Knowledge (XXG)

O. B. Clarence

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characterization that there indeed moved and had their being, Fondlewife, Booth Voysey. General Gough-Bogle, and Old Hardcastle and not Mr. O. B. Clarence giving his well-known interpretation of the parts. Few actors have been so utterly absorbed by their art, fewer still have made such a reputation by such self-effacement.
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He was the old man in a bewildering variety of parts on the stage and on the screen, holding his hand to his ear and quavering: "Eh? Eh?" Yet each part, however small it was, was carefully and subtly thought out in detail; nothing was ever mechanical or stereotyped, and so perfect was the
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The rest of Clarence's long career followed a similar pattern: playing old men in ephemeral new plays in the West End and on Broadway, with occasional appearances in the classics, both old and new. These included a second run as the Inquisitor in
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Nobody who saw that almost motionless, white robed figure sitting calmly on the dais, delivering a quietly judicial speech, which held the audience dead still, could ever forget that there was the illusion of the drama at its best and most
297:'s novel. Between then and 1919 he appeared in London and the provinces in mostly modern plays, and in January 1920 he returned to the US, playing in three plays in Broadway for the rest of that year and into 1921. 120:'s company, playing numerous parts. He then toured with Miss Fortescue, Muriel Wylford. and in Africa with Leonard Rayne, before returning to Britain and touring with 328:, subsequently playing the same part in Zurich and Geneva, and in 1924 he played one of the roles most closely identified with him: the Inquisitor in Shaw's 1384: 1369: 1364: 597: 1359: 765: 725: 709: 621: 451:
commented that Clarence had been "for more than half a century one of the most accomplished character actors on the English stage":
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and University College Hospital, he made his stage debut in 1890. His experience included Shakespearean and other repertory with
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Clarence retired from the stage in 1945 and made the last of his many film appearances in 1948. He died in
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Although best known as a stage actor, Clarence made many films between 1914 and 1948. They include:
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Gunter (1840–1886). He was intended for a medical career, and after his schooling at
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in the title role. He played Firs again in 1941 in a production by Guthrie at the
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Clarence reappeared in London, at the Savoy in June 1911, playing Lord Feenix in
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and first appeared on what he called "the regular stage" at the
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in 1906 his roles in the 1900s were in modern plays, including
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and others. He toured the provinces, appeared several times on
961:(1939) – Prof. John Dearborn (voice, uncredited) 438:, Sussex, on 2 October 1955, at the age of 85. 143:Clarence, left, as the Rev Aloysius Parfitt in 1293:Parker, John; Freda Gaye; Ian Herbert (1978). 365:) though he played Lord Sands and Cranmer in 67:, and made many films between 1914 and 1948. 8: 409:(1938). In 1939 Clarence played Polonius in 889:(1938) – Sir Philip's Gardener (uncredited) 1332: 1190: 1188: 873:(1938) – Torceston Magistrate (uncredited) 239:In late 1908 Clarence went to the US with 953:(1939) – Guest at Reception (uncredited) 1271: 1269: 1208: 1206: 1197:, Ancestry UK. Retrieved 2 August 2021 1184: 196:. After engagements on tour and in the 128:. He rejoined Benson, appearing at the 1069:(1942) – 'Real' Clergyman (uncredited) 1037:in the USA) – Waiter with Tray of Wine 80:Clarence was born on 25 March 1870 in 1248:Parker, Gaye and Herbert, pp. 449–451 1244: 1242: 937:(1939) – Coach Passenger (uncredited) 347:The following year he played Firs in 7: 1240: 1238: 1236: 1234: 1232: 1230: 1228: 1226: 1224: 1222: 1093:(1945) – Minor Role (scenes deleted) 753:(1935) – Council Member (uncredited) 255:in London, he returned to the US in 116:. For four years he was a member of 881:(1938) – Mr. Birchwood – the Vicar 841:(1937) – Estate Agent (uncredited) 14: 318:in May 1922 he played William in 220:. With the exception of Clown in 1385:20th-century English male actors 1370:People educated at Dover College 689:(1934) – Clockmaker (uncredited) 633:(1933) – Shopkeeper (uncredited) 403:(1934) and Sir William Gower in 40:, Sussex) was an English actor. 1165:(1948) – Old Gentleman at Epsom 865:(1937) – Messenger (uncredited) 170:. The following year he joined 156:In May 1901 he appeared at the 1109:(1945) – Egyptian (uncredited) 1014:Inspector Hornleigh Goes To It 486:The Little Hour of Peter Wells 160:, Covent Garden, as Verges in 1: 553:(1932) – Sir Everard Marshall 529:(1932) – Timkins (uncredited) 375:'s 1925 production, starring 285:, and subsequently Jingle in 1257:"Art, Music and the Drama", 1017:(1941) – Professor Mackenzie 998:Old Mother Riley in Business 905:(1938) – Butler (uncredited) 263:, playing Cayley Drummle in 259:, subsequently touring with 124:as the Rev Gavin Dishart in 1061:(1942) – Vicar (uncredited) 184:, Starveling and Quince in 98:University College Hospital 43:Following his education at 36:, London – 2 October 1955, 1401: 1330:Internet Broadway Database 1297:. Detroit: Gale Research. 1295:Who Was Who in the Theatre 1195:"Oliver Burchett Clarence" 854:Murder at the Baskervilles 849:(1937) – Coachman-in-Chief 785:(1935) – Sir Anthony Kipps 609:(1933) – Rev. John Makehan 413:'s modern-dress and uncut 359:Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith 181:The Merry Wives of Windsor 1365:English male stage actors 1042:Old Mother Riley's Circus 1009:(1941) – First Magistrate 761:(1935) – Sir John Barratt 713:(1934) – Count de Tournay 537:(1932) – Gen. Gough-Bogle 340:said of his performance: 187:A Midsummer Night's Dream 162:Charles Villiers Stanford 16:British actor (1870–1955) 1360:English male film actors 1133:(1946) – The Aged Parent 1058:Gert and Daisy's Weekend 977:(1940) – Medical Officer 769:(1935) – Thomas Marsland 657:(1934) – Rev. Martingale 521:(1932) – Theatre Manager 425:, and Old Hardcastle in 399:(1932), George Booth in 393:(1931), Mazzini Dunn in 382:The Clandestine Marriage 266:The Second Mrs Tanqueray 86:Lovell Burchett Clarence 30:Oliver Burchett Clarence 1375:Male actors from London 1279:, 5 October 1955, p. 11 1263:, 16 March 1912, p. 398 1260:Illustrated London News 1216:, 7 February 1946, p. 1 1199:(subscription required) 958:The Dark Eyes of London 406:Trelawny of the 'Wells' 164:'s operatic version of 112:, in December 1890, in 1275:"Mr. O. B. Clarence", 1141:(1947) – Old Gentleman 1117:(1946) – Old Gentleman 985:(1940) – Sir Archibald 598:His Grace Gives Notice 473:(1914) – Todman Crafer 401:The Voysey Inheritance 311: 293:in a dramatisation of 227:The Voysey Inheritance 217:The Merchant of Venice 167:Much Ado About Nothing 153: 104:on 14 July 1890, with 26: 1380:Male actors from Kent 1125:(1946) – Old Retainer 1022:Turned Out Nice Again 969:(1940) – Mr. Truscott 913:(1939) – (uncredited) 833:(1936) – Mr. Ponsonby 822:The Mill on the Floss 766:The Private Secretary 745:(1935) – Uncle George 729:(1934) – George Beale 726:The Feathered Serpent 710:The Scarlet Pimpernel 622:Friday the Thirteenth 601:(1933) – Lord Rannock 566:Perfect Understanding 497:(1930) – John Larwood 428:She Stoops to Conquer 379:, and Lord Ogleby in 304:As the Inquisitor in 303: 287:Two Peeps at Pickwick 277:West End and Broadway 172:Herbert Beerbohm Tree 142: 84:, London, the son of 24: 1138:While the Sun Shines 1106:Caesar and Cleopatra 1090:The Way to the Stars 1082:A Place of One's Own 1050:Penn of Pennsylvania 673:(1934) – Mr. Hammond 574:Soldiers of the King 561:(1933) – Mr. Hemming 494:The Man from Chicago 489:(1920) – Peter Wells 178:, playing Simple in 102:Trocadero Music Hall 1157:(1947) – Vicar Clay 1149:(1947) – Ambassador 1077:(1944) – Dr. Graham 1053:(1942) – Lord Cecil 1033:(1941, released as 1030:Dangerous Moonlight 1025:(1941) – Mr. Dawson 966:Return to Yesterday 734:D'Ye Ken John Peel? 649:(1933) – Mr. Oliver 585:(1933) – Lord Grebe 569:(1933) – Dr. Graham 545:(1932) – Dr. Peffer 542:Where Is This Lady? 534:The Flag Lieutenant 251:. After a round of 211:The Fairy's Dilemma 146:The Fairy's Dilemma 126:The Little Minister 1170:No Room at the Inn 1130:Great Expectations 1122:School for Secrets 993:(1941) – Pettigrew 942:The Missing People 862:Dinner at the Ritz 846:Victoria the Great 817:(1936) – Hemingway 801:(1936) – Registrar 793:(1936) – Monterosa 777:(1935) – Professor 774:No Monkey Business 697:(1934) – Tom Yates 681:(1934) – Registrar 670:The Great Defender 617:(1933) – Mr. Young 606:A Shot in the Dark 593:(1933) – Trubshawe 550:The Barton Mystery 481:(1920) – Mr. Tunks 431:in 1943 and 1945. 354:The Cherry Orchard 325:You Never Can Tell 312: 269:, and M. Duval in 154: 27: 950:Young Man's Fancy 857:(1937) – De Marre 825:(1936) – Mr. Gore 718:The King of Paris 518:Goodnight, Vienna 505:(1931) – Watchman 351:'s production of 245:Deborah of Tod's 222:The Winter's Tale 158:Royal Opera House 114:The People's Idol 1392: 1336: 1306: 1280: 1273: 1264: 1255: 1249: 1246: 1217: 1210: 1201: 1200: 1192: 1085:(1945) – Perkins 1035:Suicide Squadron 902:A Spot of Bother 678:Song at Eventide 665:(1933) – Etienne 654:The Double Event 638:The Silver Spoon 510:Keepers of Youth 396:Heartbreak House 257:The Inferior Sex 249:The Inferior Sex 243:, and played in 214:to Old Gobbo in 206:Arthur Bourchier 151:Arthur Bourchier 32:(25 March 1870, 25:Clarence in 1925 1400: 1399: 1395: 1394: 1393: 1391: 1390: 1389: 1340: 1339: 1313: 1292: 1289: 1284: 1283: 1274: 1267: 1256: 1252: 1247: 1220: 1211: 1204: 1198: 1193: 1186: 1181: 1176: 1146:Meet Me at Dawn 1066:Front Line Kids 1045:(1941) – Lawyer 929:(1939) – Waiter 897:(1938) – Gordon 886:It's in the Air 870:Second Best Bed 806:East Meets West 737:(1935) – Ogleby 705:(1934) – Nelson 641:(1933) – Parker 590:Falling for You 461: 456: 444: 377:Sybil Thorndike 345: 279: 261:Olga Nethersole 253:T. W. Robertson 204:company, under 202:Garrick Theatre 132:(1900) and the 110:Olympic Theatre 78: 73: 71:Life and career 17: 12: 11: 5: 1398: 1396: 1388: 1387: 1382: 1377: 1372: 1367: 1362: 1357: 1352: 1342: 1341: 1338: 1337: 1326:O. B. Clarence 1323: 1317:O. B. Clarence 1312: 1311:External links 1309: 1308: 1307: 1288: 1285: 1282: 1281: 1265: 1250: 1218: 1202: 1183: 1182: 1180: 1177: 1175: 1174: 1166: 1158: 1150: 1142: 1134: 1126: 1118: 1110: 1102: 1094: 1086: 1078: 1070: 1062: 1054: 1046: 1038: 1026: 1018: 1010: 1002: 994: 986: 978: 970: 962: 954: 946: 938: 930: 922: 921:(1939) – Judge 914: 906: 898: 890: 882: 874: 866: 858: 850: 842: 834: 830:King of Hearts 826: 818: 810: 809:(1936) – Osmin 802: 794: 786: 778: 770: 762: 754: 746: 738: 730: 722: 721:(1934) – Mayor 714: 706: 702:Lady in Danger 698: 694:Father and Son 690: 682: 674: 666: 658: 650: 642: 634: 626: 625:(1933) – Clerk 618: 610: 602: 594: 586: 582:Excess Baggage 578: 570: 562: 554: 546: 538: 530: 526:Jack's the Boy 522: 514: 513:(1931) – Slade 506: 498: 490: 482: 474: 465: 460: 457: 453: 443: 440: 411:Tyrone Guthrie 349:Nigel Playfair 342: 283:Dombey and Son 278: 275: 241:Maxine Elliott 233:Our Miss Gibbs 200:he joined the 193:As You Like It 174:'s company at 96:he studied at 77: 74: 72: 69: 15: 13: 10: 9: 6: 4: 3: 2: 1397: 1386: 1383: 1381: 1378: 1376: 1373: 1371: 1368: 1366: 1363: 1361: 1358: 1356: 1353: 1351: 1348: 1347: 1345: 1335: 1331: 1327: 1324: 1322: 1318: 1315: 1314: 1310: 1304: 1300: 1296: 1291: 1290: 1286: 1278: 1272: 1270: 1266: 1262: 1261: 1254: 1251: 1245: 1243: 1241: 1239: 1237: 1235: 1233: 1231: 1229: 1227: 1225: 1223: 1219: 1215: 1209: 1207: 1203: 1196: 1191: 1189: 1185: 1178: 1172: 1171: 1167: 1164: 1163: 1159: 1156: 1155: 1151: 1148: 1147: 1143: 1140: 1139: 1135: 1132: 1131: 1127: 1124: 1123: 1119: 1116: 1115: 1114:The Magic Bow 1111: 1108: 1107: 1103: 1100: 1099: 1095: 1092: 1091: 1087: 1084: 1083: 1079: 1076: 1075: 1071: 1068: 1067: 1063: 1060: 1059: 1055: 1052: 1051: 1047: 1044: 1043: 1039: 1036: 1032: 1031: 1027: 1024: 1023: 1019: 1016: 1015: 1011: 1008: 1007: 1006:Quiet Wedding 1003: 1000: 999: 995: 992: 991: 990:Major Barbara 987: 984: 983: 979: 976: 975: 974:Spy for a Day 971: 968: 967: 963: 960: 959: 955: 952: 951: 947: 944: 943: 939: 936: 935: 931: 928: 927: 923: 920: 919: 918:Me and My Pal 915: 912: 911: 907: 904: 903: 899: 896: 895: 891: 888: 887: 883: 880: 879: 875: 872: 871: 867: 864: 863: 859: 856: 855: 851: 848: 847: 843: 840: 839: 835: 832: 831: 827: 824: 823: 819: 816: 815: 811: 808: 807: 803: 800: 799: 798:Seven Sinners 795: 792: 791: 787: 784: 783: 779: 776: 775: 771: 768: 767: 763: 760: 759: 755: 752: 751: 747: 744: 743: 742:Barnacle Bill 739: 736: 735: 731: 728: 727: 723: 720: 719: 715: 712: 711: 707: 704: 703: 699: 696: 695: 691: 688: 687: 683: 680: 679: 675: 672: 671: 667: 664: 663: 662:The Only Girl 659: 656: 655: 651: 648: 647: 643: 640: 639: 635: 632: 631: 627: 624: 623: 619: 616: 615: 611: 608: 607: 603: 600: 599: 595: 592: 591: 587: 584: 583: 579: 576: 575: 571: 568: 567: 563: 560: 559: 555: 552: 551: 547: 544: 543: 539: 536: 535: 531: 528: 527: 523: 520: 519: 515: 512: 511: 507: 504: 503: 499: 496: 495: 491: 488: 487: 483: 480: 479: 475: 472: 471: 467: 466: 464: 458: 452: 450: 449: 441: 439: 437: 432: 430: 429: 424: 420: 419:Alec Guinness 416: 412: 408: 407: 402: 398: 397: 392: 386: 384: 383: 378: 374: 370: 369: 364: 360: 356: 355: 350: 341: 339: 338: 333: 332: 327: 326: 321: 317: 309: 308: 302: 298: 296: 292: 288: 284: 276: 274: 272: 268: 267: 262: 258: 254: 250: 246: 242: 237: 235: 234: 229: 228: 223: 219: 218: 213: 212: 207: 203: 199: 195: 194: 189: 188: 183: 182: 177: 176:His Majesty's 173: 169: 168: 163: 159: 152: 148: 147: 141: 137: 135: 131: 127: 123: 119: 115: 111: 107: 103: 99: 95: 94:Dover College 91: 87: 83: 75: 70: 68: 66: 62: 58: 57:W. S. Gilbert 54: 50: 46: 45:Dover College 41: 39: 35: 31: 23: 19: 1294: 1276: 1258: 1253: 1213: 1168: 1162:The Calendar 1160: 1152: 1144: 1136: 1128: 1120: 1112: 1104: 1096: 1088: 1080: 1072: 1064: 1056: 1048: 1040: 1034: 1028: 1020: 1012: 1004: 996: 988: 980: 972: 964: 956: 948: 940: 932: 924: 916: 908: 900: 892: 884: 876: 868: 860: 852: 844: 838:Silver Blaze 836: 828: 820: 812: 804: 796: 790:The Cardinal 788: 782:Captain Bill 780: 772: 764: 756: 748: 740: 732: 724: 716: 708: 700: 692: 684: 676: 668: 660: 652: 646:Eyes of Fate 644: 636: 628: 620: 612: 604: 596: 588: 580: 577:(1933) – Tom 572: 564: 556: 548: 540: 532: 524: 516: 508: 500: 492: 484: 478:London Pride 476: 470:Liberty Hall 468: 462: 446: 445: 433: 426: 414: 404: 400: 394: 390: 387: 380: 373:Lewis Casson 366: 362: 352: 346: 335: 329: 323: 320:Bernard Shaw 313: 305: 286: 282: 280: 270: 264: 256: 248: 244: 238: 231: 225: 221: 215: 209: 191: 190:and Adam in 185: 179: 165: 155: 149:(1904) with 144: 125: 118:F. R. Benson 113: 106:Arthur Lloyd 89: 79: 61:Bernard Shaw 49:Frank Benson 42: 29: 28: 18: 1355:1955 deaths 1350:1870 births 1154:Uncle Silas 1074:On Approval 934:Jamaica Inn 910:Stolen Life 630:Turkey Time 614:I Adore You 423:New Theatre 295:H. G. Wells 76:Early years 1344:Categories 1179:References 982:Saloon Bar 926:Black Eyes 750:Dandy Dick 686:Nell Gwynn 442:Reputation 391:Saint Joan 368:Henry VIII 331:Saint Joan 307:Saint Joan 1303:310466458 1277:The Times 1214:The Stage 1098:Great Day 878:Pygmalion 502:The Bells 448:The Times 385:in 1928. 363:The Times 337:The Times 122:Ben Greet 82:Hampstead 53:Ben Greet 34:Hampstead 894:Old Iron 344:intense. 316:Everyman 198:West End 136:(1901). 65:Broadway 1328:at the 1287:Sources 558:Discord 357:at the 314:At the 271:Camille 1301:  1101:(1945) 1001:(1941) 945:(1939) 814:All In 758:Squibs 415:Hamlet 310:, 1924 134:Comedy 130:Lyceum 459:Films 417:with 291:Kipps 1321:IMDb 1299:OCLC 436:Hove 247:and 230:and 51:and 38:Hove 1319:at 371:in 322:'s 90:née 1346:: 1268:^ 1221:^ 1205:^ 1187:^ 334:. 273:. 236:. 59:, 1305:.

Index

middle-aged white man, clean shaven with full head of neat dark hair
Hampstead
Hove
Dover College
Frank Benson
Ben Greet
W. S. Gilbert
Bernard Shaw
Broadway
Hampstead
Lovell Burchett Clarence
Dover College
University College Hospital
Trocadero Music Hall
Arthur Lloyd
Olympic Theatre
F. R. Benson
Ben Greet
Lyceum
Comedy
small clergyman standing next to upright military man
The Fairy's Dilemma
Arthur Bourchier
Royal Opera House
Charles Villiers Stanford
Much Ado About Nothing
Herbert Beerbohm Tree
His Majesty's
The Merry Wives of Windsor
A Midsummer Night's Dream

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