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Frank Thornton

Frank Thornton

Actor · Died March 16, 2013, aged 92 · Dulwich, London, England, UK

Frank Thornton Ball (15 January 1921 - 16 March 2013), professionally known as Frank Thornton, was an English actor. He was known for playing Captain Peacock in Are You Being Served? (1972-1985) and its sequel Grace & Favour and as Herbert "Truly" Truelove in Last of the Summer Wine.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
January 15, 1921
Died
March 16, 2013 (aged 92)
From
Dulwich, London, England, UK
Works as
Actor
Titles
34 on MovieCove · 98 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 27Up 31% in 30 days

What are Frank Thornton's films like?

Across their 9 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
35%
Self
22%
Power
15%
Survival
14%
Society
9%
Morality
5%
Class3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship2 titles, browse their movies with this themeMarriage2 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 7 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 4 · Serious 2 · Dark 1

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

Grounded 0 · Stylized 4 · Heightened 3

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

Gentle 2 · Charged 3 · Intense 2

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

Steady 1 · Shifting 4 · Whiplash 2

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

Straight-faced 1 · Some laughs 1 · Funny 5

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 4 · Even-paced 1 · Relentless 2

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

Casual 3 · Engaged 4 · Full focus 0

Open-ended: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their open-ended movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

A split, not a type: Resolved 4 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 2

Roles they play

2 analyzed roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Absurd
7
Joyful
4
Warm
4
Melancholic
2
Dread
1
Other
6

How their films linger

Feel-good5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end

  • Happy3
  • Bittersweet1
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous3
  • Cyclical1

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 Frank Thornton's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 16 of their 34 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service.

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Frank Thornton'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

98 credits, 34 with a MovieCove page; 7 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Are You Being Served? Secrets & Scandals (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    as Archive Footage

  • We Love Are You Being Served? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Actor

  • Run for Your Wife(2012)

    as Man on Bus

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Gosford Park(2001)

    as Mr. Burkett

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • The Old Curiosity Shop (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Actor

  • Are You Being Served? Again!(1992)

    Show 12 episodes · as Capt Stephen Peacock RASC (Ex)

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • The BFG(1989)

    as Mr. Tibbs (voice)

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Great Expectations (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 2 episodes · as Mr Trabb

  • Casualty(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as Edward Gutheridge

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all shows

  • Royal Variety Performance 1984(1984)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Kenny Everett Television Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 2 episodes · as Various

  • The Taming of the Shrew(1980)

    as Gremio

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Blankety Blank (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Ride of the Valkyrie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Actor

  • Are You Being Served?(1977)

    as Captain Stephen Peacock

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • The New Avengers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 1 episode · as Roland

  • The Bawdy Adventures of Tom Jones(1976)

    as Whitlow

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • Spanish Fly (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as Dr. Johnson

  • The Boundary (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Actor

  • Side by Side (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    as Inspector Crumb

  • Keep It Up, Jack! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Mr. Clarke

  • Fall of Eagles (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Show 1 episode · as Prince Albert

  • The Three Musketeers(1973)

    as Man in Small Carriage (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Digby: The Biggest Dog in the World(1973)

    as Estate Agent

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • That Sinking Feeling (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    as Arthur

  • No Sex Please - We're British(1973)

    as Glass Shop Manager

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Steptoe and Son Ride Again(1973)

    as Mr. Russell

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Last of the Summer Wine(1973)

    Show 126 episodes · as Truly

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all shows

  • Our Miss Fred (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    as British Colonel

  • That's Your Funeral(1972)

    as Town Clerk

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

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

    Show 1 episode · as Professor McIver

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

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Taplow

  • Are You Being Served?(1972)

    Show 69 episodes · as Captain Peacock

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Bless This House (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    as Mr. Jones

  • The Chastity Belt(1972)

    as Master of Ceremonies

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • ...And Mother Makes Three (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 1 episode · as Store Manager

  • The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer(1970)

    as Tom Stoddart

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • The Goodies (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    Show 1 episode · as Master of Ceremonies · as Waiter

  • The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes(1970)

    as Porter

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Ben Travers Farces (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    Show 7 episodes · as Claude Hickett MP

  • From a Bird's Eye View (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    Show 1 episode · as Spinks

  • All the Way Up(1970)

    as Mr Driver

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Some Will, Some Won't (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    as Purvis

  • The Magic Christian(1969)

    as Police Inspector

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • The Incredible Adventures of Professor Branestawm (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Show 1 episode · as King Kong

  • The Bed Sitting Room(1969)

    as The BBC

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Crooks and Coronets (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    as Cyril

  • The Assassination Bureau(1969)

    as Elevator victim (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Till Death Us Do Part (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    as Valuation Officer

  • A Flea in Her Ear(1968)

    as Charles, the Butler

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • The Champions(1968)

    Show 1 episode · as Clerk

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • The Bliss of Mrs. Blossom(1968)

    as Factory Manager

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • If There Weren't Any Blacks You'd Have to Invent Them (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    as The Undertaker

  • 30 Is a Dangerous Age, Cynthia! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    as Registrar

  • Red, White, and Zero (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Actor

  • The World of Beachcomber (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Show 19 episodes · as Various Roles

  • Not in Front of the Children (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr Wilkinson

  • Lucy in London (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    as Passport Officer

  • A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum(1966)

    as Slave Driver

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Carry on Screaming!(1966)

    as Mr. Jones

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Dannicaforilithermidor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    as Sergeant Bull

  • Danny the Dragon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Actor

  • The Wild Affair (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    as Wine Shop Manager

  • The Early Bird (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    as Drunken Doctor

  • The Big Job (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    as Bank Official

  • The Man in Room 17 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 1 episode · as Chief Inspector Bascombe

  • Gonks Go Beat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    as Mr. A&R

  • Six Shades of Black (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr Inchcape-Lewis

  • The Tomb of Ligeia(1964)

    as Peperel

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • The Comedy Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    as Producer

  • HMS Paradise (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Show 26 episodes · as Commander Fairweather

  • It's Trad, Dad! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    as TV Director

  • Operation Stogie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    as Hotel receptionist (uncredited)

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

    Show 1 episode · as Barman · as Butler · as Seller · as The Frenchman

  • Doomsday at Eleven (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    as BBC Announcer

  • Victim(1961)

    as George - Henry's Assistant (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

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

    as Police Sargeant

  • It's a Square World (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 56 episodes · Actor

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

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Cheaters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 1 episode · as Long

  • Coronation Street(1960)

    Show 1 episode · as Danny Roach

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all shows

  • The Dickie Henderson Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Danger Man(1960)

    Show 1 episode · as Pepe · as Police Captain

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all shows

  • The Four Just Men (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Clerk · as Coroner · as Hotel Manager (uncredited)

  • The Adventures of William Tell (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Show 1 episode · as Heinburgher · as Tax Collector

  • Missiles from Hell(1958)

    as British Scientist (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

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

    Show 1 episode · as Arthur - The Groom's Father · as Station Sergeant

  • Hancock's Half Hour (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Cloak Without Dagger (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    as False James Markley

  • Johnny, You're Wanted (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    as Police Inspector

  • Postmark for Danger(1955)

    as Police Photographer

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Dixon of Dock Green (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Show 1 episode · as PC Cox

  • The Sooty Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Hugh · as Mr Wolfe

  • Radio Cab Murder (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    as Inspector Finch

  • The Silent Witness (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    as The Barman (uncredited)

  • Sunday Night Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    Show 1 episode · as Sailor

  • The Florentine Dagger (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    as (uncredited)

  • Cracked Nuts (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1931)

    as Revolutionary

Career shape

Star power in the 95th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 98 titles from 1931 to 2022; peak year 1965.

Highest rated

Are You Being Served? (1972)

Midcredits 86th

Film career

19312022

Peak 1965 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 2 MovieCove titles. 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.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting98 of 98: 98 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score58th

By decade

1930s2 · acting1950s13 · acting1960s40 · acting1970s31 · acting1980s5 · acting1990s3 · acting2000s1 · acting2010s1 · acting2020s2 · acting

Billing

usually 15th · top billed in 0% of 15 roles
6171

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 Frank Thornton's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 53rd percentile, the median of all 27; across their 7 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 47th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

47thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 7

Approval · how many liked their films

54thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 7

Reach · how many have seen their films

60thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 7

Midcredits score across 34 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up10
  • 50th to 74th9
  • 25th to 49th8
  • Below 25th7

Shape of the crowd

16 of their 34 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved2
  • Loved with Detractors1
  • Cult Classic2
  • Crowd Pleaser16
  • Mixed13

Most divisive · actor

Royal Variety Performance 1984 (1984)

93rd percentile spread · 19% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Victim (1961)

Midcredits 97th · 86% liked

Reviewers score the acting 70/100 in their films, across 7 reviewed titles; fans 80, detractors 48. 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.

Who does Frank Thornton work with?

People who share at least 2 of Frank Thornton's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Mollie Sugden shares the most, 4.

Writers

Actors