Ronald Shiner

Acting

Ronald Shiner

Born — Died

1903-06-08 — 1966-06-29

Place of birth

London, England, UK

Known for

Acting

Credits

61 titles

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 clerk, soldier and film extra, Shiner shot to fame appearing in 1,700 performances of the stage hit Worm's Eye View from 1945 to 1947 (he would later top his own record by appearing in the play Seagulls Over Sorrento for 2,000 performances between 1950 and 1954). At the height of his career Shiner insured his nose for £10,000 because he said "it's me beak which made 'em larf." In retirement he owned a pub at Blackboys in Su…

Known for

Theatre Night poster
NR

A BBC television series of forty-five-minute excerpts from stage plays running in London.

Theatre Night

1957

A Yank at Oxford poster
6.8

A brash young American aristocrat attending Oxford University gets a chance to prove himself and win the heart of his antagonist's sister.

A Yank at Oxford

1938

Caesar and Cleopatra poster
6.2

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.

Caesar and Cleopatra

1945

The Night We Got the Bird poster
6.3

Good natured comic caper charting the misadventures of a hapless bunch of Brighton based petty crooks dogged with disaster at every turn.

The Night We Got the Bird

1960

St. Martin's Lane poster
7.4

Pickpocket Libby is protected by aging street performer Charles, who takes her into his troupe. Libby's dancing leads her to meet songwriter Harley and launch a stage career, while Charles is seemingly spurned by the waif he has helped.

St. Martin's Lane

1938

Carry On Admiral poster
6.4

Two friends get drunk and decide to switch identities. One is a Parliamentary Secretary, and the other is the captain of a ship. The former's lack of sea knowledge causes several catastrophes, including torpedoing the First Lord of The Admiralty. The grass is always greener.... In this British comedy, two drunken comrades find out the truth of that saying when they decide to trade places for a while. One of the boozers is a public relations man who knows nothing about sailing, while the other is a captain for the Royal Navy. Comic mayhem ensues as the hapless "captain" tries to run his ship and follow orders.

Carry On Admiral

1957

Film credits

1950s · 14 titles

Carry On Admiral poster
6.4

Two friends get drunk and decide to switch identities. One is a Parliamentary Secretary, and the other is the captain of a ship. The former's lack of sea knowledge causes several catastrophes, including torpedoing the First Lord of The Admiralty. The grass is always greener.... In this British comedy, two drunken comrades find out the truth of that saying when they decide to trade places for a while. One of the boozers is a public relations man who knows nothing about sailing, while the other is a captain for the Royal Navy. Comic mayhem ensues as the hapless "captain" tries to run his ship and follow orders.

Carry On Admiral

1957

My Wife's Family poster
10.0

No synopsis available yet.

My Wife's Family

1956

Laughing Anne poster
5.8

Story of love affair of captain who runs ship in Java Seas and a French saloon singer. From a story "Because of the dollars" by Joseph Conrad.

Laughing Anne

1953

Dry Rot poster
7.7

Comedy about a trio of not particularly bright bookmakers who try to fix a horse race.

Dry Rot

1956

The Magic Box poster
6.5

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. But he was also an inventor and his search for a way to project moving pictures became an obsession that ultimately changed the life of all those he loved.

The Magic Box

1952

The Navy Lark poster
7.0

An Inshore Minesweeping Unit has been forgotten by the Navy after World War II on the peaceful island of Boonsley and they have adapted to their circumstances. The men still wear uniforms and the proper reports are filed, although the reports of hundreds of mines are exaggerated. The captain spends his time fishing, the Number One is busy romancing the only Wren on the island and The Chief Boatswain runs a wine smuggling business. Unfortunately the Navy start to get suspicious.

The Navy Lark

1959

Operation Bullshine poster
5.5

During World War II, a Royal Artillery officer is assigned to an anti-aircraft battery that is filled with female soldiers of the Auxiliary Territorial Service. His wife who has enlisted is mistakenly posted to the battery in violation of regulations of husbands and wives serving together in the same formation. She becomes jealous of what she perceives as him paying too much attention to the other Auxiliary Territorial Service women.

Operation Bullshine

1959

Up to His Neck poster
NR

A maritime farce set in the South Seas. A strong supporting cast includes Brian Rix, Anthony Newley & Harry Fowler.

Up to His Neck

1954

Innocents in Paris poster
5.2

Romantic comedy about a group of Britons flying to Paris for the weekend.

Innocents in Paris

1953

Aunt Clara poster
5.0

A wealthy old man dies and leaves his holdings--including a brothel and a gambling den, racing greyhounds and a sleazy bar--to his eccentric Aunt Clara. Clara vows to "clean up" her new establishments, but complications ensue when she visits the crooked gambling den--just as it's being raided by the police.

Aunt Clara

1954

No artwork available
10.0

Incidents in the lives of a group of R.A.F. men living in billets.

Worm's Eye View

1951

Top of the Form poster
7.5

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.

Top of the Form

1953

Girls at Sea poster
7.3

When HMS Scotia pays a visit to the French Riviera, the officers throw a lavish party to celebrate the engagement of Captain Robert Randall to Jill Eaton, a charming American girl; among the guests are Mary Carlton, Jill's American friend, and Antoinette, a vivacious redhead. However, when the last shore-boat is deemed unseaworthy, the girls are obliged to spend the night on ship. A series of hilarious complications ensue, as the officers attempt to keep the girls away from the beady eyes of Admiral Hewitt – who chooses this very night to board the Scotia.

Girls at Sea

1958

Reluctant Heroes poster
9.0

This comedy is set in an army boot camp. It displays a drill sergeant who must somehow turn an inept group of recruits into real soldiers.

Reluctant Heroes

1952

1940s · 27 titles

Caesar and Cleopatra poster
6.2

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.

Caesar and Cleopatra

1945

Forbidden poster
7.1

Set on Blackpool’s Golden Mile, Jim (Douglass Montgomery), a once promising scientist, sets up in business as a patent medicine man selling hair tonic at the fair with his ex-army colleague Dan (Ronald Shiner). Following a fight with local hoods over pitch spaces, Jim falls for Jane (Hazel Court), the girl on a nearby candy floss stall. The two begin dating but Jim fails to mention he is already married.

Forbidden

1949

I Live in Grosvenor Square poster
6.8

The WW II romance set in Grosvenor square aka Eisenhower's home where the GIs stayed in London. Neagle loves Harrison. There arrives patriot GI Dean Jagger to rouse things up in the square. Snotty British Neagle and Jagger clash and fall for each other. What will Harrison have to say or do about these? What will the consequences be? Will the three finally become two and which two in this extremely patriotic love and war story.

I Live in Grosvenor Square

1945

The Case of the Frightened Lady poster
6.8

A classic British thriller set in a sinister old house, based on a story by Edgar Wallace.

The Case of the Frightened Lady

1940

Old Bill and Son poster
6.6

Old Bill has grumbled his way through the trenches of the First World War. Now it is the Second and, envious of his son, Young Bill, he decides to enlist. He finally enters the Pioneer Corps, which is based near his son. When Young Bill goes missing during a raid, Old Bill shows that there's still life in the old dog yet!

Old Bill and Son

1941

Let George Do It! poster
6.2

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.

Let George Do It!

1940

Unpublished Story poster
6.5

Morale-boosting story released in the middle of World War II. A journalist uncovers a peace organisation at the centre of disreputable dealings.

Unpublished Story

1942

The Young Mr. Pitt poster
6.2

In 1783 England, King George III appoints William Pitt only 24 years old, as PM. When members of Parliament refuse to take Pitt seriously, he calls for a general election and wins. Pitt works to reform England, focusing on rebuilding the navy while across the sea in France, Napoleon Bonaparte begins his conquest of Europe.

The Young Mr. Pitt

1942

The Adventures of Dusty Bates poster
5.3

Dusty Bates observes some smuggled jewels hidden in a crate aboard a ship; he is pursued by low-lifes when the crate is put ashore.

The Adventures of Dusty Bates

1947

They Flew Alone poster
6.8

The story of flyer Amy Johnson the girl from Yorkshire who won the hearts of the British public in the 1930s with her record-breaking solo flights around the world. Her marriage to fellow aviator Jim Mallison was less noteworthy.

They Flew Alone

1942

No artwork available
10.0

No synopsis available yet.

Those Kids from Town

1942

The Black Sheep of Whitehall poster
8.2

A professor teaching at a correspondence school discovers that a Nazi agent is trying to prevent a trade treaty being signed between England and South America.

The Black Sheep of Whitehall

1942

The Man Within poster
6.8

A man goes on the run from hardened smugglers.

The Man Within

1947

Miss London Ltd. poster
6.0

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.

Miss London Ltd.

1943

King Arthur Was a Gentleman poster
6.2

Arthur King joins the army, and soon starts fantasizing about King Arthur and his knights.

King Arthur Was a Gentleman

1942

Get Cracking poster
6.3

Get Cracking is a 1943 British comedy war film, directed by Marcel Varnel and starring Dinah Sheridan, Ronald Shiner and George Formby. It was produced by Marcel Varnel, Ben Henry and Columbia (British) Productions. This comedy explores the wayward rivalry between mechanic and Home Guard Lance Corporal George Singleton (George Formby) and an adversary also in the Home Guard (Ronald Shiner). When the rival Home Guard units of Major Wallop and Minor Wallop are sent on battle manoeuvres, George Singleton (Formby) launches his own unique style of commando raid against neighbouring Major Wallop to steal a Vickers machine gun. The raid fails and Singleton loses his Lance Corporal's stripe, so he and a little evacuee girl named Irene (Vera Frances) decide to fall back on 'Plan B' - to build their very own tank.

Get Cracking

1943

The Balloon Goes Up poster
5.8

Balloon unit WAAFs catch German spies.

The Balloon Goes Up

1942

Sabotage at Sea poster
6.5

The captain of a British cargo ship shanghais a group of sabateurs, unaware that the daughter of the ship’s owner is among them.

Sabotage at Sea

1942

My Learned Friend poster
6.2

An insane murderer is on the loose, and gunning for the men who put him away. William Fitch is on the list, and co-opts his buddy Claude Babbington to try and prevent a grisly end.

My Learned Friend

1943

South American George poster
6.7

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.

South American George

1941

Bees in Paradise poster
6.1

Four pilots become stranded on a tropical island inhabited by beautiful women.

Bees in Paradise

1944

The Gentle Sex poster
7.0

During the War seven women from very different backgrounds find themselves together in the Auxiliary Territorial Services. They are soon drilling, driving lorries, and manning ack-ack batteries.

The Gentle Sex

1943

No artwork available
7.0

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, where they have been attending a 'bon voyage' reception. At first it seems that Captain Randall will be able to keep them concealed, but then the Admiral unexpectedly arrives on board and orders the ship to sea.

The Middle Watch

1940

Salvage with a Smile poster
NR

Wartime propaganda short in which a professor enlists the help of a dustman to explain the importance of saving paper, bones and metal to help the war effort.

Salvage with a Smile

1940

George in Civvy Street poster
6.8

George Formby plays George Harper, a tavern owner, who works to turn a waitress from her current employer, a rival tavern owner, when Formby falls in love with her.

George in Civvy Street

1946

The Big Blockade poster
6.7

Wartime propaganda piece reporting on the success of the economic blockade of Germany in the early years of the war.

The Big Blockade

1942

Thursday's Child poster
5.8

A couple's little girl becomes a movie star, but all it seems to bring is trouble.

Thursday's Child

1943

1930s · 18 titles

A Yank at Oxford poster
6.8

A brash young American aristocrat attending Oxford University gets a chance to prove himself and win the heart of his antagonist's sister.

A Yank at Oxford

1938

St. Martin's Lane poster
7.4

Pickpocket Libby is protected by aging street performer Charles, who takes her into his troupe. Libby's dancing leads her to meet songwriter Harley and launch a stage career, while Charles is seemingly spurned by the waif he has helped.

St. Martin's Lane

1938

Dinner at the Ritz poster
5.8

The daughter of a murdered financier works as a jewelry salesperson while she tracks her father's colleagues who plotted against him.

Dinner at the Ritz

1937

The Gang's All Here poster
7.5

John Forrest is anticipating a quiet retirement spent penning detective fiction when he learns that a priceless collection of jewels belonging to a foreign potentate, Prince Homouska, has just vanished from the safekeeping of the Stamford Assurance Company. Aided by his butler, his Cockney assistant and his (initially) unwilling wife, Forrest sets out on the trail of the thieves.

The Gang's All Here

1939

Limelight poster
9.0

A chorus girl (Anna Neagle) discovers a singer (Arthur Tracy) in the streets and asks her producer to give him a shot at stardom.

Limelight

1936

Beauty and the Barge poster
6.7

A young girl is engaged to a man she doesn't love, and rather than marry him she decides to flee the situation altogether. She is helped by a crusty old barge captain.

Beauty and the Barge

1937

Trouble Brewing poster
6.9

Ealing comedy starring music hall star George Formby. An eager newspaper reporter (Formby) goes undercover to expose a gang of counterfeiters. Posing as a wrestler and waiter in his investigative efforts, George proves a greater menace to public order than the criminals he is chasing.

Trouble Brewing

1939

They Drive by Night poster
6.0

“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. Meanwhile, the real killer, unassuming ex-schoolteacher Walter Hoover, continues to prey on London women. As Shorty had feared he has become the main suspect. He returns to London with old flame Molly to prove his innocence.

They Drive by Night

1938

Excuse My Glove poster
8.0

A young man, whose main interest in life is stained glass, accidentally accepts a challenge to fight in a fair boxing booth.

Excuse My Glove

1936

No artwork available
7.0

This film is a caper story of greyhound racing and the efforts of a crooked dog owner to stop a rival's dog, Wild Boy, from running in the Greyhound Derby.

Wild Boy

1934

Flying Fifty-Five poster
7.5

Bill Urquhart, a young wastrel disinherited by his father, tries to get a job as a jockey – just about the only thing he’s really good at. His name and position work against him, however, so he adopts an alias and prevails upon the charity of a drunken friend Charles Barrington, through whom he meets Stella Barrington - who has not only inherited her father’s racing stables but also his debts. Still incognito, he takes on the job of stable lad for Stella but little does she realise that he could be the man to finally put an end to her money worries forever.

Flying Fifty-Five

1939

No artwork available
7.0

Mr. Reeder, a somewhat eccentric old gentleman employed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, gets it into his head to break up a counterfeiting ring.

The Mind of Mr. Reeder

1939

It's a Bet poster
7.0

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.

It's a Bet

1935

Gentlemen's Agreement poster
7.5

A young doctor realises that his father is a quack and changes places with a down-and-out.

Gentlemen's Agreement

1935

No artwork available
10.0

An overheard conversation leads to clues that a kidnapping plot is afoot.

The Nursemaid Who Disappeared

1939

The Black Tulip poster
NR

In the Dutch Republic in 1672, a wealthy man named Cornelius Van Baerle devotes his life to growing tulips, unaware of his family's close involvement with political intrigue.

The Black Tulip

1937

London Melody poster
7.5

Jacqueline intrigues a diplomat, so unbeknown to her he finds her an apartment and finances her musical training. She ends up falling in love with one of his underlings. It turns out that he is no good, will the diplomat save her?

London Melody

1937

Doctor's Orders poster
6.5

Leslie Fuller stars as a quack whose son qualifies as a doctor in total ignorance of his father's occupation!

Doctor's Orders

1934

Series credits