Michael Robbins
Biography: Born in London, Robbins was a bank clerk who became an actor after appearing in amateur dramatic performances in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, where he and his family lived at the time. Robbins made his television debut as the cockney soldier in Roll-on Bloomin' Death. Primarily a comedy actor, he is best remembered for the role of Arthur Rudge, the persistently sarcastic husband of Olive (Anna Karen), in the popular sitcom On the Buses (1969–73). Robbins and Karen provided the secondary comic storyline to Reg Varney's comedy capers at the bus depot. Robbins also appeared in the series film spin-offs, On the Buses, Mutiny on the Buses, and Holiday on the Buses. His other comedy credits include non-recurring roles in Man About the House, Oh Brother!, The Good Life, One Foot in the Grave, The New Statesman, George and Mildred, Hi-de-Hi! and You Rang, M'Lord? He appeared as a rather humorously portrayed police sergeant in the TV adaptation of Brendon Chase. As well as these comic roles, he assumed various straight roles in some of the major British television shows of the 1960s and 1970s: including Minder, The Sweeney, Z-Cars, Return of the Saint, Murder Most English, The Avengers, Dixon of Dock Green, The Bill and the 1982 Doctor Who story The Visitation. Robbins's film credits included The Whisperers, Up The Junction, The Looking Glass War, Zeppelin and Blake Edwards' films The Pink Panther Strikes Again and Victor/Victoria'. He also had an extensive career as a radio actor, including a role in the soap opera Waggoner's Walk and the satirical 1970s show Life is What Yer Make It. Robbins was an indefatigable worker for charity. He was active in the Grand Order of Water Rats (being elected 'Rat of the Year' in 1978) and the Catholic Stage Guild, and received a Papal Award for his services in 1987. In one of his last television appearances, in A Little Bit of Heaven Robbins recalled his childhood visits to Norfolk and spoke of his faith and love of the Shrine of Our Lady at Walsingham. Michael Robbins had a brother Jack who was a head teacher at Saint Gregory's Catholic middle school in Bedford in the 1970s and early 1980s. Michael made some guest appearances at this school throughout the years and sometimes entertained the pupils with various sketches with his brother Jack Robbins In the mid-1970s he also directed a film: How Are You?
Place of Birth: Not available
Birthday: November 14, 1930
Deathday: December 11, 1992
Popularity:
Known For
You in Your Small Corner
1962-06-05
You in Your Small Corner
Overview: Barry Reckord adapted his stage play for TV and his brother Lloyd plays the central character – a Jamaican new to London. When he begins a relationship with a white woman, he finds himself in conflict with his mother, who has great expectations for him. The very early intimate portrayal of this interracial relationship broke new ground, and is believed to feature one of the world's first examples of an interracial kiss on TV.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1962-06-05
Popularity:
Mutiny on the Buses
1972-06-02
Mutiny on the Buses
Overview: Bus driver Stan Butler agrees to marry Suzy, much to the anguish of Mum, her son-in-law, Arthur, and daughter Olive. How, they wonder, will they ever manage without Stan's money coming in? Then Arthur is sacked, and Stan agrees to delay the wedding. Meanwhile, he hits on an idea: Arthur should learn to drive a bus. Somehow he does just that, and even gets a job. Stan then blackmails the Depot Manager into giving him the job of driver on the new money-making Special Tours Bus. A great idea ...if only the inspector hadn't taken Stan on his trial run to the Windsor Safari Park
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1972-06-02
Popularity:
The Bone Yard
1964-09-30
The Bone Yard
Overview: Extraordinary things happen at an ordinary police station.
Genres: TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1964-09-30
Popularity:
Till Death Us Do Part
1969-01-01
Till Death Us Do Part
Overview: The film version of 'Till Death Do Us Part' tells the story of Alf Garnett, his wife Else, and their newborn daughter Rita, living through the London Blitz and beyond.
Genres: Drama Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1969-01-01
Popularity:
The Hunting of Lionel Crane
1970-01-21
The Hunting of Lionel Crane
Overview: An army deserter hides out on a country estate but falls foul of the gamekeeper.
Genres: TV Movie Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1970-01-21
Popularity:
The Drummer and the Bloke
1968-01-31
The Drummer and the Bloke
Overview: Alf and Jack, two labourers hired to work in a quarry,have decided to go on strike because of the degrading nature of the job.
Genres: TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1968-01-31
Popularity:
On the Buses
1971-07-09
On the Buses
Overview: Stan gets a little annoyed when his Mum and Sister keep buying expensive items on hire purchase, but the money he earns for overtime working as a bus driver means that he can afford it... just! His job is secure, as bus drivers are hard to come by, and his overtime prospects are good, until the bus company decide to revoke a long standing rule and employ women bus drivers. Aghast at the thought of
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1971-07-09
Popularity:
Holiday on the Buses
1973-05-19
Holiday on the Buses
Overview: Due to a female passenger falling out of her top whilst running for the bus Stan is distracted and crashes the bus resulting in the depot managers car being written off. As a result Stan, Jack and Blakey are fired. Stan and Jack soon get new jobs as a bus crew at a Pontins holiday resort but discover that Blakey has also gotten a job there as the chief security guard.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1973-05-19
Popularity:
Victor/Victoria
1982-04-25
Victor/Victoria
Overview: A struggling female soprano finds work playing a male female impersonator, but it complicates her personal life.
Genres: Music Comedy Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1982-04-25
Popularity:
The Bargee
1964-01-01
The Bargee
Overview: After a lock-keeper entrusts his daughter to a canal Casanova, he is shocked to learn that she is pregnant. He then refuses to open his locks - causing barges to pile up in every direction until the guilty party confesses.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1964-01-01
Popularity:
Dead Man's Chest
1965-10-27
Dead Man's Chest
Overview: Two young journalists simulate a murder, but the scheme backfires when the mock victim disappears.
Genres: Mystery
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1965-10-27
Popularity:
The Count of Monte Cristo
1964-10-04
The Count of Monte Cristo
Overview: A TV adaptation of the classic Alexandre Dumas novel. Edmond Dantes is falsely accused by those jealous of his good fortune, and is sentenced to spend the rest of his life in the notorious island prison, Chateau d'If. While imprisoned, he meets the Abbé Faria, a fellow prisoner whom everyone believes to be mad. The Abbé tells Edmond of a fantastic treasure hidden away on a tiny island, that only he knows the location of. After many years in prison, the old Abbé dies, and Edmond escapes disguised as the dead body. Now free, Edmond must find the treasure the Abbé told him of, so he can use the new-found wealth to exact revenge on those who have wronged him.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1964-10-04
Popularity:
Crossplot
1969-11-25
Crossplot
Overview: A successful London ad-exec hires a beautiful Hungarian girl to pose for some modeling shots, little realising that she has overheard an assassination plot and is now being hunted by some dangerous killers.
Genres: Thriller Action
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1969-11-25
Popularity:
Children of the Damned
1964-01-10
Children of the Damned
Overview: Six children are found spread through out the world that not only have enormous intelligence, but identical intelligence and have a strange bond to each other.
Genres: Drama Horror Mystery Science Fiction
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1964-01-10
Popularity:
Adam Bede
1992-03-01
Adam Bede
Overview: Rich and languorous, this adaptation of George Eliot's classic tale perfectly evokes rural England in the 18th Century. But beneath the tranquil surface of this pastoral idyll run deep passions and the bitter gall of betrayal.
Genres: Drama Romance TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1992-03-01
Popularity:
The Saint and the Brave Goose
1979-01-07
The Saint and the Brave Goose
Overview: A two-part episode of the 1978 TV series "The Return of the Saint," edited together and released as a feature.
Genres: Mystery
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1979-01-07
Popularity:
A Prize of Arms
1962-12-11
A Prize of Arms
Overview: A criminal gang sets out to pull off the heist of a large army payroll.
Genres: Crime Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1962-12-11
Popularity:
Horizontal Hold
1968-05-27
Horizontal Hold
Overview: A woman writes a book about sex and marriage and it becomes a best seller.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1968-05-27
Popularity:
Danger! Men Working
1961-05-07
Danger! Men Working
Overview: In Ulster, Major Trumbull is put in charge of overseeing the completion of a hospital on time. As the pressure increases, he replaces well-liked foreman Desmond Doherty with brash Scanling, which angers the men.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1961-05-07
Popularity:
Lunch Hour
1962-01-01
Lunch Hour
Overview: A young female designer is on the brink of an affair with a married male executive at the company where she works. The film tells the story of their illicit lunch hour rendezvous.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1962-01-01
Popularity:
Soap Opera in Stockwell
1973-09-11
Soap Opera in Stockwell
Overview: A baby is snatched from outside a launderette. The manageress and customers try to work out who was responsible.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1973-09-11
Popularity:
No Sex Please: We're British
1973-07-25
No Sex Please: We're British
Overview: A porn-store owner orders some new stuff from his supplier, but the delivery address gets mixed with the address of the local Barclays Bank. Here, David (the bank's assistant manager) and his new wife are shocked when photos, then films and finally two girls are sent to them in their bank-supplied flat. They and the banks' head cashier then hatch a plan to get rid of the porn—without letting their boss, the local police and David's mother in on what is happening.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1973-07-25
Popularity:
Villain
1971-05-26
Villain
Overview: In 1970s London, Scotland Yard orchestrates the downfall of mob boss Vic Dakin after he crosses the line by blackmailing Members of Parliament.
Genres: Crime Drama Thriller
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1971-05-26
Popularity:
The Looking Glass War
1970-01-02
The Looking Glass War
Overview: When a Polish sailor jumps ship in Britain, a couple of local intelligence operatives keep him under surveillance. Soon, he’s recruited to infiltrate a missile installation outside of East Berlin and bring back photos of the new rockets.
Genres: Action Drama Thriller
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1970-01-02
Popularity:
Man About the House
1974-12-22
Man About the House
Overview: An unscrupulous property developer wants to flatten the street to make way for new buildings. Householder George Roper is happy to take the offered money and run but his wife Mildred and their lodgers join with other residents to take a stand and keep things as they are.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1974-12-22
Popularity:
Just Ask for Diamond
1988-09-01
Just Ask for Diamond
Overview: Thirteen-year-old Nick and his slightly dense older brother Herbert run the Diamond Private Detective Agency above Camden Town Tube Station in north-central London. When a master criminal called The Falcon dies, they come into possession of his box of chocolate Maltesers, which contains the secret key to a fabulous cache of diamonds. Can they unravel the mystery and avoid the clutches of seedy lowlifes Brenda Von Falkenberg, Gott and Himmell, The Fat Man and the dogmatic Chief Inspector Snape, all of whom want to find the swag first.
Genres: Family Comedy Crime
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1988-09-01
Popularity:
The Pink Panther Strikes Again
1976-12-15
The Pink Panther Strikes Again
Overview: Charles Dreyfus, who has finally cracked over inspector Clouseau's antics, escapes from a mental institution and launches an elaborate plan to get rid of Clouseau once and for all.
Genres: Comedy Crime
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1976-12-15
Popularity:
The Great Muppet Caper
1981-06-26
The Great Muppet Caper
Overview: Kermit and Fozzie are newspaper reporters sent to London to interview Lady Holiday, a wealthy fashion designer whose priceless diamond necklace is stolen. Kermit meets and falls in love with her secretary, Miss Piggy. The jewel thieves strike again, and this time frame Miss Piggy. It's up to Kermit and Muppets to bring the real culprits to justice.
Genres: Crime Comedy Mystery Music Romance Family
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1981-06-26
Popularity:
The Whisperers
1967-07-18
The Whisperers
Overview: Margaret Ross is an impoverished old woman who lives alone in a seedy apartment and enjoys a rich fantasy life as an heiress. One day she discovers stolen money hidden by her son and believes her fantasy has come true.
Genres: Drama Thriller
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1967-07-18
Popularity:
The Merry Wives of Windsor
1982-12-28
The Merry Wives of Windsor
Overview: When Sir John Falstaff decides that he wants to have a little fun he writes two letters to a pair of Window wives: Mistress Ford and Mistress Page. When they put their heads together and compare missives, they plan a practical joke or two to teach the knight a lesson. But Mistress Ford's husband is a very jealous man and is pumping Falstaff for information of the affair. Meanwhile the Pages' daughter Anne is beseiged by suitors.
Genres: Comedy TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1982-12-28
Popularity:
Lost In London
1985-11-20
Lost In London
Overview: Facing his parent's impending divorce and emotional upheaval, a young boy runs away and joins a gang of London street urchins who live by their wits, begging, and thievery.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1985-11-20
Popularity:
Rattle of a Simple Man
1964-12-20
Rattle of a Simple Man
Overview: Percy Winthram is a naive young man who still lives at home with his mum. In London for the Cup Final with his friends, he finds himself in a Soho strip club, where he meets blonde hostess Cyrenne. Accepting a bet from friend Ginger, he accompanies Cyrenne back to her flat, and a boast-worthy night of lust seems to be on the cards. However, drained of beer and bravado, Percy's innocence and vulnerability become all too evident.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1964-12-20
Popularity:
All the Way Up
1970-06-01
All the Way Up
Overview: Fred Midway may be a bit short on brains, but he's got plenty of ambition. However, before he can gain promotion as a salesman, he must make his family more socially acceptable.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1970-06-01
Popularity:
What a Crazy World
1963-07-02
What a Crazy World
Overview: Unemployed East End lad Alf Hitchens has an on-off relationship with his girlfriend Marilyn and a dream of hitting the big time in the music business. Cheerful pop musical with a working-class background which uses a number of genuine London locations.
Genres: Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1963-07-02
Popularity:
Up the Junction
1968-01-25
Up the Junction
Overview: A young woman trades her upper-class existence for a new life in an economically depressed suburb of London.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1968-01-25
Popularity:
Doctor Who: The Visitation
1982-02-23
Doctor Who: The Visitation
Overview: In 17th century England, the Doctor and itinerant thespian Richard Mace uncover a plot by a crew of criminal Terileptils to wipe out humanity.
Genres: Drama Action Adventure Science Fiction TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1982-02-23
Popularity:
Murder Rap
1980-01-31
Murder Rap
Overview: Wally, a caretaker in a block of flats, loses his job when the flats are used to rehouse Bhengali families.
Genres: Drama TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1980-01-31
Popularity:
That's Your Funeral
1972-12-01
That's Your Funeral
Overview: Two funeral parlours fight one another for business, one of whom is more shady than the other.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1972-12-01
Popularity:
Zeppelin
1971-04-08
Zeppelin
Overview: The outbreak of World War I places Scots officer Geoffrey Richter-Douglas in an uncomfortable position. Although his allegiance is to Britain, his mother was from an aristocratic Bavarian family, and he spent his summers in Germany as a child. When Geoffrey is approached by a German spy who offers him a chance to defect, he reports the incident to his superiors, but instead of arresting the spy they suggest that he accept her offer--and become an Allied agent. In Germany, among old friends, Geoffrey discovers that loyalty is more complicated than he expected, especially when he finds himself aboard the maiden voyage of a powerful new prototype Zeppelin, headed for Scotland on a secret mission that could decide the outcome of the war.
Genres: Adventure Drama War
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1971-04-08
Popularity: