Ann Way

Ann Way (14 November 1915 – 13 March 1993) was an English film and television character actress. Born in Wiveliscombe, Somerset, she began her career in repertory in Birmingham in the 1950s moving from there to the Dundee Rep. Her petite build and deep-set eyes saw her frequently typecast as a stereotypically dotty or timid and mouse-like spinster. She nonetheless appeared in a wide range of roles, including the television series Dr Finlay's Casebook, Emmerdale Farm where she played an aunt of publican and newspaper correspondent Amos Brearly, Fawlty Towers (where she memorably played the Colonel's wife inadvertently served the raw red mullet in "Gourmet Night") and Rumpole of the Bailey as Dodo Mackintosh. She played the vicar's wife in Last of the Summer Wine. She also read the Mrs. Pepperpot books on the children's series Jackanory. Film roles included Carry On Loving (1970), Endless Night (1972) and Clockwise (1986) (in which she sang the Vivian Ellis standard This is my Lovely Day on the soundtrack and made comic use of the repeated line "Aren't we all such lucky people") and The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969) (where she played the headmistress's secretary, Miss Gaunt). A more unusual role was the 1987 short film Unusual Ground Floor Conversion in which she played an old lady gradually driving her downstairs neighbour mad by throwing water out of her window every few minutes. Way died in London, England on 13 March 1993.

Filmography

• 2005The Funny Blokes of British Comedy — Mrs. Hall (archive footage) (uncredited)
• 1993Anchoress — Alice
• 1992Once Upon a Crime — Housekeeper
• 1991How's Business — Miss Jolly
• Close to Home — Mrs Crosby
• 1989Killing Dad — Margot
• 1988Dead Lucky — Lena Finn
• 1988The Dawning — George Brabazon
• The Modern World: Ten Great Writers — Old Woman
• 1987Crystalstone — Housekeeper
• 1986Clockwise — Mrs. Way
• David Copperfield — Mrs Heep
• 1986Haunted Honeymoon — Rachel
• Lovejoy — Mrs Thomas
• 1985Brazil — Old Lady with Dog
• 1984Long Live the Babe — Rosie
• The Bill
• 1983The Dresser — Miss White
• Q.E.D. — Minnie
• 1982The Pigman's Protege — Gregoria Windy
• 1981Bread or Blood — Mrs Tucker
• 1980Little Lord Fauntleroy — Miss Smith
• Shoestring — Mrs Atwell
• Thundercloud — Gladys Teesdale
• 1979Whinfrey's Last Case — Old Lady (Lotte)
• All Creatures Great and Small — Matilda Dunn
• The Clifton House Mystery — Mrs Rowley
• 1978The Sailor's Return — Mrs Clall
• Mind Your Language — Mrs Hunter
• Fawlty Towers — Mrs. Hall
• Rumpole of the Bailey — Dodo Mackintosh
• Playhouse — Georgina Windy
• 1972Endless Night — Mrs. Philpott
• 1970Carry On Loving — Aunt Victoria Grubb
• Shadows of Fear — Miss Wills
• The Goodies
• Castle Haven
• 1969The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie — Miss Gaunt
• The Jazz Age — Mrs. Prescott
• All Gas and Gaiters — Mrs Plummer
• King of the River — Judy
• Theatre 625 — Mrs Winstanley, Miss Minns
• Jane Eyre — Bessie
• Sergeant Cork — Mrs. Fry
• Bleak House — Judy Smallweed