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Norman Bird

Norman Bird

Actor · Died April 22, 2005, aged 84 · Coalville, Leicestershire, England, UK

John George Norman Bird (30 October 1924 – 22 April 2005) was an English character actor. Bird was born in Coalville, Leicestershire, England. A RADA graduate, he made his West End debut in Peter Brook's production of The Winter's Tale at the Phoenix Theatre in 1951. He was also a member of the BBC's Radio Drama Company. His first film appearance was as the foreman in An Inspector Calls (1954). He was a familiar face to British cinema audiences of the 1950s and 1960s, appearing in nearly 50 films such as The Angry Silence (1960), The League of Gentlemen (1960), Whistle Down the Wind (1961), Victim (1961) and Term of Trial (1962) with Laurence Olivier and The Hill with Sean Connery (1965). He had over 200 television appearances, notably as Mr Braithwaite in Worzel Gummidge (1979–81) and Mr Arrad in the Fawlty Towers episode "Waldorf Salad" (1979). His long list of credits include Steptoe and Son, Till Death Us Do Part, Rising Damp, Ever Decreasing Circles, Yes Minister, To Serve Them All My Days, All Creatures Great and Small, Z-Cars, Public Eye, The Saint, Department S, Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) and Boon. In 1990 he appeared in Stay Lucky, with Dennis Waterman, which marked his 200th television appearance. One of his last film appearances was as a taxi driver in Richard Attenborough's Shadowlands (1993).

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
October 30, 1920
Died
April 22, 2005 (aged 84)
From
Coalville, Leicestershire, England, UK
Works as
Actor
Titles
38 on MovieCove · 130 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 38 days to Oct 27Down 14% in 30 days

What are Norman Bird's films like?

Across their 18 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Morality.

Genres

Drama6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 75th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 41st percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Crime3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 94th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies
Adventure2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 64th percentile
: browse their Adventure movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
26%
Morality
23%
Self
20%
Survival
11%
Power
8%
Society
7%
Ideas
5%
Family bonds4 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love4 titles, browse their movies with this themeTrauma3 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity3 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception2 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice2 titles, browse their movies with this themeComing of age2 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 18 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 8 · Serious 3 · Dark 7

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 9 · Stylized 9 · Heightened 0

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 5 · Charged 8 · Intense 5

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

A split, not a type: Steady 9 · Shifting 8 · Whiplash 1

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 9 · Some laughs 6 · Funny 3

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

A split, not a type: Slow burn 10 · Even-paced 7 · Relentless 1

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 7 · Engaged 9 · Full focus 2

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 12 · Open-ended 6 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

2 analyzed roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
11
Warm
6
Melancholic
7
Thrilling
4
Contemplative
5
Other
14

How their films linger

Fun6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 5 with a twist

  • Happy6
  • Bittersweet9
  • Tragic3

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Norman Bird's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 20 of their 38 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (9).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Norman Bird's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

130 credits, 38 with a MovieCove page.

  • The Funny Blokes of British Comedy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Mr. Arrad (archive footage) (uncredited)

  • Crossing the Floor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Grandfather

  • Shadowlands(1993)

    as Taxi Driver Witness

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Born Kicking (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Mr Radley

  • Miss Pym's Day Out (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Man on Bus

  • After Henry (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr Henderson

  • Buddy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Mr Normington

  • Lytton's Diary (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 2 episodes · as Charles Adams

  • Screen Two (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Grandfather

  • This Office Life (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Seeds

  • Black Carrion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Henry Bircher

  • Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Henry Bircher

  • A Voyage Round My Father(1982)

    as Ham

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • The Fourth Arm (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Show 1 episode · as Col. Cole

  • The Ghost Downstairs (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Mr. Morris

  • Break Point (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 6 episodes · as Major Houghton-Jones

  • Winston Churchill: The Wilderness Years (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Show 1 episode · as Sir Maurice Hanley

  • If You Go Down in the Woods Today(1981)

    as Doctor

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Final Conflict(1981)

    as Dr. Philmore

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • A Cup O' Tea An' A Slice O' Cake - Worzel Gummidge Christmas Special (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Mr Braithwaite

  • To Serve Them All My Days (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Show 4 episodes · as Alderman Blunt

  • Hammer House of Horror(1980)

    Show 1 episode · as Basil

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • Yes Minister(1980)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Friday Night, Saturday Morning (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Worzel Gummidge (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 23 episodes · as Mr. Braithwaite

  • Thomas & Sarah (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 2 episodes · as Gilbert

  • The Lord of the Rings(1978)

    as Bilbo (voice)

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • The Glums (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Show 1 episode · as Office Manager

  • Return of the Saint (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Show 1 episode · as Morgan

  • Life Begins at Forty (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr Gardiner

  • The Medusa Touch(1978)

    as Major Henry Morlar

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • All Creatures Great & Small(1978)

    Show 2 episodes · as Farmer Benson

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Miss Jones And Son (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 12 episodes · Actor

  • Raffles (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Yanks Go Home (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 7 episodes · as Leonard Chambers

  • The Slipper and the Rose: The Story of Cinderella(1976)

    as Dress Shop Proprieter

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Baby Sitters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Actor

  • Double Trouble (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Actor

  • Monkey Tricks (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Actor

  • On the Tiles (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Actor

  • Pot Luck (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as Farmer

  • The Big Kick (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Actor

  • Wedding Bells (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Actor

  • Fawlty Towers(1975)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Arrad

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Two's Company(1975)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Bunn

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • Angels (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • King Arthur, the Young Warlord(1975)

    as Ambrose

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Happy Ever After (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr Fletcher

  • Seven Faces of Woman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Show 1 episode · as Ken

  • Up The Workers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Show 14 episodes · as Sid Stubbins

  • Elementary, My Dear Watson (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    as Inspector Street

  • Arthur of the Britons (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 1 episode · as Ambrose

  • Get Charlie Tully(1972)

    as Warder Burke

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Crown Court (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Adventurer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 1 episode · as Brooks

  • My Wife Next Door (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Young Winston(1972)

    as Party Chairman

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • The Organization (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 2 episodes · as Ken Grist

  • Shirley's World (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Doomwatch (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    as Brewer

  • Suspicion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 1 episode · as Harry Beardsley

  • Hands of the Ripper(1971)

    as Police Inspector

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes(1971)

    Show 1 episode · as Inspector Trent

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all shows

  • Jason King (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Guardians (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 1 episode · as Tom Henryson

  • Please Sir! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    as Reynolds

  • Budgie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 1 episode · as Inspector Charles Upton

  • Bless This House (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 1 episode · as Vet

  • Long Ago, Tomorrow(1971)

    as Dr Matthews

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer(1970)

    as Alderman Poot

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Up Among the Cuckoos (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    as Walter

  • The Virgin and the Gypsy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    as Uncle Fred

  • Softly Softly: Task Force (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Show 1 episode · as Samuel Tomkins

  • Run a Crooked Mile (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    as Sgt. Hooper

  • My Partner the Ghost(1969)

    Show 1 episode · as Elliot

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Department S (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Show 1 episode · as Drayton

  • Takeover (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    as Father

  • W. Somerset Maugham (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Show 1 episode · as Arthur Low

  • Oh! What a Lovely War(1969)

    as Training Sgt (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • The Limbo Line (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Actor

  • ITV Saturday Night Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Show 1 episode · as Father · as Stanley Nicholson

  • All at Sea (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    as Mr. Danvers

  • A Dandy in Aspic(1968)

    as Copperfield

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Sanctuary (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Half Hour Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Show 1 episode · as Harry

  • The Wrong Box(1966)

    as Clergyman

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Till Death Us Do Part (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Show 1 episode · as Landlord

  • Gypsy Girl(1966)

    as Mr. Cheeseman - undertaker

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • End in Tears (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    as Charles 'Whoopy' Cushion

  • Thirty-Minute Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 1 episode · as Arthur Pendlebury

  • Blackmail (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 1 episode · as Henry Cobb

  • It's Not Me - It's Them! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 6 episodes · as Mr. Partridge

  • The Hill(1965)

    as Commandant

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Gideon's Way (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 1 episode · as Supt. Fred Lee

  • Public Eye (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 1 episode · as Arthur Biddle

  • The Black Torment (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    as Harris

  • Thursday Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Show 1 episode · as Harry Lancaster

  • The Trial of Dr. Fancy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    as Charles Lincoln

  • The Beauty Jungle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    as Mr. Edward Freeman

  • First Men in the Moon(1964)

    as Stuart

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Theatre 625 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Show 1 episode · as William Oaks

  • The Bargee (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    as Waterways Supervisor Albert Williams

  • The Protectors (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Show 1 episode · as Barnaby

  • Agent 8 3/4(1964)

    as Employment Exchange Clerk

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • 80,000 Suspects (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    as Harold Davis

  • Maniac(1963)

    as Salon

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • The Punch and Judy Man(1963)

    as Reginald Fletcher

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Bitter Harvest (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    as Mr. Pitt

  • The Mind Benders(1963)

    as Aubrey

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • The Cracksman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    as Policeman

  • In Search of the Castaways(1962)

    as Senior Yacht Guard

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • The Saint (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Show 3 episodes · as Mr. Spode · as Weems

  • Term of Trial (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    as Mr. Taylor

  • Night of the Eagle(1962)

    as Doctor

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Steptoe and Son (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Show 1 episode · as Bank Manager · as Mr. Dryson

  • Z-Cars (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Cash on Demand(1961)

    as Arthur Sanderson

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • Victim(1961)

    as Harold Doe

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Whistle Down the Wind(1961)

    as Eddie

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • The Secret Partner (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    as Ralph Beldon

  • Very Important Person (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    as Senior British Officer Travers

  • Drama 61-67 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · as Father

  • The Avengers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Coronation Street(1960)

    Show 1 episode · as Frank Jackson

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all shows

  • Man in the Moon(1960)

    as Herbert

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • The League of Gentlemen(1960)

    as Weaver

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • The Angry Silence (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    as Roberts

  • No Hiding Place (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Arthur Johnson

  • Armchair Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    Show 1 episode · as Charles Lincoln · as Spooner · as Walter

  • An Inspector Calls (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    as Jones-Collins - Foreman

Career shape

Star power in the 96th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 130 titles from 1954 to 2005; peak year 1960.

Biggest box office

The Lord of the Rings (1978)

$30M worldwide

Highest rated

The Hill (1965)

Midcredits 97th

Most popular right now

The Lord of the Rings (1978)

Film career

MilestoneBreakout
19542005

Peak 1960 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

  • 1954Screen debut· An Inspector Calls
  • 1961Breakout· Victim

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting130 of 130: 130 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score69th

By decade

1950s3 · acting1960s55 · acting1970s49 · acting1980s18 · acting1990s4 · acting2000s1 · acting

Billing

usually 10th · top billed in 0% of 23 roles
546469

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Norman Bird's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 67th percentile, the median of all 30; across their 18 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 61st percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

61stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 18

Approval · how many liked their films

65thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 18

Reach · how many have seen their films

67thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 18

Midcredits score across 38 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up16
  • 50th to 74th12
  • 25th to 49th8
  • Below 25th2

Shape of the crowd

20 of their 38 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved6
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser20
  • Broadly Agreed6
  • Mixed5

Most divisive · actor

King Arthur, the Young Warlord (1975)

80th percentile spread · 28% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

The Hill (1965)

Midcredits 97th · 88% liked

Reviewers score the acting 74/100 in their films, across 18 reviewed titles; fans 80, detractors 49. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Norman Bird's work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 4 MovieCove titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Sex & Nudity4 titlesmedian 19 · mildMedian of all films: 32
Profanity3 titlesmedian 17 · mildMedian of all films: 36

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does Norman Bird work with?

People who share at least 2 of Norman Bird's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Basil Dearden shares the most, 4.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles