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Jack Train

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Jack Train, 1942

Jack Train (28 November 1902 – 19 December 1966) was a British radio and film actor popular during the Second World War.

Born in Plymouth, Devon, Train was on BBC radio in many productions, but his characters in the BBC series ITMA (It's That Man Again) with Tommy Handley gave him fame. He appeared in several British films, none top-rated.

In ITMA, the wartime comedy show, he created Colonel Chinstrap, a pickled former Indian Army officer who perpetually believed he was being offered a drink, replying: "I don't mind if I do". Chinstrap was based on a real person. Train was visiting the BBC's chief announcer and news reader, John Snagge, when in came a bleary-eyed former army man, another friend of Snagge's. The arrival said: "John, I've just done the most marvellous piece of business. I've bought a water heater on 10 years' hire purchase and what the gas company don't know is that I am drinking myself to death." It was not difficult for Train to turn him into Colonel Chinstrap, actors being encouraged to create characters from experience. When the man heard the show he failed to recognise himself but commented: "Wonderful character. I knew silly buggers like that in India." And then, nine years and five months after the first meeting, Snagge sent Train a telegram: THE COLONEL BEAT THE GAS COMPANY BY SEVEN MONTHS.

He was the subject of This Is Your Life in 1957 when he was surprised by Eamonn Andrews at the BBC Television Theatre.

Train made two cameo appearances in The Goon Show as Colonel Chinstrap, one in The Shifting Sands of Waziristan, Series 7, broadcast 24/1/1957. He was also a regular panellist on the popular radio quiz show Twenty Questions. He died in London on 19 December 1966.[1]

Films

References

  1. ^ "Jack Train", British Film Institute http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2b9f5c6354, retrieved 30 August 2013 {{citation}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)


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