Philip Tonge
Encyclopedia
Philip Tonge was a stage, film, and television actor.
Born in London
, England
, Tonge became an actor at a young age. Fellow child actor Noel Coward
stated he had his first sexual experience at age 13 with the slightly older Tonge.
Tonge made his film debut in 1913 in the short The Still Voice, and on Broadway in The Highway of Life in 1914. He worked steadily on stage, with several dozen Broadway plays to his credit. He was in the original cast for two of Coward's plays, Design for Living
(1932) and Blithe Spirit
(1943). Possibly his best known film role was Julian Shellhammer in the Christmas classic Miracle on 34th Street
(1947). He also appeared in Hans Christian Andersen
(1952) and Witness for the Prosecution (1957). On television, he played Dr. Robert Means in Dr. Hudson's Secret Journel (1955-1957) and General Amherst in Northwest Passage
(1958–1959).
He died in Hollywood, California
. He was survived by his wife, Lyda (1902-1984).
Born in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, Tonge became an actor at a young age. Fellow child actor Noel Coward
Noël Coward
Sir Noël Peirce Coward was an English playwright, composer, director, actor and singer, known for his wit, flamboyance, and what Time magazine called "a sense of personal style, a combination of cheek and chic, pose and poise".Born in Teddington, a suburb of London, Coward attended a dance academy...
stated he had his first sexual experience at age 13 with the slightly older Tonge.
Tonge made his film debut in 1913 in the short The Still Voice, and on Broadway in The Highway of Life in 1914. He worked steadily on stage, with several dozen Broadway plays to his credit. He was in the original cast for two of Coward's plays, Design for Living
Design for Living
Design for Living is a comedy play written by Noël Coward in 1932. It concerns a trio of artistic characters, Gilda, Otto and Leo, and their complicated three-way relationship. Originally written to star Lynn Fontanne, Alfred Lunt and Coward, it was premiered on Broadway, partly because its risqué...
(1932) and Blithe Spirit
Blithe Spirit
Blithe Spirit is a comic play written by Noël Coward which takes its title from Percy Bysshe Shelley's poem "To a Skylark" . The play concerns socialite and novelist Charles Condomine, who invites the eccentric medium and clairvoyant, Madame Arcati, to his house to conduct a séance, hoping to...
(1943). Possibly his best known film role was Julian Shellhammer in the Christmas classic Miracle on 34th Street
Miracle on 34th Street
Miracle on 34th Street is a 1947 Christmas film written by George Seaton from a story by Valentine Davies, directed by George Seaton and starring Maureen O'Hara, John Payne, Natalie Wood and Edmund Gwenn...
(1947). He also appeared in Hans Christian Andersen
Hans Christian Andersen (film)
Hans Christian Andersen is a 1952 Hollywood musical film directed by Charles Vidor, with words and music by Frank Loesser. The story was by Myles Connolly, its screenplay was by Moss Hart and Ben Hecht , and was produced by The Samuel Goldwyn Company...
(1952) and Witness for the Prosecution (1957). On television, he played Dr. Robert Means in Dr. Hudson's Secret Journel (1955-1957) and General Amherst in Northwest Passage
Northwest Passage (TV series)
Northwest Passage is a 26-episode half-hour adventure television series produced by Metro Goldwyn Mayer about Major Robert Rogers during the time of the French and Indian War . The show derived its title and the main characters Rogers, Towne, and Marriner from the 1937 novel of the same name by...
(1958–1959).
He died in Hollywood, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. He was survived by his wife, Lyda (1902-1984).
Partial filmography
- His Double LifeHis Double LifeHis Double Life is a 1933 American comedy-drama film directed by Broadway theatrical impresario Arthur Hopkins, starring Roland Young and Lillian Gish. It is preserved at the Library of Congress, Washington D.C. .- Cast :*Roland Young as Priam Farrel...
(1933) - Miracle on 34th StreetMiracle on 34th StreetMiracle on 34th Street is a 1947 Christmas film written by George Seaton from a story by Valentine Davies, directed by George Seaton and starring Maureen O'Hara, John Payne, Natalie Wood and Edmund Gwenn...
(1947) - Love from a StrangerLove from a Stranger (1947 film)Love from a Stranger is a 1947 American film directed by Richard Whorf and starring John Hodiak and Sylvia Sidney.The film is also known as A Stranger Walked In in the United Kingdom.- Cast :*John Hodiak as Manuel Cortez...
(1947) - Hans Christian AndersenHans Christian Andersen (film)Hans Christian Andersen is a 1952 Hollywood musical film directed by Charles Vidor, with words and music by Frank Loesser. The story was by Myles Connolly, its screenplay was by Moss Hart and Ben Hecht , and was produced by The Samuel Goldwyn Company...
(1952) - Scandal at ScourieScandal at ScourieScandal at Scourie is an American drama movie released in 1953 and starring Greer Garson, Walter Pidgeon "above the title", and co-starring Donna Corcoran.- Plot :...
(1953) - Track of the CatTrack of the CatTrack of the Cat is a William A. Wellman film starring Robert Mitchum and Teresa Wright. The film is based on a 1949 adventure novel of the same name by Walter Van Tilburg Clark. This was Wellman's second adaptation of a Clark novel, the first being The Ox-Bow Incident...
(1954) - Les GirlsLes GirlsLes Girls, also known as Cole Porter's Les Girls, is a 1957 musical comedy film made by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. It was directed by George Cukor, produced by Sol C...
(1957) - Witness for the Prosecution (1957)
- This Earth Is MineThis Earth Is MineThis Earth Is Mine is a 1959 drama film directed by Henry King and starring Rock Hudson and Jean Simmons. The film portrays the lives and loves of the Rambeau family, a California winemaking dynasty trying to survive during Prohibition in the United States.-Summary:Elizabeth , an English cousin of...
(1959) (uncredited)