Young Arnold Ridley, a talented individual with a promising acting career, was forced to reevaluate his path due to circumstances beyond his control. With a newfound passion for writing, he hit the jackpot with his play "The Ghost Train," which enjoyed great success on the West End and has been adapted into numerous films over the years. This breakthrough led to a string of other plays throughout the 1920s and 1930s, cementing his reputation as a prominent playwright.
Prior to World War I, Ridley began his acting career while a student at Bristol University, where he was paid a modest sum to perform in various roles at the Theatre Royal in Bristol, now known as the Bristol Old Vic. However, his acting career was put on hold as he served in the war, where he was severely injured on multiple occasions, including a serious bayonet wound that left him with limited strength in his right arm.
After the war, Ridley returned to England, but found it challenging to secure acting work. He eventually took a job at his father's boot company in Bath, while still nurturing his passion for the theatre. It was during this time that he turned to writing, penning a series of what he called "serious plays." Despite his efforts, one of these plays was rejected by London producers, prompting Ridley to reevaluate his approach.
Inspired by an American thriller he had seen, Ridley decided to write a thriller of his own, determined to create something better than what he had witnessed. The result was "The Ghost Train," which became a West End hit and has endured for over 80 years. Ridley went on to write several other plays, directing and producing in both the theatre and film industries. He even ran his own theatre and film company, although it ultimately went bankrupt.
During the late 1920s, Ridley sold the amateur rights to "The Ghost Train" for a modest sum of 200 pounds, a decision he later regretted, believing he had missed out on a significant opportunity. He continued to work in the theatre and film industries throughout the 1950s and 1960s, until he was cast as the beloved character Private Godfrey in the BBC comedy series "Dad's Army" in 1968.
Ridley's remarkable career spanned over five decades, with his most famous role coming at the age of 81. He continued to work until the show ended in 1977, and was subsequently awarded an OBE in the 1982 Queen's New Year's Honours List for his contributions to the world of drama. Tragically, Ridley passed away just two years later, leaving behind a legacy that continues to entertain and inspire audiences to this day.
