John Grieve (14 June 1924 – 21 January 2003) was a Scottish actor, best known as the engineer Macphail in the BBC adaptation of Neil Munro's Para Handy stories, Para Handy - Master Mariner (1959–60), returning to that role in the BBC Scotland version, The Vital Spark (1965–67, 1973–74).
Born in Maryhill, Glasgow, Grieve attended the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, before joining the Citizens Theatre in 1951. Grieve worked in variety alongside many familiar Scottish comedians, including Stanley Baxter and Jimmy Logan. Although principally known for his comic roles, he appeared in drama films such as The Thirty-Nine Steps (1978), Eye of the Needle (1981) and the BBC docudrama Square Mile of Murder (1980). His stage roles include the part of the King's Jester in the premier of The Burning (1971) by Stewart Conn.
He had a brief recurring role as Frank Marker's probation officer in the Thames Television series Public Eye. He played Sandy Duncanson in BBC's adaptation of Neil Munro's The New Road, in a BBC drama about the Union of the Parliaments in 1707 he played John Hamilton, 2nd Lord Belhaven and Stenton who delivered a controversial speech against the Union, and appeared on BBC Scotland's Hogmanay celebrations, one of which (Live into 85) was broadcast nationally from Gleneagles and became notorious for Grieve, apparently worse the wear with alcohol, unable to recite a brief poem and collapsing into laughter, along with other shambolic incidents featured in the same programme. The BBC as a result did not broadcast Hogmanay-themed programmes thereafter.Five… Four… Three… Two… One! Off The Telly, Steve Williams.January 2001.Joy of Six: Memorable Christmas and New Year TV events The Guardian, Scott Murray. 24 December 2008. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
He appeared in two episodes (eleven years apart) in the television series All Creatures Great and Small as Dr. Harry Allinson, whose practice was next door to Skeldale House.
Theatre Year Title Role Company Director Notes 1972 Kidnapped Cluny MacPherson Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh Bill Bryden adaptation by Keith Dewhurst 1981 Let Wives Tak Tent Allan Scottish Theatre Company David Thompson play by Robert Kemp 1986 Ane Satyre of the Thrie Estaites Deceit Scottish Theatre Company Tom Fleming play by Sir David Lyndsey, adapted by Robert Kemp 1989 The Cherry Orchard Feers Lyceum Theatre Company, Edinburgh Hugh Hodgart play by Anton Chekov, adapted by Stuart Patersonreview of The Cherry Orchard by Sarah Hemming, The list, Issue 90, 24 March - 6 April 1989, p. 22
Filmography Year Title Role Notes1959 The 39 Steps Lowrie - shepherd Uncredited1961 Don't Bother to Knock Bus Conductor 1978 The Thirty Nine Steps P.C. Forbes 1981 Eye of the Needle Inspector Kincaid
Television Year Title Role Director Production Notes1959 Spindrift Dougie MacLean (The Goat) Finlay J. Macdonald BBC Scotland play by Naomi Mitchison and Denis Macintosh, adapted for television by Ada F. Kay1965-74 The Vital Spark MacPhail Pharic Maclaren BBC Scotland adapted from the Para Handy stories of Neil Munro1995 Hamish Macbeth S1 E1: "The Great Lochdubh Salt Robbery" Whisky Bob Nicholas Renton BBC Scotland Adapted from the mystery novels of M. C. Beaton
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