O. B. Clarence

Oliver Burchett Clarence (25 March 1870, Hampstead, London – 2 October 1955, Hove, Sussex) was an English actor.

Following his education at Dover College and University College Hospital, he made his stage debut in 1890. His experience included Shakespearean and other repertory with Frank Benson and Ben Greet. He performed in more than eighty productions in London, originating roles in plays by W. S. Gilbert, Bernard Shaw and others. He toured the provinces, appeared several times on Broadway, and made many films between 1914 and 1948.

Life and career Early years Clarence was born on 25 March 1870 in Hampstead, London, to Lovell Burchett Clarence, a colonial Supreme Court judge, and his wife Blanche, (née Gunter; 1840–1886). He was intended for a medical career, and after his schooling at Dover College he studied at University College Hospital, London, before abandoning medicine for the stage. He made his first appearance on the stage at the old Trocadero Music Hall on 14 July 1890, with Arthur Lloyd and first appeared on what he called "the regular stage" at the Olympic Theatre, in December 1890, in The People's Idol. Between then and 1919 he appeared in London and the provinces in mostly modern plays, and in January 1920 he returned to the US, playing in three plays in Broadway for the rest of that year and into 1921. | The following year he played Firs in Nigel Playfair's production of The Cherry Orchard at the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith. For the rest of the 1920s he appeared mostly in new West End plays ("most of which are now forgotten" according to The Times) though he played Lord Sands and Cranmer in Henry VIII in Lewis Casson's 1925 production, starring Sybil Thorndike, and Lord Ogleby in The Clandestine Marriage in 1928.

The rest of Clarence's long career followed a similar pattern: playing old men in ephemeral new plays in the West End and on Broadway, with occasional appearances in the classics, both old and new. These included a second run as the Inquisitor in Saint Joan (1931), Mazzini Dunn in Heartbreak House (1932), George Booth in The Voysey Inheritance (1934) and Sir William Gower in Trelawny of the 'Wells' (1938). In 1939, Clarence played Polonius in Tyrone Guthrie's modern-dress and uncut Hamlet with Alec Guinness in the title role. He played Firs again in 1941 in a production by Guthrie at the New Theatre, and Old Hardcastle in She Stoops to Conquer in 1943 and 1945.

Clarence retired from the stage in 1945 and made the last of his many film appearances in 1948. He died in Hove, Sussex, on 2 October 1955, aged 85.

Reputation The Times commented that Clarence had been "for more than half a century one of the most accomplished character actors on the English stage":

Films Although best known as a stage actor, Clarence made many films between 1914 and 1948. They include:

Liberty Hall (1914) – Todman Crafer London Pride (1920) – Mr. Tunks The Little Hour of Peter Wells (1920) – Peter Wells The Man from Chicago (1930) – John Larwood The Bells (1931) – Watchman Keepers of Youth (1931) – Slade Goodnight, Vienna (1932) – Theatre Manager Jack's the Boy (1932) – Timkins (uncredited) The Flag Lieutenant (1932) – Gen. Gough-Bogle Where Is This Lady? (1932) – Dr. Peffer The Barton Mystery (1932) – Sir Everard Marshall Discord (1933) – Mr. Hemming Perfect Understanding (1933) – Dr. Graham Soldiers of the King (1933) – Tom Excess Baggage (1933) – Lord Grebe Falling for You (1933) – Trubshawe His Grace Gives Notice (1933) – Lord Rannock A Shot in the Dark (1933) – Rev. John Makehan I Adore You (1933) – Mr. Young Friday the Thirteenth (1933) – Clerk Turkey Time (1933) – Shopkeeper (uncredited) The Silver Spoon (1933) – Parker Eyes of Fate (1933) – Mr. Oliver The Double Event (1934) – Rev. Martingale The Only Girl (1933) – Etienne The Great Defender (1934) – Mr. Hammond Song at Eventide (1934) – Registrar Nell Gwynn (1934) – Clockmaker (uncredited) Father and Son (1934) – Tom Yates Lady in Danger (1934) – Nelson The Scarlet Pimpernel (1934) – Count de Tournay The King of Paris (1934) – Mayor The Feathered Serpent (1934) – George Beale D'Ye Ken John Peel? (1935) – Ogleby Barnacle Bill (1935) – Uncle George Dandy Dick (1935) – Council Member (uncredited) Squibs (1935) – Sir John Barratt The Private Secretary (1935) – Thomas Marsland No Monkey Business (1935) – Professor Captain Bill (1935) – Sir Anthony Kipps The Cardinal (1936) – Monterosa Seven Sinners (1936) – Registrar East Meets West (1936) – Osmin All In (1936) – Hemingway The Mill on the Floss (1936) – Mr. Gore King of Hearts (1936) – Mr. Ponsonby Silver Blaze (1937) – Estate Agent (uncredited) Victoria the Great (1937) – Coachman-in-Chief Murder at the Baskervilles (1937) – De Marre Dinner at the Ritz (1937) – Messenger (uncredited) Second Best Bed (1938) – Torceston Magistrate (uncredited) Pygmalion (1938) – Mr. Birchwood – the Vicar It's in the Air (1938) – Sir Philip's Gardener (uncredited) Old Iron (1938) – Gordon A Spot of Bother (1938) – Butler (uncredited) Stolen Life (1939) – (uncredited) Me and My Pal (1939) – Judge Black Eyes (1939) – Waiter Jamaica Inn (1939) – Coach Passenger (uncredited) The Missing People (1939) Young Man's Fancy (1939) – Guest at Reception (uncredited) The Dark Eyes of London (1939) – Prof. John Dearborn (voice, uncredited) Return to Yesterday (1940) – Mr. Truscott Spy for a Day (1940) – Medical Officer Saloon Bar (1940) – Sir Archibald Major Barbara (1941) – Pettigrew Old Mother Riley in Business (1941) Quiet Wedding (1941) – First Magistrate Inspector Hornleigh Goes To It (1941) – Professor Mackenzie Turned Out Nice Again (1941) – Mr. Dawson Dangerous Moonlight (1941, released as Suicide Squadron in the USA) – Waiter with Tray of Wine Old Mother Riley's Circus (1941) – Lawyer Penn of Pennsylvania (1942) – Lord Cecil Gert and Daisy's Weekend (1942) – Vicar (uncredited) Front Line Kids (1942) – 'Real' Clergyman (uncredited) On Approval (1944) – Dr. Graham A Place of One's Own (1945) – Perkins The Way to the Stars (1945) – Minor Role (scenes deleted) Great Day (1945) Caesar and Cleopatra (1945) – Egyptian (uncredited) The Magic Bow (1946) – Old Gentleman School for Secrets (1946) – Old Retainer Great Expectations (1946) – The Aged Parent While the Sun Shines (1947) – Old Gentleman Meet Me at Dawn (1947) – Ambassador Uncle Silas (1947) – Vicar Clay The Calendar (1948) – Old Gentleman at Epsom No Room at the Inn (1948) – Reporter in Council Chambers (uncredited) (final film role)