Vic Oliver: Difference between revisions
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{{short description|Austrian-born British actor and radio comedian (1898–1964)}} | {{short description|Austrian-born British actor and radio comedian (1898–1964)}} | ||
{{Infobox person | {{Infobox person | ||
| name = Vic Oliver | | name = Vic Oliver | ||
| native_name_lang = | | native_name_lang = | ||
| image = | | image = Actor Vic Oliver.jpg | ||
| alt = | | alt = | ||
| caption = | | caption = | ||
| birth_name = Victor Oliver von Samek | | birth_name = Victor Oliver von Samek | ||
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1898|07|08|df=yes}} | | birth_date = {{Birth date|1898|07|08|df=yes}} | ||
| birth_place = [[Vienna]], [[Austria-Hungary]] | | birth_place = [[w:Vienna|Vienna]], [[w:Austria-Hungary|Austria-Hungary]] | ||
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1964|08|15|1898|07|08|df=yes}} | | death_date = {{Death date and age|1964|08|15|1898|07|08|df=yes}} | ||
| death_place = [[Johannesburg]], [[Union of South Africa|South Africa]] | | death_place = [[w:Johannesburg|Johannesburg]], [[w:Union of South Africa|South Africa]] | ||
| resting_place = [[w:Golders Green Crematorium|Golders Green Crematorium]], London, England | |||
| resting_place = [[Golders Green Crematorium]], London, England | |||
| monuments = | | monuments = | ||
| nationality = | | nationality = | ||
| other_names = | | other_names = | ||
| alma_mater = [[Vienna University]] | | alma_mater = [[w:Vienna University|Vienna University]] | ||
| occupation = {{hlist|Actor|radio comedian}} | | occupation = {{hlist|Actor|radio comedian}} | ||
| years_active = | | years_active = | ||
| known_for = | | known_for = | ||
| notable_works = | | notable_works = | ||
| | | spouse = | ||
{{marriage|[[w:Sarah Millicent Hermione Churchill|Sarah Millicent Hermione Churchill]]|1936|1945|end=div}} | |||
{{marriage|Natalie Frances Conder|1946}} | |||
| children = 1 | | children = 1 | ||
| parents = Baron Viktor von Samek<br>Charlotte Wallner | | parents = Baron Viktor von Samek<br>Charlotte Wallner | ||
| Line 45: | Line 28: | ||
| module = {{Infobox military person|embed=yes | | module = {{Infobox military person|embed=yes | ||
| allegiance = Austro-Hungarian Empire | | allegiance = Austro-Hungarian Empire | ||
| branch = [[Austro-Hungarian Army]] | | branch = [[w:Austro-Hungarian Army|Austro-Hungarian Army]] | ||
| battles = [[First World War]] | | battles = [[w:First World War|First World War]] | ||
| awards = | | awards = | ||
}} | }} | ||
| Line 53: | Line 36: | ||
==Early life== | ==Early life== | ||
He was born in [[Vienna]] into a Jewish family, the son of Baron Viktor von Samek. He studied medicine at [[Vienna University]] but abandoned it for his first love, music. For a time he studied under [[Mahler]]. During the [[First World War]] he served in the Austrian Cavalry. After the war he worked as a banker and a textile manufacturer before returning to music. In 1926 he visited the [[United States]] as a conductor and violinist. | He was born in [[w:Vienna|Vienna]] into a Jewish family, the son of Baron Viktor von Samek. He studied medicine at [[w:Vienna University|Vienna University]] but abandoned it for his first love, music. For a time he studied under [[w:Mahler|Mahler]]. During the [[w:First World War|First World War]] he served in the Austrian Cavalry. After the war he worked as a banker and a textile manufacturer before returning to music. In 1926 he visited the [[w:United States|United States]] as a conductor and violinist. | ||
==Acting career== | ==Acting career== | ||
He discovered his gift for comedy by chance when he had to apologise to his audience for something. A new career as a comedian took him all over the United States. He reached the [[Palace Theatre (New York City)|Palace Theatre]], [[New York City|New York]], in 1929 and the [[London Palladium]] two years later. This established him in the United Kingdom and, with his deferential, modest humour, he became very popular. He was kept busy in musical revues, variety and pantomime.<ref name=Times>Obituary, The Times Online, Monday, 17 August 1964; p. 10, accessed 13 February 2015</ref> | He discovered his gift for comedy by chance when he had to apologise to his audience for something. A new career as a comedian took him all over the United States. He reached the [[w:Palace Theatre (New York City)|Palace Theatre]], [[w:New York City|New York]], in 1929 and the [[w:London Palladium|London Palladium]] two years later. This established him in the United Kingdom and, with his deferential, modest humour, he became very popular. He was kept busy in musical revues, variety and pantomime.<ref name=Times>Obituary, The Times Online, Monday, 17 August 1964; p. 10, accessed 13 February 2015</ref> | ||
He was [[Roy Plomley]]'s first "castaway" guest on ''[[Desert Island Discs]]'', on 29 January 1942.<ref name="bbc"/> This lost broadcast was recalled in 2012 in a BBC radio documentary about Oliver's life in Britain.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01b1ljw |title=Vic Oliver: The First Castaway Remembered – BBC Radio 4 Extra |website=BBC |language=en-GB |access-date=17 June 2018}}</ref> | He was [[w:Roy Plomley|Roy Plomley]]'s first "castaway" guest on ''[[w:Desert Island Discs|Desert Island Discs]]'', on 29 January 1942.<ref name="bbc"/> This lost broadcast was recalled in 2012 in a BBC radio documentary about Oliver's life in Britain.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01b1ljw |title=Vic Oliver: The First Castaway Remembered – BBC Radio 4 Extra |website=BBC |language=en-GB |access-date=17 June 2018}}</ref> | ||
He starred in the [[BBC]] radio show ''[[Hi Gang! (radio series)|Hi, Gang!]]''<ref name=Times/> and appeared in many others, including ''Discord in Three Flats'' (1962) with [[Cicely Courtneidge]] and [[Jack Hulbert]]. He played the violin (deliberately badly in his shows). He had aspirations as a conductor and founded the Vic Oliver Concert Orchestra, which gave light classical concerts as well as complete opera performances.<ref name="bbc"/> In 1953 he established ''[[Variety Playhouse (Radio Show)|Variety Playhouse]]'' as a primetime radio show featuring music, comedy and light drama. The show did not survive him.<ref name=Times/> | He starred in the [[w:BBC|BBC]] radio show ''[[w:Hi Gang! (radio series)|Hi, Gang!]]''<ref name=Times/> and appeared in many others, including ''Discord in Three Flats'' (1962) with [[Cicely Courtneidge]] and [[Jack Hulbert]]. He played the violin (deliberately badly in his shows). He had aspirations as a conductor and founded the Vic Oliver Concert Orchestra, which gave light classical concerts as well as complete opera performances.<ref name="bbc"/> In 1953 he established ''[[w:Variety Playhouse (Radio Show)|Variety Playhouse]]'' as a primetime radio show featuring music, comedy and light drama. The show did not survive him.<ref name=Times/> | ||
He was a regular on ''[[Henry Hall (bandleader)|Henry Hall]]'s Guest Night'' and ''[[Workers' Playtime (radio programme)|Workers' Playtime]]'' and, as a music-based comedian, has been considered a precursor of [[Victor Borge]]. | He was a regular on ''[[w:Henry Hall (bandleader)|Henry Hall]]'s Guest Night'' and ''[[w:Workers' Playtime (radio programme)|Workers' Playtime]]'' and, as a music-based comedian, has been considered a precursor of [[w:Victor Borge|Victor Borge]]. | ||
==Personal life== | ==Personal life== | ||
Oliver played [[tennis]], [[Association football|football]] and [[Field hockey|hockey]] as a youth and became junior tennis champion of Austria in 1914.<ref name="Haynes" /> After arriving in the United Kingdom in 1936, Oliver became a supporter of [[Football League First Division|First Division]] club [[Brentford F.C.|Brentford]] and was vice-president of the club in the early 1950s.<ref name="Haynes">{{Cite book |title=A-Z Of Bees: Brentford Encyclopaedia |last=Haynes |first=Graham |date=1998 |publisher=Yore Publications |isbn=1-874427-57-7 |pages=100–101}}</ref> He later became president of the Brentford Supporters' Club.<ref name="Haynes" /> | Oliver played [[w:tennis|tennis]], [[w:Association football|football]] and [[w:Field hockey|hockey]] as a youth and became junior tennis champion of Austria in 1914.<ref name="Haynes" /> After arriving in the United Kingdom in 1936, Oliver became a supporter of [[w:Football League First Division|First Division]] club [[w:Brentford F.C.|Brentford]] and was vice-president of the club in the early 1950s.<ref name="Haynes">{{Cite book |title=A-Z Of Bees: Brentford Encyclopaedia |last=Haynes |first=Graham |date=1998 |publisher=Yore Publications |isbn=1-874427-57-7 |pages=100–101}}</ref> He later became president of the Brentford Supporters' Club.<ref name="Haynes" /> | ||
As a Jew, his name was reportedly listed on a [[Nazi]] [[blacklist]] (known as "[[The Black Book (list)|The Black Book]]") of people to be arrested and killed immediately in the event of a successful German invasion of Britain.<ref name="bbc" /> | As a Jew, his name was reportedly listed on a [[w:Nazi|Nazi]] [[w:blacklist|blacklist]] (known as "[[w:The Black Book (list)|The Black Book]]") of people to be arrested and killed immediately in the event of a successful German invasion of Britain.<ref name="bbc" /> | ||
Oliver married [[Winston Churchill]]'s daughter, [[Sarah Millicent Hermione Churchill|Sarah]], in 1936. They had become secretly engaged when they were appearing together in a [[C.B. Cochran]] revue. Churchill did not approve of him. This was nothing whatever against Oliver's character, but he had been divorced at least once, possibly twice. Some thought there was negativity also towards those involved with music halls.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Winston Churchill |last=Taylor |first=Robert Lewis |date=1952 |publisher=Pocket Books |page=375 |language=en |asin=B000L3RZ72}}</ref> | Oliver married [[w:Winston Churchill|Winston Churchill]]'s daughter, [[w:Sarah Millicent Hermione Churchill|Sarah]], in 1936. They had become secretly engaged when they were appearing together in a [[w:C.B. Cochran|C.B. Cochran]] revue. Churchill did not approve of him. This was nothing whatever against Oliver's character, but he had been divorced at least once, possibly twice. Some thought there was negativity also towards those involved with music halls.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Winston Churchill |last=Taylor |first=Robert Lewis |date=1952 |publisher=Pocket Books |page=375 |language=en |asin=B000L3RZ72}}</ref> | ||
Oliver and Sarah divorced in 1945.<ref name="bbc">{{cite news|title=The castaway who annoyed Churchill|author=Alex Hudson|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-16707920|newspaper=BBC News|date=26 January 2012|access-date=30 January 2012}}</ref> It was noted | Oliver and Sarah divorced in 1945.<ref name="bbc">{{cite news|title=The castaway who annoyed Churchill|author=Alex Hudson|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-16707920|newspaper=BBC News|date=26 January 2012|access-date=30 January 2012}}</ref> It was noted that Oliver never capitalised on his relationship with Sarah Churchill, despite attractive offers. Oliver married Natalie Frances Conder in 1946 in Westminster, London, and they had one daughter. | ||
==Death== | ==Death== | ||
He died in [[Johannesburg]], [[Union of South Africa|South Africa]], aged 66.<ref name="bbc"/> | He died in [[w:Johannesburg|Johannesburg]], [[w:Union of South Africa|South Africa]], aged 66.<ref name="bbc"/> | ||
==Portrayal== | ==Portrayal== | ||
Oliver is briefly portrayed in the 2002 film [[The Gathering Storm (2002 film)|''The Gathering Storm'']]. He was played by Gerrard McArthur. | Oliver is briefly portrayed in the 2002 film [[w:The Gathering Storm (2002 film)|''The Gathering Storm'']]. He was played by Gerrard McArthur. | ||
==Works== | ==Works== | ||
| Line 108: | Line 91: | ||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
* {{IMDb name|0647027}} | * {{IMDb name|0647027}} | ||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Oliver, Vic}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Oliver, Vic}} | ||
Latest revision as of 11:35, 19 November 2022
Vic Oliver | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Victor Oliver von Samek 8 July 1898 |
| Died | 15 August 1964 (aged 66) |
| Resting place | Golders Green Crematorium, London, England |
| Alma mater | Vienna University |
| Occupations |
|
| Spouse |
Natalie Frances Conder
(m. 1946) |
| Children | 1 |
| Parent(s) | Baron Viktor von Samek Charlotte Wallner |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | Austro-Hungarian Empire |
| Service/ | Austro-Hungarian Army |
| Battles/wars | First World War |
Victor Oliver von Samek (8 July 1898 – 15 August 1964) was an Austrian-born British actor and radio comedian.[1]
Early life
He was born in Vienna into a Jewish family, the son of Baron Viktor von Samek. He studied medicine at Vienna University but abandoned it for his first love, music. For a time he studied under Mahler. During the First World War he served in the Austrian Cavalry. After the war he worked as a banker and a textile manufacturer before returning to music. In 1926 he visited the United States as a conductor and violinist.
Acting career
He discovered his gift for comedy by chance when he had to apologise to his audience for something. A new career as a comedian took him all over the United States. He reached the Palace Theatre, New York, in 1929 and the London Palladium two years later. This established him in the United Kingdom and, with his deferential, modest humour, he became very popular. He was kept busy in musical revues, variety and pantomime.[2]
He was Roy Plomley's first "castaway" guest on Desert Island Discs, on 29 January 1942.[3] This lost broadcast was recalled in 2012 in a BBC radio documentary about Oliver's life in Britain.[4]
He starred in the BBC radio show Hi, Gang![2] and appeared in many others, including Discord in Three Flats (1962) with Cicely Courtneidge and Jack Hulbert. He played the violin (deliberately badly in his shows). He had aspirations as a conductor and founded the Vic Oliver Concert Orchestra, which gave light classical concerts as well as complete opera performances.[3] In 1953 he established Variety Playhouse as a primetime radio show featuring music, comedy and light drama. The show did not survive him.[2]
He was a regular on Henry Hall's Guest Night and Workers' Playtime and, as a music-based comedian, has been considered a precursor of Victor Borge.
Personal life
Oliver played tennis, football and hockey as a youth and became junior tennis champion of Austria in 1914.[5] After arriving in the United Kingdom in 1936, Oliver became a supporter of First Division club Brentford and was vice-president of the club in the early 1950s.[5] He later became president of the Brentford Supporters' Club.[5]
As a Jew, his name was reportedly listed on a Nazi blacklist (known as "The Black Book") of people to be arrested and killed immediately in the event of a successful German invasion of Britain.[3]
Oliver married Winston Churchill's daughter, Sarah, in 1936. They had become secretly engaged when they were appearing together in a C.B. Cochran revue. Churchill did not approve of him. This was nothing whatever against Oliver's character, but he had been divorced at least once, possibly twice. Some thought there was negativity also towards those involved with music halls.[6]
Oliver and Sarah divorced in 1945.[3] It was noted that Oliver never capitalised on his relationship with Sarah Churchill, despite attractive offers. Oliver married Natalie Frances Conder in 1946 in Westminster, London, and they had one daughter.
Death
He died in Johannesburg, South Africa, aged 66.[3]
Portrayal
Oliver is briefly portrayed in the 2002 film The Gathering Storm. He was played by Gerrard McArthur.
Works
- Oliver, Vic (1954). Mr. Showbusiness: The autobiography of Vic Oliver (hardcover) (First ed.). London: Harrap.
Filmography
- Rhythm in the Air (1936)
- Who's Your Lady Friend? (1937)
- Meet Mr. Penny (1938)
- Around the Town (1938)
- Room for Two (1940)
- Hi Gang! (1941)
- He Found a Star (1941)
- Give Us the Moon (1944)
- I'll Be Your Sweetheart (1945)
References
- ^ "Vic Oliver". BFI. Archived from the original on 22 July 2012. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
- ^ a b c Obituary, The Times Online, Monday, 17 August 1964; p. 10, accessed 13 February 2015
- ^ a b c d e Alex Hudson (26 January 2012). "The castaway who annoyed Churchill". BBC News. Retrieved 30 January 2012.
- ^ "Vic Oliver: The First Castaway Remembered – BBC Radio 4 Extra". BBC. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
- ^ a b c Haynes, Graham (1998). A-Z Of Bees: Brentford Encyclopaedia. Yore Publications. pp. 100–101. ISBN 1-874427-57-7.
- ^ Taylor, Robert Lewis (1952). Winston Churchill. Pocket Books. p. 375. ASIN B000L3RZ72.
External links
- Vic Oliver at IMDb
Categories:
- Pages with script errors
- Articles with short description
- Pages using infobox person with multiple parents
- Pages using infobox military person with embed
- 1898 births
- 1964 deaths
- 20th-century British male actors
- 20th-century Austrian male actors
- British male comedians
- British male film actors
- British Jews
- Austrian emigrants to the United Kingdom
- Austrian Jews
- Austrian comedians
- Austrian male film actors
- Brentford F.C. directors and chairmen
- Male actors from Vienna
- British people of Austrian-Jewish descent
- 20th-century British comedians
- Austro-Hungarian military personnel of World War I
