Miles Malleson - Revision history

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	~~{{Short description\|English actor}}~~
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	{{Infobox person		{{Infobox person
	\| name = Miles Malleson		\| name = Miles Malleson
	\| image = ~~Milles_Malleson~~.jpg		\| image = Milles Malleson.jpg
	\| imagesize =		\| imagesize =
	\| caption = Malleson promotional head shot		\| caption = Malleson promotional head shot

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	*{{Screenonline name\|id=874261}}		*{{Screenonline name\|id=874261}}
	*[https://www.greatwartheatre.org.uk/db/person/227/ Plays by Miles Malleson on the Great War Theatre website]		*[https://www.greatwartheatre.org.uk/db/person/227/ Plays by Miles Malleson on the Great War Theatre website]

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	{{DEFAULTSORT:Malleson, Miles}}		{{DEFAULTSORT:Malleson, Miles}}

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en>Leschnei: /* As screenwriter */ fixed my error

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As screenwriter: fixed my error

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{{Short description|English actor}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Miles Malleson
| image = Milles_Malleson.jpg
| imagesize =
| caption = Malleson in ''[[Stage Fright (1950 film)|Stage Fright]]'' (1950)
| birth_name = William Miles Malleson
| birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1888|05|25}}
| birth_place = [[Croydon]], [[Surrey]], [[England]], [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland|UK]]
| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|1969|03|15|1888|05|25}}
| death_place = [[London]], [[England]], [[UK]]
| other_names = Miles Malieson
| occupation = Actor/screenwriter
| years_active = 1921– 1965
| spouse = [[Lady Constance Malleson]] (1915–1923)<br />[[Joan Malleson|Joan G. Billson]] (1923–1940)<br />Tatiana Lieven (1946–1969)
| partner =
}}
'''William Miles Malleson''' (25 May 1888 – 15 March 1969) was an English actor and dramatist, particularly remembered for his appearances in British comedy films of the 1930s to 1960s. Towards the end of his career he also appeared in cameo roles in several [[Hammer Film Productions|Hammer horror]] films, with a fairly large role in ''[[The Brides of Dracula]]'' as the hypochondriac and fee-hungry local doctor. Malleson was also a writer on many films, including some of those in which he had small parts, such as ''[[Nell Gwynn (1934 film)|Nell Gwyn]]'' (1934) and ''[[The Thief of Bagdad (1940 film)|The Thief of Bagdad]]'' (1940). He also translated and adapted several of [[Molière]]'s plays (''[[The Misanthrope]]'', which he titled ''The Slave of Truth'', ''[[Tartuffe]]'' and ''[[The Imaginary Invalid]]'').

==Biography==
Malleson was born in Avondale Road, South Croydon, Surrey, England, the son of Edmund Taylor Malleson (1859-1909), a manufacturing chemist, and Myrrha Bithynia Frances Borrell (1863-1931), a descendant of the [[Numismatics|numismatist]] [[Henry Perigal Borrell]] and the inventor [[Francis Maceroni]]. (Miles' cousin and contemporary, Lucy Malleson, had a long career as a mystery novelist, mostly under the pen name "[[Anthony Gilbert (author)|Anthony Gilbert]]".)

He was educated at [[Brighton College]] and [[Emmanuel College, Cambridge]]. At [[University of Cambridge|Cambridge]], he created a sensation when it was discovered that he had successfully posed as a politician and given a speech instead of the visitor who had failed to attend a debating society dinner.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.powell-pressburger.org/Reviews/Miles/Miles01.html |title=Miles of Characters |author=Catherine De La Roche |date=1 October 1949 |publisher=[[Picturegoer]] magazine}}</ref>

As an undergraduate, Malleson made his first stage appearance in November 1909, playing the slave Sosias in the biennial [[Cambridge Greek Play]] production of Aristophanes' 'The Wasps' presented at the New Theatre, Cambridge.

He turned professional in November 1911. He studied acting at [[Herbert Beerbohm Tree]]'s Academy of Dramatic Art, which later was renamed the [[Royal Academy of Dramatic Art]] (RADA). Here he met his first wife in 1913.

In September 1914, he enlisted in the [[British Army|Army]], and was sent to [[Malta]], but was invalided home and discharged in January 1915. In late 1915, Malleson met [[Clifford Allen, 1st Baron Allen of Hurtwood|Clifford Allen]], who converted Malleson to [[pacifism]] and [[socialism]].<ref name="CA">Arthur Marwick, ''Clifford Allen: the open conspirator''. London, Oliver & Boyd, 1964(pg. 66-67)</ref> Malleson subsequently became a member of the peace organisation, the [[No-Conscription Fellowship]].<ref name="CA" /> By June 1916 he was writing in support of [[conscientious objectors]].<ref>Miles Malleson: ''Cranks and Commonsense'', 1916; Miles Malleson: ''Second Thoughts'', nd [1916]</ref> Malleson wrote two anti-war plays, ''"D" Company'' and ''Black 'Ell''. When the plays were published in book form in 1916, copies were seized from the printers by the police, who described them as "a deliberate calumny on the British soldier".<ref>[[Raphael Samuel]], [[Ewan MacColl]], [[Stuart Cosgrove]], ''Theatres of the left, 1880-1935: Workers' Theatre Movements in Britain and America''London, Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1985. {{ISBN|9780710009012}} (p.25)</ref><ref name="trt">[[John Lucas (poet)|John Lucas]], ''The Radical Twenties: Writing, Politics, and Culture''. Rutgers University Press, 1999 {{ISBN|9780813526829}} (p. 39, 166)</ref> Malleson was a supporter of the [[Bolshevik revolution]] and a founder member of the socialist 1917 Club in Soho. Another play of Malleson's, ''Paddly Pools'', (a children's play with a socialist message) was frequently performed by British amateur dramatic groups in the period after [[World War I]].<ref>Kimberley Reynolds, ''Left Out : the forgotten tradition of radical publishing for children in Britain 1910-1949''. Oxford : [[Oxford University Press]], 2016.{{ISBN|9780191820540}} (pg. 52, 218)</ref>

In the 1920s, Malleson became director of the Arts Guild of the [[Independent Labour Party]]. In this capacity Malleson helped establish amateur dramatics companies across Britain. The Arts Guild also helped stage plays by [[George Bernard Shaw]], [[John Galsworthy]] and [[Laurence Housman]], as well as Malleson's own work.<ref>Ros Merkin, "The Religion of Socialism or a pleasant Sunday afternoon?: the ILP Arts Guild", in Clive Barker and Maggie B. Gale (ed.), ''British Theatre Between the Wars, 1918-1939''. [[Cambridge University Press]], 2000 {{ISBN|9780521624077}} (pgs. 162-189).</ref> His 1934 play ''Six Men of Dorset'' (written with Harvey Brooks), about the [[Tolpuddle Martyrs]], was later performed by local theatre groups under the guidance of the [[Left Book Club]] Theatre Guild.<ref name="trt" /><ref>[[Andy Croft]], ''Red Letter Days : British Fiction in the 1930s''. London : Lawrence & Wishart, 1990. {{ISBN|9780853157298}} (pg. 205)</ref>

Malleson married three times and had many relationships. In 1915, he married writer and aspiring actress [[Lady Constance Malleson]], who was also interested in social reform. Theirs was an [[open marriage]] and they divorced amicably in 1923 so that he could marry [[Joan Malleson|Joan Billson]]; they divorced in 1940. His third wife was Tatiana Lieven, whom he married in 1946 and from whom he had been separated for several years at the time of his death.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=WBVhkj_JAJ8C&pg=PA5 Malleson, Andrew ''Discovering the Family of Miles Malleson 1888 to 1969''] (2012) pg 267 [[Google Books]]</ref>

Malleson had a receding chin and a sharp nose that produced the effect of a double chin. His manner was gentle and absent-minded; his voice, soft and high. He is best remembered for his roles as the Sultan in ''[[The Thief of Bagdad (1940 film)|The Thief of Bagdad]]'' (1940), the poetically-inclined hangman in ''[[Kind Hearts and Coronets]]'' (1949), and as Dr. Chasuble in ''[[The Importance of Being Earnest (1952 film)|The Importance of Being Earnest]]'' (1952). He was capable of excellent classical performances. For example, in 'Sir John Gielgud A Life in Letters', edited by Richard Mangan (Arcade Publishing 2004), p. 74, Gielgud notes that Malleson was 'splendid' as Polonius in Hamlet.

Failing eyesight led to his being unable to work in his last years. He died in March 1969, following [[cataract surgery|surgery to remove cataract]]s and was cremated in a private ceremony. A memorial service was held at [[St Martin-in-the-Fields]] during which [[Sybil Thorndike]] and [[Laurence Olivier]] gave readings.<ref>Malleson, Andrew pg 268</ref>

==Partial filmography==
===As actor===
{{Div col}}
*''[[The Headmaster (film)|The Headmaster]]'' (1921) .... Palliser Grantley
*''[[The W Plan]]'' (1930) .... Minor Role (British Version) (uncredited)
*''[[The Yellow Mask]]'' (1930) .... Minor Role (uncredited)
*''[[Night Birds (film)|Night Birds]]'' (1930) .... Minor Role (uncredited)
*''[[Children of Chance (1930 film)|Children of Chance]]'' (1930) .... Minor Role (uncredited)
*''[[City of Song]]'' (1931) .... Theatre Watchman
*''[[The Woman Between (1931 British film)|The Woman Between]]'' (1931) .... Minor Role (uncredited)
*''[[Sally in Our Alley (1931 film)|Sally in Our Alley]]'' (1931) .... Minor Role (uncredited)
*''[[Night in Montmartre]]'' (1931) .... Minor Role (uncredited)
*''[[The Blue Danube (1932 film)|The Blue Danube]]'' (1932) .... Minor Role (uncredited)
*''[[Frail Women]]'' (1932) .... The Registrar
*''[[The Water Gipsies (film)|The Water Gipsies]]'' (1932) .... Minor Role (uncredited)
*''[[The Sign of Four (1932 film)|The Sign of Four]]'' (1932) .... Thaddeus Sholto
*''[[The Mayor's Nest]]'' (1932) .... Clerk
*''[[Love on Wheels]]'' (1932) .... Academy of Music Porter
*''[[Thark (film)|Thark]]'' (1932)
*''[[The Love Contract]]'' (1932) .... Peters
*''[[Money Means Nothing (1932 film)|Money Means Nothing]]'' (1932) .... Doorman
*''[[Strange Evidence]]'' (1933) .... (uncredited)
*''[[Perfect Understanding]]'' (1933) .... Announcer
*''[[Bitter Sweet (1933 film)|Bitter Sweet]]'' (1933) .... The Butler
*''[[Summer Lightning (film)|Summer Lightning]]'' (1933) .... Beach
*''[[The Queen's Affair]]'' (1934) .... The Chancellor
*''[[Evergreen (film)|Evergreen]]'' (1934) .... Minor Role (uncredited)
*''[[Nell Gwynn (1934 film)|Nell Gwynn]]'' (1934) .... Chiffinch
*''[[Falling in Love (1935 film)|Falling in Love]]'' (1934) .... Minor Role (uncredited)
*''[[Brewster's Millions (1935 film)|Brewster's Millions]]'' (1935) .... Hamilton Higginbottom Button (uncredited)
*''[[Lazybones (1935 film)|Lazybones]]'' (1935) .... Pessimist
*''[[The 39 Steps (1935 film)|The 39 Steps]]'' (1935) .... Palladium Manager (uncredited)
*''[[Vintage Wine]]'' (1935) .... Henri Popinot
*''[[Peg of Old Drury]]'' (1935) .... Minor Role (uncredited)
*''[[Rhodes of Africa]]'' (1936) .... Minor Role (uncredited)
*''[[Tudor Rose (film)|Tudor Rose]]'' (1936) .... Jane's Father
*''[[Knight Without Armour]]'' (1937) .... Drunken Red Commissar
*''[[Victoria the Great]]'' (1937) .... Sir James the Physician
*''[[The Rat (1937 film)|The Rat]]'' (1937) .... Minor Role (uncredited)
*''[[Action for Slander]]'' (1938) .... Minor Role (uncredited)
*''[[A Royal Divorce (1938 film)|A Royal Divorce]]'' (1938) .... Minor Role (uncredited)
*''[[Sixty Glorious Years]]'' (1938) .... Wounded Soldier (uncredited)
*''[[Q Planes]]'' (1939) .... Minor Role (uncredited)
*''[[The Lion Has Wings]]'' (1939) .... Minor Role (uncredited)
*''[[For Freedom (1940 film)|For Freedom]]'' (1940) .... Minor Role
*''[[The Thief of Bagdad (1940 film)|The Thief of Bagdad]]'' (1940) .... Sultan
*''[[Major Barbara (1941 film)|Major Barbara]]'' (1941) .... Morrison
*''[[This Was Paris]]'' (1942) .... Watson, Newspaper Librarian
*''[[They Flew Alone]]'' (1942) .... Vacuum Salesman
*''[[Unpublished Story]]'' (1942) .... Farmfield
*''[[The First of the Few]]'' (1942) .... Vickers Representative (uncredited)
*''[[Thunder Rock (film)|Thunder Rock]]'' (1942) .... Chairman of Directors
*''[[The Gentle Sex]]'' (1943) .... Guard
*''[[The Demi-Paradise]]'' (1943) .... Theatre Cashier
*''[[Dead of Night]]'' (1945) .... Hearse Driver/Bus Conductor
*''[[Journey Together]]'' (1945) .... (uncredited)
*''[[While the Sun Shines]]'' (1947) .... Horton
*''[[The Mark of Cain (1947 film)|The Mark of Cain]]'' (1947) .... Mr. Burden (uncredited)
*''[[One Night with You (1948 film)|One Night with You]]'' (1948) .... Jailer
*''[[The Idol of Paris]]'' (1948) .... Offenbach
*''[[Bond Street (film)|Bond Street]]'' (1948) .... Minor Role (uncredited)
*''[[Saraband for Dead Lovers]]'' (1948) .... Lord of Misrule
*''[[Woman Hater (1948 film)|Woman Hater]]'' (1948) .... Vicar
*''[[The History of Mr. Polly (film)|The History of Mr. Polly]]'' (1949) .... Old gentleman on punt
*''[[Cardboard Cavalier]]'' (1949) .... Judge Gorebucket
*''[[The Queen of Spades (1949 film)|The Queen of Spades]]'' (1949) .... Tchybukin
*''[[The Perfect Woman (1949 film)|The Perfect Woman]]'' (1949) .... Prof. Ernest Belman
*''[[Kind Hearts and Coronets]]'' (1949) .... The Hangman
*''[[Adam and Evelyne]]'' (1949) .... Undetermined Supporting Role (uncredited)
*''[[Train of Events]]'' (1949) .... Johnson, the timekeeper (segment "The Engine Driver")
*''[[Golden Salamander (film)|Golden Salamander]]'' (1950) .... Douvet
*''[[Stage Fright (1950 film)|Stage Fright]]'' (1950) .... Mr. Fortesque
*''[[The Man in the White Suit]]'' (1951) .... The Tailor
*''[[Scrooge (1951 film)|Scrooge]]'' (1951) .... Old Joe
*''[[The Magic Box]]'' (1951) .... Orchestra Conductor
*''[[The Woman's Angle]]'' (1952) .... A. Secrett
*''[[The Happy Family (1952 film)|The Happy Family]]'' (1952) .... Mr. Thwaites
*''[[Treasure Hunt (1952 film)|Treasure Hunt]]'' (1952) .... Mr. Walsh
*''[[The Importance of Being Earnest (1952 film)|The Importance of Being Earnest]]'' (1952) .... Canon Chasuble
*''[[Venetian Bird]]'' (1952) .... Grespi
*''[[Trent's Last Case (film)|Trent's Last Case]]'' (1952) .... Burton Cupples
*''[[Folly to Be Wise]]'' (1953) .... Dr. Hector McAdam
*''[[The Captain's Paradise]]'' (1953) .... Lawrence St. James
*''[[Geordie (film)|Geordie]]'' (1955) .... Lord Paunceton
*''[[King's Rhapsody (film)|King's Rhapsody]]'' (1955) .... Jules
*''[[Private's Progress]]'' (1956) .... Mr. Windrush Snr.
*''[[The Man Who Never Was]]'' (1956) .... Scientist
*''[[The Silken Affair]]'' (1956) .... Mr. Blucher
*''[[Dry Rot (film)|Dry Rot]]'' (1956) .... Yokel
*''[[Three Men in a Boat (1956 film)|Three Men in a Boat]]'' (1956 film) .... Baskcomb, 2nd Old Gentleman
*''[[Brothers in Law (film)|Brothers in Law]]'' (1957) .... Kendall Grimes QC
*''[[The Admirable Crichton (1957 film)|The Admirable Crichton]]'' (1957) .... Vicar
*''[[Campbell's Kingdom]]'' (1957) .... Minor Role (uncredited)
*''[[Barnacle Bill (1957 film)|Barnacle Bill]]'' (1957) .... Angler
*''[[The Naked Truth (1957 film)|The Naked Truth]]'' (1957) .... Rev. Cedric Bastable
*''[[Happy Is the Bride]]'' (1958) .... 1st Magistrate
*''[[Gideon's Day (film)|Gideon's Day]]'' (1958) .... The Judge
*''[[Dracula (1958 film)|Dracula]]'' (1958) .... Undertaker
*''[[Behind the Mask (1958 film)|Behind the Mask]]'' (1958) .... Sir Oswald Pettiford
*''[[Bachelor of Hearts]]'' (1958) .... Dr. Butson
*''[[Kidnapped (1960 film)|Kidnapped]]'' (1959) .... Mr. Rankeillor
*''[[The Captain's Table]]'' (1959) .... Canon Swingler
*''[[Carlton-Browne of the F.O.]]'' (1959) .... Resident Advisor Davidson
*''[[The Hound of the Baskervilles (1959 film)|The Hound of the Baskervilles]]'' (1959) .... Bishop
*''[[I'm All Right Jack]]'' (1959) .... Windrush Snr.
*''[[And the Same to You]]'' (1960) .... Bishop
*''[[Peeping Tom (1960 film)|Peeping Tom]]'' (1960) .... Elderly Gentleman Customer
*''[[The Day They Robbed the Bank of England]]'' (1960) .... Assistant Curator
*''[[The Brides of Dracula]]'' (1960) .... Dr. Tobler
*''[[The Hellfire Club (film)|The Hellfire Club]]'' (1961) .... Judge
*''[[Fury at Smugglers' Bay]]'' (1961) .... Duke of Avon
*''[[Double Bunk]]'' (1961) .... Reverend Thomas
*''[[Postman's Knock (film)|Postman's Knock]]'' (1962) .... Psychiatrist
*''[[Go to Blazes (1962 film)|Go to Blazes]]'' (1962) .... Salesman
*''[[The Phantom of the Opera (1962 film)|The Phantom of the Opera]]'' (1962) .... 2nd Cabby
*''[[The Brain (1962 film)|The Brain]]'' (1962) .... Dr. Miller
*''[[Call Me Bwana]]'' (1963) .... Psychiatrist (uncredited)
*''[[Heavens Above!]]'' (1963) .... Rockeby
*''[[Circus World (film)|Circus World]]'' (1964) .... Billy Hennigan
*''[[First Men in the Moon (1964 film)|First Men in the Moon]]'' (1964) .... Dymchurch Registrar
*''[[Murder Ahoy!]]'' (1964) .... Bishop Faulkner
*''[[A Jolly Bad Fellow]]'' (1964) .... Dr. Woolley
*''[[You Must Be Joking! (1965 film)|You Must Be Joking!]]'' (1965) .... Salesman (final film role)
{{div col end}}

===As screenwriter===
{{div col}}
* ''[[Night Birds (film)|Night Birds]]'' (1930)
* ''[[The W Plan]]'' (1930)
* ''[[Two Worlds (1930 British film)|Two Worlds]]'' (1930)
* ''[[A Night in Montmartre]]'' (1931)
* ''[[Children of Fortune]]'' (1931)
* ''[[City of Song]]'' (1931)
* ''[[Sally in Our Alley (1931 film)|Sally in Our Alley]]'' (1931)
* ''[[The Water Gipsies (film)|The Water Gipsies]]'' (1932)
* ''[[Strange Evidence]]'' (1933)
* ''[[Lorna Doone (1934 film)|Lorna Doone]]'' (1934)
*''[[Nell Gwynn (1934 film)|Nell Gwyn]]'' (1934)
*''[[Tudor Rose (film)|Tudor Rose]]'' (1936)
*''[[Victoria the Great]]'' (1937)
*''[[Action for Slander]]'' (1937)
*''[[The Thief of Bagdad (1940 film)|The Thief of Bagdad]]'' (1940)
*''[[The First of the Few]]'' (1942)
*''[[They Flew Alone]]'' (1942)
*''[[Squadron Leader X]]'' (1943)
*''[[The Adventures of Tartu]]'' (1943) (uncredited)
*''[[They Met in the Dark]]'' (1943)
*''[[Yellow Canary (film)|Yellow Canary]]'' (1943)
{{div col end}}

==Playwright credits==
*''Youth'' A Play in Three Acts
*''The Little White Thought'' A Fantastic Scrap
* ''"D" Company''
* ''Six men of Dorset: A play in three acts'' (with Harvey Brooks)
*''Paddly Pools: A Little Fairy Play''
*''The Bet: A Play in One Act'' (based on a short story by Chekov)
*''Black 'Ell'' (1916); Malleson's anti-war play was refused permission for performance in 1916, and not produced in the UK until 1925
*''Michael'' (1917) adapted from the short story ''What Men Live By'' by [[Leo Tolstoy]]
*''The Artist'' (1919) adapted from the short story ''An Artist's Story'' by [[Anton Chekhov]]
*''Conflict'' (1925) Revived by [[Mint Theater Company]] in June 2018 <ref>{{cite news |last1=Teachout |first1=Terry |title='Conflict' Review: A Political Play Without Preaching |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/conflict-review-a-political-play-without-preaching-1529627400 |access-date=5 February 2021 |publisher=The Wall Street Journal |date=June 21, 2018}}</ref>
*''Yours Unfaithfully'' (1933); Revived by [[Mint Theater Company]] in 2016. Performed off-Broadway in New York City for a limited run in early-2017 starring [[Max von Essen]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Soloski |first1=Alexis |title=Review: ‘Yours Unfaithfully,’ on an Open Marriage and Its Pitfalls |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/26/theater/yours-unfaithfully-review.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=5 February 2021}}</ref>
* ''[[The Glorious Days]]'' (1952) musical play, co-wrote the book with [[Robert Nesbitt (theatre director)|Robert Nesbitt]]
*''Molière: Three Plays'' (1960); contains The Slave of Truth (Le Misanthrope), Tartuffe and The Imaginary Invalid

==Translation work==
Malleson translated many plays by Molière, including ''[[Le bourgeois gentilhomme]]'', ''[[L'avare]]'', ''[[L'école des femmes]]'',<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.swantheatrecompany.co.uk/school_for_wives/ |title=Swan Theatre Company School for Wives production}}</ref> ''[[Le Misanthrope]]'', ''[[Tartuffe]]'', ''[[Le malade imaginaire]]'' and the one-act play ''[[Sganarelle]]''. He also adapted a German play, ''Flieger'', by [[Hermann Rossmann]], under the English title ''The Ace''. This was later filmed as ''[[Hell in the Heavens]]''.

He wrote the subtitles for a filmed version of a Comédie Française production of ''Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme'', which was shown at the [[Academy Cinema]] in London in 1962.<ref>''[[Daily Telegraph]]'' 23 December 1982, p.8</ref>

==Vocal work==

In 1964, he, [[Roger Livesey]], [[Terry-Thomas]], [[Rita Webb]], [[Avril Angers]], and [[Judith Furse]], recorded 'Indian Summer of an Uncle', and 'Jeeves Takes Charge' for the [[Caedmon Audio]] record label, (Caedmon Audio TC-1137-s).

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{find a Grave|21063116}}
*{{IMDb name|0539942}}
*{{Screenonline name|id=874261}}
*[https://www.greatwartheatre.org.uk/db/person/227/ Plays by Miles Malleson on the Great War Theatre website]

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Malleson, Miles}}
[[Category:Alumni of Emmanuel College, Cambridge]]
[[Category:English male film actors]]
[[Category:English male screenwriters]]
[[Category:People from Croydon]]
[[Category:People educated at Brighton College]]
[[Category:1888 births]]
[[Category:1969 deaths]]
[[Category:20th-century English male actors]]
[[Category:British male comedy actors]]
[[Category:Pranksters]]
[[Category:English dramatists and playwrights]]
[[Category:English socialists]]
[[Category:English pacifists]]
[[Category:20th-century English screenwriters]]
[[Category:20th-century English male writers]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:59, 16 August 2022
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	\| image = Milles_Malleson.jpg		\| image = Milles_Malleson.jpg
	\| imagesize =		\| imagesize =
	\| caption = Malleson ~~in ''[[Stage Fright (1950 film)\|Stage Fright]]'' (1950)~~		\| caption = Malleson promotional head shot
	\| birth_name = William Miles Malleson		\| birth_name = William Miles Malleson
	\| birth_date = {{Birth date\|df=yes\|1888\|05\|25}}		\| birth_date = {{Birth date\|df=yes\|1888\|05\|25}}
	\| birth_place = [[Croydon]], [[Surrey]], [[England]], [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland\|UK]]		\| birth_place = [[w:Croydon\|Croydon]], [[w:Surrey\|Surrey]], [[w:England\|England]], [[w:United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland\|UK]]
	\| death_date = {{Death date and age\|df=yes\|1969\|03\|15\|1888\|05\|25}}		\| death_date = {{Death date and age\|df=yes\|1969\|03\|15\|1888\|05\|25}}
	\| death_place = [[London]], [[England]], [[UK]]		\| death_place = [[w:London\|London]], England, UK
	\| other_names = Miles Malieson		\| other_names = Miles Malieson
	\| occupation = Actor/screenwriter		\| occupation = Actor/screenwriter
	\| years_active = 1921– 1965		\| years_active = 1921– 1965
	\| spouse = [[Lady Constance Malleson]] (1915–1923)<br />[[Joan Malleson\|Joan G. Billson]] (1923–1940)<br />Tatiana Lieven (1946–1969)		\| spouse = [[w:Lady Constance Malleson\|Lady Constance Malleson]] (1915–1923)<br />[[w:Joan Malleson\|Joan G. Billson]] (1923–1940)<br />Tatiana Lieven (1946–1969)
	\| partner =		\| partner =
	}}		}}
	'''William Miles Malleson''' (25 May 1888 – 15 March 1969) was an English actor and dramatist, particularly remembered for his appearances in British comedy films of the 1930s to 1960s. Towards the end of his career he also appeared in cameo roles in several [[Hammer Film Productions\|Hammer horror]] films, with a fairly large role in ''[[The Brides of Dracula]]'' as the hypochondriac and fee-hungry local doctor. Malleson was also a writer on many films, including some of those in which he had small parts, such as ''[[Nell Gwynn (1934 film)\|Nell Gwyn]]'' (1934) and ''[[The Thief of Bagdad (1940 film)\|The Thief of Bagdad]]'' (1940). He also translated and adapted several of [[Molière]]'s plays (''[[The Misanthrope]]'', which he ~~titled~~ ''The Slave of Truth'', ''[[Tartuffe]]'' and ''[[The Imaginary Invalid]]'').		'''William Miles Malleson''' (25 May 1888 – 15 March 1969) was an English actor and dramatist, particularly remembered for his appearances in British comedy films of the 1930s to 1960s. Towards the end of his career he also appeared in cameo roles in several [[w:Hammer Film Productions\|Hammer horror]] films, with a fairly large role in ''[[w:The Brides of Dracula\|The Brides of Dracula]]'' as the hypochondriac and fee-hungry local doctor. Malleson was also a writer on many films, including some of those in which he had small parts, such as ''[[w:Nell Gwynn (1934 film)\|Nell Gwyn]]'' (1934) and ''[[w:The Thief of Bagdad (1940 film)\|The Thief of Bagdad]]'' (1940). He also translated and adapted several of [[w:Molière\|Molière]]'s plays (''[[w:The Misanthrope\|The Misanthrope]]'', which he entitled ''The Slave of Truth'', ''[[w:Tartuffe\|Tartuffe]]'' and ''[[w:The Imaginary Invalid\|The Imaginary Invalid]]'').

	==Biography==		==Biography==
	Malleson was born in Avondale Road, South Croydon, Surrey, England, the son of Edmund Taylor Malleson (1859-1909), a manufacturing chemist, and Myrrha Bithynia Frances Borrell (1863-1931), a descendant of the [[Numismatics\|numismatist]] [[Henry Perigal Borrell]] and the inventor [[Francis Maceroni]]. (Miles' cousin and contemporary, Lucy Malleson, had a long career as a mystery novelist, mostly under the pen name "[[Anthony Gilbert (author)\|Anthony Gilbert]]".)		Malleson was born in Avondale Road, South Croydon, Surrey, England, the son of Edmund Taylor Malleson (1859-1909), a manufacturing chemist, and Myrrha Bithynia Frances Borrell (1863-1931), a descendant of the [[w:Numismatics\|numismatist]] [[w:Henry Perigal Borrell\|Henry Perigal Borrell]] and the inventor [[w:Francis Maceroni\|Francis Maceroni]]. (Miles' cousin and contemporary, Lucy Malleson, had a long career as a mystery novelist, mostly under the pen name "[[w:Anthony Gilbert (author)\|Anthony Gilbert]]".)

	He was educated at [[Brighton College]] and [[Emmanuel College, Cambridge]]. At [[University of Cambridge\|Cambridge]], he created a sensation when it was discovered that he had successfully posed as a politician and given a speech instead of the visitor who had failed to attend a debating society dinner.<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.powell-pressburger.org/Reviews/Miles/Miles01.html \|title=Miles of Characters \|author=Catherine De La Roche \|date=1 October 1949 \|publisher=[[Picturegoer]] magazine}}</ref>		He was educated at [[w:Brighton College\|Brighton College]] and [[w:Emmanuel College, Cambridge\|Emmanuel College]]. At [[w:University of Cambridge\|Cambridge]], he created a sensation when it was discovered that he had successfully posed as a politician and given a speech instead of the visitor who had failed to attend a debating society dinner.<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.powell-pressburger.org/Reviews/Miles/Miles01.html \|title=Miles of Characters \|author=Catherine De La Roche \|date=1 October 1949 \|publisher=[[w:Picturegoer]] magazine}}</ref>

	As an undergraduate, Malleson made his first stage appearance in November 1909, playing the slave Sosias in the biennial [[Cambridge Greek Play]] production of Aristophanes' 'The Wasps' presented at the New Theatre, Cambridge.		As an undergraduate, Malleson made his first stage appearance in November 1909, playing the slave Sosias in the biennial [[w:Cambridge Greek Play\|Cambridge Greek Play]] production of Aristophanes' 'The Wasps' presented at the New Theatre, Cambridge.

	He turned professional in November 1911. He studied acting at [[Herbert Beerbohm Tree]]'s Academy of Dramatic Art, which later was renamed the [[Royal Academy of Dramatic Art]] (RADA). Here he met his first wife in 1913.		He turned professional in November 1911. He studied acting at [[w:Herbert Beerbohm Tree\|Herbert Beerbohm Tree]]'s Academy of Dramatic Art, which later was renamed the [[w:Royal Academy of Dramatic Art\|Royal Academy of Dramatic Art]] (RADA). Here he met his first wife in 1913.

	In September 1914, he enlisted in the [[British Army\|Army]], and was sent to [[Malta]], but was invalided home and discharged in January 1915. In late 1915, Malleson met [[Clifford Allen, 1st Baron Allen of Hurtwood\|Clifford Allen]], who converted Malleson to [[pacifism]] and [[socialism]].<ref name="CA">Arthur Marwick, ''Clifford Allen: the open conspirator''. London, Oliver & Boyd, 1964(pg. 66-67)</ref> Malleson subsequently became a member of the peace organisation, the [[No-Conscription Fellowship]].<ref name="CA" /> By June 1916 he was writing in support of [[conscientious objectors]].<ref>Miles Malleson: ''Cranks and Commonsense'', 1916; Miles Malleson: ''Second Thoughts'', nd [1916]</ref> Malleson wrote two anti-war plays, ''"D" Company'' and ''Black 'Ell''. When the plays were published in book form in 1916, copies were seized from the printers by the police, who described them as "a deliberate calumny on the British soldier".<ref>[[Raphael Samuel]], [[Ewan MacColl]], [[Stuart Cosgrove]], ''Theatres of the left, 1880-1935: Workers' Theatre Movements in Britain and America''London, Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1985. {{ISBN\|9780710009012}} (p.25)</ref><ref name="trt">[[John Lucas (poet)\|John Lucas]], ''The Radical Twenties: Writing, Politics, and Culture''. Rutgers University Press, 1999 {{ISBN\|9780813526829}} (p. 39, 166)</ref> Malleson was a supporter of the [[Bolshevik revolution]] and a founder member of the socialist 1917 Club in Soho. Another play of Malleson's, ''Paddly Pools'', (a children's play with a socialist message) was frequently performed by British amateur dramatic groups in the period after [[World War I]].<ref>Kimberley Reynolds, ''Left Out : the forgotten tradition of radical publishing for children in Britain 1910-1949''. Oxford : [[Oxford University Press]], 2016.{{ISBN\|9780191820540}} (pg. 52, 218)</ref>		In September 1914, he enlisted in the [[w:British Army\|Army]], and was sent to [[w:Malta\|Malta]], but was invalided home and discharged in January 1915. In late 1915, Malleson met [[w:Clifford Allen, 1st Baron Allen of Hurtwood\|Clifford Allen]], who converted Malleson to [[w:pacifism\|pacifism]] and [[w:socialism\|socialism]].<ref name="CA">Arthur Marwick, ''Clifford Allen: the open conspirator''. London, Oliver & Boyd, 1964(pg. 66-67)</ref> Malleson subsequently became a member of the peace organisation, the [[w:No-Conscription Fellowship\|No-Conscription Fellowship]].<ref name="CA" /> By June 1916 he was writing in support of [[w:conscientious objectors\|conscientious objectors]].<ref>Miles Malleson: ''Cranks and Commonsense'', 1916; Miles Malleson: ''Second Thoughts'', nd [1916]</ref> Malleson wrote two anti-war plays, ''"D" Company'' and ''Black 'Ell''. When the plays were published in book form in 1916, copies were seized from the printers by the police, who described them as "a deliberate calumny on the British soldier".<ref>[[w:Raphael Samuel\|]], [[w:Ewan MacColl\|]], [[w:Stuart Cosgrove\|]], ''Theatres of the left, 1880-1935: Workers' Theatre Movements in Britain and America''London, Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1985. {{ISBN\|9780710009012}} (p.25)</ref><ref name="trt">[[w:John Lucas (poet)\|John Lucas]], ''The Radical Twenties: Writing, Politics, and Culture''. Rutgers University Press, 1999 {{ISBN\|9780813526829}} (p. 39, 166)</ref> Malleson was a supporter of the [[w:Bolshevik revolution\|Bolshevik revolution]] and a founder member of the socialist 1917 Club in Soho. Another play of Malleson's, ''Paddly Pools'', (a children's play with a socialist message) was frequently performed by British amateur dramatic groups in the period after [[w:World War I\|World War I]].<ref>Kimberley Reynolds, ''Left Out : the forgotten tradition of radical publishing for children in Britain 1910-1949''. Oxford : [[w:Oxford University Press\|]], 2016.{{ISBN\|9780191820540}} (pg. 52, 218)</ref>

	In the 1920s, Malleson became director of the Arts Guild of the [[Independent Labour Party]]. In this capacity Malleson helped establish amateur dramatics companies across Britain. The Arts Guild also helped stage plays by [[George Bernard Shaw]], [[John Galsworthy]] and [[Laurence Housman]], as well as Malleson's own work.<ref>Ros Merkin, "The Religion of Socialism or a pleasant Sunday afternoon?: the ILP Arts Guild", in Clive Barker and Maggie B. Gale (ed.), ''British Theatre Between the Wars, 1918-1939''. [[Cambridge University Press]], 2000 {{ISBN\|9780521624077}} (pgs. 162-189).</ref> His 1934 play ''Six Men of Dorset'' (written with Harvey Brooks), about the [[Tolpuddle Martyrs]], was later performed by local theatre groups under the guidance of the [[Left Book Club]] Theatre Guild.<ref name="trt" /><ref>[[Andy Croft]], ''Red Letter Days : British Fiction in the 1930s''. London : Lawrence & Wishart, 1990. {{ISBN\|9780853157298}} (pg. 205)</ref>		In the 1920s, Malleson became director of the Arts Guild of the [[w:Independent Labour Party\|Independent Labour Party]]. In this capacity Malleson helped establish amateur dramatics companies across Britain. The Arts Guild also helped stage plays by [[w:George Bernard Shaw\|George Bernard Shaw]], [[w:John Galsworthy\|John Galsworthy]] and [[w:Laurence Housman\|Laurence Housman]], as well as Malleson's own work.<ref>Ros Merkin, "The Religion of Socialism or a pleasant Sunday afternoon?: the ILP Arts Guild", in Clive Barker and Maggie B. Gale (ed.), ''British Theatre Between the Wars, 1918-1939''. [[w:Cambridge University Press\|]], 2000 {{ISBN\|9780521624077}} (pgs. 162-189).</ref> His 1934 play ''Six Men of Dorset'' (written with Harvey Brooks), about the [[w:Tolpuddle Martyrs\|Tolpuddle Martyrs]], was later performed by local theatre groups under the guidance of the [[w:Left Book Club\|Left Book Club]] Theatre Guild.<ref name="trt" /><ref>[[Andy Croft]], ''Red Letter Days : British Fiction in the 1930s''. London : Lawrence & Wishart, 1990. {{ISBN\|9780853157298}} (pg. 205)</ref>

	Malleson married three times and had many relationships. In 1915, he married writer and aspiring actress [[Lady Constance Malleson]], who was also interested in social reform. Theirs was an [[open marriage]] and they divorced amicably in 1923 so that he could marry [[Joan Malleson\|Joan Billson]]; they divorced in 1940. His third wife was Tatiana Lieven, whom he married in 1946 and from whom he had been separated for several years at the time of his death.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=WBVhkj_JAJ8C&pg=PA5 Malleson, Andrew ''Discovering the Family of Miles Malleson 1888 to 1969''] (2012) pg 267 [[Google Books]]</ref>		Malleson married three times and had many relationships. In 1915, he married writer and aspiring actress [[w:Lady Constance Malleson\|Lady Constance Malleson]], who was also interested in social reform. Theirs was an [[w:open marriage\|open marriage]] and they divorced amicably in 1923 so that he could marry [[w:Joan Malleson\|Joan Billson]]; they divorced in 1940. His third wife was Tatiana Lieven, whom he married in 1946 and from whom he had been separated for several years at the time of his death.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=WBVhkj_JAJ8C&pg=PA5 Malleson, Andrew ''Discovering the Family of Miles Malleson 1888 to 1969''] (2012) pg 267 [[w:Google Books\|]]</ref>

	Malleson had a receding chin and a sharp nose that produced the effect of a double chin. His manner was gentle and absent-minded; his voice, soft and high. He is best remembered for his roles as the Sultan in ''[[The Thief of Bagdad (1940 film)\|The Thief of Bagdad]]'' (1940), the poetically-inclined hangman in ''[[Kind Hearts and Coronets]]'' (1949), and as Dr. Chasuble in ''[[The Importance of Being Earnest (1952 film)\|The Importance of Being Earnest]]'' (1952). He was capable of excellent classical performances. For example, in 'Sir John Gielgud A Life in Letters', edited by Richard Mangan (Arcade Publishing 2004), p. 74, Gielgud notes that Malleson was 'splendid' as Polonius in Hamlet.		Malleson had a receding chin and a sharp nose that produced the effect of a double chin. His manner was gentle and absent-minded; his voice, soft and high. He is best remembered for his roles as the Sultan in ''[[w:The Thief of Bagdad (1940 film)\|The Thief of Bagdad]]'' (1940), the poetically-inclined hangman in ''[[w:Kind Hearts and Coronets\|Kind Hearts and Coronets]]'' (1949), and as Dr. Chasuble in ''[[w:The Importance of Being Earnest (1952 film)\|The Importance of Being Earnest]]'' (1952). He was capable of excellent classical performances. For example, in 'Sir John Gielgud A Life in Letters', edited by Richard Mangan (Arcade Publishing 2004), p. 74, Gielgud notes that Malleson was 'splendid' as Polonius in Hamlet.

	Failing eyesight led to his being unable to work in his last years. He died in March 1969, following [[cataract surgery\|surgery to remove cataract]]s and was cremated in a private ceremony. A memorial service was held at [[St Martin-in-the-Fields]] during which [[Sybil Thorndike]] and [[Laurence Olivier]] gave readings.<ref>Malleson, Andrew pg 268</ref>		Failing eyesight led to his being unable to work in his last years. He died in March 1969, following [[w:cataract surgery\|surgery to remove cataract]]s and was cremated in a private ceremony. A memorial service was held at [[w:St Martin-in-the-Fields]] during which [[w:Sybil Thorndike\|Sybil Thorndike]] and [[w:Laurence Olivier\|Laurence Olivier]] gave readings.<ref>Malleson, Andrew pg 268</ref>

	==Partial filmography==		==Partial filmography==