- published: 07 Mar 2008
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Charles Edward Springall, known professionally as Charlie Drake (19 June 1925 – 23 December 2006) was an English comedian, actor, writer and singer.
With his small stature (5' 1"/155 cm tall), curly red hair and liking for slapstick, he was a popular comedian with children in his early years, becoming nationally known for his "Hello, my darlings!" catchphrase.
Born Charles Edward Springall in the Elephant and Castle, Southwark, South London, he took his mother's maiden name for the stage and, later, television and film, achieving success as a comedian.
Drake made his first appearance on stage at the age of eight, and after leaving school toured working men's clubs. After serving in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War, Drake turned professional and made his television début in The Centre Show in 1953. He then joined his wartime comrade Jack Edwardes to form a double act, named 'Mick and Montmorency'. In 1954 he appeared with Bob Monkhouse in the film, Fast and Loose.
Actors: Robert Picardo (actor), Joan Gerber (actress), Meshach Taylor (actor), Neil Ross (actor), James Cromwell (actor), Mary Kay Place (actress), Frank Welker (actor), Robert Picardo (actor), Dick Miller (actor), Robert Picardo (actor), Ethan Hawke (actor), Danny Nucci (actor), Bob Holt (actor), Rosanna Norton (costume designer), Jerry Goldsmith (composer),
Plot: Ben Crandall, an alien-obsessed kid, dreams one night of a circuit board. Drawing out the circuit, he and his friends Wolfgang and Darren set it up, and discover they have been given the basis for a starship. Setting off in the ThunderRoad, as they name their ship, they find the aliens Ben hopes they would find... but are they what they seem?
Keywords: adolescence, adolescent-romance, alien, alien-contact, boy, boy-genius, boy-with-glasses, bully, bullying, cat