Cecil Parker (3 September,
1897 – 20 April, 1971) was an English
character
and comedy actor with a distinctive husky voice, who usually played
supporting roles in his 91 films made between 1928 and
1969.
Born
Cecil Schwabe in Hastings
, Sussex, he began his theatrical career in London in
1922 after serving in World War
I. He made his first film appearance in 1928 and
subsequently became a familiar face in British
, and
occasionally American films, until his death. He appeared
less often on television, but many of his films have remained
popular and are often shown.
He acted in two adaptations of
A.
J. Cronin's
novels,
The Citadel
(1938) and
The Stars Look
Down (1940), in addition to appearing in
The Lady Vanishes (1938)
and
Under Capricorn (1949),
both of the later films were directed by
Alfred Hitchcock. Other roles were in
23 Paces to Baker
Street (1956),
Dangerous Moonlight (1941),
Swiss Family
Robinson (1960), and
I
Was Monty's Double (1958), as well as the comedies
A
French Mistress (1960),
The
Ladykillers (1955),
The Man in the White Suit
(1951),
The Court Jester
(1955),
Indiscreet
(1958) and
I Believe in You (1952). Parker was also the
original Charles Condomine in the American production of
Noel Coward's
Blithe Spirit. The role was
originated in London by
Clifton Webb
and played in the 1945 film by
Rex
Harrison.
Often playing a touchy senior officer or British
upper-class character, his last two films were
true to form;
The Magnificent Two (1967) with the British
comedy double act
Morecambe and
Wise and
Richard
Attenborough's version of
Oh! What A Lovely War (1969).
Filmography
External links
(1933)
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