Clive Brook
Clifford Hardman "Clive" Brook was an English stage and film actor.
After making his first screen appearance in 1920, Brook emerged as a leading British actor in the early 1920s. After moving to the United States in 1924, Brook became one of the major stars for Paramount Pictures in the late silent era. During 1928–29 he successfully made the transition to sound and continued to be featured in many of Hollywood's most prestigious films. Career highlights include Josef Von Sternberg's Underworld and Shanghai Express ; as well as being the first actor to portray Sherlock Holmes in a 'talkie'. In the mid-1930s he returned to Britain where he appeared regularly in leading film roles until his retirement from movies in 1944.
Early life
Brook was born in Islington, London, the son of George Alfred Brook and Charlotte Mary Brook. He attended Dulwich College because of his father's desire for him to be a lawyer, but family financial problems caused him to leave at age 15. He then studied elocution at a polytechnic.
He served in the British Army during the First World War, rising to the rank of major. Brook was tall and had brown hair with grey eyes.
Before Brook went into acting, he worked as a journalist and an insurance clerk. He first appeared on stage in 1918 and also in films from 1919. He worked first in British films then in Hollywood.
Hollywood
Brook debuted on film in Trent's Last Case. He was memorable in Josef von Sternberg's Underworld as an alcoholic ex-lawyer who is taken under the wing of a professional thief. Von Sternberg later featured him in one of Brook's best remembered appearances, playing opposite Marlene Dietrich in Shanghai Express. He played Sherlock Holmes three times: Sherlock Holmes (1929 film)|The Return of Sherlock Holmes] and Sherlock Holmes, and as part of an anthology film, Paramount on Parade.
In 1934 he was voted one of the most popular stars at the British box office.
At the end of his career, Brook appeared in a number of British television dramas, notably in the "ITV Play of the Week" strand on the fledgling Independent Television commercial channel. He returned to film one last time in The List of Adrian Messenger.
Return to England
Brook returned to England in 1935 because of kidnapping threats toward his children. In 1943, he adapted the comedy On Approval by Frederick Lonsdale and wrote, produced, directed and starred in the film with Beatrice Lillie, Googie Withers and Roland Culver. The costumes were by Cecil Beaton.
In 1949 he presented the radio series The Secrets of Scotland Yard. In 1956 he appeared on stage in One Bright Day at the Apollo Theatre in London.
Broadway
Brook starred as Josiah Bolton in the comedy Second Threshold from 2 January 1951 until 21 April 1951.
Death
Brook died 17 November 1974 in Ealing, London.
Family
In 1920, Brook married Charlotte Elisabeth Mildred Evelyn. Their children, Faith and Lyndon, were also actors.
Complete filmography
Trent's Last Case - John MarlowKissing Cup's Race - Lord RattlingtonHer Penalty - Robert TrenchardThe Loudwater Mystery - Lord LoudwaterDaniel Deronda - Mallinger GrandcourtA Sportsman's Wife - Dick AndersonSonia - David O'RaineChristie Johnstone - Astral HitherVanity Fair - Rawdon CrawleyThe Sheik - The SheikA Tale of Two Cities - Sydney CartonShirley - Robert MooreMarried to a Mormon - Lionel DaventryStable Companions - James PilkingtonRigoletto - Duke of MantuaLa traviata - Alfred GermontThe Parson's Fight - ParsonSir Rupert's Wife - Sir Rupert LeighThe Experiment - Vivian CaryllTense Moments with Great Authors - Rawdon Crawley / Sydney Carton Tense Moments from Opera - Duke of Mantna / Alfred Germont Love and a Whirlwind - GrifftihA Debt of Honour - Walter HydeThrough Fire and Water - John DrydenThis Freedom - Harry OccleveOut to Win - Barraclough / AltarThe Royal Oak - Dorian ClaveringThe Reverse of the Medal - GeneralWoman to Woman - David Compton / David Anson-PondThe Money Habit - Noel JasonThe Recoil - MarchmontThe White Shadow - Robin FieldThe Wine of Life - Michael StrongThe Passionate Adventure - Adrien St. ClairChristine of the Hungry Heart - Dr. Alan MonteagleHuman Desires - Georges GautierThe Mirage - Henry GaltDeclassée - Rudolph SolomonEnticement - Henry WallisPlaying with Souls - Matthew Dale Sr.If Marriage Fails - Joe WoodburyThe Woman Hater - Miles - the Woman-haterThe Home Maker - Lester KnappCompromise - Alan TahyerSeven Sinners - Jerry WintersThe Pleasure Buyers - Tad WorkmanWhen Love Grows Cold - Jerry BensonThree Faces East - ValdarWhy Girls Go Back Home - Clifford DudleyYou Never Know Women - NorodinFor Alimony Only - Peter WilliamsThe Popular Sin - Jean CorotAfraid to Love - Sir Reginald BelsizeBarbed Wire - Oskar MullerUnderworld - Rolls-Royce WenselHula - Anthony HaldaneThe Devil Dancer - Stephen AthelstanFrench Dressing, aka Lessons for Wives - Henri de BriacMidnight Madness - Michael BreamYellow Lily - Archduke AlexanderThe Perfect Crime - BensonForgotten Faces - Heliotrope Harry HarlowInterference - Sir John MarlayA Dangerous Woman - Frank GregoryThe Four Feathers - Lt. Jack DurranceCharming Sinners - Robert MilesThe Return of Sherlock Holmes - Sherlock HolmesThe Marriage Playground - On-Screen Trailer Host and Narrator The Laughing Lady - Daniel FarrSlightly Scarlet - Hon. Courtenay ParkesParamount on Parade - Sherlock Holmes Sweethearts and Wives - Reginald De BrettAnybody's Woman - Neil DunlapScandal Sheet - Noel AdamsEast Lynne - Capt. William LevisonTarnished Lady - Norman CravathThe Lawyer's Secret - Drake NorrisSilence - Jim Warren24 Hours - Jim TownerHusband's Holiday - George BoydShanghai Express - Captain Donald HarveyThe Man from Yesterday - Captain Tony ClydeMake Me a Star - Himself The Night of June 13 - John CurrySherlock Holmes - Sherlock HolmesCavalcade - Robert MarryotMidnight Club - Colin GrantIf I Were Free - Gordon EversGallant Lady - Dan PritchardWhere Sinners Meet - Mr. LatimerLet's Try Again - Dr. Jack OvertonThe Dictator - Dr. Friedrich StruenseeDressed to Thrill - Bill TrentLove in Exile - King Regis VILonely Road - Malcolm StevensonAction for Slander - Maj. George DaviotThe Ware Case - Sir Hubert WareReturn to Yesterday - Robert MaineConvoy - Captain ArmitageFreedom Radio - KarlBreach of Promise - Peter ConroyThe Flemish Farm - Maj. LessartThe Shipbuilders - Leslie PaganOn Approval - George, 10th Duke of BristolThe List of Adrian Messenger - Marquis of Gleneyre