecil's family is unaware that he and his cabinet-maker employee are making and selling false antique furniture. It is only after he dies and his salesman Bertie marries his widow Julie, that the truth comes out through Cecil re-appearing as a parrot, puzzlingly given as a wedding gift.
Operation Bullshine
The fun starts when a group of A.T.S. girls are posted to a light ack-ack command post on a remote part of the English coast.
Girls at Sea
When H.M.S. Scotia pays a visit to the French Riviera, the officers throw a party to celebrate the engagement of Marine Captain Robert "Bobby" Randall to Jill Eaton.
Top of the Form
A con man hides out in a boys' school, posing as a professor. When the undisciplined and lazy boys have to pass a few tests, cheating becomes the only option.
Innocents in Paris
A weekend trip to Paris affects the lives of a group of British tourists.
Little Big Shot
A boy tries to get himself a police record to impress the gang of criminals headed by his father.
The Magic Box
Now old, ill, poor, and largely forgotten, William Freise-Greene was once young and handsome William Green. He changed his name to include his first wife's for the photographic portrait work he excelled at.
George in Civvy Street
After leaving the armed forces, George Harper (George Formby) returns to run The Unicorn pub, beginning a fierce rivalry with The Lion pub on the other side of the river.
I Live in Grosvenor Square
In 1943 England, an American Army Air Force gunner falls in love with a corporal in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force who has long been expected to marry a British paratrooper Major, prompting him to go back to combat duty.
Caesar and Cleopatra
At the height of the Roman Civil War, an aging Julius Caesar finds himself intrigued by the young Egyptian queen Cleopatra, whom he teaches how to rule Egypt.
Bees in Paradise
During World War II, a plane crashes on an island full of dominating women.
Thursday's Child
Family tensions arise after a schoolgirl becomes a successful child actor.
My Learned Friend
An insane murderer is on the loose, and gunning for the men who put him away. Will Hay is on the list, and co-opts Claude Hulbert to try and stop him from meeting a grisly end.
Miss London Ltd.
Askey stars as a man trying to save his flagging escort agency. A new partner suggests getting some new girls in, just in time for the soldiers' leave. The film also features the English singing favourite of the forties, Anne Shelton.
The Big Blockade
Wartime propaganda piece reporting on the success of the economic blockade of Germany in the early years of the war.
King Arthur Was a Gentleman
Arthur King joins the army, and soon starts fantasising about King Arthur and his knights.
South American George
To help out his exact double, George Formby (in a dual role) takes the place of a noted South American tenor. This way he can help the opera star fulfill contract obligations and also win the heart of the man's lovely press agent, Linden Travers.
Old Bill and Son
World War I veteran Bill is inspired to re-enlist in 1939, and ends up serving with his son.
The Middle Watch
Through a series of unforeseen events, two glamorous young ladies find that they are obliged to spend the night on board the battleship HMS Falcon. Then the Admiral unexpectedly arrives on board and orders the ship to sea.
Let George Do It!
Shortly after the start of World War II, a ukelele player (George) takes the wrong boat and finds himself in (still uninvaded) Norway. He is mistaken for a fellow British intelligence agent by a woman (Mary), and becomes involved in trying to defeat Nazi agents.
Trouble Brewing
George has won a lot of money at the races but he's paid with counterfeit money. He sets about tracking down the criminals himself.
Come on George!
George Formby, who plays George, a stable boy. He also has the unique ability to soothe an anxious racing horse. Expectedly, George races the horse and wins
They Drive by Night
“Shorty” Matthews having recently been released from prison visits his girlfriend in London only to discover her murdered. Fearing he will be wrongly accused of being the culprit he disappears amongst the long-distance lorry driving community.
Excuse My Glove
A young man, whose main interest in life is stained glass, accidentally accepts a challenge to fight in a fair boxing booth.
It's a Bet
A young English reporter makes a bet with a wealthy publisher that he can disappear for a month. In his absence the publisher makes much of the mysterious disappearance in an attempt to boost the circulation of his newspaper.
Doctor's Orders
Bill Blake, a jovial con man is known to friends and his son as a travelling salesman, but in reality, operates a phony medicine show, complete with singing, a monkey, and audience shills. His son Ronnie has studied to become a doctor and internes at a nearby hospital.