Andrew Cruickshank | |
|---|---|
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| Born | Andrew John Maxton Cruickshank (1907-12-25)25 December 1907 Aberdeen, Scotland |
| Died | 29 April 1988(1988-04-29) (aged 80) London, England |
| Nationality | Scottish |
| Years active | 1937–1988 |
| Spouse | Curigwen Lewis |
Andrew John Maxton Cruickshank (25 December 1907 – 29 April 1988[1][2]) was a Scottish actor, most famous for his portrayal of Dr Cameron in the long-running UKBBCtelevision seriesDr. Finlay's Casebook, which ran for 191 episodes from 1962 until 1971.[3] He was born inAberdeen and died inLondon.
Andrew Cruickshank (Junior) was born to Andrew and Annie Cruickshank (Cadger),[4] and was educated atAberdeen Grammar School. He was to have entered the profession ofcivil engineering after completing his education, but instead joinedprovincialrepertory theatres,[citation needed] leading to 1930 roles inOthello at theSavoy Theatre inLondon, as Maudelyn inRichard of Bordeaux at theEmpire Theatre onBroadway in 1934,[5] and culminating in his principal appearance (as three characters) on theLondonstage in 1935, at theGate Theatre in the playVictoria Regina. In 1939 Cruickshank played Claudius inTyrone Guthrie's modern-dress and uncutHamlet at The Old Vic withAlec Guinness in the title role. He returned to Broadway in 1951 until 1952, as theEarl of Warwick inGeorge Bernard Shaw's playSaint Joan, withUta Hagen in the lead role.[5]
His first film role followed in 1937, as thepoetRobert Burns inAuld Lang Syne. Subsequently, however, he would betypecast into portrayals of formal authority figures, such asjudges anddoctors.[6]
He appeared in many television plays and series, amongst themA. J. Cronin'sDr. Finlay's Casebook, containing his most famous characterisation, Doctor Angus Cameron, a crusty but erudite senior partner in the ruralgeneral practice run inTannochbrae, with the help of the much younger Doctor AlanFinlay (Bill Simpson) and "stiffPresbyterian" housekeeper Janet (Barbara Mullen).[7] The highly popularBBC production ran from 16 August 1962 until 3 January 1971, after which Cruickshank continued with it onBBC Radio 4 for seven years, it having been adapted to that format since 10 March 1970. He finally bade farewell to the character on 18 December 1978, following its parting episode, "Going Home".[8] In 1963 he played the title role in the BBC sitcomMr Justice Duncannon, having appeared as that character in the final episode of the 1962 sitcomBrothers in Law.[9]
Later on BBC Radio 4, Andrew Cruickshank starred in The Senior Partner, a light drama series by Donald Bull. The first series of eight episodes were broadcast in October and November 1980. A second series of 10 episodes were broadcast between October and December 1981.
In August 1985, Cruickshank presentedThe Auld Alliance: A Personal View as part of theSaltire Society'sEdinburgh Festival Fringe programme.[10]
His final performance on the stage was as Justice Treadwell inBeyond Reasonable Doubt at theQueen's Theatre in 1987.[4] His last appearance of any kind was at the age of 80, in the first episode ("Kicks")[11] of series two of theITV television production,King and Castle,[12] which starredNigel Planer andDerek Martin as partners in a debt collection agency, and in which Cruickshank played "Mr Hodinett". It was aired on 10 May 1988, just over a week after his death.[12]
He was chair of the board of directors ofEdinburgh Festival Fringe between 1970 and 1983.[citation needed]
He married actressCurigwen Lewis in 1939, and they had one son and two daughters.[4]
| Year | Title | Role | Company | Director | Notes |
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| 1982 & 1985 | Ane Satyre of the Thrie Estaites | Abbot | Scottish Theatre Company | Tom Fleming | play bySir David Lindsay, adapted byRobert Kemp |
He has been immortalised inMilton Keynes,Buckinghamshire, by the naming of a road in his honour (Cruickshank Grove).[13]
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