George Curzon (actor)
Encyclopedia
Commander
Chambré George William Penn Curzon (18 October 1898 – 7 May 1976), known as George Curzon, was a Royal Navy
Commander, actor, and father of the present Earl Howe
.
Curzon, born in Amersham
, Buckinghamshire
, UK was the only son of diplomat Hon. Frederick Curzon-Howe (a son of the 3rd Earl Howe
) and his wife, the actress Ellis Jeffreys. Curzon trained for the Navy at Osborne House in the Isle of Wight, and first saw action in World War I
. He retired from the Navy as a Lieutenant-Commander then served as a King's Messenger before turning to the West End stage
in 1930.
He then went to America and appeared on the New York
stage in Parnell
before entering films. He was given a minor role as a police constable in Basil Dean
's Escape
(1930). His first major role came in 1935 when he appeared as the title role in Sexton Blake and the Bearded Doctor
. He reprised this role in Sexton Blake and the Mademoiselle (1935) and Sexton Blake and the Hooded Terror
(1938). He appeared in several films directed by Alfred Hitchcock
before he moved to the United States
and Hollywood, most notably Young and Innocent
, where he played a musician and murderer who was caught by his nervous eye-twitch, in a famous long crane shot devised by Hitchcock.
A brief interruption came to Curzon's acting career in 1939 when, after playing a minor role in Hitchcock
's Jamaica Inn
, he again enlisted in the navy during World War II
. He later starred in various other films from 1947 until 1965.
Curzon had two children from his second marriage: Frederick Richard Penn
(b. 1951) and Emma Charlotte (b. 1953). His son succeeded to his kinsman's title of Earl Howe
in 1984 (long after the death of Curzon himself in 1976) and his daughter was granted the rank of an earl's daughter a year later (i.e. Lady Emma).
Commander
Commander is a naval rank which is also sometimes used as a military title depending on the individual customs of a given military service. Commander is also used as a rank or title in some organizations outside of the armed forces, particularly in police and law enforcement.-Commander as a naval...
Chambré George William Penn Curzon (18 October 1898 – 7 May 1976), known as George Curzon, was a Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
Commander, actor, and father of the present Earl Howe
Frederick Curzon, 7th Earl Howe
Frederick Richard Penn Curzon, 7th Earl Howe is a Conservative front bench member of the House of Lords, and is a Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department of Health-Political and professional career:...
.
Curzon, born in Amersham
Amersham
Amersham is a market town and civil parish within Chiltern district in Buckinghamshire, England, 27 miles north west of London, in the Chiltern Hills. It is part of the London commuter belt....
, Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan home county in South East England. The county town is Aylesbury, the largest town in the ceremonial county is Milton Keynes and largest town in the non-metropolitan county is High Wycombe....
, UK was the only son of diplomat Hon. Frederick Curzon-Howe (a son of the 3rd Earl Howe
Richard Curzon-Howe, 3rd Earl Howe
Richard William Penn Curzon-Howe, 3rd Earl Howe, GCVO, CB was a British peer and professional soldier....
) and his wife, the actress Ellis Jeffreys. Curzon trained for the Navy at Osborne House in the Isle of Wight, and first saw action in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. He retired from the Navy as a Lieutenant-Commander then served as a King's Messenger before turning to the West End stage
West End theatre
West End theatre is a popular term for mainstream professional theatre staged in the large theatres of London's 'Theatreland', the West End. Along with New York's Broadway theatre, West End theatre is usually considered to represent the highest level of commercial theatre in the English speaking...
in 1930.
He then went to America and appeared on the New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
stage in Parnell
Parnell
Parnell may refer to:People* Bobby Parnell, a baseball pitcher for the New York Mets* Charles Stewart Parnell , Irish politician* Chris Parnell, actor and comedian* Lee Roy Parnell, country & western singer...
before entering films. He was given a minor role as a police constable in Basil Dean
Basil Dean
Basil Herbert Dean CBE was an English actor, writer, film producer/director and theatrical producer/director....
's Escape
Escape (1930 film)
Escape is a 1930 British crime film directed by Basil Dean and starring Gerald du Maurier, Edna Best, Gordon Harker and Austin Trevor. A man escapes from Dartmoor Prison and is hunted across the moors by policemen to whom it is an unpleasant reminder of their experiences during the First World War....
(1930). His first major role came in 1935 when he appeared as the title role in Sexton Blake and the Bearded Doctor
Sexton Blake and the Bearded Doctor
Sexton Blake and the Bearded Doctor is a 1935 British mystery film directed by George A. Cooper and starring George Curzon, Henry Oscar and Tony Sympson. It based on the novel The Blazing Launch Murder by Rex Hardinge...
. He reprised this role in Sexton Blake and the Mademoiselle (1935) and Sexton Blake and the Hooded Terror
Sexton Blake and the Hooded Terror
Sexton Blake and the Hooded Terror is a 1938 British crime film directed by George King and starring George Curzon, Tod Slaughter and Greta Gynt.- Plot summary :...
(1938). He appeared in several films directed by Alfred Hitchcock
Alfred Hitchcock
Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock, KBE was a British film director and producer. He pioneered many techniques in the suspense and psychological thriller genres. After a successful career in British cinema in both silent films and early talkies, Hitchcock moved to Hollywood...
before he moved to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Hollywood, most notably Young and Innocent
Young and Innocent
Young and Innocent is a 1937 British film directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring Nova Pilbeam, Derrick De Marney and John Longden...
, where he played a musician and murderer who was caught by his nervous eye-twitch, in a famous long crane shot devised by Hitchcock.
A brief interruption came to Curzon's acting career in 1939 when, after playing a minor role in Hitchcock
Alfred Hitchcock
Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock, KBE was a British film director and producer. He pioneered many techniques in the suspense and psychological thriller genres. After a successful career in British cinema in both silent films and early talkies, Hitchcock moved to Hollywood...
's Jamaica Inn
Jamaica Inn (film)
Jamaica Inn is a 1939 film made by Alfred Hitchcock adapted from Daphne du Maurier's 1936 novel of the same name, the first of three of du Maurier's works that Hitchcock adapted ....
, he again enlisted in the navy during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. He later starred in various other films from 1947 until 1965.
Curzon had two children from his second marriage: Frederick Richard Penn
Frederick Curzon, 7th Earl Howe
Frederick Richard Penn Curzon, 7th Earl Howe is a Conservative front bench member of the House of Lords, and is a Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department of Health-Political and professional career:...
(b. 1951) and Emma Charlotte (b. 1953). His son succeeded to his kinsman's title of Earl Howe
Earl Howe
Earl Howe is a title that has been created twice in British history, for members of the Howe and Curzon-Howe family respectively.The first creation, in the Peerage of Great Britain, was in 1788 for Richard Howe, but became extinct on his death in 1799....
in 1984 (long after the death of Curzon himself in 1976) and his daughter was granted the rank of an earl's daughter a year later (i.e. Lady Emma).
Filmography
- EscapeEscape (1930 film)Escape is a 1930 British crime film directed by Basil Dean and starring Gerald du Maurier, Edna Best, Gordon Harker and Austin Trevor. A man escapes from Dartmoor Prison and is hunted across the moors by policemen to whom it is an unpleasant reminder of their experiences during the First World War....
(1930) - Chin Chin Chinaman (1931)
- The Impassive FootmanThe Impassive FootmanThe Impassive Footman is a 1932 British drama film made at Ealing Studios and was directed by Basil Dean. The film starred Owen Nares, Betty Stockfeld, Allan Jeayes and George Curzon.-Plot:...
(1932) - Murder at Covent GardenMurder at Covent GardenMurder at Covent Garden is a 1932 British crime film directed by Leslie S. Hiscott and starring Dennis Neilson-Terry, Anne Grey, George Curzon and Walter Fitzgerald...
(1932) - Her First AffaireHer First AffaireHer First Affaire is a 1932 British drama film directed by Allan Dwan and starring Ida Lupino, George Curzon and Diana Napier. It was based on a play by Merrill Rogers and Frederick J...
(1932) - After the BallAfter the Ball (1932 film)After the Ball is a 1932 British-American comedy film directed by Milton Rosmer.It was filmed at Lime Grove Studios in West London.-Plot:...
(1932) - Strange EvidenceStrange EvidenceStrange Evidence is a 1933 British crime film directed by Robert Milton and starring Leslie Banks, George Curzon, Carol Goodner and Frank Vosper.-Cast:* Leslie Banks as Francis Relf* Carol Goodner as Marie / Barbara Relf* George Curzon as Stephen Relf...
(1933) - TroubleTrouble (film)Trouble is a 1933 British comedy film directed by Maclean Rogers and starring Sydney Howard, George Curzon and Dorothy Robinson. A pair of stewards on a cruise ship manage to foil the plans of jewel thieves.-Cast:* Sydney Howard - Miss Carruthers...
(1933) - The Scotland Yard MysteryThe Scotland Yard MysteryThe Scotland Yard Mystery is a 1934 British crime film directed by Thomas Bentley and starring Gerald du Maurier, George Curzon, Grete Natzler, Belle Chrystall and Wally Patch...
(1934) - Java HeadJava Head (1934 film)Java Head is a 1934 British historical drama film directed by Thorold Dickinson and J. Walter Ruben. It starred Anna May Wong, Elizabeth Allan, Ralph Richardson, Herbert Lomas and George Curzon...
(1934) - The Man Who Knew Too MuchThe Man Who Knew Too Much (1934 film)The Man Who Knew Too Much is a British suspense film directed by Alfred Hitchcock, featuring Peter Lorre, and released by Gaumont British. It was one of the most successful and critically acclaimed films of Hitchcock's British period....
(1934) - Lorna DooneLorna Doone (1934 film)Lorna Doone is a 1934 British drama film directed by Basil Dean and starring Victoria Hopper, John Loder and Margaret Lockwood. It is based on the novel Lorna Doone by R.D...
(1934) - Two Hearts in HarmonyTwo Hearts in HarmonyTwo Hearts in Harmony is a 1935 British comedy drama film directed by William Beaudine and starring Bernice Claire, George Curzon and Enid Stamp-Taylor...
(1935) - Sexton Blake and the Bearded DoctorSexton Blake and the Bearded DoctorSexton Blake and the Bearded Doctor is a 1935 British mystery film directed by George A. Cooper and starring George Curzon, Henry Oscar and Tony Sympson. It based on the novel The Blazing Launch Murder by Rex Hardinge...
(1935) - Widow's MightWidow's MightWidow's Might is a 1935 British comedy film directed by Cyril Gardner and starring Laura La Plante, Yvonne Arnaud and Garry Marsh. It was based on a play by Frederick J...
(1935) - Admirals AllAdmirals AllAdmirals All is a 1935 British comedy film directed by Victor Hanbury and starring Wynne Gibson, Gordon Harker, Anthony Bushell and George Curzon. It was based on a play by Ian Hay...
(1935) - Sexton Blake and the Mademoiselle (1935)
- Mozart (1936)
- The White AngelThe White Angel (1936 film)The White Angel is a 1936 American historical drama film directed by William Dieterle and starring Kay Francis, Ian Hunter, Donald Woods and Nigel Bruce...
(1936) - Young and InnocentYoung and InnocentYoung and Innocent is a 1937 British film directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring Nova Pilbeam, Derrick De Marney and John Longden...
(1937) - A Royal Divorce (1938)
- Sexton Blake and the Hooded TerrorSexton Blake and the Hooded TerrorSexton Blake and the Hooded Terror is a 1938 British crime film directed by George King and starring George Curzon, Tod Slaughter and Greta Gynt.- Plot summary :...
(1938) - Strange BoardersStrange BoardersStrange Boarders is a 1938 British comedy thriller film, directed by Herbert Mason for Gainsborough Pictures and starring Tom Walls, Renée Saint-Cyr, Googie Withers and Ronald Adam. The film is an adaptation of the 1934 espionage novel The Strange Boarders of Palace Crescent by E. Phillips...
(1938) - Q PlanesQ PlanesQ Planes, released in the United States by Columbia Pictures as Clouds Over Europe, is a 1939 British spy film directed by Tim Whelan and Arthur B. Woods, starring Ralph Richardson, Laurence Olivier and Valerie Hobson. It was produced by Irving Asher with Alexander Korda as executive producer...
(1939) - The Mind of Mr. ReederThe Mind of Mr. ReederThe Mind of Mr. Reeder is a 1939 British, black-and-white, crime, mystery, directed by Jack Raymond and starring Ronald Shiner as Sam Hackett. It was produced by Jack Raymond Productions. Allmovie lists the alternate film title of The Mysterious Mr. Reeder. Its accompanying Synopsis follows. Also,...
(1939) - Jamaica InnJamaica Inn (film)Jamaica Inn is a 1939 film made by Alfred Hitchcock adapted from Daphne du Maurier's 1936 novel of the same name, the first of three of du Maurier's works that Hitchcock adapted ....
(1939) - JassyJassy (film)Jassy was a 1947 British film melodrama, based on a novel by Norah Lofts. It was a Gainsborough melodrama, the only one to be made in technicolour.-Plot:...
(1947) - Uncle SilasUncle SilasUncle Silas is a Victorian Gothic mystery-thriller novel by the Irish writer J. Sheridan Le Fanu. It is notable as one of the earliest examples of the locked room mystery subgenre...
(1947) - The First GentlemanThe First GentlemanThe First Gentleman is a 1948 British historical drama film directed by Alberto Cavalcanti and starring Jean-Pierre Aumont, Joan Hopkins and Cecil Parker. It portrays the relationships and marriage of George, Prince Regent and his tense dealings with other members of his family such as Princess...
(1948) - That Dangerous AgeThat Dangerous AgeThat Dangerous Age is a 1949 British romance film directed by Gregory Ratoff and starring Myrna Loy, Roger Livesey and Peggy Cummins. It is an adaptation of the play Autumn by Ilya Surguchev.-Partial cast:* Myrna Loy - Lady Cathy Brooke...
(1949) - For Them That TrespassFor Them That TrespassFor Them That Trespass is a 1949 British crime film directed by Alberto Cavalcanti and starring Richard Todd, Patricia Plunkett and Stephen Murray...
(1949) - Sing Along with MeSing Along with MeSing Along with Me is a 1952 British musical film directed by Peter Graham Scott and starring Donald Peers, Dodo Watts and Dennis Vance. A grocer wins a radio singing competition and is signed on a lucrative contract.-Cast:* Donald Peers – David Parry...
(1952) - The Cruel SeaThe Cruel Sea (film)The Cruel Sea is a 1953 British film from Ealing Studios starring Jack Hawkins and Donald Sinden, with Denholm Elliott, Stanley Baker, Liam Redmond, Virginia McKenna and Moira Lister...
(1953) - Harry BlackHarry Black (film)Harry Black is a 1958 British film adaptation of the novel Harry Black by David Walker, released by 20th Century Fox. The film stars Stewart Granger, Barbara Rush and I. S. Johar in a BAFTA nominated role.The film was shot in India.-Cast:...
(1958) - Woman of StrawWoman of StrawWoman of Straw is a 1964 British crime thriller starring Gina Lollobrigida and Sean Connery. It was directed by Basil Dearden and written by Robert Muller and Stanley Mann, adapted from the 1964 novel by Catherine Arley.- Plot :...
(1964)