Guido Lorraine (2 September 1912 – 31 December 2009) was a Polish-born actor, musician and singer, known primarily for his roles in war films. He was also sometimes known by the stage name Guy Borucki. Lorraine appeared in twenty-eight films during his career, as well as many theatre productions.
Lorraine was born Gwidon Alfred Gottlieb in present-day Kraków, Poland in 1912. He studied at the School of Foreign Trade in Lwów (Lviv), where he sang in restaurants to earn money. He learned to play the accordion and piano as a child.
Lorraine founded a military theatre group during World War II. He is credited as the first singer to perform the song, "Red Poppy Flowers of Monte Cassino", in public.
He adopted the pseudonym Guy Borucki after World War II and moved to London. He appeared on BBC radio, television and film. His film credits during the era included Hotel Sahara in 1951, 1955's The Colditz Story and Blue Murder at St Trinian's in 1957. He also starred in a number of musical comedies and other British productions during the 1950s.
He arrived in Australia in 1959 with the performance of a musical operetta Grab Me a Gondola in which he had the main role, and made his home in Melbourne to pursue his acting career. Much of his career centred on entertainment for the Polish community living in Australia, including a series of theatre performances, revues and cabarets. He also starred in his own television show in 1960 called Tea for Two, a musical programme on Melbourne station HSV-7.
Guido Lorraine died in Melbourne, Australia, on 31 December 2009, at the age of 97.
Filmography Year Title Role Notes1949 The Passionate Friends Hotel Manager 1950 State Secret Lieutenant Prachi 1950 Tony Draws a Horse Accordion Player Uncredited1951 Hotel Sahara Captain Giuseppi 1951 Encore Russian Prince (segment "Gigolo and Gigolette")1952 Top Secret 1st M.V.D. 1953 The Village Mr. Karginski 1953 Sailor of the King German Officer Uncredited1953 The Red Beret German Officer 1954 Father Brown Cafe Patron 1955 The Colditz Story Polish Officer #1 1955 Break in the Circle Franz 1955 Above Us the Waves Officer Interpreter 1955 Value for Money Head Waiter Uncredited1955 They Can't Hang Me Pietr Revski 1955 Gentlemen Marry Brunettes M. Marcel 1955 Alias John Preston Headwaiter 1956 Port Afrique Abdul 1956 Loser Takes All Room Waiter Uncredited1957 Ill Met by Moonlight German Officer Uncredited1957 That Woman Opposite Goron 1957 Blue Murder at St Trinian's Prince Bruno 1959 The Great Van Robbery Leprave (final film role)
References
External links The Telegraph: Lives Remembered - Guido Lorraine
Guido Lorraine at the British Film Institute