Raymond Francis (6 October 1911 – 24 October 1987) was an English actor best known for his role as Detective Chief Superintendent Tom Lockhart in the Associated-Rediffusion detective series Murder Bag, Crime Sheet and No Hiding Place. He played the role of Lockhart in these series from 1956 to 1967, and the character was one of the first recurring television detectives.Born in London, his first listed television role was as Dr Watson alongside Alan Wheatley's Holmes in a 1951 BBC TV series entitled Sherlock Holmes, the earliest TV adaptation of the tales. He later reprised the role in 1984.His distinguished appearance often led to roles as senior policemen, military men and English aristocracy; he played such parts in series including The Cedar Tree, Tales of the Unexpected, After Julius, Drummonds, the first Joan Hickson Miss Marple episode "The Body in the Library" as Sir Henry Clithering, and his final appearance was in a 1987 Ruth Rendell Mysteries adaptation.He was also a noted stage actor and made several appearances in films such as Carrington V.C. and Reach for the Sky. He was married to actress Margaret Towner and had three children; his son Clive Francis is also an actor.
Dignified-looking English actor, a former conjuror. Began his career in repertory theatre and made his mark on television as the snuff-taking Chief Superintendent Tom Lockhart in Murder Bag (1957), Crime Sheet (1959) and No Hiding Place (1959). He had previously portrayed Dr. Watson to Alan Wheatley's Sherlock Holmes in a short-lived 1951 series.
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Father of Clive Francis, noted actor and caricaturist.
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
Ruth Rendell Mysteries
1987
TV Series
Mr. Scatcherd
Drummonds
1985-1987
TV Series
Sir Foster Gill
All in Good Faith
1986-1987
TV Series
Ernest Lambe
Me and My Girl
1985-1987
TV Series
Pinky Harrington
Mr. and Mrs. Edgehill
1985
TV Movie
Sir Arthur Gurney
Storyboard
1985
TV Series
Jack Carmichael
The Kenny Everett Television Show
1985
TV Series
Various
The Case of Marcel Duchamp
1984
Dr. Watson
Miss Marple: The Body in the Library
1984
TV Mini-Series
Sir Henry Clithering
A Married Man
1983
TV Mini-Series
Sir George Mascal
The Comic Strip Presents...
1982
TV Series
Police Inspector
Together
1980-1981
TV Series
Edward Fuller
Tales of the Unexpected
1980
TV Series
Mr. Peckham
Play for Today
1978-1980
TV Series
Ellis / Tea Manager
The Further Adventures of Oliver Twist
1980
TV Series
Dr. Losberne
Why Didn't They Ask Evans?
1980
TV Movie
Earl Of Marchington
After Julius
1979
TV Series
Major Hawkes
Thomas and Sarah
1979
TV Series
Capt. Dooley
Edward & Mrs. Simpson
1978
TV Mini-Series
Mr. Justice Hawke
Sister Dora
1977
TV Mini-Series
Chairman
It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet
1976
Colonel Bosworth
The Cedar Tree
1976
TV Series
Norman Burton-Smith
Dickens of London
1976
TV Mini-Series
Mr. Beadnell
Savages
1975
TV Movie
Major Brigg
Crown Court
1974
TV Series
Robert Denton
Bedtime Stories
1974
TV Series
Harry
Death or Glory Boy
1974
TV Series
Lieutenant-Colonel
BBC Play of the Month
1974
TV Series
Alibius
Public Eye
1973
TV Series
Clement Lawrence
Full House
1972
TV Series
Sorin
Zinotchka
1972
TV Short
Sorin
Q5
1969
TV Series
Special Guest
Hell Is Empty
1967
Defence Counsel
No Hiding Place
1959-1967
TV Series
Chief Det. Supt. Tom Lockhart
Lockhart
Det. Chief Supt. Tom Lockhart