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1-50 of 65
- Walter Pfeffer Dando was born on 1 February 1852 in Shoreditch, Middlesex, London, England, UK. Walter Pfeffer was a director, known for King John (1899). Walter Pfeffer was married to Daisy Paver and Letitia Barry. Walter Pfeffer died on 11 November 1944 in St Pancras, Middlesex, London, England, UK.
- George Traill was born on 12 February 1853 in Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland, UK. He was an actor, known for Wuthering Heights (1920), Towards the Light (1918) and Angel Esquire (1919). He died in 1929 in St. Pancras, London, England, UK.
- Frank Adair born around the early 1870's, a British actor who became well-known on drama and comedy stage from the 1890's, later appeared as support in upper-class roles in movies between 1918-20, his first film, a war drama 'The Better 'Ole' directed by George Pearson for the Welsh-Pearson studios in 1918, his best known role as Edward Faversham in 'The Artistic Temperament' directed by Fred Goodwins and written by Eliot Stannard for the British Lion Film Company in 1919, he was last seen working for the Barker Film Company in 1920.
- Actor
- Writer
Brian Daly was born on 22 April 1863 in Hampstead, London, England, UK. He was an actor and writer, known for The Little Minister (1915), In the Ranks (1914) and The Yule Log (1914). He died on 28 April 1923 in St. Pancras, London, England, UK.- James Rice Cassidy was born in Selkirk on the 27th May 1863. He was the eldest son of my great grandparent's James and Ellen Cassidy (nee Rice). In his early 20s he made the decision that working, as a plasterer alongside his dad was not for him. He left Scotland in the late 1880's and headed for England to pursue a career in the entertainment business. It was clear from the start that he was born to perform. His debut as a professional actor took place in the land of his forefathers when he appeared in the play "The Eviction" at Belfast's Theatre Royal in 1888 when he was 24 years old. In the 1891 census he was living in Rochdale and still working as an actor.
In December of 1895 he married a twenty one year old Yorkshire lass Lillian Clare Cheetham in St Anne's Church Leeds. On their marriage certificate he gave his occupation as "Comedian". Lillian was also an actor and together they formed their own theatre company. They were a double act and she was most definitely an equal partner in the business.
James and Lillian toured all over Britain and Ireland performing in their own productions. Their careers seemed to be going from strength to strength. Rice Cassidy was the son of a poor Irish plasterer making a name for himself in show business the classic rags to riches tale!
One of their biggest successes was "The God of War" by Charles Whitlock it was performed in theatres throughout Britain and Ireland from 1899 till 1909. The play was a satirical piece about the Cuban insurrection and Spanish American war of 1895. His character was Dandy Donovan an Irish American servant to Dolly Daly an American heiress, played of course by Lillian. In the play he sings his own composition called "The British Hero".
The Glasgow Evening Times 7th of April 1901 referred to it as a "Sensational Cuban American Drama".
In 1909 The God of War played to a packed house at the Metropole Theatre in Stockwell Street. The Glasgow Evening Times on this occasion refers to him as the "Famous Rollicking Racy Irish Comedian".
Rice Cassidy excelled in comic roles often-Irish characters but he had a talent for accents and was equally at home playing English, Welsh and Americans alternating between comedy and high drama when required.
Cassidy's wife Lillian was a prolific playwright with a long list of original and successful dramas often with a comedy element. Her plays included, "The Beggar Princess", "The Last of the Rubinoffs" and "In Holy Russia". One of her plays called His Mother's Cross was not only performed in Britain but also in the Hudson Theatre on Broadway New York. In this piece Rice Cassidy plays a Parish Priest Father Meary and Lillian is the daughter of Dermot Sullivan played by Mr J. K Walton and described as an "agitator"
James and Lillian arrived in New York on the 17th August 1913. They gave their destination on the S.S St Paul's passenger manifest as The Players Club, 16 Gramercy Park, New York. Founded by the famous American Shakespearian actor Edwin Booth the Player's was an exclusive club where actors could relax and mingle with the great and the good!
In London Rice Cassidy had made a success of playing the part of Timothy Boyle from the George A Birmingham play General John Regan. Initially it was only intended that he replace the actor Mr Leonard Boyne who had been taken ill but this became a full time role for James. He went on to play the character at the Hudson and Liberty Theatres, Broadway, New York. This was a comedy play written by George A Birmingham. Dr. O'Grady, general practitioner of a small Irish village had convinced a visiting American newspaper publisher that a resident of the village was General John Regan, liberator of Bolivia. This harmless prank mushrooms into a major headache when the American spreads this so called fact to the rest of the world.
Whilst playing Timothy Doyle in New York he played the character of old Hardcastle in the play She Stoops to Conquer for none other than Mr Charles Frohman of Peter Pan fame. In New York he also made his film debut appearing for the Thomas Edison Company in five films the greatest of which was "The First Christmas"
On his return from the USA he played Conn in the Shaughraun. The play is about a Fenian fugitive, Robert Ffolliott, fiancee of Arte O'Neil. A country squire, Kinchela, his rival for Arte's hand, tries to hunt Robert down and arrest him, with the help of a police informer, Harvey Duff. Robert escapes various melodramatic cliff-hanger situations with the help of Conn the Shaughran, an Irish word which in English means wanderer or errant person. The character of Conn a roguish but comedic poacher with a great was tailor made for Rice Cassidy.
From 1921 till 1925 Rice Cassidy toured all round Britain and Ireland with Peter Pan playing Smee in his own indomitable style. However just after midnight on the 25th of March 1925 while travelling on the train from Leeds to Dublin with the Peter Pan Company he fell from the train. The emergency chain was pulled and the train ground to a halt. James was found unconscious on the track. He was rushed to Chester Royal Infirmary suffering from fractured ribs. When he regained consciousness he could not remember anything at all about the accident.
Towards the end of his life he suffered from a chronic kidney condition. This took its toll and he had to give up his beloved theatrical career. Eventually he suffered cardiac failure and passed away on the 11th May 1927 in St Pancreas hospital. His long and distinguished career merited his obituaries in both the "Stage" and "Variety" newspapers as well as a mention in both the "Who's who" of both the British and American theatres.
After thirty two years of marriage Lillian found herself very much alone. They had never been separated in all that time so her devastation at her husband's passing must have been total. She tried to carry on with her acting and playwrighting career but eventually returned to her native Huddersfield where she lived with her brother James for a while.
In April of 1930 she was admitted to Deanhouse institution, which was basically a workhouse with an infirmary attached. She was suffering from confusional insanity and obviously her brother could no longer cope with her condition. The illness was chronic and it appears she was suffering from manic depression as she would have periods of elation and then suddenly become very morose and depressed. She also suffered from hallucinations in which a lover would appear to her disguised as a bird. She was transferred to Storthes Hall Psychiatric Hospital in June the same year and was to spend the last fourteen years of her life there.
Lillian's brother James committed suicide in August 1931. He had been found dead in the street having consumed a toxic substance, which corroded his throat and intestines. Just six weeks before his death he had written to the hospital requesting that his sister be allowed her own clothes and her trinkets. They agreed to her having some of her clothing but refused to let her have her trinkets. He had also requested more regular visits with his sister. The Medical Superintendent wrote back to James agreeing to more visits but added that "frequent visiting does not assist the patient but under the circumstances you can come once a fortnight, but not oftener, on any of the visiting days" She was visited from time to time by her sister-in-law Martha Cheetham (James's widow) and her niece Florence Sheard. She was also supported financially by James Calvert Wilson her step brother.
Lillian never regained her sanity. However she was often described by medical and nursing staff as having delusions of grandeur believing herself to be a famous actress and playwright. Although her imagined status became more and more fanciful as her illness progressed, nevertheless she was, in her time, a very successful, well respected writer and entertainer loved by her peers and the public alike.
As well as her mental illness she was also plagued with physical ill health. After a serious of accidents resulting in various fractures she was diagnosed with osteoporosis, which is often referred to as a softening of the bones.
This dreadful illness left her with little or no mobility and she was confined to bed. Towards the end of her life she must have suffered great torment both physical and mental.
Lillian died on the 2nd of December 1944 in Storthes Hall, Psychiatric Hospital, Huddersfield. All that was left in possession that gave some clue to her previous existence were her fur cape, a gold ring and her costume coat. She also had some sketches and paintings. Such a sad and tragic end to the life of a very colourful and gifted lady.
He was often referred to as an Irish comedian despite the fact he was born in Selkirk and spent a good part of his early life in Glasgow. - Franklyn McLeay was born on 28 June 1864 in Watford, Upper Canada, Canada. He was an actor, known for King John (1899). He was married to Grace Warner. He died on 6 July 1900 in St Pancras, Middlesex, London, England, UK'.
- Clifford Pembroke was born on 27 July 1867 in Narberth, Pembrokeshire, Wales, UK. He was an actor, known for Irish Destiny (1926), Love's Old Sweet Song (1917) and The Flame (1920). He died on 20 January 1933 in St. Pancras, London, England, UK.
- Stuart Bull was born on 28 July 1874 in Frome, Somerset, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Libel! (1938). He died on 15 March 1949 in St. Pancras, London, England, UK.
- Napoleon Florent was born on 8 September 1874 in St. Lucia, Caribbean. He was an actor, known for Men of Two Worlds (1946). He died in 1959 in St. Pancras, London, England, UK.
- Lynwood Roberts was born on 25 December 1877 in Plumstead, London, England, UK. He was an actor, known for I Live Again (1936). He died in 1958 in St. Pancras, London, England, UK.
- J. Sabben-Clare was born on 23 February 1878 in Cuckfield, West Sussex, England, UK. J. was a writer, known for The Lure (1933). J. died in 1968 in St. Pancras, London, England, UK.
- Talbot O'Farrell was born on 27 July 1878 in Hull, Humberside, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Kathleen (1937), Born Lucky (1933) and Rose of Tralee (1942). He died on 2 September 1952 in St. Pancras, London, England, UK.
- Fred Hutchings was born on 20 August 1879 in Southwark, London, England, UK. He was an actor, known for The Show Goes On (1937). He died on 2 March 1959 in St. Pancras, London, England, UK.
- Victor Fairley was born on 5 March 1882 in Stratford, London, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Gypsy (1936), Kiss Me Goodbye (1933) and The Two-Headed Spy (1958). He died in 1968 in St. Pancras, London, England, UK.
- Oscar Ebelsbacher was born on 30 April 1882 in Germany. He was an actor, known for Der gefesselte Polo (1929), Once in a Lifetime (1937) and The Gamblers (1939). He died in 1952 in St. Pancras, London, England, UK.
- Sax Rohmer was born on 15 February 1883 in Birmingham, England, UK. He was a writer, known for Drums of Fu Manchu (1943), The Mask of Fu Manchu (1932) and The Return of Dr. Fu Manchu (1930). He was married to Rose Elizabeth Knox. He died on 1 June 1959 in St. Pancras, London, England, UK.
- Charles Heslop was born on 8 June 1883 in Thames Ditton, Surrey, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Hobson's Choice (1920), BBC Sunday-Night Theatre (1950) and ITV Television Playhouse (1955). He was married to Maidie Field. He died on 13 April 1966 in St. Pancras, London, England, UK.
- Edwin Morton was born on 12 March 1884 in Coventry, Warwickshire, England, UK. He was an actor, known for St. Ives (1960). He died in 1966 in St. Pancras, London, England, UK.
- Bert Simms was born on 29 October 1884 in Shoreditch, London, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Room in the House (1955), Oh Brother! (1968) and The End of the Road (1954). He died on 18 April 1972 in St. Pancras, London, England, UK.
- W.E. Holloway was born on 18 September 1885 in Adelaide, Australia. He was an actor, known for Brandy for the Parson (1952), Crash of Silence (1952) and BBC Sunday-Night Theatre (1950). He was married to Margaret Boyd. He died on 5 July 1952 in St. Pancras, London, England, UK.
- Dorothy Dewhurst was born on 16 September 1886 in Sale, Cheshire, England, UK. She was an actress, known for Pride and Prejudice (1952), ITV Play of the Week (1955) and George and Margaret (1946). She died on 12 December 1959 in St. Pancras, London, England, UK.
- Mary Waller was born on 21 October 1886 in Marylebone, London, England, UK. She died on 11 December 1959 in St. Pancras, London, England, UK.
- Actor
- Additional Crew
Hugh Miller was born on 22 May 1889 in Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Doctor Zhivago (1965), Lawrence of Arabia (1962) and The Divine Spark (1935). He was married to Olga Katzin. He died on 1 November 1976 in St. Pancras, London, England, UK.- Actor
- Director
Geoffrey Wilmer was born on 20 December 1890 in Muswell Hill, London, England, UK. He was an actor and director, known for His Last Defence (1919), The Little Damozel (1916) and Saint Joan (1946). He died in 1956 in St. Pancras, London, England, UK.- Marston Garsia was born on 17 July 1891 in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, England, UK. He was an actor, known for The Skin Game (1921). He died on 18 July 1972 in St Pancras, London, England, UK.
- Phyllis Birkett was born on 17 August 1891 in Exeter, Devon, England, UK. She was an actress, known for Hobson's Choice (1920). She died in 1954 in St. Pancras, London, England, UK.
- Ronnie Brandon was born on 23 April 1892 in Peterborough, England, UK. He was an actor, known for The Dick Emery Show (1963), Dad's Army (1968) and Hugh and I (1962). He died on 11 January 1976 in St. Pancras, London, England, UK.
- Walter Tobias was born on 19 September 1892 in Portsea, Hampshire, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Alice in Wonderland (1937), The Academy Decides (1937) and Two on a Doorstep (1936). He died on 11 April 1965 in St. Pancras, London, England, UK.
- Actor
- Music Department
Gregori Tcherniak was born on 24 September 1892 in Smolensk, Russia. He was an actor, known for BBC Sunday-Night Play (1960), BBC Sunday-Night Theatre (1950) and A Wedding (1961). He died on 19 December 1970 in St Pancras, London, England, UK.- Felix Irwin was born on 10 September 1893 in Tynan, County Armagh, Ireland. He was an actor, known for BBC Sunday-Night Theatre (1950), The Strange Case of Blondie White (1947) and Truant in Park Lane (1947). He died on 30 November 1950 in St. Pancras, London, England, UK.
- Soundtrack
Pasqual Troise was born on 15 October 1893 in Minori, Salerno, Italy. He died on 20 March 1957 in St. Pancras, London, England, UK.- Actor
- Soundtrack
Rex Rashley was born on 3 October 1894 in the UK. He was an actor, known for The Big Pull (1962), Crane (1963) and North and South (1966). He died on 3 February 1972 in St. Pancras, London, England, UK.- Beryl Harrison was born on 25 April 1900 in St. John's Wood, London, England, UK. She was an actress, known for I Lived with You (1933) and Gay's the Word (1952). She was married to Stanley Brightman. She died on 20 November 1960 in St. Pancras, London, England, UK.
- Geoffrey Wardwell was born on 30 July 1900 in Buffalo, Erie, New York, USA. He was an actor, known for The Taming of the Shrew (1929), Crimes at the Dark House (1940) and The Challenge (1938). He died on 9 August 1955 in St. Pancras, London, England, UK.
- Peggy Surtees was born on 2 September 1900 in East Molesey, Surrey, England, UK. She was an actress, known for Down Under Donovan (1922) and His Last Defence (1919). She died in 1957 in St. Pancras, London, England, UK.
- Actor
- Director
- Writer
The son of Alexander Sim JP and Isabella McIntyre, Alastair Sim was educated in Edinburgh. Always interested in language (especially the spoken word) he became the Fulton Lecturer in Elocution at New College, Edinburgh University from 1925 until 1930. He was invited back and became the Rector of Edinburgh University (1948 - 1951). His first stage appearance was as Messenger in Othello at the Savoy Theatre, London. He went on to create some of the most memorable (usually comedic) roles in British films from 1936 until his death in 1976.- Meadows White was born on 9 January 1901 in Kensington, London, England, UK. He was an actor, known for I Promised to Pay (1961), Six Days of Justice (1972) and David Copperfield (1956). He died on 20 November 1973 in St. Pancras, London, England, UK.
- Bert Lena was born on 10 January 1901 in Birmingham, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Parbottle Speaking (1962), Sporting Scenes (1973) and Z Cars (1962). He died on 26 February 1974 in St. Pancras, London, England, UK.
- Margot Lister was born on 28 August 1902 in Lewisham, London, England, UK. She was an actress, known for Smuggler's Bay (1964), ITV Television Playhouse (1955) and ITV Play of the Week (1955). She died on 6 February 1980 in St. Pancras, London, England, UK.
- Russell Howarth was born on 11 July 1907 in Blackley, Manchester, England, UK. He was an actor, known for St. Patrick's Day (1938), The Parnell Commission (1939) and Dance Without Music (1939). He died in 1944 in St. Pancras, London, England, UK.
- Geoffrey Bing was born on 24 July 1909 in Craigavad, County Down, Ireland. He died on 24 April 1977 in St Pancras, London, England, UK.
- His parents Sarah and Aaron Lazarus came to England from Poland, he was one of 5 children, He had 3 brothers and a sister, Albert, Mick, Samuel and Anne. He was married and had a Daughter, Elizabeth. who has two children James and Laura. He and his brother Mick were in the Canadian Mounted Police from 1927-30. They then returned to London, and he started his acting career. His brother Mick was an extra in films.
- Mara Russell-Tavernan was born on 28 November 1909 in Turnham Green, London, England, UK. She was an actress, known for Castle Sinister (1948), The Trial of Madame X (1948) and The Devil's Jest (1954). She died on 21 September 1972 in St. Pancras, London, England, UK.
- Writer
- Producer
Tangye Lean was born on 23 February 1911 in Merstham, Reigate and Banstead, Surrey, England, UK. Tangye was a writer and producer, known for Television Playwright (1958). Tangye was married to Doreen Myra Sharpe. Tangye died on 28 October 1974 in St Pancras, North London, England, UK.- Diana Graves was born on 3 December 1915 in Kensington, London, England, UK. She was an actress, known for BBC Sunday-Night Theatre (1950), Lady Possessed (1952) and Defend My Love (1956). She was married to Michael Gough. She died on 4 February 1975 in St. Pancras, London, England, UK.
- Penelope Parry was born on 15 March 1918. She was an actress, known for Charlesworth at Large (1958), Hour of Mystery (1957) and Armchair Theatre (1956). She was married to Arthur Parry. She died on 22 January 1977 in St. Pancras, London, England, UK.
- Michael Godfrey was born on 20 August 1918 in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, England, UK. He was an actor, known for The Message (1976), The Message (1976) and The 2nd Best Secret Agent in the Whole Wide World (1965). He died on 19 September 1977 in St. Pancras, London, England, UK.
- Bill Maxam was born on 7 December 1918 in Pancras, London, England, UK. He was an actor, known for The Avengers (1961), Bunny Lake Is Missing (1965) and Come Play with Me (1977). He died on 10 January 1977 in St. Pancras, London, England, UK.
- Audrey Weston was born on 12 June 1929 in Croydon, Surrey, England, UK. She was an actress, known for It Came to Pass (1953). She died on 7 December 1975 in St. Pancras, London, England, UK.
- Susan Longfield was born on 24 February 1935 in Plympton, Devon, England, UK. She died on 27 August 1970 in St. Pancras, London, England, UK.