Godfrey Tearle
Encyclopedia
Sir Godfrey Seymour Tearle (12 October 1884 – 9 June 1953) was a British actor who portrayed the quintessential Englishman
on stage and in both English and US films.
and raised in England, he was the son of British actor/manager George Osmond Tearle and American actress Marianne Conway, the brother of actor Malcolm Tearle, and the half-brother of silent film
star Conway Tearle
.
In 1893, he made his stage debut as young Prince Richard, Duke of York, in his father's production of Richard III
, and in 1908 he appeared in his first film as Romeo
in Romeo and Juliet
. He became a Shakespearean actor of note, appearing on stage in the title roles of Othello
, Macbeth
, and Henry V
. His theatrical career was interrupted when he joined the Royal Artillery
for a four-year stint beginning in 1915.
One of Tearle's most memorable screen roles was in Alfred Hitchcock
's The 39 Steps
(1935), in which he portrayed Professor Jordan, a seemingly respectable country squire whose missing finger unmasks him as an enemy agent. He was cast as an RAF
gunner in One of Our Aircraft Is Missing
(1942), a German General in Undercover (film) (1943), an aging World War I
veteran in Medal for the General
(1944), and as Franklin D. Roosevelt
in The Beginning or the End
, MGM's 1946 account of the Manhattan Project
.
Tearle made his Broadway theatre
debut in Carnival in 1919. In his review in the New York Times, Alexander Woolcott noted, "It is difficult to guess why Godfrey Tearle should have selected as the vehicle of his American debut the play called Carnival, which was presented to New York for the first time last evening at the Forty-fourth Street Theatre. It is a spare and unsubstantial piece at best, and the role it offers him is distinctly secondary in importance and opportunity." Additional Broadway credits include The Fake (1924), The Flashing Stream (1939), and Antony and Cleopatra
(1947).
(Supplement to the London Gazette issue 39243 of Friday, 1 June 1951; dated 7 June 1951, p. 3062) for his work on the British stage.
Englishman
Englishman may refer to:*English people*Grey Partridge*Jason Englishman, Canadian rock music singer and guitarist*Jenny-Bea Englishman, real name of the Canadien singer Esthero*Erald Briscoe, reggae musician who records under the name Englishman...
on stage and in both English and US films.
Biography
Born in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and raised in England, he was the son of British actor/manager George Osmond Tearle and American actress Marianne Conway, the brother of actor Malcolm Tearle, and the half-brother of silent film
Silent film
A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound, especially with no spoken dialogue. In silent films for entertainment the dialogue is transmitted through muted gestures, pantomime and title cards...
star Conway Tearle
Conway Tearle
Conway Tearle was an Anglo-American stage actor who went on to perform in silent and early sound films.-Early life:...
.
In 1893, he made his stage debut as young Prince Richard, Duke of York, in his father's production of Richard III
Richard III (play)
Richard III is a history play by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written in approximately 1591. It depicts the Machiavellian rise to power and subsequent short reign of Richard III of England. The play is grouped among the histories in the First Folio and is most often classified...
, and in 1908 he appeared in his first film as Romeo
Romeo Montague
Romeo is one of the fictional protagonists in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Romeo is the son of old Montague and his wife, who secretly loves and marries Juliet, a member of the rival House of Capulet...
in Romeo and Juliet
Romeo and Juliet
Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy written early in the career of playwright William Shakespeare about two young star-crossed lovers whose deaths ultimately unite their feuding families. It was among Shakespeare's most popular archetypal stories of young, teenage lovers.Romeo and Juliet belongs to a...
. He became a Shakespearean actor of note, appearing on stage in the title roles of Othello
Othello
The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written in approximately 1603, and based on the Italian short story "Un Capitano Moro" by Cinthio, a disciple of Boccaccio, first published in 1565...
, Macbeth
Macbeth
The Tragedy of Macbeth is a play by William Shakespeare about a regicide and its aftermath. It is Shakespeare's shortest tragedy and is believed to have been written sometime between 1603 and 1607...
, and Henry V
Henry V (play)
Henry V is a history play by William Shakespeare, believed to be written in approximately 1599. Its full titles are The Cronicle History of Henry the Fifth and The Life of Henry the Fifth...
. His theatrical career was interrupted when he joined the Royal Artillery
Royal Artillery
The Royal Regiment of Artillery, commonly referred to as the Royal Artillery , is the artillery arm of the British Army. Despite its name, it comprises a number of regiments.-History:...
for a four-year stint beginning in 1915.
One of Tearle's most memorable screen roles was in 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...
's The 39 Steps
The 39 Steps (1935 film)
The 39 Steps is a British thriller film directed by Alfred Hitchcock, loosely based on the adventure novel The Thirty-nine Steps by John Buchan. The film stars Robert Donat and Madeleine Carroll....
(1935), in which he portrayed Professor Jordan, a seemingly respectable country squire whose missing finger unmasks him as an enemy agent. He was cast as an RAF
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
gunner in One of Our Aircraft Is Missing
One of Our Aircraft is Missing
One of Our Aircraft is Missing is a 1942 British war film, the fourth collaboration between the British writer-director-producer team of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger and the first film they made under the banner of The Archers...
(1942), a German General in Undercover (film) (1943), an aging 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...
veteran in Medal for the General
Medal for the General
Medal for the General is a 1944 British comedy film directed by Maurice Elvey. The screenplay by Elizabeth Baron is based on the novel of the same title by James Ronald.-Plot:...
(1944), and as Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
in The Beginning or the End
The Beginning or the End
The Beginning or the End is a 1947 film about the development of the atomic bomb in World War II.It was directed by Norman Taurog and starred Brian Donlevy and Hume Cronyn...
, MGM's 1946 account of the Manhattan Project
Manhattan Project
The Manhattan Project was a research and development program, led by the United States with participation from the United Kingdom and Canada, that produced the first atomic bomb during World War II. From 1942 to 1946, the project was under the direction of Major General Leslie Groves of the US Army...
.
Tearle made his Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
debut in Carnival in 1919. In his review in the New York Times, Alexander Woolcott noted, "It is difficult to guess why Godfrey Tearle should have selected as the vehicle of his American debut the play called Carnival, which was presented to New York for the first time last evening at the Forty-fourth Street Theatre. It is a spare and unsubstantial piece at best, and the role it offers him is distinctly secondary in importance and opportunity." Additional Broadway credits include The Fake (1924), The Flashing Stream (1939), and Antony and Cleopatra
Antony and Cleopatra
Antony and Cleopatra is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written sometime between 1603 and 1607. It was first printed in the First Folio of 1623. The plot is based on Thomas North's translation of Plutarch's Lives and follows the relationship between Cleopatra and Mark Antony...
(1947).
Knighthood
Tearle was knightedKnight Bachelor
The rank of Knight Bachelor is a part of the British honours system. It is the most basic rank of a man who has been knighted by the monarch but not as a member of one of the organised Orders of Chivalry...
(Supplement to the London Gazette issue 39243 of Friday, 1 June 1951; dated 7 June 1951, p. 3062) for his work on the British stage.
Marriages
He was married three times, to actress Mary Malone from 1909 until their divorce in 1932, to starlet Stella Freeman from 1932 until her sudden death in 1936, and to Barbara Palmer from 1937 until their divorce.Partial filmography
- Queen's EvidenceQueen's Evidence (film)Queen's Evidence is a 1919 British silent adventure film directed by James Mackay and starring Godfrey Tearle, Unity More and Janet Alexander. It was based on the play Adam and Eve by C.E. Munro and Louisa Parr...
(1919) - Salome of the TenementsSalome of the TenementsSalome of the Tenements is a 1925 silent film adapted to the screen by Sonya Levien from the Anzia Yezierska novel. Made by Jesse L. Lasky and Adolph Zukor's Famous Players-Lasky Corporation, a division of Paramount Pictures, it was directed by Sidney Olcott and starred Jetta Goudal and Godfrey...
(1925) - If Youth But KnewIf Youth But KnewIf Youth But Knew is a 1926 British silent romance film directed by George A. Cooper and starring Godfrey Tearle, Lillian Hall-Davis and Wyndham Standing. It is a love story spanning two generations...
(1926) - Guy of WarwickGuy of WarwickGuy of Warwick is a legendary English hero of Romance popular in England and France from the 13th to the 17th century. The story of Sir Guy is considered by scholars to be part of the Matter of England.-Plot:...
(1926) - One Colombo NightOne Colombo NightOne Colombo Night is a 1926 British silent drama film directed by Henry Edwards and starring Godfrey Tearle, Marjorie Hume and Nora Swinburne. It was based on a story by Austin Phillips...
(1926) - Infatuation (1930)
- These Charming PeopleThese Charming PeopleThese Charming People is a 1931 British drama film directed by Louis Mercanton and starring Cyril Maude, Godfrey Tearle and Nora Swinburne. It was based on a play by Michael Arlen.-Cast:* Cyril Maude - Colonel Crawford* Godfrey Tearle - James Berridge...
(1931) - The Shadow BetweenThe Shadow BetweenThe Shadow Between is a 1931 British romantic drama film directed by Norman Walker and starring Godfrey Tearle, Kathleen O'Regan, Olga Lindo and Ann Casson.-Cast:* Godfrey Tearle as Paul Haddon* Kathleen O'Regan as Margaret Haddon...
(1931) - Puppets of FatePuppets of FatePuppets of Fate is a 1933 British crime film directed by George A. Cooper and starring Godfrey Tearle, Isla Bevan, Russell Thorndike and Fred Groves.-Cast:* Godfrey Tearle - Richard Sabine* Isla Bevan - Joan Harding* Russell Thorndike - Doctor Munroe...
(1933) - JadeJade (film)Jade is a 1995 erotic thriller film written by Joe Eszterhas, produced by Robert Evans, directed by William Friedkin and starring David Caruso, Linda Fiorentino, Chazz Palminteri, Richard Crenna and Michael Biehn. The original music score was composed by James Horner...
(1934) - The 39 StepsThe 39 Steps (1935 film)The 39 Steps is a British thriller film directed by Alfred Hitchcock, loosely based on the adventure novel The Thirty-nine Steps by John Buchan. The film stars Robert Donat and Madeleine Carroll....
(1935) - Tomorrow We LiveTomorrow We Live (1936 film)Tomorrow We Live is a 1936 British drama film directed by H. Manning Haynes and starring Godfrey Tearle, Haidee Wright and Renee Gadd. A financier on the brink of ruin reflects over his failings, and gives £50 to various down-and-outs in the hope that they can make something better of their...
(1936) - The Last JourneyThe Last JourneyThe Last Journey is a 1936 British B-movie. The movie was directed by Bernard Vorhaus.-Synopsis:A train driver on his last journey before retirement thinks his fireman is having an affair with his wife. The driver intends to kill himself and his passengers by crashing the train...
(1936) - East Meets WestEast Meets West (1936 film)East Meets West is a 1936 British drama film directed by Herbert Mason and starring George Arliss, Lucie Mannheim, Godfrey Tearle and John Laurie...
(1936) - One of Our Aircraft Is MissingOne of Our Aircraft is MissingOne of Our Aircraft is Missing is a 1942 British war film, the fourth collaboration between the British writer-director-producer team of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger and the first film they made under the banner of The Archers...
(1942) - Tomorrow We Live (1943)
- Undercover (1943)
- The Lamp Still BurnsThe Lamp Still BurnsThe Lamp Still Burns is a 1943 British drama film directed by Maurice Elvey and starring Rosamund John, Stewart Granger, Godfrey Tearle and Sophie Stewart. An architect retrains as a nurse...
(1943) - Medal for the GeneralMedal for the GeneralMedal for the General is a 1944 British comedy film directed by Maurice Elvey. The screenplay by Elizabeth Baron is based on the novel of the same title by James Ronald.-Plot:...
(1944) - The Rake's ProgressThe Rake's Progress (film)The Rake's Progress is a 1945 British comedy-drama film made in 1945. In the United States, the title was changed to Notorious Gentleman.- Plot :...
(1945) - The Beginning or the EndThe Beginning or the EndThe Beginning or the End is a 1947 film about the development of the atomic bomb in World War II.It was directed by Norman Taurog and starred Brian Donlevy and Hume Cronyn...
(1947) - Private AngeloPrivate Angelo (film)Private Angelo is a 1949 British comedy war film directed by Michael Anderson and Peter Ustinov. It starred Ustinov, Godfrey Tearle, Maria Denis and Marjorie Rhodes. It depicts the misadventures of a soldier in the Italian Army during the Second World War...
(1949) - White CorridorsWhite CorridorsWhite Corridors is a 1951 British drama film directed by Pat Jackson and based on a novel by Helen Ashton. It starred Googie Withers, Godfrey Tearle, James Donald and Petula Clark. The film is set in a hospital shortly after the establishment of the National Health Service. At the 1951 BAFTAS it...
(1951) - MandyMandy (film)Mandy was a 1952 Ealing Studios film, based on the book The Day Is Ours by Hilda Lewis, with screenplay by Nigel Balchin and Jack Whittingham, and direction by Alexander Mackendrick and Fred Sears. Another title for the film was Crash of Silence...
(1952) - Decameron NightsDecameron NightsDecameron Nights is a 1953 anthology film based on three tales from The Decameron by Giovanni Boccaccio, specifically the ninth and tenth tales of the second day and the ninth tale of the third...
(1953) - The Titfield ThunderboltThe Titfield ThunderboltThe Titfield Thunderbolt is a 1953 British comedy film about a group of villagers trying to prevent British Railways from closing the fictional Titfield branch line. The film was written by T.E.B...
(1953)
Sources
- "Halliwell's Who's Who in the Movies" - published by Harper-Collins - ISBN 0-06-093507-3
- "Guide to Movies & Videos" published by Dell - ISBN 0-440-21766-0