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Mervyn Johns

Mervyn Johns

Actor · Died September 6, 1992, aged 93 · Pembroke, Pembrokeshire, Wales, UK

Father of actress Glynis Johns, who appeared with him in The Halfway House (1944) and The Sundowners (1960). Stocky, benevolent-looking Welsh character who became an unexpected star of British movies during WWII, then moved quickly into post-war supports, with one of his fondly-remembered parts being that of the cowering "Bob Cratchit" to Alastair Sim's cold-hearted "Ebenezer Scrooge" in the definitive film version of A Christmas Carol (1951).

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
February 17, 1899
Died
September 6, 1992 (aged 93)
From
Pembroke, Pembrokeshire, Wales, UK
Works as
Actor
Titles
29 on MovieCove · 88 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 23% in 30 days

What are Mervyn Johns' films like?

Across their 22 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Bonds.

Genres

Drama9 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 67th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 35th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Action2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 61st percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Action movies
Adventure2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 69th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Adventure movies
Crime2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 47th percentile
: browse their Crime movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
34%
Bonds
16%
Power
13%
Self
12%
Survival
11%
Society
10%
Ideas
4%
Justice4 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love4 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption3 titles, browse their movies with this themeSacrifice3 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity3 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception4 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds3 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 22 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 5 · Serious 5 · Dark 12

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 11 · Stylized 9 · Heightened 2

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 1 · Charged 14 · Intense 7

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

A split, not a type: Steady 11 · Shifting 10 · Whiplash 1

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 17 · Some laughs 2 · Funny 3

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 9 · Even-paced 12 · Relentless 1

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 7 · Engaged 13 · Full focus 2

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

Easy watch 6 · Affecting 10 · Heavy 6

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 18 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 2

Roles they play

9 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 3 of 9 analyzed roles.

Ally
3 of 9
Hero
2 of 9
Mentor
2 of 9
Herald
1 of 9
Threshold guardian
1 of 9
Show the 9 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
16
Dread
7
Melancholic
9
Absurd
3
Hopeful
4
Other
17

How their films linger

Hopeful6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 4 with a twist

  • Happy6
  • Bittersweet9
  • Tragic4
  • Ambiguous2
  • Cyclical1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Mervyn Johns' films?

As of October 24, 2026, 19 of their 29 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (10).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Mervyn Johns' titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

88 credits, 29 with a MovieCove page.

  • Shoestring (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 1 episode · as Reverend James Appleby

  • The New Avengers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 1 episode · as Elderly Man

  • The Confessional(1976)

    as Father Duggan

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • The National Health (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    as Rees

  • A Thinking Man as Hero (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    as Lord Beale

  • Crown Court (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 3 episodes · as Arthur Charles Parfitt

  • The Adventurer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 1 episode · as Franz Kolmar

  • Who Killed the Cat? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    as Henry Fawcett

  • The Heroes of Telemark(1965)

    as Col. Wilkinson

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Pardon the Expression (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 1 episode · as Jacob Elijah Burgess · as Jeb

  • Detective (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • They All Died Laughing(1964)

    as Willie Pugh-Smith

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • The Old Dark House(1963)

    as Potiphar Femm

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • 80,000 Suspects (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    as Buckridge

  • 55 Days at Peking(1963)

    as Clergyman

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • The Day of the Triffids(1963)

    as Mr. Coker

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • The Saint (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Davis

  • Francis of Assisi(1961)

    as Brother Juniper

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • A Call on Kuprin: Part 2 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    as Holloway

  • A Call on Kuprin: Part 1 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    as Holloway

  • Echo of Barbara (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    as Sam Roscoe

  • Drama 61-67 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · as Charlie Dowsett

  • The Rebel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    as Manager of Art Gallery, London

  • No Love for Johnnie(1961)

    as Charlie Young

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • The Avengers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · as Brandon Storey

  • The Sundowners(1960)

    as Jack Patchogue

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Maigret(1960)

    Show 1 episode · as Inspector Fumel

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • Sunday-Night Play (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 2 episodes · as Holloway

  • Danger Man(1960)

    Show 1 episode · as Armstrong

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all shows

  • Never Let Go (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    as Alfie Barnes

  • Once More, with Feeling! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    as Mr. Alonzo Wilbur Jr.

  • The Third Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Geoffrey Ormsby

  • No Hiding Place (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Devil's Disciple(1959)

    as Rev. Maindeck Parshotter

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • The Gypsy and the Gentleman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    as Brook

  • Danger List (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    as Mr. Ellis

  • The Surgeon's Knife (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    as Mr. Waring

  • The Vicious Circle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    as Dr. George Kimber

  • Doctor at Large (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    as Mr. Smith

  • The Counterfeit Plan(1957)

    as Louie Bernard

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films

  • Find the Lady (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    as Hurst

  • Armchair Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    Show 1 episode · as George Thompson · as Prison Officer Graves

  • Moby Dick(1956)

    as Peleg

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Finger of Guilt(1956)

    as Ernest Chaple

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • 1984(1956)

    as Jones

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • The Blue Peter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    as Captain Snow

  • Dixon of Dock Green (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Farmer

  • Romeo and Juliet(1954)

    as Friar Laurence

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • The Master of Ballantrae(1953)

    as MacKellar

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Valley of Song (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    as Griffiths

  • The Oracle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    as Tom Mitchum

  • Tall Headlines (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    as Uncle Ted

  • The Magic Box (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    as Goitz

  • A Christmas Carol(1951)

    as Bob Cratchit

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Tony Draws a Horse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    Actor

  • Sunday Night Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    Show 1 episode · as Samuel Pepys

  • Diamond City (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    as Hart

  • Helter Skelter(1949)

    as Ernest Bennett

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Edward, My Son(1949)

    as Harry Sempkin

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Quartet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    as Samuel Sunbury (segment "The Kite")

  • Counterblast (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    as Dr. Bruckner, the Beast of Ravensbruck

  • Easy Money (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    as Herbert Atkins

  • Captain Boycott (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1947)

    as Watty Connell

  • The Captive Heart (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1946)

    as Pte. Evans

  • They Knew Mr. Knight (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1946)

    as Tom Blake

  • Pink String and Sealing Wax(1945)

    as Edward Sutton

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Dead of Night(1945)

    as Walter Craig (Segment "Linking Story")

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • Twilight Hour (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1945)

    as Major John Roberts

  • The Halfway House(1944)

    as Rhys

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • San Demetrio London (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1943)

    as Greaser John Boyle - M.V. San Demetrio

  • My Learned Friend (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1943)

    as Grimshaw

  • The Bells Go Down (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1943)

    as Sam

  • Went the Day Well?(1942)

    as Charlie Sims

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • The Foreman Went to France (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    as Official, Passport Office

  • The Next of Kin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    as No 23: Mr Davis

  • Saloon Bar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as Wickers

  • Convoy(1940)

    as His Mate

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • The Girl in the News(1940)

    as James Fetherwood

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Jamaica Inn(1939)

    as Thomas

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Pride and Prejudice (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    as Sir Willian Lucas

  • The Last Curtain (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Hemp

  • Night Ride (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Trapped Miner

  • Storm in a Teacup(1937)

    as Court Bailiff (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all films

  • Dishonour Bright (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    as French Postcard Seller

  • In the Soup (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    as Meakin

  • Foreign Affaires (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    as Courtroom Interpreter (uncredited)

  • The Guv'nor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    as Bank Director

  • Lady in Danger (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    as Reporter

Career shape

Star power in the 97th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 88 titles from 1934 to 1979; peak year 1960.

Biggest box office

Went the Day Well? (1942)

$47K worldwide

Highest rated

A Christmas Carol (1951)

Midcredits 97th

Most popular right now

Moby Dick (1956)

Film career

MilestoneBreakout
19341979

Peak 1960 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 5 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting88 of 88: 88 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score64th

By decade

1930s10 · acting1940s22 · acting1950s25 · acting1960s24 · acting1970s7 · acting

Billing

usually 8th · top billed in 10% of 21 roles
374762

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Mervyn Johns' films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 63rd percentile, the median of all 27; across their 22 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 62nd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

62ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 22

Approval · how many liked their films

59thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 22

Reach · how many have seen their films

61stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 22

Midcredits score across 29 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up8
  • 50th to 74th12
  • 25th to 49th8
  • Below 25th1

Shape of the crowd

17 of their 29 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved3
  • Crowd Pleaser17
  • Broadly Agreed5
  • Mixed4

Most divisive · actor

They All Died Laughing (1964)

65th percentile spread · 15% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

A Christmas Carol (1951)

Midcredits 97th · 87% liked

Reviewers score the acting 69/100 in their films, across 22 reviewed titles; fans 78, detractors 44. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Mervyn Johns' work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 3 MovieCove titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Sex & Nudity3 titlesmedian 7 · minimalMedian of all films: 32

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does Mervyn Johns work with?

People who share at least 2 of Mervyn Johns' MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Robert Hamer shares the most, 4.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles