Geoffrey Sumner

Geoffrey Sumner (20 November 1908 – 29 September 1989) was a British actor whose career spanned more than four decades, encompassing stage, screen, radio and news narration. Born in Ilfracombe, England, he entered the film industry in the late 1930s, making his first uncredited appearance as a solicitor’s clerk in Hold My Hand (1938) before moving on to more substantive roles such as Captain Corrie in Too Many Husbands (1938) and the memorable Lord Haw‑ Haw in the wartime satire "Nasti" News From Lord Haw‑Haw (1939‑1940). Throughout the 1940s and 1950s he became a familiar face in British cinema, portraying everything from aristocratic peers in While the Sun Shines (1947) to comedic military figures like Major Upshot‑Bagley in the television hit The Army Game (1957) and its film adaptation I Only Arsked! (1958). In addition to acting, Sumner lent his resonant voice to British Movietone News, delivering commentary that informed a generation of viewers during a pivotal era of broadcasting. He also ventured into radio, notably embodying Sir Lancelot Spratt in the BBC series Doctor in the House (1968), and contributed to pioneering audio projects such as the 1958 stereo LP A Journey Into Stereo Sound, whose “Train Sequence” would later be sampled by a wide array of musicians across hip‑hop, electronic and metal genres. Summarizing a versatile career, Sumner’s work reflected a blend of comedic timing, authoritative presence and a distinctive vocal quality that made him a valued contributor to mid‑20th‑century British entertainment. His final screen appearance came as Gerald Drimond in There Goes the Bride (1980), capping a prolific journey that left an indelible mark on film, television and audio history.