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- Thomas Archer was born on 27 February 1823 in Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland, UK. Thomas was married to Grace Lindsay Morison. Thomas died on 9 December 1905 in London, England, UK.
- Henry Campbell-Bannerman was born on 7 September 1836 in Kelvinside House, Glasgow, Scotland, UK. He was married to Sarah Charlotte Bruce. He died on 22 April 1908 in 10 Downing Street, Westminster, London, England, UK.
- Thomas Lipton was born on 10 May 1850 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK. He died on 2 October 1931 in London, England, UK.
- Scottish born William H. Thompson immigrated to America with his family at the age of six. In 1865 he began his theatrical career by working as a callboy at the old Broadway Theater in New York. Within two years he would embark on an acting career that would span over 55 years and earn him a reputation as one of the premier character actors in America. Much of his early career was spent in association with the theatrical genius Augustin Daly, appearing in plays like: "Dollars and Cents", Seven-Twenty-Eight and "The Girl Left Me Behind". In 1903 Thompson received some of the best reviews of his career when he appeared in James K. Hackett's productions of, "The Bishop's Move" and "The Secret of Polichinelle". Thompson also had for a dozen years a very successful relationship with Broadway producer Charles Frohman. His portrayal of the cardinal in Frohman's "The Royal Family" won him national critical acclaim.
On 19 October, 1899 Thompson married Isabel Irving (1873-1944), one of the leading Broadway actresses of the day. At the time of their marriage she was appearing on Broadway with John Drew in "The Tyranny of Tears".
Thompson often enjoyed playing eccentric characters like the wicked miser in "Mankind" or Svengali in "Trilby". Toward the end of his career, Thompson appeared in Arthur Hopkins' productions of "Night Lodging" and "The Gentile Wife" and the George M. Cohan productions, "The Miracle Man" and "The Guest of Honor". His last role was that of the disloyal general in "The Czarina".
William H. Thompson died after a cold he caught while on an outdoor movie shoot turned into pneumonia. He was survived by his wife Isabel. - Malcolm Watson was born on 22 October 1853 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK. He was a writer, known for Sanctuary (1916). He died on 8 August 1929 in Holborn, London, England, UK.
- Cinematographer
John Urie was born on 5 October 1854 in Gorbals, Glasgow, Scotland, UK. He was a cinematographer, known for The Queen of Hearts (1918), The Law of Compensation (1917) and The Prima Donna's Husband (1916). He died on 16 May 1938 in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, USA.- Cinematographer
- Director
- Producer
John MacIntyre was born on 2 October 1857 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK. John was a cinematographer and director, known for X-Ray Cinematography of Frog's Legs (1896). John died on 29 October 1928.- J.T. MacMillan was born on 1 January 1859 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK. He was an actor, known for The Croxley Master (1921). He died in 1927 in Lambeth, London, England, UK.
- Nelson Ramsey was born on 19 November 1862 in Tradeston, Glasgow, Scotland, UK. He was an actor, known for The Second Mrs. Tanqueray (1916), Tom Jones (1917) and The Broken Melody (1916). He was married to Gwynne Herbert. He died on 5 April 1929 in London, England, UK.
- J. Nelson Ramsay was born on 19 November 1862 in Tradeston, Glasgow, Scotland, UK. He was married to Gwynne Herbert. He died on 5 April 1929 in Kensington, London, England, UK.
- Adelaide Grace was born on 26 December 1862 in Blythswood, Glasgow, Scotland, UK. She was an actress, known for Once Upon a Time (1918), The Duchess of Seven Dials (1920) and The Lackey and the Lady (1919). She died on 27 December 1943 in Orpington, Kent, England, UK.
- Composer
- Soundtrack
Eugen D'Albert was born on 10 April 1864 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK. He was a composer, known for Lowlands (1954), Tiefland (1923) and Hegyek alján (1920). He was married to Teresa Carreño. He died on 3 March 1932 in Riga, Latvia.- Rev. Dr. Batchelor was born on 31 October 1864 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK. He was an actor, known for The Road to London (1921). He died on 15 August 1961 in Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, UK.
- Murray Carson was born on 17 March 1865 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK. He was a writer, known for Rosemary (1915). He was married to Mary E.S. Donald. He died on 19 April 1917 in Canterbury, Kent, England, UK.
- James MacArthur was born on 18 February 1866 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK. He was a writer, known for The Bonnie Brier Bush (1921) and The Spoilers (1923). He was married to Elizabeth Henderson. He died on 11 February 1909 in New York City, New York, USA.
- Writer
- Director
- Actor
Graham Moffat was born on 21 February 1866 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK. He was a writer and director, known for Till the Bells Ring (1926) and Bunty Pulls the Strings (1921). He was married to Margaret Moffat. He died on 12 December 1951 in Cape Town, South Africa.- Edward A. Paulton was born on 23 March 1866 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK. He was a writer, known for Get Off My Foot (1935), Niobe (1915) and Her Temporary Husband (1923). He was married to Jessie Storey (actress). He died on 20 March 1939 in Hollywood, California, USA.
- Dennis Eadie was born on 14 January 1869 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK. He was an actor, known for Disraeli (1916), The Man Who Stayed at Home (1915) and Unmarried (1920). He died on 10 June 1928 in England, UK.
- Craighall Sherry was born on 8 April 1869 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK. He was an actor, known for Spies (1928), The Battles of Coronel and Falkland Islands (1927) and The Informer (1929). He died in 1943 in Uxbridge, Middlesex, England, UK.
- Actress
- Soundtrack
Nellie Wallace was born on 18 March 1870 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK. She was an actress, known for Radio Parade of 1935 (1934), The Golden Pippin Girl (1920) and The Wishbone (1933). She was married to William Henry Liddy. She died on 24 November 1948 in London, England, UK.- Director
- Soundtrack
Songwriter ("You Can't Beat the Luck of the Irish"), composer, director, producer, librettist and author, educated at the Great Yarmouth Academy. He came to the USA as the director of Lillian Russell productions, and went on to direct many New York Hippodrome spectacles. He composed the stage scores, wrote the librettos for, and directed the Broadway productions "The Tourists", "Fascinating Flora" (which he also produced), "Jack o' Lantern", "Happy Days", "Good Times", "Tip Top", and "Better Times". He was the librettist and director for "A Trip to Japan" (which he also produced), "The International Cup", "Chin Chin", "Hip Hip Hooray!", "The Big Show", "Cheer Up", "Everything", "Stepping Stones", and "Three Cheers". Joining ASCAP in 1914 as a charter member, he collaborated musically with Raymond Hubbell and Gustave Kerker. His other song compositions include "Ladder of Roses", "Nice to Have a Sweetheart", and "Annabelle Jerome".- Coming to the U.S. in 1884, Vassar performed as a musical/comic star during the 1890s. She played in "The Lady of the Slipper; Or, A Modern Cinderella" which opened at the Globe Theatre in New York in 1912 and ran for 232 performances.
- David Miller was born on 31 March 1871 in Hutchesontown, Glasgow, Scotland, UK. He was an actor, known for Sleepless Nights (1932), Shirley (1922) and Verdict of the Sea (1932). He died on 1 January 1933 in Golders Green, London, England, UK.
- John Joy Bell was born on 7 May 1871 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK. John Joy was a writer, known for Wee MacGregor's Sweetheart (1922) and Beyond London Lights (1928). John Joy was married to Helen R. Geddes. John Joy died on 14 November 1934 in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, UK.
- Margaret Turnbull was born on 17 November 1872 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK. She was a writer, known for The World to Live In (1919), My Cousin (1918) and Public Opinion (1916). She died on 12 June 1942 in Yarmouthport, Massachusetts, USA.
- Sam Austin was born on 8 December 1872 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK. He was an actor, known for Silver Blaze (1923), Long Odds (1922) and The Fifth Form at St. Dominic's (1921). He died on 19 October 1923 in Lambeth, London, England, UK.
- Writer
- Director
L.C. MacBean was born on 1 February 1875 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK. He was a writer and director, known for Bladys of the Stewpony (1919), The Ways of the World (1915) and The Dawn of Truth (1920). He died in February 1929 in Tonbridge, Kent, England, UK.- Actor
- Additional Crew
Ivan F. Simpson was born on 4 February 1875 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK. He was an actor, known for The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938), Captain Blood (1935) and Maid of Salem (1937). He died on 12 October 1951 in New York City, New York, USA.- Nan Taylor was born on 25 March 1876 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK. She was an actress, known for The Man from Snowy River (1920), Our Friends the Hayseeds (1917) and Pacific Adventure (1946). She died on 23 June 1950 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
- Actress
- Soundtrack
Birth registration reads as follows (in part):
1876 LOFTUS, MARIE CECILIA B (Statutory registers Births 644/11 1971):
1876 BIRTHS in the District of Hutchesontown in the County of Lanark, No. (#) 1971
Name and Surname: Marie Cecilia Brown LOFTUS, Illegitimate.
When and where born: 1876, October Twenty second 10 h. 30m a.m., 40 Rose Street, Hutchesontown, Glasgow.
Name, Surname & Rank or Profession of Father (none listed).
Name and Maiden Surname of Mother: Mary Loftus, Vocalist.
Date and Place of Marriage (no listing).- Robert Ord was born on 23 June 1877 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK. He was a writer, known for Dr. Wake's Patient (1916) and His Vindication (1915). He died on 30 November 1958 in Bristol, England, UK.
- Kathleen Russell was born on 13 February 1878 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK. She was an actress, known for A Daughter of Romany (1913), Stanton's Last Fling (1914) and The Antique Brooch (1914). She was married to Oswald Tilson Dinnick. She died on 30 October 1930 in Kensington, London, England, UK.
- George McNaughton was born on 23 June 1878 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK. He was an actor, known for Film Pie, No. 10 (1920), Film Pie, No. 1 (1920) and Film Pie, No. 2 (1920). He died on 10 September 1950 in Kew, Surrey, England, UK.
- Actor
- Soundtrack
One Hollywood stalwart whose screen incarnations more than lived up to his name was bald-domed character actor Donald Meek, forever typecast as mousy, timorous or browbeaten Casper Milquetoasts. He stood at 5 ft. 6 in. in his boots and weighed a mere 81 pounds. However, the little Glaswegian's personal history rather belied his gormless image on the silver screen. By the age of fourteen, Donald had joined an acrobatic team ("The Marvells") on the piano wire as a top mounter. He accompanied the troupe on their tour of the U.S. but sustained several compound fractures in a fall and had to quit. After spending six months on crutches, he joined the U.S. 6th Pennsylvania Regiment and saw action during the Spanish-American War in Cuba, was wounded and lost his hair after a bout of yellow fever. This did not deter him from re-enlisting at the onset of World War I. He went on to serve with the Canadian Highlanders as a corporal, but, to his consternation, never got any further than Toronto.
Donald had been infatuated with acting since early childhood. At the age of eight, he first performed publicly in the comic pantomime "Le Voyage en Suisse". Later, he toured Australia, South Africa, India and England in "Little Lord Fauntleroy". During his wartime sojourn in Cuba he had learned to "listen to those Yankees" and imitated their manner of speech, losing his Scottish accent in the process. When he was forced to abandon his career as an acrobat, he devoted more time to acting with various traveling stock companies and in New York. He made the first (of many) appearances on Broadway in 1903. Until the late 1920s, Donald remained quite gainfully employed in droll comical roles. Having flirted with screen acting since 1923, he made the move to the celluloid media by the end of the decade. Filmed at the Warner Brothers Eastern Vitaphone Studio in Brooklyn, he found himself an unlikely star, as amateur sleuth Dr. Amos Crabtree in The Clyde Mystery (1931), the first of eleven detective two-reelers, averaging just over twenty minutes in length. In 1933, Donald and wife Belle relocated to Hollywood.
Moving from studio to studio (his only long-tern tenure was at MGM from 1940 to 1944), Donald Meek quickly emerged as one of the most prolific, sought-after character players in the business. Invariably, he was respectability personified, all prim and proper. The role of eccentric toy maker Mr. Poppins in You Can't Take It with You (1938) was specially written for him. Other memorable performances included the nervy little whiskey salesman Samuel Peacock, losing his samples to Thomas Mitchell in Stagecoach (1939) ("the cutest coach rider in the wagon", according to a New York Times review); shady gambler Amos Budge in My Little Chickadee (1940); Mr. Wiggs thinking himself to sleep in Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch (1934); the eccentric little bee-keeper Bartholomew, helping the crime fighting exploits of Nick Carter, Master Detective (1939); and the intoxicated food taster and mince-meat enthusiast Hippenstahl of State Fair (1945). On odd occasions, Donald managed to step out of character, notably as the courageous Scottish prospector McTavish standing up to the villains of Barbary Coast (1935); scene-stealing, as miserly financier Daniel Drew in The Toast of New York (1937); as a rather loony citizen determined to collect a reward by unmasking Edward G. Robinson in The Whole Town's Talking (1935); or as tough railroad executive McCoy in Jesse James (1939) and The Return of Frank James (1940).
Donald Meek crammed more than 120 screen roles into a mere one and a half decades. His performances were consistently a joy to watch. He was never able to realise his ambition of retiring to raise hybrid roses, dying in November 1946 at the age of 68. Fourteen years later, he was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.- Billie Ritchie was born in Scotland in 1874 and joined the world-renowned Karno Fun Factory and Comedy Troupe traveling the world with Charlie Chaplin and Stan Laurel, among others. In 1914 he left Karno and began making silent films for director Henry "Pathe" Lehrman's L-Ko Comedy studios and then his Fox/Sunshine Studios. Ritchie always claimed that Charlie Chaplin imitated his on-stage character of a rag-bedecked "little tramp," although he himself was saddled with the description of being one of the many Chaplin imitators. In late 1919 Ritchie was injured while making a Lehrmann comedy when several ostriches used in filming attacked the unfortunate actor. He was severely injured, and over the next two years was confined to his bed with serious back and internal injuries. He eventually succumbed to his injuries on July 6, 1921, dying in bed at his Hollywood home at 1200 North McCadden Place. He was only 42.
- Forbes Knowles was born on 17 October 1878 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK. He was an actor, known for To Live in Peace (1951). He died on 10 March 1953 in Harlesden, London, England, UK.
- Actor
- Soundtrack
Jock McKay was born on 1 October 1879 in Blythswood, Glasgow, Scotland, UK. He was an actor, known for Let's Be Happy (1957), Museum Mystery (1937) and Blue Smoke (1935). He died on 13 April 1961 in Streatham, London, England, UK.- Isobel Jamieson was born on 29 January 1880 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK. She was an actress, known for The Old Lady Shows Her Medals (1937). She died on 13 June 1949 in Prestwick, Scotland, UK.
- Scott McKee was born on 9 May 1881 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK. He was an actor, known for Oliver Twist, Jr. (1921), Macbeth (1916) and Ten Scars Make a Man (1924). He died on 17 April 1945 in Los Angeles, California, USA.
- William Dooley was born on 15 October 1881 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK. He was an actor, known for Palm Missed (1921). He was married to Zena Morin (dancer) and Ada May Dilts. He died on 29 September 1921 in New York, New York, USA.
- Actress
- Additional Crew
Scots actress, long in the United States, who specialized in housekeepers and mothers, most notably the housekeeper Mrs. Hudson in the Sherlock Holmes series of movies of the Thirties and Forties. She was born Mary Gilmour, the daughter of a Glasgow wire weaver. She worked as a dressmaker before finding work on the stage. Joining a company bound for an American tour, she came to the U.S. in her twenties, apparently making a few appearances on Broadway in small roles, but primarily touring in stock. With her mother Mary and daughter (also named Mary), she arrived in Los Angeles in the mid-Twenties and began playing variations on the roles she would spend her career doing. She became friends with John Ford while making Hangman's House (1928) and made seven more films for him. In 1939, she took on her most famous role as Sherlock Holmes's housekeeper and played the role in ten films and numerous radio plays. She was a charter member of the Hollywood Canteen, entertaining servicemen throughout the Second World War. On the radio show "Those We Love," she played the regular role of Mrs. Emmett. She entered retirement just as television reshaped the entertainment industry, making only a single appearance in that medium. Very active in the Daughters of Scotia auxiliary of the Order of Scottish Clans, she lived out her final years in Pasadena, California with her daughter and grandson. She died after a long illness on August 23, 1963.- Meg Buchanan was born on 15 September 1882 in Tollcross, Glasgow, Scotland, UK. She was an actress, known for The Brave Don't Cry (1952), Scotch on the Rocks (1953) and High and Dry (1954). She died in July 1970 in Uddington, Scotland, UK.
- Veronica Brady was born on 30 November 1882 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK. She was an actress, known for Hay Fever (1938), Birds of a Feather (1935) and Love, Life & Laughter (1934). She was married to Hugh Nolan. She died on 19 January 1964 in Twickenham, Middlesex, England, UK.
- George Tawde was born on 2 January 1883 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK. He was an actor, known for Fancy Dress (1919) and The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol (1920). He died on 3 July 1934 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK.
- Director
- Writer
- Actor
Stuart Paton was born on 23 July 1883 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK. He was a director and writer, known for The Gray Ghost (1917), 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1916) and Clipped Wings (1937). He was married to Ethel Patrick. He died on 16 December 1944 in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California, USA.- David Powell was born on 17 December 1883 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK. He was an actor, known for Missing Millions (1922), The Dawn of a Tomorrow (1915) and Fine Feathers (1915). He died on 16 April 1925 in New York City, New York, USA.
- Joseph Quillan was born on 27 July 1884 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK. He was an actor and writer, known for Hoboken to Hollywood (1926), Noisy Neighbors (1929) and A Little Bit of Everything (1928). He was married to Sarah Owen. He died on 16 November 1952 in Los Angeles, California, USA.
- Winifred Willard was born on 21 May 1885 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK. She was an actress, known for Men Are Not Gods (1936), Auld Lang Syne (1937) and Castle in the Air (1952). She died on 15 January 1963 in Paddington, London, England, UK.
- Joe Valli, born Joseph George McFarlane, is a Scottish born actor that performed in vaudeville and film, in Australia.
His first movie role, as Joe McTash in Diggers, soon followed by Diggers in Blighty, come from the successful vaudeville show "Chick and Joe" with Pat Hanna.
Appearing in 22 films throughout his career, his last film was a short appearance in the opening scenes of Eureka Stockade, after losing his voice from throat cancer. - Director
- Actor
- Writer
Frank Lloyd was an unpretentious, technically skilled director, who crafted several enduring Hollywood classics during the 1930's. He started out as a stage actor and singer in early 1900's London and was well-known as an imitator of Harry Lauder. After several years in music hall and with touring repertory companies, Lloyd emigrated to Canada in 1909 and joined the travelling theatrical troupe of Winnipeg entrepreneur C.P. Walker. In between acting, he made ends meet by working as a repair man on telegraph lines. While in Edmonton, Alberta, he met and married the German-American soubrette Alma Haller. Lloyd spent several months on the vaudeville circuit and in burlesque shows on the West Coast before marking his arrival in Hollywood with an acting contract at Universal in 1913. After two years of consistently poor critical notices, he gave up the acting profession for good and turned his skills to writing and directing.
In two years at Fox, 1917-19, he directed some fifteen films, often starring the popular matinée idol William Farnum. The majority were Zane Grey westerns (including an early version of Riders of the Purple Sage (1918)) and adaptations of classic literature (such as A Tale of Two Cities (1917) and Les Misérables (1917)). After a spell with Samuel Goldwyn, Lloyd joined First National/Warner Brothers (1922-31) and became the resident specialist in period drama and swashbuckling adventure. As his reputation grew, he was given charge of his own production unit. Among his most famous films during this period are Oliver Twist (1922), with Jackie Coogan in the title role and Lon Chaney as Fagin; The Eternal Flame (1922), a historical drama based on a novel by Honoré de Balzac; and The Sea Hawk (1924), with Milton Sills. In 1929, Lloyd became the second director to receive a coveted Academy Award, for The Divine Lady (1928), one of three films for which he had been nominated.
Much of Lloyd's acclaim is based on his work during the 1930's. At Fox (1931-34), he directed Noël Coward's Cavalcade (1933), and the historical fantasy Berkeley Square (1933) -- both with meticulous attention to geographic and period detail. Immensely popular at the box office, the former won Lloyd his second Oscar and returned $ 5 million in grosses from a production cost of $1.25 million. 'Berkeley Square' was described by the New York Times as "an example of delicacy and restraint" and "in a class by itself" (September 14, 1933). Lloyd's brief stint at MGM in 1935 culminated in the greatest success of his career. Mutiny on the Bounty (1935) won the Best Picture Oscar in its year and heaped praise on the director for maintaining strong narrative cohesion throughout, and for eliciting superb performances from stars Clark Gable (as Fletcher Christian) and Charles Laughton (as Captain Bligh). Lloyd continued in the same vein with the rollicking Foreign Legion adventure Under Two Flags (1936) and the sweeping (though historically inaccurate), big budget western epic Wells Fargo (1937). Also at Paramount, and, once again with his own production unit , he filmed the romantic story of adventurer-poet François Villon, If I Were King (1938), with excellent production values and superb acting from Ronald Colman and Basil Rathbone.
After completing a two-year contract at Columbia (1940-41), Lloyd served in World War II in command of the 13th Air Force Combat Camera Unit, turning out short documentaries. He rose to the rank of major and was decorated with the Legion of Merit. After the war, he temporarily retired to life on his Carmel Valley ranch, but made a brief comeback after the death of his wife Alma. His swan song for Republic Studio was the story of the Battle of the Alamo, The Last Command (1955), a suitably-titled finale to the career of one of the great action directors of the period. Lloyd has a star on the Walk of Fame on Hollywood Boulevard.