Clyde Wilfred Cook (16 December 1891 – 13 August 1984) was an Australian-born vaudevillian who went on to perform in Hollywood and whose career spanned the

silent film A silent film is a film with no synchronized Sound recording and reproduction, recorded sound (or more generally, no audible dialogue). Though silent films convey narrative and emotion visually, various plot elements (such as a setting or era) ...

era,

talkies A sound film is a motion picture with synchronization, synchronized sound, or sound technologically coupled to image, as opposed to a silent film. The first known public exhibition of projected sound films took place in Paris in 1900, but decad ...

and television.

Career in Australia

He was born to John and Annie Cook at Hamilton, near

Port Macquarie Port Macquarie is a coastal town in the local government area of Port Macquarie-Hastings. It is located on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, Australia, about north of Sydney, and south of Brisbane. The town is located on the Tasman Sea ...

, Australia. Cook moved with his family to Sydney when he was 6. He was already a skilled acrobat and dancer before he first appeared on stage in 1901 and within a few years he had developed a successful reputation as an all-around comic entertainer. In 1906,

J. C. Williamson James Cassius Williamson (26 August 1845 – 6 July 1913) was an American actor and later Australia's foremost impresario, founding the J. C. Williamson's theatrical and production company. Born in Pennsylvania, Williamson moved with his fami ...

placed Cook under contract and he worked with the company until about 1911, when he departed for the United Kingdom, determined to try his luck in the London music hall scene. After some difficulty he succeeded and subsequently also worked at the Folies Bergere for 14 weeks. He returned to Australia in 1916.M. Mckay (2012) ''Gone but not forgotten: the Clyde Cook story: the remarkable story of Australia's first true Hollywood star, Clyde Cook 1889-1984.'' Dashing Print, Port Macquarie, N.S.W. . Although he appears to have expressed a desire to join up during the First World War, unspecified "physical defects" (perhaps owing to his slight frame) meant he was unable to join the

First Australian Imperial Force The First Australian Imperial Force (1st AIF) was the main expeditionary force of the Australian Army during the First World War. It was formed as the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) following Britain's declaration of war on Germany on 15 Aug ...

. Instead he devoted much time to fund-raising and entertaining soldiers. His trademark moustache also appeared for the first time during Australian performances in 1917. In 1918 he appeared in his first film, ''His Only Chance'' a J. C. Williamson production made to support Red Cross fund-raising. Then in 1919, in the height of the Spanish flu epidemic, Cook brought an action against J. C. Williamson over the impact on performers contacts caused by their closure of theatres. The action failed. Soon after Cook left Australia for the United States.

Move to the United States

Appearing at the New York Hippodrome from mid-1919 until early 1920, he was reportedly an immediate success - often styled as the "Inja Rubber Idiot" in his early U.S. performances. During this season he was seen by film producer William Fox, who signed him for a series of comedy shorts to be made in Hollywood. He arrived there in 1920, making a string of comedies.

Stardom

In 1925 he was signed by

Hal Roach Harry Eugene "Hal" Roach Sr.Randy Skretvedt, Skretvedt, Randy (2016), ''Laurel and Hardy: The Magic Behind the Movies'', Bonaventure Press. p.608. (January 14, 1892 – November 2, 1992) was an American film and television producer, director, a ...

for a series of short comedies. Some of these were directed by

Stan Laurel Stan Laurel (born Arthur Stanley Jefferson; 16 June 1890 – 23 February 1965) was an English comic actor, writer, and film director who was one half of the comedy duo Laurel and Hardy. He appeared with his comedy partner Oliver Hardy in 107 s ...

and featured ridiculous visual gags, which Cook enacted with flair. One such vignette, in '' Wandering Papas'' (1926), had Cook crossing a stream on foot, by raising his shoes to his knees and striding across the water. In addition to his acrobatics, Cook capitalized on his facial reactions, ranging from affability to determination to blank bemusement. These comedies made Clyde Cook a comedy star. He was signed by Warner Bros. in 1927. He made a transition to supporting character roles in sound films, which revealed his Australian speaking voice. This soon typecast him in cockney roles, as in the Bulldog Drummond and Mr. Moto film series.

Personal life

Cook married actress Alice (née Draper) in 1925 and a child, Julia, was born of the union. However, the marriage was not a success and they divorced acrimoniously in 1938. In 1948 Cook returned to Australia to make contact with his older brother Tom, with whom he had had no contact for twelve years.

Later career

Like many character players, Cook continued to play small parts into the 1950s, including television (as a London newspaper vendor in "A Ghost for Scotland Yard", a 1953 episode of '' The Adventures of Superman'')Anthony Slide (2012)''Hollywood Unknowns: A History of Extras, Bit Players, and Stand-Ins'' P.162, University Press of Mississippi. and the

Joe McDoakes ''Joe McDoakes'' is an American short film comedy series produced and directed by Richard L. Bare for Warner Bros. A total of 63 black and white live action one-reel short subjects films were made and released between 1942 and 1956. The ''Joe ...

movie comedies. His final film was the

John Ford John Martin Feeney (February 1, 1894 – August 31, 1973), known professionally as John Ford, was an American film director and naval officer. He is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential filmmakers of his generation. He ...

feature '' Donovan's Reef'', made in 1963. Cook died on August 13, 1984, at his home in Carpinteria, California.

Partial filmography

*'' His Only Chance'' (1918) *''Soldiers of Fortune'' (1919) - (uncredited) *''

Skirts A skirt is the lower part of a dress or a separate outer garment that covers a person from the waist downwards. At its simplest, a skirt can be a draped garment made out of a single piece of fabric (such as pareos). However, most skirts are fi ...

'' (1921) - Peter Rocks Jr. *'' He Who Gets Slapped'' (1924) - A Clown (uncredited) *''

So This Is Marriage? ''So This Is Marriage'' is a lost 1924 American silent drama film directed by Hobart Henley. The film was originally released with sequences filmed in the Technicolor 2-color process that depicted the story of David and Bathsheba from the Book ...

'' (1924) - Mr. Brown *'' Should Sailors Marry?'' (1925, Short) - Cyril D'Armond *'' What's the World Coming To?'' (1926, Short) - Claudia, the Blushing Groom / the baby *'' Wandering Papas'' (1926, Short) - Camp Cook *'' Wife Tamers'' (1926, Short) - The Butler *'' Miss Nobody'' (1926) - Bertie *''

The Winning of Barbara Worth ''The Winning of Barbara Worth'' is a 1926 American silent Western film directed by Henry King, and starring Ronald Colman, Vilma Bánky and Gary Cooper (who replaced Monte Blue). Based on Harold Bell Wright's novel ''The Winning of Barbara ...

'' (1926) - Tex *'' White Gold'' (1927) - Homer *'' The Brute'' (1927) - Oklahoma Red *'' The Climbers'' (1927) - Pancho Mendoza *'' Simple Sis'' (1927) - Jerry O'Grady *''

Barbed Wire A close-up view of a barbed wire Roll of modern agricultural barbed wire Barbed wire, also known as barb wire, is a type of steel fencing wire constructed with sharp edges or points arranged at intervals along the strands. Its primary use is ...

'' (1927) - Hans *'' The Bush Leaguer'' (1927) - Skeeter McKinnon *'' A Sailor's Sweetheart'' (1927) - Sandy McTavish *'' Good Time Charley'' (1927) - Bill Collins *'' Beware of Married Men'' (1928) - Botts *'' Domestic Troubles'' (1928) - James Bullard / Horace Bullard *''

Pay as You Enter ''Pay as You Enter'' is a 1928 American comedy film directed by Lloyd Bacon and starring Louise Fazenda, Clyde Cook and William Demarest. Cast * Louise Fazenda as Mary Smith * Clyde Cook as Clyde Jones * William Demarest as 'Terrible Bill ...

'' (1928) - Clyde Jones *'' Five and Ten Cent Annie'' (1928) - Elmer Peck *'' The Docks of New York'' (1928) - 'Sugar' Steve *'' Through the Breakers'' (1928) - John Lancaster * ''

Celebrity Celebrity is a condition of fame and broad public recognition of a person or group as a result of the attention given to them by mass media. An individual may attain a celebrity status from having great wealth, their participation in sports ...

'' (1928) - Circus *''

Beware of Bachelors ''Beware of Bachelors'' is a 1928 American part-talkie pre-code comedy drama film produced and released by Warner Bros., and directed by Roy Del Ruth. The movie stars Audrey Ferris, William Collier Jr., Margaret Livingston, Clyde Cook, and Geor ...

'' (1928) - Joe Babbitt *'' Interference'' (1928) - Hearse Driver * '' The Spieler'' (1928) - Luke aka 'Perfesser' McIntosh *''

Captain Lash ''Captain Lash'' is 1929 American silent adventure drama film directed by John G. Blystone and starring Victor McLaglen, Claire Windsor and Jane Winton. It was produced and distributed by the Fox Film Corporation. A copy of the film exists at ...

'' (1929) - Cocky *'' Strong Boy'' (1929) - Pete *'' A Dangerous Woman'' (1929) - Tubbs *''

Masquerade Masquerade or Masquerader may refer to: Events * Masquerade ball, a costumed dance event * Masquerade ceremony, a rite or cultural event in many parts of the world, especially the Caribbean and Africa * Masqueraders, the performers in the West ...

'' (1929) - Blkodgett *''

In the Headlines ''In the Headlines'' is a 1929 crime drama film directed by John G. Adolfi and starring Grant Withers and Marian Nixon. It was produced and distributed by the Warner Brothers. Cast *Grant Withers - Nosey Norton * Marion Nixon - Anna Lou Anderson ...

'' (1929) - Flashlight *''

The Taming of the Shrew ''The Taming of the Shrew'' is a comedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1590 and 1592. The play begins with a framing device, often referred to as the induction, in which a mischievous nobleman tricks a drunken ...

'' (1929) - Grumio *''

Officer O'Brien ''Officer O'Brien'' is a 1930 American pre-Code comedy crime film directed by Tay Garnett and starring William Boyd, Ernest Torrence and Dorothy Sebastian. The film's sets were designed by the art director Edward C. Jewell.Munden p.557 It was ...

'' (1930) - Limo Lewis *'' Women Everywhere'' (1930) - Sam Jones *'' The Dude Wrangler'' (1930) - Pinkey Fripp *'' The Dawn Patrol'' (1930) - Bott * ''

Wings of Adventure ''Wings of Adventure'' is a 1930 American action adventure film directed by Richard Thorpe and starring Rex Lease, Armida and Clyde Cook. Fetrow p.753 It was produced and distributed by Tiffany Pictures. Cast * Rex Lease as Dave Kent * Armi ...

'' (1930) - Pete 'Skeets' Smith *'' Sunny'' (1930) - Sam *''

The March of Time ''The March of Time'' is an American newsreel series sponsored by Time Inc. and shown in movie theaters from 1935 to 1951. It was based on a radio news series broadcast from 1931 to 1945. The "voice" of both series was Westbrook Van Voorhis. ...

'' (1930) - Himself *'' Daybreak'' (1931) - Josef *'' Never the Twain Shall Meet'' (1931) - Porter *'' The Secret Witness'' (1931) - Larson - Building Engineer *'' Blondie of the Follies'' (1932) - Dancer *'' West of Singapore'' (1933) - Ricky *''

Oliver Twist ''Oliver Twist; or, The Parish Boy's Progress'', Charles Dickens's second novel, was published as a serial from 1837 to 1839, and as a three-volume book in 1838. Born in a workhouse, the orphan Oliver Twist is bound into apprenticeship with ...

'' (1933) - Chitling * '' Shock'' (1934) - Hawkins *'' The Informer'' (1935) - Flash Patron (uncredited) *''

Calm Yourself ''Calm Yourself'' is a 1935 American comedy film directed by George B. Seitz and written by Arthur Kober. The film stars Robert Young, Madge Evans, Betty Furness, Ralph Morgan, Nat Pendleton and Hardie Albright. The film was released on June 28, ...

'' (1935) - Joe *'' The Bishop Misbehaves'' (1935) - Mission Patron Leading Search for Frenchy (uncredited) *'' Barbary Coast'' (1935) - Oakie *'' The White Angel'' (1936) - Perkins, a Soldier (uncredited) *''

Tugboat Princess ''Tugboat Princess'' is a 1936 American-Canadian drama film directed by David Selman and starring Walter C. Kelly, Valerie Hobson and Edith Fellows.Mayer p.187 Cast * Walter C. Kelly as Captain Zack * Valerie Hobson as Sally * Edith Fellows a ...

'' (1936) - Steve, the engineer *'' Bulldog Drummond Escapes'' (1937) - Alf *'' Another Dawn'' (1937) - Sgt. Murphy *'' Wee Willie Winkie'' (1937) - Pipe Major Sneath *'' Souls at Sea'' (1937) - Hendry - Coachman (uncredited) *'' Love Under Fire'' (1937) - Bert *'' One Hundred Men and a Girl'' (1937) - Oscar - Man in Restaurant (uncredited) *'' Lancer Spy'' (1937) - Orderly (uncredited) *'' Bulldog Drummond's Peril'' (1938) - Constable Sacker *''

Kidnapped Kidnapped may refer to: * subject to the crime of kidnapping In criminal law, kidnapping is the unlawful confinement of a person against their will, often including transportation/asportation. The asportation and abduction element is typically ...

'' (1938) - Cook - Blubber *'' Mysterious Mr. Moto'' (1938) - Sandwich Man (uncredited) *''The Storm'' (1938) - Tailor (uncredited) *'' Storm Over Bengal'' (1938) - Alf *''

Arrest Bulldog Drummond ''Arrest Bulldog Drummond'' is a 1938 American crime thriller film directed by James P. Hogan. Plot Bulldog (John Howard) and Algy ( Reginald Denny), in the midst of preparations for the former's wedding in London, are summoned to more import ...

'' (1939) - Constable Sacker *'' The Little Princess'' (1939) - Attendant *''

Bulldog Drummond's Secret Police ''Bulldog Drummond's Secret Police'' is a 1939 English Castle murder mystery film directed by James P. Hogan, based on the H. C. McNeile novel ''Temple Tower''. It is one of many films featuring the British sleuth and adventurer Bulldog Drummo ...

'' (1939) - Constable Hawkins *''

Bulldog Drummond's Bride ''Bulldog Drummond's Bride'' is an American crime comedy thriller film produced in 1939. It was the last film of Paramount Pictures' Bulldog Drummond film series. Plot In London, a shape charge-wielding master criminal comes up with a foolproof ...

'' (1939) - Traffic Control Constable (uncredited) *'' Pack Up Your Troubles'' (1939) - British Guard (uncredited) *'' The Light That Failed'' (1939) - Soldier (uncredited) *'' Wolf of New York'' (1940) - Jenkins (uncredited) *'' The Sea Hawk'' (1940) - Walter Boggs *'' Dance, Girl, Dance'' (1940) - Claude - Harris' Valet (uncredited) *''

Sergeant York Alvin Cullum York (December 13, 1887 – September 2, 1964), also known as Sergeant York, was one of the most decorated United States Army soldiers of World War I. He received the Medal of Honor for leading an attack on a German machine ...

'' (1941) - Cockney Soldier (uncredited) *''

Ladies in Retirement ''Ladies in Retirement'' is a 1941 American film noir directed by Charles Vidor and starring Ida Lupino and Louis Hayward, who were married at the time. It is based on a 1940 Broadway play of the same title by Reginald Denham and Edward Percy ...

'' (1941) - Bates *'' Unexpected Uncle'' (1941) - Johnny's Band Singer (uncredited) *'' Suspicion'' (1941) - Photographer (uncredited) *'' Klondike Fury'' (1942) - Yukon *''

This Above All ''This Above All'' (1941) is a novel by English writer Eric Knight. It was adapted into an Academy Award-winning movie in 1942. Title The title of the novel is derived from a quote by Polonius in William Shakespeare's ''Hamlet'' (Act 1, scene 3) ...

'' (1942) - Truck Driver (uncredited) *''

Counter-Espionage Counterintelligence is an activity aimed at protecting an agency's intelligence program from an opposition's intelligence service. It includes gathering information and conducting activities to prevent espionage, sabotage, assassinations or ...

'' (1942) - Hot Chestnuts Huckster (uncredited) *''

White Cargo ''White Cargo'' is a 1942 film drama starring Hedy Lamarr and Walter Pidgeon, and directed by Richard Thorpe. Released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, it is based on the 1923 London and Broadway hit play by Leon Gordon, which was in turn adapted from t ...

'' (1942) - Ted - First Mate of the Congo Queen *'' Forever and a Day'' (1943) - Cabby *'' The Mysterious Doctor'' (1943) - Herbert (uncredited) *''

The Man from Down Under ''The Man from Down Under'' is an American 1943 drama film starring Charles Laughton as a man who raises two war orphans. It was called "Hollywood's first full-length film dealing exclusively with Australia and Australians". Plot After the end ...

'' (1943) - Ginger Gaffney *'' Follow the Boys'' (1944) - Stooge (uncredited) *''

The White Cliffs of Dover The White Cliffs of Dover is the region of English coastline facing the Strait of Dover and France. The cliff face, which reaches a height of , owes its striking appearance to its composition of chalk accented by streaks of black flint, deposi ...

'' (1944) - Jennings (uncredited) *'' To Each His Own'' (1946) - Mr. Harkett *'' The Verdict'' (1946) - Barney Cole *'' Bulldog Drummond at Bay'' (1947) - Hotel Clerk (uncredited) *''

To the Victor ''To the Victor'' is a 1948 drama film directed by Delmer Daves and starring Dennis Morgan and Viveca Lindfors. The plot concerns an American black-marketeer who falls in love with a Nazi collaborator's wife in post-World War II Wor ...

'' (1948) - Cockney Bartender *'' Sword in the Desert'' (1949) - Sentry (uncredited) *''

When Willie Comes Marching Home ''When Willie Comes Marching Home'' is a 1950 World War II comedy film directed by John Ford and starring Dan Dailey and Corinne Calvet. It is based on the 1945 short story "When Leo Comes Marching Home" by Sy Gomberg. The film won the Golden ...

'' (1950) - Tarjack (uncredited) *'' Pride of Maryland'' (1951) - Fred Leach *'' Rogue's March'' (1953) - Fisherman (uncredited) *'' Loose in London'' (1953) - English Cabbie *'' The Maze'' (1953) - Cab Driver (uncredited) *''

Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde ''Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde'' is a 1953 American horror comedy film starring the comedy team of Abbott and Costello, co-starring Boris Karloff, and directed by Charles Lamont.Furmanek and Palumbo Inspired by the 1886 nov ...

'' (1953) - Drunk in Pub (uncredited) *'' Donovan's Reef'' (1963) - Australian Officer (uncredited) (final film role)

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Cook, Clyde 1891 births 1984 deaths Australian male television actors Australian male silent film actors Silent film comedians 20th-century Australian male actors Australian expatriate male actors in the United States