Claud Allister (born William Claud Michael Palmer, 3 October 1888 – 26 July 1970) was an English actor with an extensive film career in both Britain and Hollywood, where he appeared in more than 70 films between 1929 and 1955.

Life and career

He was born in

London London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a majo ...

. After receiving his education at

Felsted School (Keep your Faith) , established = , closed = , type = Public schoolIndependent day and boarding , religion = Church of England , president = , head_label = Headmaster , head = Chris Townsend , r_head_l ...

Essex Essex () is a county in the East of England. One of the home counties, it borders Suffolk and Cambridgeshire to the north, the North Sea to the east, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent across the estuary of the River Thames to the south, and G ...

, he began his career as a stockbroker's clerk in the

City of London The City of London is a city, ceremonial county and local government district that contains the historic centre and constitutes, alongside Canary Wharf, the primary central business district (CBD) of London. It constituted most of London fr ...

, but gave up a life in the

Square Mile The square mile (abbreviated as sq mi and sometimes as mi2)Rowlett, Russ (September 1, 2004) University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved February 22, 2012. is an imperial and US unit of measure for area. One square mile is an are ...

on deciding that he preferred the stage, upon which he made his début in 1910. He toured England's repertory theatres playing minor parts up to the outbreak of

World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...

, when he was commissioned into the

British Army The British Army is the principal land warfare force of the United Kingdom, a part of the British Armed Forces along with the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. , the British Army comprises 79,380 regular full-time personnel, 4,090 Gurk ...

as a

subaltern Subaltern may refer to: *Subaltern (postcolonialism), colonial populations who are outside the hierarchy of power * Subaltern (military), a primarily British and Commonwealth military term for a junior officer * Subalternation, going from a univer ...

, and saw active service with the

Suffolk Regiment The Suffolk Regiment was an infantry regiment of the line in the British Army with a history dating back to 1685. It saw service for three centuries, participating in many wars and conflicts, including the First and Second World Wars, before bein ...

and the

Machine Gun Corps The Machine Gun Corps (MGC) was a corps of the British Army, formed in October 1915 in response to the need for more effective use of machine guns on the Western Front in the First World War. The Heavy Branch of the MGC was the first to use tanks ...

. Post-war he returned to acting, appearing in the West End in ''

Bulldog Drummond Hugh "Bulldog" Drummond is a fictional character, created by H. C. McNeile and published under his pen name "Sapper". Following McNeile's death in 1937, the novels were continued by Gerard Fairlie. Drummond is a First World War veteran who, ...

'', and in 1924 went to America to perform on the stage there initially. In 1929 he made his film début in ''

The Trial of Mary Dugan ''The Trial of Mary Dugan'' is a play written by Bayard Veiller. The 1927 melodrama concerns a sensational courtroom trial of a showgirl accused of killing her millionaire lover. Her defense attorney is her brother, Jimmy Dugan. It was first pr ...

''. In 1934 he appeared in the West End in the historical play ''

Mary Read Mary Read (1685 – 28 April 1721), also known as Mark Read, was an English pirate. She and Anne Bonny were two famous female pirates from the 18th century, and among the few women known to have been convicted of piracy at the height of the " ...

''. Allister died 26 July 1970 at

Santa Barbara, California Santa Barbara ( es, Santa Bárbara, meaning "Saint Barbara") is a coastal city in Santa Barbara County, California, of which it is also the county seat. Situated on a south-facing section of coastline, the longest such section on the West Coas ...

, aged 81.

Filmography

* ''

'' (1929) - Henry James Plaisted * ''

'' (1929) - Algy * ''

Charming Sinners ''Charming Sinners'' is a 1929 American pre-Code comedy film directed by Robert Milton and Dorothy Arzner (who was uncredited), with a screenplay by Doris Anderson adapted from the 1926 play ''The Constant Wife'' written by W. Somerset Maugham. ...

'' (1929) - Gregson * ''

Three Live Ghosts ''Three Live Ghosts'' is a novel by Frederic Isham published in 1918. He adapted it into the 1920 Broadway play of the same name produced by Max Marcin. There were also three film adaptations: * ''Three Live Ghosts'' (1922 film), a British com ...

'' (1929) - Spoofy * ''

In the Next Room ''In The Next Room'' is a 1930 American pre-Code mystery film released by First National Pictures, a subsidiary of Warner Bros. and directed by Edward F. Cline. The movie stars Jack Mulhall and Alice Day. The film was based on the play of th ...

'' (1930) - Parks (the butler) * '' Slightly Scarlet'' (1930) - Albert Hawkins * '' Such Men Are Dangerous'' (1930) - Fred Wyndham * '' Murder Will Out'' (1930) - Alan Fitzhugh * ''

Ladies Love Brutes ''Ladies Love Brutes'' is a 1930 American pre-Code comedy film starring George Bancroft, Mary Astor, and Fredric March. The film was directed by Rowland V. Lee and based on the play ''Pardon My Glove'' by Zoë Akins. Cast *George Bancroft as J ...

'' (1930) - Tailor * ''

The Czar of Broadway ''The Czar of Broadway'' is a 1930 American pre-Code crime film produced and distributed by Universal Pictures, directed by William James Craft and starring John Wray, Betty Compson, John Harron and Claud Allister. Synopsis A young reporter ...

'' (1930) - Francis * '' The Florodora Girl'' (1930) - Lord Rumblesham * ''

Monte Carlo Monte Carlo (; ; french: Monte-Carlo , or colloquially ''Monte-Carl'' ; lij, Munte Carlu ; ) is officially an administrative area of the Principality of Monaco, specifically the ward of Monte Carlo/Spélugues, where the Monte Carlo Casino is ...

'' (1930) - Prince Otto von Liebenheim * '' Reaching for the Moon'' (1930) - Sir Horace Partington Chelmsford * '' Captain Applejack'' (1931) - John Jason * '' Meet the Wife'' (1931) - Victor Staunton * ''

I Like Your Nerve ''I Like Your Nerve'' is a 1931 American pre-Code romantic comedy film directed by William C. McGann, starring Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. and Loretta Young. Boris Karloff has a small role.''Catalog of Holdings The American Film Institute Collection ...

'' (1931) - Archie Lester * '' Platinum Blonde'' (1931) - Dawson – The Valet * '' The Sea Ghost'' (1931) - Percy Atwater * '' On the Loose'' (1931) - Mr. Loder's friend * ''

The Unexpected Father ''The Unexpected Father'' is a 1932 American comedy film directed by Thornton Freeland and starring Slim Summerville, Zasu Pitts, and Cora Sue Collins.Stumpf p. 136 The film's sets were designed by the art director Thomas F. O'Neill. Plot Ca ...

'' (1932) - Claude * ''

Two White Arms ''Two White Arms'', also known as ''Wives Beware'', is a 1932 British comedy film directed by Fred Niblo and starring Adolphe Menjou, Margaret Bannerman and Claud Allister. It is adapted from a play by Harold Dearden. Produced by Eric Hakim Pr ...

'' (1932) - Dr. Biggash * '' Diamond Cut Diamond'' (1932) - Joe Fragson * '' The Return of Raffles'' (1932) - Bunny * ''

The Midshipmaid ''The Midshipmaid'' is a 1932 British comedy film directed by Albert de Courville and starring Jessie Matthews, Frederick Kerr, Basil Sydney and Nigel Bruce. The film is based on the 1931 play of the same title by Ian Hay and Stephen King-Hall. ...

'' (1932) - Chinley * '' That's My Wife'' (1933) - Archie Trevor * '' Excess Baggage'' (1933) - Col. Murgatroyd, RSVP * ''

Sleeping Car The sleeping car or sleeper (often ) is a railway passenger car (rail), passenger car that can accommodate all passengers in beds of one kind or another, for the purpose of sleeping. George Pullman was the American innovator of the sleeper car. ...

'' (1933) - Baron Delande * ''

The Private Life of Henry VIII ''The Private Life of Henry VIII'' is a 1933 British film directed and co-produced by Alexander Korda and starring Charles Laughton, Robert Donat, Merle Oberon and Elsa Lanchester. It was written by Lajos Bíró and Arthur Wimperis for London F ...

'' (1933) - Cornell * '' The Medicine Man'' (1933) - Hon. Freddie Wiltshire * ''

Those Were the Days Those Were the Days may refer to: Music Albums * ''Those Were the Days'' (Johnny Mathis album) (1968) * ''Those Were the Days'' (Cream album) (1997) * ''Those Were the Days'' (Dolly Parton album) (2005) * '' Those Were the Days – The Best of L ...

'' (1934) - Capt. Horace Vale * ''

The Return of Bulldog Drummond ''The Return of Bulldog Drummond'' is a 1934 British thriller film directed by Walter Summers and starring Ralph Richardson, Ann Todd and Claud Allister. It was based on the 1922 novel ''The Black Gang'' by H.C. McNeile and the fourth fil ...

'' (1934) - Algy Longworth * '' The Lady Is Willing'' (1934) - Brevin * ''

The Private Life of Don Juan ''The Private Life of Don Juan'' is a 1934 British comedy-drama film directed by Alexander Korda and starring Douglas Fairbanks, Merle Oberon and Benita Hume. At the age of 51, it was the final role of Fairbanks, who died five years later. The f ...

'' (1934) - The Duke, as Dukes Go * ''

Every Night at Eight ''Every Night at Eight'' is a 1935 American comedy musical film starring George Raft and Alice Faye and made by Walter Wanger Productions Inc. and Paramount Pictures. It was directed by Raoul Walsh and produced by Walter Wanger from a screenplay ...

'' (1935) - Mr. Vernon (uncredited) * '' The Dark Angel'' (1935) - Lawrence Bidley * ''

'' (1936) - Lord 'Spoofy' Brockton * ''

Dracula's Daughter ''Dracula's Daughter'' is a 1936 American vampire film, vampire horror film produced by Universal Pictures as a sequel to the 1931 film ''Dracula (1931 English-language film), Dracula''. Directed by Lambert Hillyer from a screenplay by Garrett F ...

'' (1936) - Sir Aubrey * ''

Yellowstone Yellowstone National Park is an American national park located in the western United States, largely in the northwest corner of Wyoming and extending into Montana and Idaho. It was established by the 42nd U.S. Congress with the Yellowston ...

'' (1936) - Guest with Monocole * '' Lady Luck'' (1936) - Briggs * ''

Let's Make a Night of It ''Let's Make a Night of It'' is a 1937 British musical comedy film directed by Graham Cutts and starring Charles "Buddy" Rogers, June Clyde and Claire Luce. The screenplay concerns a husband and his wife, who acquire rival nightclubs at the sam ...

'' (1937) - Monty * '' Bulldog Drummond at Bay'' (1937) - Algy Longworth * '' Danger: Love at Work'' (1937) - Salesman * ''

The Awful Truth ''The Awful Truth'' is a 1937 American screwball comedy film directed by Leo McCarey and starring Irene Dunne and Cary Grant. Based on the 1923 play ''The Awful Truth'' by Arthur Richman, the film recounts how a distrustful rich couple begins d ...

'' (1937) - Lord Fabian (uncredited) * ''

Kentucky Moonshine ''Kentucky Moonshine'' is a 1938 American comedy musical film directed by David Butler and released by 20th Century Fox. Plot Radio star Jerry Wade's program ratings are falling and he suggests to his sponsors a show that is different and he ...

'' (1938) - Lord Boffingwell (uncredited) * ''

Men Are Such Fools ''Men are Such Fools'' is a 1938 American romantic comedy directed by Busby Berkeley and written by Norman Reilly Raine and Horace Jackson. The film stars Wayne Morris, Priscilla Lane, Humphrey Bogart, Hugh Herbert, Johnnie Davis, and Penny Sin ...

'' (1938) - Rudolf * ''

Blond Cheat ''Blond Cheat'' is a 1938 romantic comedy film directed by Joseph Santley and starring Joan Fontaine, Derrick De Marney, and Cecil Kellaway. The film was produced by William Sistrom, and originally released by RKO Radio Pictures. The original sto ...

'' (1938) - Lord Basil Sheldon (uncredited) * ''

Storm Over Bengal Storm Over Bengal is a 1938 adventure film that was nominated at the 11th Academy Awards for Best Score, the nomination was for Cy Feuer. Set during the British Raj, the film's working title was ''Bengal Lancer Patrol''.p. 15 ''San Antonio Ligh ...

'' (1938) - Redding * '' Arrest Bulldog Drummond'' (1939) - Sir Basil Leghorne * ''

Captain Fury ''Captain Fury'' is a 1939 American Western film directed by Hal Roach. It is set in colonial Australia as one of Hollywood's few attempts to depict Australian history.' Plot In the 1840s, Captain Michael Fury (Brian Aherne) is an Irish patri ...

'' (1939) - Suco * ''

Lillian Russell Lillian Russell (born Helen Louise Leonard; December 4, 1860 or 1861 – June 6, 1922), was an American actress and singer. She became one of the most famous actresses and singers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, known for her beauty ...

'' (1940) - Arthur Sullivan * ''

Pride and Prejudice ''Pride and Prejudice'' is an 1813 novel of manners by Jane Austen. The novel follows the character development of Elizabeth Bennet, the dynamic protagonist of the book who learns about the repercussions of hasty judgments and comes to appreci ...

'' (1940) - Mr. Beck (uncredited) * '' The Reluctant Dragon'' (1941) - Sir Giles (voice) * '' Charley's American Aunt'' (1941) - Cricket Match Spectator * '' A Yank in the R.A.F.'' (1941) - Officer-Motorist (uncredited) * ''

Never Give a Sucker an Even Break ''Never Give a Sucker an Even Break'' (known in some international releases as ''What a Man!'') is a 1941 Universal Pictures comedy film starring W. C. Fields. Fields also wrote the original story, under the pseudonym "Otis Criblecoblis." Fields ...

'' (1941) - Bitten Englishman (uncredited) * '' Confirm or Deny'' (1941) - William (scenes deleted) * '' Don't Get Personal'' (1942) - Sir Cecil (uncredited) * '' Forever and a Day'' (1943) - William Barstow * ''

The Hundred Pound Window ''The Hundred Pound Window'' is a 1944 British crime film directed by Brian Desmond Hurst and starring Anne Crawford, David Farrar, Frederick Leister and Richard Attenborough. The film follows an accountant who has to take a second job work ...

'' (1944) - Hon. Freddie * '' The Captain from Köpenick'' (completed in 1941, released in 1945), aka ''I Was a Criminal'' - First Railroad Employee * '' Kiss the Bride Goodbye'' (1945) - Adolphus Pickering * ''

Don Chicago ''Don Chicago'' is a 1945 British crime comedy film directed by Maclean Rogers and starring Jackie Hunter, Joyce Heron and Claud Allister. It is based on the novel by C. E. Bechhofer Roberts. Plot An aspiring but timid gangster is forced to ...

'' (1945) - Lord Piccadilly * ''

Gaiety George ''Gaiety George'' is a 1946 British historical musical film directed by George King and Leontine Sagan and starring Richard Greene, Ann Todd and Peter Graves.Harper p.179 It is set in the late Victorian music hall, when an Irish impresario ...

'' (1946) - Archie * ''

Quartet In music, a quartet or quartette (, , , , ) is an ensemble of four singers or instrumental performers; or a musical composition for four voices and instruments. Classical String quartet In classical music, one of the most common combinations o ...

'' (1948) - 1st. Clubman (segment "The Colonel's Lady") * '' The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad'' (1949) - Ratty (voice) * ''

Hong Kong Hong Kong ( (US) or (UK); , ), officially the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China ( abbr. Hong Kong SAR or HKSAR), is a city and special administrative region of China on the eastern Pearl River Delt ...

'' (1952) - Hotel Manager * ''

Down Among the Sheltering Palms "Down Among the Sheltering Palms" is a popular song. The music was written by Abe Olman, the lyrics by James Brockman and Leo Wood. The song was published in 1914 by Olman who heavily marketed it in the Chicago region. Music publisher Leo Fei ...

'' (1953) - Woolawei (uncredited) * ''

Kiss Me Kate ''Kiss Me, Kate'' is a musical written by Bella and Samuel Spewack with music and lyrics by Cole Porter. The story involves the production of a musical version of William Shakespeare's ''The Taming of the Shrew'' and the conflict on and off-sta ...

'' (1953) - Paul * ''

The Black Shield of Falworth ''The Black Shield of Falworth'' is a 1954 American Technicolor film from Universal-International, produced by Robert Arthur and Melville Tucker and directed by Rudolph Maté. It stars Tony Curtis, Janet Leigh, David Farrar, Herbert Marshall, an ...

'' (1954) - Sir George

References

External links

* * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Allister, Claud 1888 births 1970 deaths Burials at Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery Deaths from cancer in California English male film actors English expatriates in the United States Male actors from London 20th-century English male actors British expatriate male actors in the United States British Army personnel of World War I Suffolk Regiment officers Machine Gun Corps officers