Laurence Naismith

Laurence Naismith (born Lawrence Johnson; 14 December 1908 – 5 June 1992) was an English actor. He made numerous film and television appearances, including starring roles in the musical films Scrooge (1970) and the children's ghost film The Amazing Mr Blunden (1972). He also had a memorable role as Captain Edward Smith of the RMS Titanic in A Night to Remember (1958).

Early life and career

Naismith was born in Thames Ditton, Surrey, in 1908. He attended All Saints Choir School in London and was a chorus member for a 1927 production of the George Gershwin musical Oh, Kay!. He then worked in repertory theatre and ran a repertory company of his own. At the outbreak of the Second World War he joined the British Army where he became an officer in the Royal Artillery.

Film

His film roles included Carrington VC (1954), Richard III (1955), Sink the Bismarck! (1960), Jason and the Argonauts (1963). He played the non-singing role of Merlin in the 1967 film version of the musical Camelot and appeared in the James Bond film Diamonds Are Forever (1971) as the chairman of the diamond trading syndicate.

Television

In 1965, Naismith played the title role of the Virginia statesman George Mason in the NBC documentary series, Profiles in Courage. William Bakewell played George Wythe in the episode, and Arthur Franz was cast as James Madison. In 1965, Naismith guest-starred as barber Gilly Bright in episode 25, "The Threat" of the ABC military drama, 12 O-Clock High (TV series) and in the ABC action drama, The Fugitive, starring David Janssen.He played Judge Fulton in the television series The Persuaders! (1971), with Tony Curtis and Roger Moore. He portrayed Emperor of Austria Franz Joseph in the BBC production Fall of Eagles (1974). Naismith played the Prince of Verona in the BBC Television Shakespeare version of Romeo and Juliet.

Stage

He appeared on Broadway in the Meredith Willson musical Here's Love in 1963, opposite Janis Paige.

Selected filmography

• A Piece of Cake (1948)
• Badger's Green (1949)
• Train of Events (1949)
• Pool of London (1951)
• There Is Another Sun (1951)
• Hell is Sold Out (1951)
• Chelsea Story (1951)
• High Treason (1951)
• The Long Memory (1952)
• The Happy Family (1952)
• I Believe in You (1952)
• Love in Pawn (1953)
• The Beggar's Opera (1953)
• Mogambo (1953)
• The Black Knight (1954)
• Carrington V.C. (1955)
• The Dam Busters (1955)
• Richard III (1955)
• The Extra Day (1956)
• The Man Who Never Was (1956)
• Lust for Life (1956)
• Tiger in the Smoke (1956)
• The Barretts of Wimpole Street (1957)
• Boy on a Dolphin (1957)
• Robbery Under Arms (1957)
• The Gypsy and the Gentleman (1958)
• I Accuse! (1958)
• Gideon's Day (1958)
• A Night to Remember (1958)
• The Two-Headed Spy (1958)

• Third Man on the Mountain (1959)
• Solomon and Sheba (1959)
• The Criminal (1960)
• Sink the Bismarck! (1960)
• The Angry Silence (1960)
• Village of the Damned (1960)
• The World of Suzie Wong (1960)
• Danger Man (1960-1962)
• The Singer Not the Song (1961)
• Greyfriars Bobby (1961)
• We Joined the Navy (1962)
• The 300 Spartans (1962)
• I Thank a Fool (1962)
• Jason and the Argonauts (1963)
• The Three Lives of Thomasina (1964)
• Sky West and Crooked (1966)
• Deadlier Than the Male (1967)
• The Long Duel (1967)
• Camelot (1967)
• Fitzwilly (1967)
• The Valley of Gwangi (1969)
• The Bushbaby (1969)
• Run a Crooked Mile (1969) (TV)
• Scrooge (1970)
• Quest for Love (1971)
• Diamonds Are Forever (1971)
• Young Winston (1972)
• The Amazing Mr Blunden (1972)

External links

• Laurence Naismith at Find a Grave