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Edward Erskholme Clive (28 August 1879 – 6 June 1940) was a Welsh stage actor and director who had a prolific acting career in Britain and America. He also played numerous supporting roles in Hollywood movies between 1933 and his death.


Biography

E. E. Clive was born on 28 August 1879 in Blaenavon in
Monmouthshire Monmouthshire ( cy, Sir Fynwy) is a county in the south-east of Wales. The name derives from the historic county of the same name; the modern county covers the eastern three-fifths of the historic county. The largest town is Abergavenny, with ...
. He attended Pembroke Preparatory School and the University of Wales. His father, a minister, opposed Clive's becoming an actor. Clive studied for a medical career, and had completed four years of medical studies at
St Bartholomew's Hospital St Bartholomew's Hospital, commonly known as Barts, is a teaching hospital located in the City of London. It was founded in 1123 and is currently run by Barts Health NHS Trust. History Early history Barts was founded in 1123 by Rahere (died ...
before switching his focus to acting at age 22. Touring the provinces for a decade, Clive became an expert at virtually every sort of regional dialect in the British Isles. He moved to the U.S. in 1912, where after working in the Orpheum
vaudeville Vaudeville (; ) is a theatrical genre of variety entertainment born in France at the end of the 19th century. A vaudeville was originally a comedy without psychological or moral intentions, based on a comical situation: a dramatic composition ...
circuit he set up his own stock company in
Boston Boston (), officially the City of Boston, is the state capital and most populous city of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as well as the cultural and financial center of the New England region of the United States. It is the 24th- most p ...
. By the 1920s, his company was operating in Hollywood; among his repertory players were such up-and-comers as
Rosalind Russell Catherine Rosalind Russell (June 4, 1907November 28, 1976) was an American actress, comedienne, screenwriter, and singer,Obituary ''Variety'', December 1, 1976, p. 79. known for her role as fast-talking newspaper reporter Hildy Johnson in the Ho ...
. He also worked at the
Broadway Broadway may refer to: Theatre * Broadway Theatre (disambiguation) * Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S. ** Broadway (Manhattan), the street **Broadway Theatre (53rd Stree ...
in several plays. Clive's obituary in ''
The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid ...
'' stated that he acted in "1,159 Legitimate Plays Before Going into Moving Pictures". Clive made his film debut as a village police constable in 1933's ''
The Invisible Man ''The Invisible Man'' is a science fiction novel by H. G. Wells. Originally serialized in ''Pearson's Weekly'' in 1897, it was published as a novel the same year. The Invisible Man to whom the title refers is Griffin, a scientist who has devote ...
'' with
Claude Rains William Claude Rains (10 November 188930 May 1967) was a British actor whose career spanned almost seven decades. After his American film debut as Dr. Jack Griffin in ''The Invisible Man'' (1933), he appeared in such highly regarded films as '' ...
, then spent the next seven years showing up in wry supporting and bit parts, where he often portrayed comical versions of English stereotypes, sometimes also as a humourless authority figure.Quinlan's Film Character Actors: E E Clive He often played butlers, reporters, aristocrats, shopkeepers and cabbies during his short film career. Though his roles were often small, Clive was a well-known and prolific character actor of his time. Among his best-known roles was the incompetent
Burgomaster Burgomaster (alternatively spelled burgermeister, literally "master of the town, master of the borough, master of the fortress, master of the citizens") is the English form of various terms in or derived from Germanic languages for the chief ...
in
James Whale James Whale (22 July 1889 – 29 May 1957) was an English film director, theatre director and actor, who spent the greater part of his career in Hollywood. He is best remembered for several horror films: ''Frankenstein'' (1931), '' The Old ...
's horror classic ''
Bride of Frankenstein ''Bride of Frankenstein'' is a 1935 American science fiction horror film, and the first sequel to Universal Pictures' 1931 film ''Frankenstein''. As with the first film, ''Bride of Frankenstein'' was directed by James Whale starring Boris Karlo ...
'' (1935). He was a semi-regular as 'Tenny the Butler' in
Paramount Pictures Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film and television production and distribution company and the main namesake division of Paramount Global (formerly ViacomCBS). It is the fifth-oldest film studio in the world, the second-oldest ...
' ''
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, ...
'' "B" series starring
John Howard John Winston Howard (born 26 July 1939) is an Australian former politician who served as the 25th prime minister of Australia from 1996 to 2007, holding office as leader of the Liberal Party. His eleven-year tenure as prime minister is the s ...
; he also played butlers in other movies like '' Bachelor Mother'' with
David Niven James David Graham Niven (; 1 March 1910 – 29 July 1983) was a British actor, soldier, memoirist, and novelist. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance as Major Pollock in ''Separate Tables'' (1958). Niven's other roles ...
and
Ginger Rogers Ginger Rogers (born Virginia Katherine McMath; July 16, 1911 – April 25, 1995) was an American actress, dancer and singer during the Golden Age of Hollywood. She won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her starring role in ''Kitty Foyle'' ...
. In 1939, Clive appeared in '' The Little Princess'' as the lawyer Mr. Barrows, and the first two entries of the classic
Sherlock Holmes Sherlock Holmes () is a fictional detective created by British author Arthur Conan Doyle. Referring to himself as a " consulting detective" in the stories, Holmes is known for his proficiency with observation, deduction, forensic science and l ...
series starring
Basil Rathbone Philip St. John Basil Rathbone MC (13 June 1892 – 21 July 1967) was a South African-born English actor. He rose to prominence in the United Kingdom as a Shakespearean stage actor and went on to appear in more than 70 films, primarily costume ...
. One of Clive's last roles was Sir William Lucas in the 1940 literature adaption '' Pride and Prejudice'' (1940) with
Laurence Olivier Laurence Kerr Olivier, Baron Olivier (; 22 May 1907 – 11 July 1989) was an English actor and director who, along with his contemporaries Ralph Richardson and John Gielgud, was one of a trio of male actors who dominated the British stage ...
and
Greer Garson Eileen Evelyn Greer Garson (29 September 1904 – 6 April 1996) was an English-American actress and singer. She was a major star at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer who became popular during the Second World War for her portrayal of strong women on the hom ...
. Clive died on 6 June 1940, of a
heart ailment Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a class of diseases that involve the heart or blood vessels. CVD includes coronary artery diseases (CAD) such as angina and myocardial infarction (commonly known as a heart attack). Other CVDs include stroke, hea ...
, in his Hollywood home. Clive was a member of the Euclid lodge of
Freemasons Freemasonry or Masonry refers to fraternal organisations that trace their origins to the local guilds of stonemasons that, from the end of the 13th century, regulated the qualifications of stonemasons and their interaction with authorities ...
in Boston.


Complete filmography

*'' Cheaters at Play'' (1932) – Steward *''Horse Play'' (1933) – Scotland Yard Officer (uncredited) *''
The Invisible Man ''The Invisible Man'' is a science fiction novel by H. G. Wells. Originally serialized in ''Pearson's Weekly'' in 1897, it was published as a novel the same year. The Invisible Man to whom the title refers is Griffin, a scientist who has devote ...
'' (1933) – Constable Jaffers *'' Long Lost Father'' (1934) – Spot Hawkins *''
The Poor Rich ''The Poor Rich'' is a 1934 American pre-Code comedy film directed by Edward Sedgwick and written by Ebba Havez and Dale Van Every. The film stars Edward Everett Horton, Edna May Oliver, Andy Devine, Leila Hyams, Grant Mitchell and Thelma Todd ...
'' (1934) – Lord Fetherstone *'' Riptide'' (1934) – Major Mills (uncredited) *''
One More River ''One More River'' is a 1934 American drama film mystery directed by James Whale. It was produced and distributed by Universal Pictures and starred Colin Clive, Diana Wynyard and stage actress Mrs Patrick Campbell in one of her very few films. Th ...
'' (1934) – Chayne *'' Bulldog Drummond Strikes Back'' (1934) – Bobby With Mustache *''
Charlie Chan in London ''Charlie Chan in London'' is a 1934 American mystery film directed by Eugene Forde. The film stars Warner Oland as Charlie Chan. This is the sixth film produced by Fox with Warner Oland as the detective, and the second not to be lost, after '' ...
'' (1934) – Detective Sergeant Thacker *''
The Gay Divorcee ''The Gay Divorcee'' is a 1934 American musical film directed by Mark Sandrich and starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. It also features Alice Brady, Edward Everett Horton, Eric Blore, and Erik Rhodes. The screenplay was written by George ...
'' (1934) – Chief Customs Inspector (uncredited) *'' Father Brown, Detective'' (1934) – Sergeant Dawes *'' The Little Minister'' (1934) – Sheriff Greer (uncredited) *''Tin Pants'' (1934) *''
David Copperfield ''David Copperfield'' Dickens invented over 14 variations of the title for this work, see is a novel in the bildungsroman genre by Charles Dickens, narrated by the eponymous David Copperfield, detailing his adventures in his journey from in ...
'' (1935) – Sheriff's Man (uncredited) *''
The Mystery of Edwin Drood ''The Mystery of Edwin Drood'' is the final novel by Charles Dickens, originally published in 1870. Though the novel is named after the character Edwin Drood, it focuses more on Drood's uncle, John Jasper, a precentor, choirmaster and opium ...
'' (1935) – Mayor Thomas Sapsea *''
Gold Diggers of 1935 ''Gold Diggers of 1935'' is an American musical film directed and choreographed by Busby Berkeley, and starring Dick Powell, Adolphe Menjou, Gloria Stuart and Alice Brady. Winifred Shaw, Hugh Herbert and Glenda Farrell are also featured. The song ...
'' (1935) – Westbrook – Thorpe's Chauffeur (uncredited) *''
Bride of Frankenstein ''Bride of Frankenstein'' is a 1935 American science fiction horror film, and the first sequel to Universal Pictures' 1931 film ''Frankenstein''. As with the first film, ''Bride of Frankenstein'' was directed by James Whale starring Boris Karlo ...
'' (1935) – Burgomaster *''
We're in the Money "The Gold Diggers' Song (We're in the Money)" is a song from the 1933 Warner Bros. film ''Gold Diggers of 1933'', sung in the opening sequence by Ginger Rogers and chorus. The entire song is never performed in the 1933 movie, though it introduce ...
'' (1935) – Jevons, Courtney's Butler *''
Atlantic Adventure ''Atlantic Adventure'' is a 1935 American comedy mystery film directed by Albert S. Rogell and starring Nancy Carroll, Lloyd Nolan and Harry Langdon.Nemcek p.211 Premise A newspaper reporter and his photographer stow away aboard an ocean liner ...
'' (1935) – McIntosh *'' Page Miss Glory'' (1935) – Monogram Shirtmaker (uncredited) *''
Three Kids and a Queen ''Three Kids and a Queen'' is a 1935 American drama film directed by Edward Ludwig, written by Samuel Ornitz and Barry Trivers, and starring May Robson, Henry Armetta, Herman Bing, Frankie Darro, Bill Burrud and William "Billy" Benedict. It was r ...
'' (1935) – Coachman (uncredited) *'' A Feather in Her Hat'' (1935) – Higgins – Pub Proprietor (uncredited) *'' Remember Last Night?'' (1935) – Coroner's Photographer (uncredited) *'' The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo'' (1935) – Waiter (uncredited) *''
Stars Over Broadway ''Stars Over Broadway'' is a 1935 American musical film directed by William Keighley, written by Jerry Wald, Julius J. Epstein, & Pat C. Flick, and starring Pat O'Brien, Jane Froman, James Melton, Jean Muir, Frank McHugh, and Eddie Conrad. ...
'' (1935) – Crane *'' Kind Lady'' (1935) – Gramophone Man (uncredited) *''
A Tale of Two Cities ''A Tale of Two Cities'' is a historical novel published in 1859 by Charles Dickens, set in London and Paris before and during the French Revolution. The novel tells the story of the French Doctor Manette, his 18-year-long imprisonment in the ...
'' (1935) – Judge in 'Old Bailey' *'' Captain Blood'' (1935) – Clerk of the Court *''
The Widow from Monte Carlo ''The Widow from Monte Carlo'' is a 1935 American comedy film directed by Arthur Greville Collins and starring Warren William, Dolores del Río, Louise Fazenda and Colin Clive. It was based on the play '' A Present from Margate'' by Ian Hay a ...
'' (1935) – Lord Holloway *''
Sylvia Scarlett ''Sylvia Scarlett'' is a 1935 American romantic comedy film starring Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant, based on '' The Early Life and Adventures of Sylvia Scarlett'', a 1918 novel by Compton MacKenzie. Directed by George Cukor, it was notorious ...
'' (1935) – Customs Inspector (uncredited) *'' The Dark Hour'' (1936) – Foot, the Butler *''
Little Lord Fauntleroy ''Little Lord Fauntleroy'' is a novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett. It was published as a serial in '' St. Nicholas Magazine'' from November 1885 to October 1886, then as a book by Scribner's (the publisher of ''St. Nicholas'') in 1886. The ill ...
'' (1936) – Sir Harry Lorridaile *''
Love Before Breakfast ''Love Before Breakfast'' is a 1936 American romantic comedy starring Carole Lombard, Preston Foster, and Cesar Romero, based on Faith Baldwin's short story ''Spinster Dinner'', published in '' International-Cosmopolitan'' in July 1934. The film w ...
'' (1936) – Yacht Captain (uncredited) *'' The Unguarded Hour'' (1936) – Lord Hathaway *''
Dracula's Daughter ''Dracula's Daughter'' is a 1936 American vampire horror film produced by Universal Pictures as a sequel to the 1931 film ''Dracula''. Directed by Lambert Hillyer from a screenplay by Garrett Fort, the film stars Otto Kruger, Gloria Holden in th ...
'' (1936) – Sergeant Wilkes *''
The King Steps Out ''The King Steps Out'' is a 1936 American light comedy film directed by Josef von Sternberg based on the early years of Empress Elisabeth of Austria, known as "Sisi" or "Sissi", and her courtship and marriage to Franz Joseph I of Austria, after h ...
'' (1936) – Tutor (uncredited) *''
Show Boat ''Show Boat'' is a musical with music by Jerome Kern and book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. It is based on Edna Ferber's best-selling 1926 novel of the same name. The musical follows the lives of the performers, stagehands and dock worke ...
'' (1936) – London Producer (uncredited) *'' Trouble for Two'' (1936) – King *'' The Golden Arrow'' (1936) – Walker *''
Palm Springs Palm Springs (Cahuilla: ''Séc-he'') is a desert resort city in Riverside County, California, United States, within the Colorado Desert's Coachella Valley. The city covers approximately , making it the largest city in Riverside County by land a ...
'' (1936) – Morgan *'' Ticket to Paradise'' (1936) – Barkins *'' The White Angel'' (1936) – Dr. Smith, a Surgeon (uncredited) *''
Piccadilly Jim ''Piccadilly Jim'' is a novel by P. G. Wodehouse, first published in the United States on 24 February 1917 by Dodd, Mead and Company, New York, and in the United Kingdom in May 1918 by Herbert Jenkins, London.McIlvaine (1990), pp. 31–31, A20. ...
'' (1936) – London Gossip Editor Bill Mechan *'' Cain and Mabel'' (1936) – Charles Fendwick *''
Libeled Lady ''Libeled Lady'' is a 1936 screwball comedy film starring Jean Harlow, William Powell, Myrna Loy, and Spencer Tracy, written by George Oppenheimer, Howard Emmett Rogers, Wallace Sullivan, and Maurine Dallas Watkins, and directed by Jack Conway. T ...
'' (1936) – Fishing Instructor *''
Isle of Fury ''Isle of Fury'' is a 1936 American adventure film directed by Frank McDonald and starring Humphrey Bogart, Margaret Lindsay, and Donald Woods. It was produced and distributed by Warner Bros. The film was adapted by Robert Hardy Andrews and ...
'' (1936) – Dr. Hardy *''
All American Chump ''All American Chump'' is a 1936 American comedy film produced by MGM, directed by Edwin L. Marin and written by Lawrence Kimble. The film stars Stuart Erwin, Robert Armstrong, Betty Furness, Edmund Gwenn and Harvey Stephens. Plot When a trav ...
'' (1936) – J. Montgomery Brantley *''
The Charge of the Light Brigade The Charge of the Light Brigade was a failed military action involving the British light cavalry led by Lord Cardigan against Russian forces during the Battle of Balaclava on 25 October 1854 in the Crimean War. Lord Raglan had intended to se ...
'' (1936) – Sir Humphrey Harcourt *''
Tarzan Escapes ''Tarzan Escapes'' is a 1936 Tarzan film based on the character created by Edgar Rice Burroughs. It was the third in the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer ''Tarzan'' series to feature Johnny Weissmuller as the "King of the Apes". Previous films were ''Tarzan ...
'' (1936) – Masters *''
Lloyd's of London Lloyd's of London, generally known simply as Lloyd's, is an insurance and reinsurance market located in London, England. Unlike most of its competitors in the industry, it is not an insurance company; rather, Lloyd's is a corporate body gove ...
'' (1936) – Magistrate *'' Camille'' (1936) – Saint Gaudens (uncredited) *'' Bulldog Drummond Escapes'' (1937) – Tenny *''
On the Avenue ''On the Avenue'' is a 1937 American musical film directed by Roy Del Ruth and starring Dick Powell, Madeleine Carroll, Alice Faye, George Barbier, and The Ritz Brothers. Many of the songs were composed by Irving Berlin. Many of the plot det ...
'' (1937) – Cabby *''
They Wanted to Marry ''They Wanted to Marry'' is a 1937 romantic comedy film directed by Lew Landers from a screenplay by Paul Yawitz and Ethel Borden, based on a story by Larry Bachmann and Daniel L. Teilhet. RKO produced and distributed the film, releasing it o ...
'' (1937) – Stiles *''
Maid of Salem ''Maid of Salem'' is a 1937 film made by Paramount Pictures, directed by Frank Lloyd, and starring Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray. Plot It tells the story of a young girl in Salem, Massachusetts, 1692, who has an affair with an adventurer. ...
'' (1937) – Bilge *'' Ready, Willing and Able'' (1937) – Sir Samuel Buffington (Credits) / Bloomington (in Film) *''
Personal Property property is property that is movable. In common law systems, personal property may also be called chattels or personalty. In civil law systems, personal property is often called movable property or movables—any property that can be moved fr ...
'' (1937) – Cosgrove Dabney *''
Night Must Fall ''Night Must Fall'' is a play, a psychological thriller, by Emlyn Williams, first performed in 1935. There have been three film adaptations, '' Night Must Fall'' (1937); a 1954 adaptation on the television anthology series '' Ponds Theater'' st ...
'' (1937) – Guide *'' The Road Back'' (1937) – General (uncredited) *'' The Emperor's Candlesticks'' (1937) – Auctioneer *'' Love Under Fire'' (1937) – Captain Bowden *'' Bulldog Drummond Comes Back'' (1937) – Tenny *'' Danger – Love at Work'' (1937) – Wilbur *'' It's Love I'm After'' (1937) – First Butler *''
The Great Garrick ''The Great Garrick'' is a 1937 American historical comedy film directed by James Whale and starring Brian Aherne, Olivia de Havilland, and Edward Everett Horton. The film also features Lionel Atwill, Luis Alberni, Melville Cooper, and future star ...
'' (1937) – Pictures Vendor (uncredited) *''
Live, Love and Learn ''Live, Love and Learn'' is a 1937 romantic comedy film starring Robert Montgomery, Rosalind Russell, and Robert Benchley. The movie was directed by George Fitzmaurice. Cast * Robert Montgomery as Bob Graham *Rosalind Russell as Julie Stoddard ...
'' (1937) – Mr. Palmiston *'' Beg, Borrow or Steal'' (1937) – Lord Nigel Braemer *'' Bulldog Drummond's Revenge'' (1937) – Tenny *'' Arsène Lupin Returns'' (1938) – Alf *'' The First Hundred Years'' (1938) – Chester Blascomb *'' Bulldog Drummond's Peril'' (1938) – Tenny *'' Kidnapped'' (1938) – Minister MacDougall *'' Bulldog Drummond in Africa'' (1938) – Tenny *'' Gateway'' (1938) – Room Steward *''
Submarine Patrol ''Submarine Patrol'' is a 1938 film directed by John Ford and starring Richard Greene, Nancy Kelly and Preston Foster. The supporting cast features George Bancroft, Elisha Cook, Jr., John Carradine, Maxie Rosenbloom, Jack Pennick, Ward Bond a ...
'' (1938) – British Officer (uncredited) *''
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 ...
'' (1938) – Tenny *''The Last Warning'' (1938) – Major Barclay *'' Mr. Moto's Last Warning'' (1939) – Port Commandant General (uncredited) *'' The Little Princess'' (1939) – Mr. Barrows *''
I'm from Missouri ''I'm from Missouri'' is a 1939 American comedy film directed by Theodore Reed and written by Duke Atteberry and Jack Moffitt. The film stars Bob Burns, Gladys George, Gene Lockhart, Judith Barrett, William "Bill" Henry and Patricia Morison. ...
'' (1939) – Mr. Arthur, Duke of Cricklewood *'' Bulldog Drummond's Secret Police'' (1939) – Tenny *''
The Hound of the Baskervilles ''The Hound of the Baskervilles'' is the third of the four crime novels by British writer Arthur Conan Doyle featuring the detective Sherlock Holmes. Originally serialised in ''The Strand Magazine'' from August 1901 to April 1902, it is set i ...
'' (1939) – Cabby *''
Rose of Washington Square ''Rose of Washington Square'' is a 1939 American musical drama film, featuring the already well-known popular song with the same title. Set in 1920s New York City, the film focuses on singer Rose Sargent and her turbulent relationship with con art ...
'' (1939)''Great Movie Musicals on DVD'' – A Classic Movie Fan's Guide
by John Howard Reid – Google search with book preview
– Barouche Driver *'' Man About Town'' (1939) – Hotchkiss, Arlington's Butler *'' Bachelor Mother'' (1939) – Merlin's Butler *'' Bulldog Drummond's Bride'' (1939) – Tenny *''
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes ''The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes'' is a collection of twelve short stories by British writer Arthur Conan Doyle, first published on 14 October 1892. It contains the earliest short stories featuring the consulting detective Sherlock Holmes, w ...
'' (1939) – Inspector Bristol *'' Raffles'' (1939) – Barraclough *'' The Honeymoon's Over'' (1939) – Col. Shelby *'' The Earl of Chicago'' (1940) – Mr. Redwood *''
Congo Maisie ''Congo Maisie'' is a 1940 comedy-drama film directed by H. C. Potter and starring Ann Sothern Ann Sothern (born Harriette Arlene Lake; January 22, 1909 – March 15, 2001) was an American actress who worked on stage, radio, film, and ...
'' (1940) – Horace Snell *'' Adventure in Diamonds'' (1940) – Mr. MacPherson *'' Pride and Prejudice'' (1940) – Sir William Lucas *''
Foreign Correspondent A correspondent or on-the-scene reporter is usually a journalist or commentator for a magazine, or an agent who contributes reports to a newspaper, or radio or television news, or another type of company, from a remote, often distant, locati ...
'' (1940) – Mr. Naismith (uncredited) *'' Flowing Gold'' (1940) – Mr. Naismith (uncredited) (final film role)


References


External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Clive, E. E. 1879 births 1940 deaths Welsh male film actors Vaudeville performers People from Monmouthshire 20th-century Welsh male actors British expatriate male actors in the United States