August "Gus" Schilling (June 20, 1908 – June 16, 1957) was an American film actor who started in

burlesque A burlesque is a literary, dramatic or musical work intended to cause laughter by caricaturing the manner or spirit of serious works, or by ludicrous treatment of their subjects.

comedy and usually played nervous comic roles, often unbilled. A friend of

Orson Welles George Orson Welles (May 6, 1915 – October 10, 1985) was an American actor, director, producer, and screenwriter, known for his innovative work in film, radio and theatre. He is considered to be among the greatest and most influential f ...

, he appeared in five of the director's films — ''

Citizen Kane ''Citizen Kane'' is a 1941 American drama film produced by, directed by, and starring Orson Welles. He also co-wrote the screenplay with Herman J. Mankiewicz. The picture was Welles' first feature film. ''Citizen Kane'' is frequently cited ...

'' (first screen performance), ''

The Magnificent Ambersons ''The Magnificent Ambersons'' is a 1918 novel by Booth Tarkington, the second in his ''Growth'' trilogy after ''The Turmoil'' (1915) and before ''The Midlander'' (1923, retitled ''National Avenue'' in 1927). It won the Pulitzer Prize for fict ...

'', ''

The Lady from Shanghai ''The Lady from Shanghai'' is a 1947 American film noir directed by Orson Welles (uncredited) and starring Welles, his estranged wife Rita Hayworth, and Everett Sloane. It is based on the novel ''If I Die Before I Wake'' by Sherwood King. Altho ...

'', ''

Macbeth ''Macbeth'' (, full title ''The Tragedie of Macbeth'') is a tragedy by William Shakespeare. It is thought to have been first performed in 1606. It dramatises the damaging physical and psychological effects of political ambition on those w ...

'' and ''

Touch of Evil ''Touch of Evil'' is a 1958 American film noir written and directed by Orson Welles, who also stars in the film. The screenplay was loosely based on the contemporary Whit Masterson novel ''Badge of Evil'' (1956). The cast included Charlton Hes ...

'' (final performance, released posthumously).

Career

Born in New York City, Schilling had a rubber face and flustered gestures which made him a natural comedian and he began his career understudying comedy stars

Bert Lahr Irving Lahrheim (August 13, 1895 – December 4, 1967), known professionally as Bert Lahr, was an American actor. He was best known for his role as the Cowardly Lion, as well as his counterpart Kansas farmworker "Zeke", in the MGM adaptation of ...

and

Joe Penner Joe Penner (born József Pintér; November 11, 1904 – January 10, 1941) was an American vaudeville, radio, and film comedian. Early life Penner was an ethnic Hungarian born József Pintér in Nagybecskerek, Austria-Hungary, (present-day Zren ...

on Broadway. He soon became a favorite among burlesque comedians, who welcomed him into the burlesque profession. Schilling was in a relationship with burlesque star

Betty Rowland Betty Jane Rowland (January 23, 1916 – April 3, 2022) was an American burlesque dancer and actress, with a career spanning over eight decades. She was the last living performer of the "Golden Age of Burlesque" era. Early life Rowland was b ...

and the couple toured in the Minsky burlesque troupe. Robert Ryan-Gus Schilling On Dangerous Ground

saw Schilling in New York and followed him to

Florida Florida is a state located in the Southeastern region of the United States. Florida is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the northwest by Alabama, to the north by Georgia, to the east by the Bahamas and Atlantic Ocean, and to ...

. There Welles hired Schilling to appear in a stage production featuring several Shakespearean scenes. "I learned my part by taking the script to Welles and having him translate the lines to everyday English," Schilling recalled in 1939. Welles promised Schilling a part in Welles's first motion picture, and kept his promise: Schilling is featured in ''

'' (1941). This established Schilling in Hollywood movies as a "nervous" comedian (he plays a jittery symphony conductor in Olsen and Johnson's '' Hellzapoppin''', for example). He also co-starred with character comedian Richard Lane in a series of 11 comedy shorts for

Columbia Pictures Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. is an American film production studio that is a member of the Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group, a division of Sony Pictures Entertainment, which is one of the Big Five studios and a subsidiary of the mu ...

; the series ran from 1945 to 1950.

Personal life

In July 1945 Schilling was arrested in Hollywood on charges of possession of narcotics. At his trial he testified that he admitted ownership of the marijuana to save his wife from arrest. The all-woman jury acquitted Schilling on November 29. Schilling and Rowland were often reported as married, but Rowland later said that they never were. His professional career remained successful, and he worked in movies and television throughout the 1950s. His final film, Welles's ''

'', in which he has a brief uncredited appearance, was released in May 1958, nearly a year after his death. On June 16, 1957, Schilling was found dead of an apparent heart attack in his Hollywood apartment.

Filmography

* ''

Pop Always Pays ''Pop Always Pays'' is a 1940 American comedy film directed by Leslie Goodwins using a screenplay by Charles E. Roberts, based on a story by Arthur J. Beckhard. Although not credited in the film, news reports of the time reported that when Goodwi ...

'' (1940) – City Dump Watchman (uncredited) (film debut) * ''

Mexican Spitfire Out West ''Mexican Spitfire Out West'' is a 1940 American comedy film directed by Leslie Goodwins and written by Charles E. Roberts and Jack Townley. It is the sequel to the 1940 film ''Mexican Spitfire'' and the second of the film series. The film stars ...

'' (1940) – Danny – Hotel Desk Clerk (uncredited) * ''

Dr. Kildare's Crisis ''Dr. Kildare's Crisis'' is a 1940 drama film directed by Harold S. Bucquet, starring Lew Ayres, Lionel Barrymore and Laraine Day. Mary Lamont's (Laraine Day) financier brother Douglas Lamont (Robert Young (actor), Robert Young) is subject to sei ...

'' (1940) – Orderly Cleaning Window (uncredited) * '' Lucky Devils'' (1941) – Aloysius Grimshaw * '' The Penalty'' (1941) – Parkins, Bank Teller (uncredited) * ''

The Flame of New Orleans ''The Flame of New Orleans'' is a 1941 comedy film directed by René Clair and starring Marlene Dietrich and Bruce Cabot in his first comedy role. The supporting cast features Roland Young, Andy Devine and Franklin Pangborn. It was the last of t ...

'' (1941) – Couturier (uncredited) * ''

'' (1941) – John, The Headwaiter / Screening Room Reporter * ''

The People vs. Dr. Kildare ''The People vs. Dr. Kildare'' is a 1941 drama directed by Harold S. Bucquet, starring Lew Ayres, Lionel Barrymore, Bonita Granville, and Laraine Day. Dr. Kildare performs an emergency operation on a crash victim. Plot Ice skater Frances Marlo ...

'' (1941) – Interne at Mike's (uncredited) * ''

Too Many Blondes ''Too Many Blondes'' is a 1941 American musical comedy film directed by Thornton Freeland and starring Rudy Vallee, Helen Parrish and Lon Chaney Jr. Creighton Tull Chaney (February10, 1906 – July12, 1973), known by his stage name Lon ...

'' (1941) – Elevator Operator * '' Mystery Ship'' (1941) – Waiter (uncredited) * ''

Ice-Capades ''Ice-Capades'' is a 1941 American comedy film directed by Joseph Santley and starring James Ellison, Phil Silvers, and Barbara Jo Allen. Its score, composed by Cy Feuer, was nominated for the Best Scoring of a Musical Picture. The film's sets ...

'' (1941) – Dave * ''

Dr. Kildare's Wedding Day ''Dr. Kildare's Wedding Day'' is a 1941 American drama film directed by Harold S. Bucquet, starring Lew Ayres, Lionel Barrymore, and Laraine Day. It is the eighth of a total of nine Dr. Kildare pictures made by the MGM studios. When MGM decided ...

'' (1941) – Leo Cobb – Orderly (uncredited) * ''

It Started with Eve ''It Started with Eve'' is a 1941 American musical romantic comedy film directed by Henry Koster and starring Deanna Durbin, Robert Cummings, and Charles Laughton. The film received an Oscar nomination for Best Original Music Score (Charles Previ ...

'' (1941) – Raven * ''

Appointment for Love ''Appointment for Love'' is a 1941 romantic comedy film directed by William A. Seiter and starring Charles Boyer and Margaret Sullavan. It was made by Universal Pictures. It was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Sound, Recording ( Bern ...

'' (1941) – Gus * '' Hellzapoppin''' (1941) – Orchestra conductor * '' Dr. Kildare's Victory'' (1942) – Leo Cobb * ''

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 ...

'' (1942) – Joe * ''

There's One Born Every Minute ''There's One Born Every Minute'', also known as ''Man or Mouse'', is a 1942 American Universal Pictures comedy film directed by Harold Young. It was Elizabeth Taylor's first film and one of her only films with Universal Studios. The film is ...

'' (1942) – Professor Asa Quisenberry * ''

'' (1942) – Drug Clerk (uncredited) * ''

You Were Never Lovelier ''You Were Never Lovelier'' is a 1942 American musical romantic comedy film directed by William A. Seiter and starring Fred Astaire and Rita Hayworth. The supporting cast also features Adolphe Menjou, Xavier Cugat and Adele Mara. The music was co ...

'' (1942) – Fernando * ''

Lady Bodyguard ''Lady Bodyguard'' is a 1943 American comedy film directed by William Clemens. The film stars Eddie Albert, Anne Shirley', Raymond Walburn, Roger Pryor', Edward Brophy, Maude Eburne, Clem Bevans and Mary Treen. The film was released on January ...

'' (1943) – Bughouse Sweeney * '' The Amazing Mrs. Holliday'' (1943) – Jeff Adams * ''

Hi, Buddy ''Hi, Buddy'' is a 1943 American musical film directed by Harold Young and written by Warren Wilson. The film stars Dick Foran, Harriet Nelson, Robert Paige, Marjorie Lord, Bobs Watson, Tommy Cook, Jennifer Holt and Gus Schilling. The film was ...

'' (1943) – Downbeat Collins * ''

Chatterbox Chatterbox also styled as CHATTERbOX was a project of the Crucified's Jeff Bellew. The project has hosted many session musicians, including Stavesacre and the Crucified's Mark Salomon, and Argyle Park and Circle of Dust's Scott Albert. Bellew ha ...

'' (1943) – Gillie * ''

Presenting Lily Mars ''Presenting Lily Mars'' is a 1943 American musical comedy film directed by Norman Taurog, produced by Joe Pasternak, starring Judy Garland and Van Heflin, and based on the novel by Booth Tarkington. The film is often cited as Garland's first film ...

'' (1943) – Scotty – Stage Manager (uncredited) * ''

Hers to Hold ''Hers to Hold'' (aka ''Three Smart Girls Join Up'') is a 1943 American romantic musical comedy film and is the third film in the unofficial '' Three Smart Girls'' trilogy. In ''Hers to Hold'', Deanna Durbin reprises her role as Penny Craig, wh ...

'' (1943) – Rosey Blake * ''

Larceny with Music ''Larceny with Music'' is a 1943 musical comedy featuring singer Allan Jones and band leader Alvino Rey. Plot Believing unknown singer Ken Daniels is heir to a fortune, Hotel Deauville proprietor Gus Borelli hires him to headline with the Alvino ...

'' (1943) – Austin J. Caldwell * ''

Sing a Jingle ''Sing a Jingle'' is a 1944 American musical film directed by Edward C. Lilley and starring Allan Jones, June Vincent and Samuel S. Hinds.Taylor & Jackson p.274 Plot Partial cast * Allan Jones as Ray King * June Vincent as Muriel Crane * ...

'' (1944) – Bucky * '' It's a Pleasure'' (1945) – Bill Evans * ''

See My Lawyer ''See My Lawyer'' is a 1945 American comedy film directed by Edward F. Cline and written by Edmund Hartmann and Stanley Davis. It is based on the 1939 musical ''See My Lawyer'' by Richard Maibaum and Harry Clork. The film stars Ole Olsen, Chi ...

'' (1945) – J. Ambrose Winkler aka Winky * ''

River Gang ''River Gang'' is a 1945 American crime film directed by Charles David and written by Leslie Charteris and Dwight V. Babcock. The film stars Gloria Jean, John Qualen, Bill Goodwin, Keefe Brasselle, Sheldon Leonard, Gus Schilling and Vince Barne ...

'' (1945) – Jafar * '' Dangerous Business'' (1946) – Alexander Pough * '' Calendar Girl'' (1947) – Ed Gaskin * ''

Stork Bites Man ''Stork Bites Man'' is a 1947 American comedy film directed by Cy Endfield.''Stork Bites Man''
at

'' (1947) – Hubert Butterfield * ''

'' (1947) – Goldie * ''

'' (1948) – A Porter * ''

The Return of October ''The Return of October'' is a 1948 American comedy film directed by Joseph H. Lewis and starring Glenn Ford Gwyllyn Samuel Newton "Glenn" Ford (May 1, 1916 – August 30, 2006) was a Canadian-American actor who often portrayed ordinary men ...

'' (1948) – Benny (uncredited) * ''

Angel on the Amazon ''Angel on the Amazon'', also known as ''Drums Along the Amazon'', is a 1948 American adventure film directed by John H. Auer and starring George Brent, Vera Ralston, Brian Aherne and Constance Bennett.Kellow p.463 Plot summary After a plane ...

'' (1948) – Dean Hartley * '' Bride for Sale'' (1949) – Timothy * '' Our Very Own'' (1950) – Frank, TV Repairman * ''

Hit Parade of 1951 ''Hit Parade of 1951'' is a 1950 American musical film directed by John H. Auer and written by Lawrence Kimble, Elizabeth Reinhardt and Aubrey Wisberg. The film stars John Carroll, Marie McDonald, Estelita Rodriguez, Frank Fontaine, Grant Wi ...

'' (1950) – Studio Guide *''

Gasoline Alley ''Gasoline Alley'' is a comic strip created by Frank King and distributed by Tribune Content Agency. It centers on the lives of patriarch Walt Wallet, his family, and residents in the town of Gasoline Alley, with storylines reflecting traditio ...

'' (1951) – Joe Allen * ''

Honeychile ''Honeychile'' is a 1951 American comedy film directed by R. G. Springsteen and written by Charles E. Roberts, Jack Townley and Barry Trivers. The film stars Judy Canova, Eddie Foy, Jr., Alan Hale, Jr., Walter Catlett, Claire Carleton and Karo ...

'' (1951) – Window Washer * ''

On Dangerous Ground ''On Dangerous Ground'' is a 1951 film noir-melodrama starring Robert Ryan and Ida Lupino, directed by Nicholas Ray, and produced by John Houseman. The screenplay was written by A. I. Bezzerides based on the 1945 novel ''Mad with Much Heart,'' ...

'' (1951) – Lucky * ''

One Big Affair ''One Big Affair'' is a 1952 American comedy film directed by Peter Godfrey and written by Leo Townsend and Francis Swann. The film stars Evelyn Keyes, Dennis O'Keefe, Mary Anderson, Connie Gilchrist, Thurston Hall and Gus Schilling. The film ...

'' (1952) – Mr. Rush * '' Three for Bedroom "C"'' (1952) – Train Barber (uncredited) * '' She Couldn't Say No'' (1954) – Ed Gruman * ''

Executive Suite An executive suite in its most general definition is a collection of offices or rooms—or suite—used by top managers of a business—or executives. Over the years, this general term has taken on a variety of specific meanings. Corporate offi ...

'' (1954) – Newsstand Vendor (uncredited) * '' Run for Cover'' (1955) – Doc Ridgeway * ''

Son of Sinbad ''Son of Sinbad'' is a 1955 American adventure film directed by Ted Tetzlaff. It takes place in the Middle East and consists of a wide variety of characters, including over 127 women. The film was shot in 1953 and planned to be released in 3 ...

'' (1955) – Jaffir (uncredited) * ''

Rebel Without a Cause ''Rebel Without a Cause'' is a 1955 American coming-of-age drama film about emotionally confused suburban, middle-class teenagers. Filmed in the then recently introduced CinemaScope format and directed by Nicholas Ray, it offered both social com ...

'' (1955) – Attendant (uncredited) * ''

Willy Willy or Willie is a masculine, male given name, often a diminutive form of William or Wilhelm, and occasionally a nickname. It may refer to: People Given name or nickname * Willie Aames (born 1960), American actor, television director, and scree ...

'' (TV series, 1955) – Pincus in episode "Franklin's Shoe Business" * '' Glory'' (1956) – Joe Page * ''

Bigger Than Life ''Bigger Than Life'' is a 1956 American drama film directed by Nicholas Ray and starring James Mason, Barbara Rush, and Walter Matthau. Its plot follows an ailing school teacher and family man whose life spins out of control when he misuses c ...

'' (1956) – Druggist (uncredited) * ''

'' (1958) – Eddie Farnham (uncredited)

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Schilling, Gus 1908 births 1957 deaths Male actors from New York City American male comedians American male film actors 20th-century American male actors Comedians from New York City 20th-century American comedians People acquitted of crimes