22nd September 1925 – 31st October 2006
Fact File
William Leo Franklyn was a English performer, possibly best recognized for voicing the "Schhh... You Know Who" adverts for Schweppes tonic water from 1965 to 1973.
Working also on stage, film, television and radio, he took over from Peter Jones as "The Book" (or the narrator) in the third, fourth and fifth radio series of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
William was born in Kensington into a theatrical family: his grandfather, Arthur Rigby, Senior and uncle, Arthur Rigby, Junior, mother, Mary Rigby, and his father, Leo Franklyn, were all performers. As a baby he was taken to Australia, where his father performed in musical comedies travelling around the country.
The young Franklyn was educated at Wesley and Haileybury Colleges, both in Melbourne, and he cultivated an enduring affection for cricket. Later on he would be trialled as a fast bowler for Essex, and bowled for the Stage Cricket Club. He also turn out to be a leg spinner, and organised his own squad, named the the Sargentmen, which raised funds for the Malcolm Sargent Cancer Fund for Children.
He returned to London, aged 11 and on the outbreak of the Second World War was evacuated to Luscombe Castle in Devon.
His theatre career started when he was 18, he performed in’ My Sister Eileen’ at the Savoy Theatre in 1943. He soon received his call up papers and served with the Parachute Regiment, and was sent to Palestine.
After the war had finished he returned to the stage in ‘Arsenic and Old Lace’ at Southend Pier in 1946, and he then decided an acting career was for him. For the next six years he toured in that play, but during quiet periods he worked as a second hand trader, taking scrap away on a barrow from wealthy areas of London and selling it as antiques.
He spent the rest of his career performing in the theatre , on television and radio, and in numerous movies. In the 1950’s he appeared in several films, including Quatermass 2 in 1957, and took the main role in the 1961 picture, ‘Pit of Darkness’ which was the B-feature shown with Adam Faith's comedy feature called ‘What A Whopper’.
He also featured in the 1965 Morecambe and Wise comedy movie ‘The Intelligence Men’.
In London's West End he appeared in comedies such as ‘There's A Girl In My Soup’ and ‘Tunnel of Love’.
After taking lessons in Italian, he directed a version of ‘There's A Girl In My Soup’ in Italy, with Italian actors, performed in Italian.
On the small screen, he became a regular panellist on game shows like ‘What's My Line?’ and ‘Call My Bluff’. He played Jacques Fleury in The ATV series ‘TheAdventures of the Scarlet Pimpernel ‘(1955–56) and playing the character of Peter Dallas in all 26 episodes of the Associated-Rediffusion
spy drama series Top Secret (1961–62), as well appearing in a number of episodes of cult classic The Avengers.
In 1978 he was the subject on’ This Is Your Life’.
Later on performing in Thames Televisions 1984 comedy television series ‘The Steam Video Company’, and in 1991, Alan Bleasdale's comedy drama G.B.H on Channel 4.
In 1993 he worked on the biopic ‘Diana: Her True Story’.
He was best known for the long running commercial voice-over work on those "Schhh... You Know Who" Schweppes advertisements. These were created by advertising agency Ogilvy and Mather and between 1965 to 1973 he appeared on screen in 10 commercials and voiced another 40.
The never transmitted pilot of Danger Mouse was voiced by him. though David Jason replaced him in all future episodes
For 11 years on radio, he was the reader of the quotes on BBC Radio 4's Quote Unquote, and also read for The News Quiz. In 2004 and 2005, he took over the role of "The Book" (the narrator) from Peter Jones, for the third, fourth and fifth radio series of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
Related Video
Credits
The Courtroom (TV series)
Judge Matthew Johnson
– Dead in the Water (2004) … Judge Matthew Johnson
2001 Doctors (TV series)
Hugo Stephenson
– A Second Chance (2001) … Hugo Stephenson
2001 Startopia (Video Game)
Lead Vocals (voice)
1999 French and Saunders (TV series)
– Witless Silence (1999)
1997 Jonathan Creek (TV series)
Narrator of Banana Commercial
– Jack in the Box (1997) … Narrator of Banana Commercial (voice) (uncredited)
1996 Robert Rylands' Last Journey
Robert Rylands
1996 London Suite (TV movie)
Widley
1994 Lovejoy (TV series)
Burgess
– Guns and Roses (1994) … Burgess
1993 Splitting Heirs
Andrews
1993 Diana: Her True Story (TV movie)
1992 The Upper Hand (TV series)
Eric
– Surprise, Surprise (1992) … Eric
1992 Moon and Son (TV series)
George Milestone
– Nearly Dearly Departed (1992) … George Milestone
1991 G.B.H. (TV mini-series)
Distinguished Gent
– Message Received (1991) … Distinguished Gent
– Message Sent (1991) … Distinguished Gent
– Only Here on a Message (1991) … Distinguished Gent
1984 The Steam Video Company (TV series)
Various
1983 Nutcracker
Sir Arthur Cartwright
1977 The New Avengers (TV series)
McKay
– Hostage (1977) … McKay
1977 Paradise Island (TV series)
Cuthbert Fulworthy
– Here Is the News (1977) … Cuthbert Fulworthy
– Who Do You Do...? (1977) … Cuthbert Fulworthy
– The Great Pig Hunt (1977) … Cuthbert Fulworthy
– Happy Birthday Cuthbert (1977) … Cuthbert Fulworthy
– Is Anybody There? (1977) … Cuthbert Fulworthy
1976 What's on Next? (TV series)
Various (1976-1978)
1975 Whodunnit? (TV series)
Panellist / Voiceover
– Death at the Top (1975) … Panellist
– Pop Goes the Weasel (1975) … Voiceover
– Portrait in Black (1975) … Panellist
1974 Ooh... You Are Awful
Arnold Van Cleef
1973 The Satanic Rites of Dracula
Torrence
1972 My Wife Next Door (TV series)
Willie
– Dream Girl (1972) … Willie
1972 Doctor in Charge (TV series)
Jeremy de Quincy
– That's My Uncle! (1972) … Jeremy de Quincy
1971 Justice (TV series)
James Kirby
– The Most Important Thing of All (1971) … James Kirby
1969 ITV Playhouse (TV series)
– Mixed Foursome (1969)
1969 The Champions (TV series)
Hartington
– The Gun-Runners (1969) … Hartington
1965-1968 The Avengers (TV series)
Brinstead / Peter Omrod
– Killer (1968) … Brinstead
– Silent Dust (1965) … Peter Omrod
1968 Thirty-Minute Theatre (TV series)
Roy Haines
– Something to Hide: The Caretaker's Flat (1968) … Roy Haines
– Something to Hide: The Studio (1968) … Roy Haines
– Something to Hide: The First Floor (1968) … Roy Haines
1968 Something to Hide (TV series)
Roy Haines
1967 The Baron (TV series)
Kent Jordon
– The Edge of Fear (1967) … Kent Jordon
1966 The Troubleshooters (TV series)
Michael Rennane
– The Bigger They Are (1966) … Michael Rennane
1966 Public Eye (TV series)
Kurt Heller
– You're Not Cinderella, Are You? (1966) … Kurt Heller
1966 Cul-de-sac
Cecil
1966 Disneyland (TV series)
Tom King
– The Legend of Young Dick Turpin: Part 2 (1966) … Tom King
– The Legend of Young Dick Turpin: Part 1 (1966) … Tom King
1965 The Intelligence Men
Colonel Grant
1964 Curtain of Fear (TV series)
Hans Liebert
– The Regan Solution (1964) … Hans Liebert
– The Shand Solution (1964) … Hans Liebert
– The Linton Compact (1964) … Hans Liebert
– The Tannikov Dilemma (1964) … Hans Liebert
– The Liebert Question (1964) … Hans Liebert
See all 6 episodes »
1964 The Dickie Henderson Show (TV series)
Greg
– The Boy Friend (1964) … Greg
1957-1964 Armchair Theatre (TV series)
Arthur Maxwell / John Hamilton / Paul Lorimer
– A Nice Little Business (1964) … Arthur Maxwell
– The Big Deal (1961) … John Hamilton
– The Last Flight (1957) … Paul Lorimer
1963 No Cloak - No Dagger (TV series)
Ian Lambart
– Episode #1.1 (1963) … Ian Lambart
1962 Maigret (TV series)
– The Countess (1962)
1961-1962 Top Secret (TV series)
Peter Dallas
– Escape to Danger (1962) … Peter Dallas
– Dance for Spies (1962) … Peter Dallas
– Dangerous Project (1962) … Peter Dallas
– The Life Stealers (1962) … Peter Dallas
– Vengeance at La Vina (1962) … Peter Dallas
1961 Pit of Darkness
Richard Logan
1960-1961 International Detective (TV series)
Conrad Schneider / Larry Sullivan
– The Washington Case (1961) … Larry Sullivan
– The Bismarck Case (1960) … Conrad Schneider
1961 Fury at Smugglers' Bay
The Captain
1960 No Wreath for the General (TV series)
Dr. Roger Kenyon
– Episode #1.3 (1960) … Dr. Roger Kenyon
– Episode #1.1 (1960) … Dr. Roger Kenyon
1960 On Trial (TV series)
W.T. Stead
– W.T. Stead (1960) … W.T. Stead
1960 The Big Day
Mr. T. Selkirk
1959-1960 No Hiding Place (TV series)
Jerry Fleming / Paul Kendon
– The Last Flight of the Eel (1960) … Paul Kendon
– Everybody Loves Jerry (1959) … Jerry Fleming
1959-1960 ITV Play of the Week (TV series)
Larry Dean / Lt. Commander Mark Heyward / Martin Carew
– The Green Pack (1960) … Larry Dean
– The Signal (1959) … Lt. Commander Mark Heyward
– The Winner (1959) … Martin Carew
1960 Interpol Calling (TV series)
Nevil
– Slow Boat to Amsterdam (1960) … Nevil
1959 Danger Within
Capt. Tony Long
1959 The Flying Doctor (TV series)
Murphy
– Time Bomb (1959) … Murphy
1958 The Snorkel
Wilson
1957 Dick and the Duchess (TV series)
Elegant Harry
– The Club (1957) … Elegant Harry
1957 The New Adventures of Charlie Chan (TV series)
Jack Pearson / Richard Dawson
– The Death of a Don (1957) … Jack Pearson
– Backfire (1957) … Richard Dawson
1955-1957 BBC Sunday-Night Theatre (TV series)
Bob Makepeace / David
– The Girl at the Next Table (1957) … David
– The Makepeace Story #4: The New Executive (1955) … Bob Makepeace
1957 The Flesh Is Weak
Lloyd Buxton
1957 Quatermass 2
Brand
1957 That Woman Opposite
Ned Atwood
1957 The Adventures of Sir Lancelot (TV series)
Baron Mortaise
– The Mortaise Fair (1957) … Baron Mortaise
1956-1957 Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Presents (TV series)
David Butler / Roger Benning / Stanley
– Bulldog Drummond and 'The Ludlow Affair' (1957) … Roger Benning
– The Way Home (1956) … Stanley
– A Likely Story (1956) … David Butler
1955-1956 ITV Television Playhouse (TV series)
Bluey / George Lawrence / Hawksley
– The Lion's Share One Bright Day (1956) … George Lawrence
– Bamboo Bars (1956) … Hawksley
– Mid Level (1955) … Bluey
1956 The Count of Monte Cristo (TV series)
Du Broc / Phillipe
– Burgundy (1956) … Phillipe
– The Carbonari (1956) … Du Broc
1956 Theatre Royal (TV series)
Donald / Ted Harvey
– Forecast Unsettled (1956) … Donald
– Bride Wore an Opal Ring (1956) … Ted Harvey
1956 The Scarlet Pimpernel (TV series)
Jacques Fleury
– The Ambassador's Lady (1956) … Jacques Fleury
– Something Remembered (1956) … Jacques Fleury
1955 Above Us the Waves
No. 1, X2
1955 The Love Match
Arthur Ford
1955 Out of the Clouds
Control Tower Radio Operator (uncredited)
1954 The Crowded Day
Fraser - Studio Official
1954 Time Is My Enemy
Peter Thompson
1954 The Runaway Bus
Crook in Opening Sequence (voice) (uncredited)
1953 Seven Little Australians (TV mini-series)
– A Day in Town (1953)
1952 The Secret People
Surgeon (uncredited)
Judge Matthew Johnson
– Dead in the Water (2004) … Judge Matthew Johnson
2001 Doctors (TV series)
Hugo Stephenson
– A Second Chance (2001) … Hugo Stephenson
2001 Startopia (Video Game)
Lead Vocals (voice)
1999 French and Saunders (TV series)
– Witless Silence (1999)
1997 Jonathan Creek (TV series)
Narrator of Banana Commercial
– Jack in the Box (1997) … Narrator of Banana Commercial (voice) (uncredited)
1996 Robert Rylands' Last Journey
Robert Rylands
1996 London Suite (TV movie)
Widley
1994 Lovejoy (TV series)
Burgess
– Guns and Roses (1994) … Burgess
1993 Splitting Heirs
Andrews
1993 Diana: Her True Story (TV movie)
1992 The Upper Hand (TV series)
Eric
– Surprise, Surprise (1992) … Eric
1992 Moon and Son (TV series)
George Milestone
– Nearly Dearly Departed (1992) … George Milestone
1991 G.B.H. (TV mini-series)
Distinguished Gent
– Message Received (1991) … Distinguished Gent
– Message Sent (1991) … Distinguished Gent
– Only Here on a Message (1991) … Distinguished Gent
1984 The Steam Video Company (TV series)
Various
1983 Nutcracker
Sir Arthur Cartwright
1977 The New Avengers (TV series)
McKay
– Hostage (1977) … McKay
1977 Paradise Island (TV series)
Cuthbert Fulworthy
– Here Is the News (1977) … Cuthbert Fulworthy
– Who Do You Do...? (1977) … Cuthbert Fulworthy
– The Great Pig Hunt (1977) … Cuthbert Fulworthy
– Happy Birthday Cuthbert (1977) … Cuthbert Fulworthy
– Is Anybody There? (1977) … Cuthbert Fulworthy
1976 What's on Next? (TV series)
Various (1976-1978)
1975 Whodunnit? (TV series)
Panellist / Voiceover
– Death at the Top (1975) … Panellist
– Pop Goes the Weasel (1975) … Voiceover
– Portrait in Black (1975) … Panellist
1974 Ooh... You Are Awful
Arnold Van Cleef
1973 The Satanic Rites of Dracula
Torrence
1972 My Wife Next Door (TV series)
Willie
– Dream Girl (1972) … Willie
1972 Doctor in Charge (TV series)
Jeremy de Quincy
– That's My Uncle! (1972) … Jeremy de Quincy
1971 Justice (TV series)
James Kirby
– The Most Important Thing of All (1971) … James Kirby
1969 ITV Playhouse (TV series)
– Mixed Foursome (1969)
1969 The Champions (TV series)
Hartington
– The Gun-Runners (1969) … Hartington
1965-1968 The Avengers (TV series)
Brinstead / Peter Omrod
– Killer (1968) … Brinstead
– Silent Dust (1965) … Peter Omrod
1968 Thirty-Minute Theatre (TV series)
Roy Haines
– Something to Hide: The Caretaker's Flat (1968) … Roy Haines
– Something to Hide: The Studio (1968) … Roy Haines
– Something to Hide: The First Floor (1968) … Roy Haines
1968 Something to Hide (TV series)
Roy Haines
1967 The Baron (TV series)
Kent Jordon
– The Edge of Fear (1967) … Kent Jordon
1966 The Troubleshooters (TV series)
Michael Rennane
– The Bigger They Are (1966) … Michael Rennane
1966 Public Eye (TV series)
Kurt Heller
– You're Not Cinderella, Are You? (1966) … Kurt Heller
1966 Cul-de-sac
Cecil
1966 Disneyland (TV series)
Tom King
– The Legend of Young Dick Turpin: Part 2 (1966) … Tom King
– The Legend of Young Dick Turpin: Part 1 (1966) … Tom King
1965 The Intelligence Men
Colonel Grant
1964 Curtain of Fear (TV series)
Hans Liebert
– The Regan Solution (1964) … Hans Liebert
– The Shand Solution (1964) … Hans Liebert
– The Linton Compact (1964) … Hans Liebert
– The Tannikov Dilemma (1964) … Hans Liebert
– The Liebert Question (1964) … Hans Liebert
See all 6 episodes »
1964 The Dickie Henderson Show (TV series)
Greg
– The Boy Friend (1964) … Greg
1957-1964 Armchair Theatre (TV series)
Arthur Maxwell / John Hamilton / Paul Lorimer
– A Nice Little Business (1964) … Arthur Maxwell
– The Big Deal (1961) … John Hamilton
– The Last Flight (1957) … Paul Lorimer
1963 No Cloak - No Dagger (TV series)
Ian Lambart
– Episode #1.1 (1963) … Ian Lambart
1962 Maigret (TV series)
– The Countess (1962)
1961-1962 Top Secret (TV series)
Peter Dallas
– Escape to Danger (1962) … Peter Dallas
– Dance for Spies (1962) … Peter Dallas
– Dangerous Project (1962) … Peter Dallas
– The Life Stealers (1962) … Peter Dallas
– Vengeance at La Vina (1962) … Peter Dallas
1961 Pit of Darkness
Richard Logan
1960-1961 International Detective (TV series)
Conrad Schneider / Larry Sullivan
– The Washington Case (1961) … Larry Sullivan
– The Bismarck Case (1960) … Conrad Schneider
1961 Fury at Smugglers' Bay
The Captain
1960 No Wreath for the General (TV series)
Dr. Roger Kenyon
– Episode #1.3 (1960) … Dr. Roger Kenyon
– Episode #1.1 (1960) … Dr. Roger Kenyon
1960 On Trial (TV series)
W.T. Stead
– W.T. Stead (1960) … W.T. Stead
1960 The Big Day
Mr. T. Selkirk
1959-1960 No Hiding Place (TV series)
Jerry Fleming / Paul Kendon
– The Last Flight of the Eel (1960) … Paul Kendon
– Everybody Loves Jerry (1959) … Jerry Fleming
1959-1960 ITV Play of the Week (TV series)
Larry Dean / Lt. Commander Mark Heyward / Martin Carew
– The Green Pack (1960) … Larry Dean
– The Signal (1959) … Lt. Commander Mark Heyward
– The Winner (1959) … Martin Carew
1960 Interpol Calling (TV series)
Nevil
– Slow Boat to Amsterdam (1960) … Nevil
1959 Danger Within
Capt. Tony Long
1959 The Flying Doctor (TV series)
Murphy
– Time Bomb (1959) … Murphy
1958 The Snorkel
Wilson
1957 Dick and the Duchess (TV series)
Elegant Harry
– The Club (1957) … Elegant Harry
1957 The New Adventures of Charlie Chan (TV series)
Jack Pearson / Richard Dawson
– The Death of a Don (1957) … Jack Pearson
– Backfire (1957) … Richard Dawson
1955-1957 BBC Sunday-Night Theatre (TV series)
Bob Makepeace / David
– The Girl at the Next Table (1957) … David
– The Makepeace Story #4: The New Executive (1955) … Bob Makepeace
1957 The Flesh Is Weak
Lloyd Buxton
1957 Quatermass 2
Brand
1957 That Woman Opposite
Ned Atwood
1957 The Adventures of Sir Lancelot (TV series)
Baron Mortaise
– The Mortaise Fair (1957) … Baron Mortaise
1956-1957 Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Presents (TV series)
David Butler / Roger Benning / Stanley
– Bulldog Drummond and 'The Ludlow Affair' (1957) … Roger Benning
– The Way Home (1956) … Stanley
– A Likely Story (1956) … David Butler
1955-1956 ITV Television Playhouse (TV series)
Bluey / George Lawrence / Hawksley
– The Lion's Share One Bright Day (1956) … George Lawrence
– Bamboo Bars (1956) … Hawksley
– Mid Level (1955) … Bluey
1956 The Count of Monte Cristo (TV series)
Du Broc / Phillipe
– Burgundy (1956) … Phillipe
– The Carbonari (1956) … Du Broc
1956 Theatre Royal (TV series)
Donald / Ted Harvey
– Forecast Unsettled (1956) … Donald
– Bride Wore an Opal Ring (1956) … Ted Harvey
1956 The Scarlet Pimpernel (TV series)
Jacques Fleury
– The Ambassador's Lady (1956) … Jacques Fleury
– Something Remembered (1956) … Jacques Fleury
1955 Above Us the Waves
No. 1, X2
1955 The Love Match
Arthur Ford
1955 Out of the Clouds
Control Tower Radio Operator (uncredited)
1954 The Crowded Day
Fraser - Studio Official
1954 Time Is My Enemy
Peter Thompson
1954 The Runaway Bus
Crook in Opening Sequence (voice) (uncredited)
1953 Seven Little Australians (TV mini-series)
– A Day in Town (1953)
1952 The Secret People
Surgeon (uncredited)