Colin Clive

Colin Glenn Clive (born Clive-Greig; 20 January 1900 – 25 June 1937) was a British theatre and film actor. Known for portraying individualistic, tumultuous characters which often mirrored his personal life, he is most famous for his role as Dr. Henry Frankenstein in the 1931 film ''Frankenstein'' and its 1935 sequel, ''Bride of Frankenstein''. Clive’s maniacal delivery of the words, "It's alive, it's alive!" when Dr. Frankenstein confirms his creature is moving, was listed by AFI as one of the 100 greatest movie quotes of all time.

Early life

Clive was born in Saint-Malo, France, to an English colonel, Colin Philip Greig, and his wife, Caroline Margaret Lugard Clive, a member of the aristocratic Clive family. In a 1935 interview, Clive stated his mother had moved to France to escape the tumult of the ongoing Second Boer War. His family had intended for Clive to embark on a military career, and he attended Stonyhurst College and subsequently the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, where he broke both knees after being thrown from and crushed by a horse. Recuperating from his injuries, Clive decided to become an actor."Colin Clive," ''The Stage'' (1 July 1937), p. 7. bituary/ref> He was a member of the Hull Repertory Theatre Company for three years.

Clive created the role of Steve Baker, the white husband of racially mixed Julie LaVerne, in the first London production of ''Show Boat''; the production featured Cedric Hardwicke and Paul Robeson. Clive first worked with James Whale in the Savoy Theatre production of '' Journey's End'' and subsequently joined the British community in Hollywood, repeating his stage role in the film version.

Hollywood

Clive's first screen role, in '' Journey's End'' (1930), was also directed by James Whale. Clive played the tormented alcoholic Captain Stanhope, a character that (much like Clive's other roles) mirrored his personal life.
He was an in-demand leading man for several major film actresses of the era, including Katharine Hepburn, Bette Davis, Corinne Griffith, and Jean Arthur. He starred as Edward Rochester in the 1934 adaptation of ''Jane Eyre'' opposite Virginia Bruce. He was a descendant of Robert Clive and appeared in a starring role in ''Clive of India'' (1935), a biopic of his ancestor. Clive remarked that he was disappointed he did not get to portray his own ancestor in the film.

Colin Clive, together with Leo G. Carroll, starred in a radio play titled ''The Other Place.'' It was written by John L. Balderston for the radio program '' The Fleischmann's Yeast Hour'' hosted by Rudy Vallee''.'' It was aired on 14 November 1935.

In a 1935 interview with Film Weekly, Clive stated that he hated horror films and preferred more serious dramatic roles, only appearing in horror for financial reasons and because his performances were popular with audiences.

When his agent discovered that Clive was only accruing 30% of his actual income due to paying taxes in both the United States and the United Kingdom, Clive refused to obtain American citizenship, which would have removed British taxes, fearing that it would prevent him from serving in the British army if a war broke out.

Author Ayn Rand wrote Clive a fan letter in 1934 after seeing a stage performance of ''Journey’s End'', praising Clive’s performance and character. Clive responded that he was very touched by the letter and would always keep it.

Personal life

Clive was married to Jeanne de Casalis in June 1929. By 1935, Clive and Casalis had been living separately, with Clive in Los Angeles County and Casalis in London.

Death

Colin Clive suffered from severe chronic alcoholism and he died from complications of tuberculosis on 25 June 1937 at age 37.

Clive's alcoholism was apparent to his co-stars. He was often seen napping on set and sometimes was so intoxicated that he had to be held upright for over-the-shoulder shots. Clive was tormented by the medical threat of amputation of his long-damaged leg.

Forrest J Ackerman recalled visiting Clive's body: "I actually saw him in death, lying in a bed at a mortuary where it was possible for the public to view his body. He looked remarkably as he had when lying in bed in ''The Bride of Frankenstein''." Over 300 mourners turned out. One of the pallbearers was Peter Lorre. His cenotaph is located at Chapel of the Pines Crematory.

Roles

Stage

*''Peter and Paul'' (September 1925)
*''Advertising April'' (November 1925)

Film

*'' Journey's End'' (1930) as Capt. Dennis Stanhope (film debut)
*''Frankenstein'' (1931) as Dr. Henry Frankenstein
*'' The Stronger Sex'' (1931) as Warren Barrington
*'' Lily Christine'' (1932) as Rupert Harvey
*''Christopher Strong'' (1933) as Sir Christopher Strong
*'' Looking Forward'' (1933) as Geoffrey Fielding
*'' The Key'' (1934) as Capt. Andrew 'Andy' Kerr
*'' One More River'' (1934) as Sir Gerald Corven
*''Jane Eyre'' (1934) as Edward Rochester
*''Clive of India'' (1935) as Capt. Johnstone
*'' The Right to Live'' (1935) as Maurice
*''Bride of Frankenstein'' (1935) as Dr. Henry Frankenstein
*'' The Girl from 10th Avenue'' (1935) as John Marland
*''Mad Love'' (1935) as Stephen Orlac
*'' The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo'' (1935) as Bertrand Berkeley
*''The Widow from Monte Carlo'' (1936) as Lord Eric Reynolds
*'' History Is Made at Night'' (1937) as Bruce Vail
*'' The Woman I Love'' (1937) as Capt. Thelis (final role)

Notes

References

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External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Clive, Colin
1900 births
1937 deaths
People from Saint-Malo
Actors from Brittany
English male film actors
English male stage actors
20th-century deaths from tuberculosis
Burials at Chapel of the Pines Crematory
People educated at Stonyhurst College
20th-century English male actors
English expatriate male actors in the United States
British expatriates in France
Tuberculosis deaths in California
Alcohol-related deaths in California