Ronald Colman (9 February 1891 – 19 May 1958). While still attending boarding school, he learned that he enjoyed acting. He was making plans to study engineering at Cambridge University, but his father's sudden death made it financially impossible.
During the war, he served with Claude Rains, Herbert Marshall, Cedric Hardwicke and Basil Rathbone. In the Battle of Messines, Colman was seriously wounded which left him with a limp for the rest of his life .
Ronald Colman, first performed in the England film, The Snow of the Desert. While performing on stage in New York in, La Tendress, Director Henry King saw him, and wanted him for the film, The White Sister(1923), opposite Lillian Gish. He gave wonderful performances in the silent films: The Dark Angel (1925), Stella Dallas (1926), Beau Geste (1927), and The Winning of Barbara Worth (1926). He did most of his own stunts until late in his career.
His first major talkie success was in 1930, when he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor for two roles: Condemned, Bulldog Drummond, Raffles, The Masquerader, Clive of India, A Tale of Two Cities (1935), Under Two Flags, The Prisoner of Zenda and Lost Horizon ( 1937), If I Were King (1938), and The Talk of the Town (1941). He won the Best Actor Oscar in 1948 for the film, A Double Life.
Personal Quote:
"They talk of the artist finding liberation in work, it is true. One can be someone else in another, more dramatic, more beautiful world."
Video: 2nd part of a Ronald Colman tribute. Sorry, I could not find part 1.
Please click here to learn more about Ronald Colman.
Kiki (1926). Silent comedy film directed by Clarence Brown. The film is based upon a 1920 novel of the same name by Andre Picard.
Kiki, is a temperamental Parisian salesgirl, who lands a job as a chorus girl. Unfortunately, she gets into a fight with the shows "star" Paulette, who is married to director Renal. Soon after, she is fired from the show, Renal feels sorry for her and takes her out on dinner. When Paulette finds out, she takes Renal's best friend Baron Rapp, to the same restaurant and gets Kiki drunk.
Renal, feels sorry for her and takes her to his home. There, Kiki immediately settles right in to the lap of luxury. Paulette, returns home, determined to throw Kiki out. Kiki decides to confront Paulette and gets into a fight with her, where she is knocked unconscious. When a doctor says that she is in a coma, that could last two years, the baron loses his interest in her. Renal returns to Paulette, until Kiki comes to. Ronald Colman, plays the very handsome manager, in this wonderfully funny silent film.
Love Ronald Colman. Fell in love with him the first time I saw "A Tale of Two Cities," and my affection only deepened with "Lost Horizon." What a fine, handsome and noble romantic hero he made. I've only been unfaithful to him once - when, in "The Talk of the Town," Jean Arthur had to choose between the divine Ronald Colman and the delicious Cary Grant. I wavered and went with Cary. In reality I might have liked to try to have my cake and eat it, too, as they say...
ReplyDeleteOne of my all-time favorite actors, Dawn. Two of my favorites--often omitted even by Colman fans--are the very funny CHAMPAGNE FOR CAESAR and the delightful satire THE LATE GEORGE APLEY.
ReplyDeleteRonald Colman on radio with Jack Benny is a treat no one should deny themselves.
ReplyDeleteThe Lady Eve, I agree.. the few films I have seen him in, I thought he was a wonderful actor... not to forget to mention.. also quite handsome. P.S. You are girl after my own heart.;)
ReplyDeleteRick, CHAMPAGNE FOR CAESAR and THE LATE GEORGE APLEY, are two films I have not yet seen. I will try and catch them the next time they are on.
Caftan Woman, The first time I heard about, Ronald Colman on radio with Jack Benny, was while I was doing research on, Ronald Colman. I wonder if I will be able to find the show on youtube?