Muriel Angelus
Encyclopedia
Muriel Angelus was a British-born stage, musical theatre and film actress.
Born Muriel Angelus Findlay London, England to Scottish parentage, she developed a sweet-voiced soprano at an early age. She made her singing debut at 12, eventually dropping her surname and becoming a popular music hall performer.
She entered films toward the end of the silent era with The Ringer (1928), the first of three movie versions of the Edgar Wallace
play. Her second film, Sailor Don't Care (1928) was important only in that she met her first husband, Scots-born actor John Stuart
on the set; her role was excised from the film.
Though in her first sound picture, Night Birds (1930), she got to sing a number, most of her films did not utilize her musical talents. The sweet-natured actress who played both ingenues and 'other woman' roles co-starred with husband Stuart in No Exit (1930), Eve's Fall (1930) and Hindle Wakes
(1931), and appeared with British star Monty Banks
in some of his film farces
, including My Wife's Family (1932) and So You Won't Talk (1935). Muriel received a career lift with the glossy musical London hit Balalaika
.
This led to her securing the pivotal role of Adriana in the original Broadway production of The Boys From Syracuse
, co-starring Eddie Albert
. In turn, she received a contract with Paramount Pictures
, but never became a star and is largely remembered solely by the acting buffs and nostalgists. Her last known film role was in The Great McGinty
(1940).
She died at a nursing home in Harrisonburg, Virginia
, aged 95, survived by her daughter (from her second marriage).
Born Muriel Angelus Findlay London, England to Scottish parentage, she developed a sweet-voiced soprano at an early age. She made her singing debut at 12, eventually dropping her surname and becoming a popular music hall performer.
She entered films toward the end of the silent era with The Ringer (1928), the first of three movie versions of the Edgar Wallace
Edgar Wallace
Richard Horatio Edgar Wallace was an English crime writer, journalist, novelist, screenwriter, and playwright, who wrote 175 novels, 24 plays, and numerous articles in newspapers and journals....
play. Her second film, Sailor Don't Care (1928) was important only in that she met her first husband, Scots-born actor John Stuart
John Stuart (actor)
John Stuart, born John Alfred Louden Croall , was a Scottish actor, and a very popular leading man in British silent films in the 1920s. He appeared in two films directed by Alfred Hitchcock....
on the set; her role was excised from the film.
Though in her first sound picture, Night Birds (1930), she got to sing a number, most of her films did not utilize her musical talents. The sweet-natured actress who played both ingenues and 'other woman' roles co-starred with husband Stuart in No Exit (1930), Eve's Fall (1930) and Hindle Wakes
Hindle Wakes (1931 film)
Hindle Wakes is a 1931 British film drama, directed by Victor Saville for Gainsborough Pictures and starring Belle Chrystall and John Stuart. The film is adapted from Stanley Houghton's controversial 1912 stage play of the same name, which had previously been filmed twice as a silent in 1918 and...
(1931), and appeared with British star Monty Banks
Monty Banks
Montague Banks was a comedian and film director. In the 1920s, he worked in Hollywood, starring in many silent short comedies and in the feature-length action thriller Play Safe...
in some of his film farces
Farce
In theatre, a farce is a comedy which aims at entertaining the audience by means of unlikely, extravagant, and improbable situations, disguise and mistaken identity, verbal humour of varying degrees of sophistication, which may include word play, and a fast-paced plot whose speed usually increases,...
, including My Wife's Family (1932) and So You Won't Talk (1935). Muriel received a career lift with the glossy musical London hit Balalaika
Balalaika (musical)
Balalaika is a musical play in three acts with book and lyrics by Eric Maschwitz, music by George Posford and Bernard Grun. It opened in London at the Adelphi Theatre on 22 December 1936, starring Muriel Angelus, Roger Treville, Clifford Mollison and Betty Warren, and ran for 569 performances.A...
.
This led to her securing the pivotal role of Adriana in the original Broadway production of The Boys From Syracuse
The Boys from Syracuse
The Boys from Syracuse is a musical with music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Lorenz Hart, based on William Shakespeare's play, The Comedy of Errors, as adapted by librettist George Abbott. The score includes swing and other contemporary rhythms of the 1930s. The show was the first musical...
, co-starring Eddie Albert
Eddie Albert
Edward Albert Heimberger , known professionally as Eddie Albert, was an American actor and activist. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1954 for his performance in Roman Holiday, and in 1973 for The Heartbreak Kid.Other well-known screen roles of his include Bing...
. In turn, she received a contract with Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film production and distribution company, located at 5555 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood. Founded in 1912 and currently owned by media conglomerate Viacom, it is America's oldest existing film studio; it is also the last major film studio still...
, but never became a star and is largely remembered solely by the acting buffs and nostalgists. Her last known film role was in The Great McGinty
The Great McGinty
The Great McGinty is a 1940 political satire comedy film written and directed by Preston Sturges, starring Brian Donlevy and Akim Tamiroff and featuring William Demarest and Muriel Angelus. It was Sturges's first film as a director; he sold the story to Paramount Pictures for just $10 on condition...
(1940).
She died at a nursing home in Harrisonburg, Virginia
Harrisonburg, Virginia
Harrisonburg is an independent city in the Shenandoah Valley region of Virginia in the United States. Its population as of 2010 is 48,914, and at the 2000 census, 40,468. Harrisonburg is the county seat of Rockingham County and the core city of the Harrisonburg, Virginia Metropolitan Statistical...
, aged 95, survived by her daughter (from her second marriage).