Colin Clive

Colin Clive
Colin Clive. Publicity Photo for "Journey's End" (1927)
Born	Colin Glenn Clive-Greig 20 January 1900(1900-01-20) Saint-Malo, Brittany, France
Died	25 June 1937(1937-06-25) (aged 37) (Tuberculosis) Hollywood, California, U.S.
Years active	1930-1937 (his death)
Spouse	Jeanne de Casalis (1929-1937) (his death)

Colin Clive (20 January 1900, Saint-Malo, Ille-et-Vilaine – 25 June 1937) was an English stage and screen actor best remembered for his portrayal of Dr. Frankenstein in James Whale's two Universal Frankenstein films Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein.^[1]

Early life

Clive was born in Saint-Malo, France, to an English colonel, and he attended Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, where an injured knee disqualified him from military service and contributed to his becoming a stage actor. On stage, one of his roles was Steve Baker, the white husband of racially mixed Julie LaVerne, in the first London production of Show Boat. This production also featured Sir Cedric Hardwicke, and Paul Robeson.

Clive first worked with James Whale in the Savoy Theatre production of Journey's End and subsequently joined the British community in Hollywood in the 1930s, repeating his stage role in the 1930 film version of Journey's End, which was directed by Whale.

Hollywood

Although Colin Clive made only three horror films, Whale's two Frankenstein movies and Mad Love (1935), he is widely regarded as one of the essential stars of the genre by many film buffs. His portrayal of mad Dr. Frankenstein has proved inspiration and a launching pad for scores of other mad scientist performances in films over the years.

Clive's first screen role, in Journey's End, was incidentally directed by James Whale. Clive played the alcoholic and tormented Captain Stanhope, a character that (much like Clive's other roles) tragically mirrored his personal life.

Clive was also an in-demand leading man for a number of major film actresses of the era, including Katharine Hepburn, Bette Davis, Corinne Griffith, and Jean Arthur. He also starred as Edward Rochester in a 1934 adaptation of Jane Eyre opposite Virginia Bruce. He was related to Clive of India and appeared in a featured role in a film biography of his relative in 1935.^[1]

From June 1929 until his death, Clive was married to actress Jeanne de Casalis. Although she worked in films and on stage, her greatest success was as a comedienne on radio sitcoms in England, playing the dithering "Mrs. Feather". De Casalis did not accompany her husband to Hollywood. There has been speculation that de Casalis was a lesbian and Clive either gay or bisexual, and their marriage was one of convenience. David Lewis, the longtime companion of Clive's frequent director James Whale, flatly states that Clive was not gay.^[2]

Death

Colin Clive suffered from severe chronic alcoholism and died from complications of tuberculosis in 1937 at age 37.^[1]

Clive's alcoholism was very much apparent to his co-stars, as he was often seen napping on set and sometimes was so intoxicated that he had to be held upright for over-the-shoulder shots. Not only did his ailment contribute to his ultimate demise, it also mentally took its toll. But the actor was also tormented by the medical threat of amputating his long-damaged leg. It was a final demon to taunt this brilliant, sad, young actor before his death. (Mank 150)

Forrest J Ackerman recalls visiting Clive's body in the funeral parlour. "As I recall, he had a dressing gown on and he was calmly lying there. And he looked very much like that scene in Bride". Over 300 mourners turned out for the lonely soul that died alone. One of the pallbearers was Peter Lorre. (Mank 150)

His cenotaph is located at Chapel of the Pines Crematory, but his ashes were scattered at sea in 1978 after they spent over 40 years unclaimed in the basement of the funeral parlor where his body was brought after his death.^{[citation needed]}

Filmography

• Journey's End (1930)
• The Stronger Sex (1931)
• Frankenstein (1931)
• Lily Christine (1932)
• Christopher Strong (1933)
• Looking Forward (1933)
• The Key (1934)
• One More River (1934)
• Jane Eyre (1934) (as Mr. Rochester)
• Clive of India (1935)
• The Right to Live (1935)
• Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
• The Girl from 10th Avenue (1935)
• Mad Love (1935)
• The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo (1935)
• The Widow from Monte Carlo (1935)
• History Is Made at Night (1937)
• The Woman I Love (1937)

Notes

1. ^ ^{a b c} "Colin Clive, Actor Dies in Hollywood. Star of Screen and Stage, 37, Scored First Hit as Stanhope in 'Journey's End'. Made Debut Here in 1930. Appeared in 'Clive of India,' a Picture Based on Life of His Ancestor Descendant of Empire Builder Played Frankenstein Role.". New York Times. June 26, 1937. 
2. ^ Curtis, p. 185

3. ^ Mank pg. 150

References

• Curtis, James (1998). James Whale: A New World of Gods and Monsters. Boston, Faber and Faber. ISBN 0-571-19285-8.

• Mank, Gregory. Hollywood cauldron: thirteen horror films from the genre's golden age. Jefferson, NC: 1994. pg. 150

External links

Biography portal

• Colin Clive at the Internet Movie Database
• Colin Clive at the Internet Broadway Database
• "Colin Clive". Find a Grave. http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=21365. Retrieved August 28, 2010. 

Persondata
Name	Clive, Colin
Alternative names	Clive-Greig, Colin Glenn
Short description	Actor
Date of birth	1900-01-20
Place of birth	St. Malo, France
Date of death	1937-06-25
Place of death	Hollywood, California, U.S.