Hay Petrie
   HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

David Hay Petrie (16 July 1895 – 30 July 1948) was a Scottish actor noted for playing eccentric characters, among them
Quilp Daniel Quilp is one of the main antagonists in the novel ''The Old Curiosity Shop'' by Charles Dickens, written in 1840. Quilp is a vicious, ill-tempered and grotesque dwarf and is the villain of the story. Quilp is as near as Dickens ever came to ...
in ''
The Old Curiosity Shop ''The Old Curiosity Shop'' is one of two novels (the other being ''Barnaby Rudge'') which Charles Dickens published along with short stories in his weekly serial ''Master Humphrey's Clock'', from 1840 to 1841. It was so popular that New York r ...
'' (1934), the McLaggen in ''
The Ghost Goes West ''The Ghost Goes West'' is a 1935 British romantic comedy/fantasy film starring Robert Donat, Jean Parker, and Eugene Pallette, and directed by René Clair, his first English-language film. The film shows an Old World ghost dealing with American ...
'' (1935) and Uncle Pumblechook in '' Great Expectations'' (1946).McFarlane, Brian (28 February 2014). ''The Encyclopedia of British Film: Fourth edition''. Oxford University Press. p. 595; Hay Petrie was born in
Dundee Dundee (; sco, Dundee; gd, Dùn Dè or ) is Scotland's fourth-largest city and the 51st-most-populous built-up area in the United Kingdom. The mid-year population estimate for 2016 was , giving Dundee a population density of 2,478/km2 or ...
, Angus, Scotland, where he went to
Harris Academy Harris Academy is a co-educational comprehensive school in the West End of Dundee, Scotland. Harris Academy was founded in 1885 and is the oldest state school in Dundee. Harris Academy is also one of the largest state run schools in Dundee in ...
. He later attended
St Andrew's University (Aien aristeuein) , motto_lang = grc , mottoeng = Ever to ExcelorEver to be the Best , established = , type = Public research university Ancient university , endowment ...
, where he first discovered the stage. In 1915, he joined the
Royal Scots The Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment), once known as the Royal Regiment of Foot, was the oldest and most senior infantry regiment of the line of the British Army, having been raised in 1633 during the reign of Charles I of Scotland. The regime ...
(Lothian Regiment) as a second lieutenant. After the war, he studied with Rosina Filippi joining the
Old Vic Company The Old Vic is a 1,000-seat, nonprofit organization, not-for-profit producing house, producing theatre in Waterloo, London, Waterloo, London, England. Established in 1818 as the Royal Coburg Theatre, and renamed in 1833 the Royal Victoria Th ...
appearing as "
Starveling Robin Starveling is a character in William Shakespeare's ''A Midsummer Night's Dream'' (1596), one of the Rude Mechanicals of Athens who plays the part of Moonshine in their performance of ''Pyramus and Thisbe''. His part is often considered on ...
" in ''
A Midsummer Night's Dream ''A Midsummer Night's Dream'' is a comedy written by William Shakespeare 1595 or 1596. The play is set in Athens, and consists of several subplots that revolve around the marriage of Theseus and Hippolyta. One subplot involves a conflict amon ...
'' in 1920. In 1924
Albert de Courville Albert Pierre de Courville (26 March 1887 – 15 March 1960) (born in Croydon, England) was a writer and director of theatrical revues, many of which featured the actress and singer Shirley Kellogg, whom he married in June 1913. Career In abo ...
brought Hay Petrie into
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 ...
with ''The Looking Glass'', in which he sang "Oh Shakespeare you're the best of all but you can't fill the fourteen shilling stall". His first film part was ''
Many Waters ''Many Waters'' is a 1986 novel by Madeleine L'Engle, part of the author's Time Quintet (also known as the Time Quartet). The title is taken from the Song of Solomon 8:7: "Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it. If a ...
'' in 1931. Hay Petrie struggled with
alcoholism Alcoholism is, broadly, any drinking of alcohol (drug), alcohol that results in significant Mental health, mental or physical health problems. Because there is disagreement on the definition of the word ''alcoholism'', it is not a recognize ...
, but was much loved by audiences and players. He was never more at home than when he was playing parts from the classical theatre, and for many he was the Shakespearean Clown of the early 1920s. He died 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 ...
in July 1948, aged 53."Hay Petrie"
''BFI''. Retrieved 21 July 2021.


Filmography

* '' Suspense'' (1930) as Scruffy (film debut) * '' Night Birds'' (1931) as Scotty * ''
Many Waters ''Many Waters'' is a 1986 novel by Madeleine L'Engle, part of the author's Time Quintet (also known as the Time Quartet). The title is taken from the Song of Solomon 8:7: "Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it. If a ...
'' (1931) as Director * '' Carmen'' (1931) as Remenado * ''
Help Yourself Help is a word meaning to give aid or signal distress. Help may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Films * ''Help'' (2010 film), a Bollywood horror film * ''Help'' (2021 theatrical film), a British psychological thriller film * '' ...
'' (1932) as Sam Short * ''
The Lucky Number ''The Lucky Number'' is a 1933 British sports comedy film directed by Anthony Asquith and starring Clifford Mollison, Gordon Harker, Joan Wyndham and Frank Pettingell. The screenplay concerns a professional footballer who attempts to recover a ...
'' (1932) as The Photographer * ''
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) as The King's Barber (uncredited) * ''
The Wandering Jew The Wandering Jew is a mythical immortal man whose legend began to spread in Europe in the 13th century. In the original legend, a Jew who taunted Jesus on the way to the Crucifixion was then cursed to walk the Earth until the Second Coming. ...
'' (1933) as Palermo Merchant (uncredited) * ''
Song of the Plough ''Song of the Plough'', later re-released with the alternative title ''Country Fair'', is a 1933 British drama film directed by John Baxter and starring Stewart Rome, Rosalinde Fuller and Allan Jeayes. The screenplay concerns an English farmer ...
'' (1933) as Farmhand * ''
Crime on the Hill ''Crime on the Hill'' is a 1933 British mystery film directed by Bernard Vorhaus and starring Sally Blane, Nigel Playfair and Lewis Casson. The plot was based on a successful play by Jack de Leon and Jack Celestin. It was made by British Intern ...
'' (1933) as Jevons * '' Red Wagon'' (1933) as Minor Role (uncredited) * '' Matinee Idol'' (1933) as Mr. Clappit * '' Colonel Blood'' (1934) as Mr. Edwards * ''
The Queen's Affair ''The Queen's Affair'' is a 1934 British musical film directed by Herbert Wilcox and starring Anna Neagle, Fernand Gravey, Muriel Aked and Edward Chapman. An Eastern European President falls in love with the Queen whom he had previously depose ...
'' (1934) as Revolutionary * ''
Nell Gwynn Eleanor Gwyn (2 February 1650 – 14 November 1687; also spelled ''Gwynn'', ''Gwynne'') was a celebrity figure of the Restoration period. Praised by Samuel Pepys for her comic performances as one of the first actresses on the English stag ...
'' (1934) as French Ambassador (uncredited) * ''
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) as Golden Pheasant Manager (uncredited) * '' Blind Justice'' (1934) as Harry * ''
The Old Curiosity Shop ''The Old Curiosity Shop'' is one of two novels (the other being ''Barnaby Rudge'') which Charles Dickens published along with short stories in his weekly serial ''Master Humphrey's Clock'', from 1840 to 1841. It was so popular that New York r ...
'' (1934) as
Quilp Daniel Quilp is one of the main antagonists in the novel ''The Old Curiosity Shop'' by Charles Dickens, written in 1840. Quilp is a vicious, ill-tempered and grotesque dwarf and is the villain of the story. Quilp is as near as Dickens ever came to ...
* ''
Peg of Old Drury ''Peg of Old Drury'' is a 1935 British historical film directed by Herbert Wilcox and starring Anna Neagle, Cedric Hardwicke and Margaretta Scott. The film is a biopic of eighteenth-century Irish actress Peg Woffington. It was based on the play ...
'' (1935) as Mr. Rich * ''
The Loves of Madame Dubarry ''I Give My Heart'' (US-Title: ''The Loves of Madame Dubarry'') is a 1935 British historical film adapted from the stage operetta ''The DuBarry'' by Carl Millöcker and arranged by Theo Mackeben. Directed by Marcel Varnel, and produced by Britis ...
'' (1935) as Cascal * '' Koenigsmark'' (1935) as Professor (uncredited) * ''
Moscow Nights __NOTOC__ "Moscow Nights" ( rus, Подмосковные вечера, r=Podmoskovnyje večera, ), later covered as "Midnight in Moscow", is a Soviet Russian song. Composition and initial success Composer Vasily Solovyov-Sedoi and poet Mikhai ...
'' (1935) as Spy * ''
The Ghost Goes West ''The Ghost Goes West'' is a 1935 British romantic comedy/fantasy film starring Robert Donat, Jean Parker, and Eugene Pallette, and directed by René Clair, his first English-language film. The film shows an Old World ghost dealing with American ...
'' (1935) as The McLaggen * '' Invitation to the Waltz'' (1935) as Periteau * ''
Forget Me Not Forget-me-not refers to any member of the flowering plant genus ''Myosotis'', particularly: * Flowers in the genus ''Myosotis'' * ''Myosotis sylvatica'' or wood forget-me-not * ''Cynoglossum amabile'' or Chinese forget-me-not Forget me not may a ...
'' (1936) as New York Theatre Manager * '' Men of Yesterday'' (1936) * ''
The House of the Spaniard ''The House of the Spaniard'' is a 1936 British comedy thriller film directed by Reginald Denham and starring Peter Haddon, Brigitte Horney and Allan Jeayes. It is set in Lancashire and Spain, during the ongoing Spanish Civil War. It was shot a ...
'' (1936) as Orlando * '' Hearts of Humanity'' (1936) as Alf Hooper * ''
Rembrandt Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn (, ; 15 July 1606 – 4 October 1669), usually simply known as Rembrandt, was a Dutch Golden Age painter, printmaker and draughtsman. An innovative and prolific master in three media, he is generally consid ...
'' (1936) as Jeweller (uncredited) * ''
Treachery on the High Seas ''Treachery on the High Seas'', also known as ''Not Wanted on Voyage'', is a 1936 British comedy crime film directed by Emil E. Reinert and starring Bebe Daniels, Ben Lyon and Charles Farrell. It is based on the play ''Murder in the Stalls'' b ...
'' (1936) as Brainie * ''
Conquest of the Air ''Conquest of the Air'' is a 1936 documentary film or docudrama on the history of aviation up to that time. The film features historical footage, and dramatic re-creations, of the developments of commercial and military aviation; including the e ...
'' (1936) as
Tiberius Cavallo Tiberius Cavallo (also Tiberio) (30 March 1749, Naples, Italy21 December 1809, London, England) was an Italian physicist and natural philosopher. His interests included electricity, the development of scientific instruments, the nature of " ai ...
* '' Secret Lives'' (1937) as Robert Pigeon * ''
Knight Without Armour ''Knight Without Armour'' (styled as ''Knight Without Armor'' in some releases) is a 1937 British historical drama film starring Marlene Dietrich and Robert Donat. It was directed by Jacques Feyder and produced by Alexander Korda from a screenp ...
'' (1937) as Station Master * '' The Last Barricade'' (1938) as Captain MacTavish * '' Keep Smiling'' (1938) as Jack * ''
A Spot of Bother ''A Spot of Bother'' is the second adult novel by Mark Haddon, who is best known for his prize-winning first novel ''The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time''. Like ''Curious Incident'', ''A Spot of Bother'' examines mental health iss ...
'' (1938) as McTavish the Golf Club Official (uncredited) * ''
Q Planes ''Q Planes'' (known as ''Clouds Over Europe'' in the United States) is a 1939 British comedy spy film starring Ralph Richardson, Laurence Olivier and Valerie Hobson. Olivier and Richardson were a decade into their fifty-year friendship and were ...
'' (1939) as Stage Door Keeper * ''
Trunk Crime ''Trunk Crime'' is a 1939 British thriller film directed by Roy Boulting and starring Manning Whiley, Barbara Everest and Michael Drake. It was made at Elstree Studios as a quota quickie The Cinematograph Films Act of 1927 ('' 17 & 18 Geo. V ...
'' (1939) as Old Dan * ''
The Four Feathers ''The Four Feathers'' is a 1902 adventure novel by British writer A. E. W. Mason that has inspired many films of the same title. In December 1901, ''Cornhill Magazine'' announced the title as one of two new serial stories to be published in th ...
'' (1939) as Mahdi Interpreter (uncredited) * ''
Jamaica Inn The Jamaica Inn is a traditional inn on Bodmin Moor in Cornwall in the UK, which was built as a coaching inn in 1750, and has a historical association with smuggling. Located just off the A30, near the middle of the moor close to the hamlet ...
'' (1939) as Sam - Sir Humphrey's Groom * ''
The Spy in Black ''The Spy in Black'' (US: ''U-Boat 29'') is a 1939 British film, and the first collaboration between the British filmmakers Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger. They were brought together by Alexander Korda to make the World War I spy thrill ...
'' (1939) as Engineer * '' Inquest'' (1939) as Norman Neale K.C. * ''
21 Days ''21 Days'' (also known as ''21 Days Together'', ''The First and the Last'' and ''Three Weeks Together'') is a 1940 British drama film based on the short 1919 play '' The First and the Last'' by John Galsworthy. It was directed by Basil Dean and ...
'' (1940) as Evan * '' Contraband'' (1940) as Axel Skold/Erik Skold * ''
Crimes at the Dark House ''Crimes at the Dark House'' (originally titled ''The Woman in White'') is a (1940) British film directed by George King starring Tod Slaughter, Sylvia Marriott and Hilary Eaves. It is loosely based on the 1860 novel '' The Woman in White'' by ...
'' (1940) as Dr. Isidor Fosco * '' Spy for a Day'' (1940) as Mr. Britt. * ''
Pastor Hall ''Pastor Hall'' is a 1940 British drama film directed by Roy Boulting and starring Wilfrid Lawson, Nova Pilbeam, Marius Goring, Seymour Hicks and Bernard Miles. The film is based on the play of the same title by German author Ernst Toller who ...
'' (1940) as Nazi Pastor * ''
Ten Days in Paris ''Ten Days in Paris'', also known as ''Missing Ten Days'' and ''Spy in the Pantry'', is a 1940 British spy film directed by Tim Whelan and starring Rex Harrison, Kaaren Verne and C. V. France. The screenplay concerns a man in Paris who turns o ...
'' (1940) as Benoit * ''
Convoy A convoy is a group of vehicles, typically motor vehicles or ships, traveling together for mutual support and protection. Often, a convoy is organized with armed defensive support and can help maintain cohesion within a unit. It may also be used ...
'' (1940) as Minesweeper Skipper * '' The Thief of Bagdad'' (1940) as Astrologer * ''
Freedom Radio ''Freedom Radio'' (a.k.a. ''A Voice in the Night'') is a 1941 British propaganda film directed by Anthony Asquith and starring Clive Brook, Diana Wynyard, Raymond Huntley and Derek Farr. It is set in Nazi Germany during the Second World Wa ...
'' (1941) as Sebastian * ''
The Ghost of St. Michael's ''The Ghost of St. Michael's'' is a 1941 British comedy- thriller film, produced by Ealing Studios. Will Hay, the film's star, replaced his sidekicks, Graham Moffatt and Moore Marriott, from his previous film '' Where's That Fire?'' with comed ...
'' (1941) as Procurator Fiscal * ''
Quiet Wedding ''Quiet Wedding'' is a 1941 British romantic comedy film directed by Anthony Asquith and starring Margaret Lockwood, Derek Farr and Marjorie Fielding. The screenplay was written by Terence Rattigan and Anatole de Grunwald based on the play '' Q ...
'' (1941) as Railway Porter (uncredited) * '' Spellbound'' (1941) as Mr. Cathcart * ''
Turned Out Nice Again ''Turned Out Nice Again'' is a 1941 British comedy film directed by Marcel Varnel and starring the Lancashire-born comedian George Formby. Made at Ealing Studios, ''Turned Out Nice Again'' premiered at the London Pavilion Cinema on 29 June 194 ...
'' (1941) as Drunk (uncredited) * ''
Cottage to Let ''Cottage to Let'' is a 1941 British spy thriller film directed by Anthony Asquith starring Leslie Banks, Alastair Sim and John Mills. Filmed during the Second World War and set in Scotland during the war, its plot concerns Nazi spies trying t ...
'' (1941) as Dr. Truscott * '' Rush Hour'' (1941, Short) as Bus Conductor (uncredited) * ''
This Was Paris ''This Was Paris'' is a 1942 British Second World War spy film directed by John Harlow and starring Ann Dvorak, Ben Lyon and Griffith Jones. It was shot at Teddington Studios. Plot British Captain Bill Hamilton meets and is attracted to Ame ...
'' (1942) as Popinard, Amusement Park Owner * ''
One of Our Aircraft Is Missing ''One of Our Aircraft Is Missing'' (stylized onscreen as ''......one of our aircraft is missing'') is a 1942 British black-and-white war film, mainly set in the German-occupied Netherlands. It was the fourth collaboration between the British writ ...
'' (1942) as The Burgomaster * ''
Hard Steel ''Hard Steel'' is a 1942 British drama film directed by Norman Walker and starring Wilfrid Lawson, Betty Stockfeld and John Stuart. It was based on the novel ''Steel Saraband'' by Roger Dataller. The film was one of four made by G.H.W. Product ...
'' (1942) as Mr. Kissack * ''
They Flew Alone ''They Flew Alone'' (released in the US as ''Wings and the Woman'') is a 1942 British biopic about aviator Amy Johnson directed and produced by Herbert Wilcox and starring Anna Neagle, Robert Newton and Edward Chapman. It was distributed in the ...
'' (1942) as Old General * '' Those Kids from Town'' (1942) as Ted Roberts * ''
Sabotage at Sea ''Sabotage at Sea'' is a 1942 British, black-and-white, drama, mystery, war film, directed by Leslie S. Hiscott and starring Jane Carr, Margaretta Scott, David Hutcheson and Ronald Shiner as Ernie the Cook. It was produced by British National F ...
'' (1942) as Talkative sailor at table * ''
The Great Mr. Handel ''The Great Mr. Handel'' is a 1942 British Technicolor historical film directed by Norman Walker and starring Wilfrid Lawson, Elizabeth Allan and Malcolm Keen. The film is a biopic of the 18th-century German-British composer Georg Friedrich H ...
'' (1942) as Phineas * ''
Escape to Danger ''Escape to Danger'' is a 1943 British thriller film directed by Lance Comfort and Victor Hanbury and starring Eric Portman, Ann Dvorak and Karel Stepanek. Plot During the Second World War a British schoolteacher working in Denmark is caught u ...
'' (1943) (uncredited) * ''
Schweik's New Adventures ''Schweik's New Adventures'' is a 1943 British comedy film directed by Karel Lamač and starring Lloyd Pearson, Maggie Rennie, Richard Attenborough and Julien Mitchell. It is also known by the alternative title ''It Started at Midnight''. It was ...
'' (1943) as Gestapo man at inn * ''
They Met in the Dark ''They Met in the Dark'' is a 1943 British comedy thriller film directed by Karel Lamač and starring James Mason, Joyce Howard and Edward Rigby. The screenplay concerns a cashiered Royal Naval officer and a young woman who join forces to solv ...
'' (1943) as Waiter (uncredited) * ''
The Shipbuilders ''The Shipbuilders'' is a 1943 British drama film directed by John Baxter and starring Clive Brook, Morland Graham and Nell Ballantyne. The film is set in a Clyde shipyard in the build-up to the Second World War. It was made by British Nationa ...
'' (1943) as Worker in Pagan's Office (uncredited) * ''Battle for Music'' (1943) as Official Receiver * '' On Approval'' (1944) as Hotelkeeper * ''
A Canterbury Tale ''A Canterbury Tale'' is a 1944 British film by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger starring Eric Portman, Sheila Sim, Dennis Price and Sgt. John Sweet; Esmond Knight provided narration and played two small roles. For the post-war American ...
'' (1944) as Woodcock * '' Kiss the Bride Goodbye'' (1945) as Fraser * ''
For You Alone ''For You Alone'' is a 1945 British World War II romance melodrama, one of only two films directed by cinematographer Geoffrey Faithfull, starring Lesley Brook, Dinah Sheridan and Jimmy Hanley. The film was made by a smaller studio, Butcher's ...
'' (1945) as Sir Henry Markham (uncredited) * ''
Waltz Time The time signature (also known as meter signature, metre signature, or measure signature) is a notational convention used in Western culture, Western musical notation to specify how many beat (music), beats (pulses) are contained in each measu ...
'' (1945) as Minister of War * ''
The Voice Within "The Voice Within" is a song by American singer Christina Aguilera from her fourth studio album, ''Stripped'' (2002). The song was written by Aguilera and Glen Ballard, with production handled by Ballard. It is a piano-driven ballad that talk ...
'' (1946) as Fair Owner * ''
Night Boat to Dublin ''Night Boat to Dublin'' is a 1946 British thriller film directed and co-written by Lawrence Huntington. It stars Robert Newton, Raymond Lovell, Guy Middleton, Muriel Pavlow and Herbert Lom. Plot During the Second World War, a captured German ...
'' (1946) as Station Master * ''
Under New Management ''Under New Management'', also known as ''Honeymoon Hotel'', is a 1946 British comedy film directed by John E. Blakeley and starring Nat Jackley, Norman Evans and Dan Young. The screenplay concerns a chimney sweep inherits a hotel and calls on ...
'' (1946) as The Bridegroom * ''
The Laughing Lady ''The Laughing Lady'' is a 1946 British Technicolor musical drama film directed by Paul L. Stein and starring Anne Ziegler, Webster Booth and Francis L. Sullivan. Based on a play by Ingram D'Abbes, its plot follows a young aristocrat who mak ...
'' (1946) as Tom * '' Great Expectations'' (1946) as Uncle Pumblechook * '' The Red Shoes'' (1948) as Boisson * '' The Dark Road'' (1948) * '' The Fallen Idol'' (1948) as Clock Winder * ''
Noose A noose is a loop at the end of a rope in which the knot tightens under load and can be loosened without untying the knot. The knot can be used to secure a rope to a post, pole, or animal but only where the end is in a position that the loop can ...
'' (1948) as Barber * '' The Guinea Pig'' (1948) as Peck * ''
The Monkey's Paw "The Monkey's Paw" is a horror short story by English author W. W. Jacobs, first published in the collection '' The Lady of the Barge'' in 1902. In the story, three wishes are granted to the owner of The Monkey's Paw, but the wishes come with ...
'' (1948) as Grimshaw, Curio Shopkeeper * '' The Queen of Spades'' (1949) as Herman's servant (final film)


References


External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Petrie, Hay 1895 births 1948 deaths Scottish male film actors 20th-century Scottish male actors Male actors from Dundee People educated at Harris Academy British Army personnel of World War I Royal Scots officers