Felix Knight facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Felix Knight
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| Born |
William Felix Knight
November 1, 1908 Macon, Georgia, U.S.
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| Died | June 18, 1998 (aged 89) The Bronx, New York, U.S.
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| Occupation | Actor, tenor, vocal teacher |
| Years active | 1929–1998 |
| Known for | Tom-Tom in Babes in Toyland |
| Spouse(s) |
Alice Moore
(m. 1935; div. 1939)Ethel Blume
(m. 1940) |
| Children | 1 |
William Felix Knight (stage name: Felix Knight) was an American singer, actor, and vocal teacher. He was born on November 1, 1908, and passed away on June 18, 1998. He is best known for playing Tom-Tom in the 1934 musical movie Babes in Toyland, which also starred the famous comedy duo Laurel and Hardy.
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Early Life and Music Beginnings
Felix Knight was born in Macon, Georgia. His father was a cotton farmer who sadly died when Felix was only five years old. When he was 12, Felix and his family moved to Pensacola, Florida. There, he started playing the guitar and soon began singing at local dances and nightspots. By 1925, he was singing on a local radio station. A movie manager heard him and encouraged him to try his luck in California.
Starting His Career (1929–1934)
When Felix Knight arrived in California, he found a vocal teacher. He didn't get a movie contract right away, so he took singing jobs and sang in churches. He even received financial help from a scholarship foundation to pay for his singing lessons.
By 1929, Felix was singing on a Santa Barbara, California radio station that was part of the Columbia network (which later became CBS). He even had his own national radio show called WCC Presents Felix Knight. He also competed in a singing contest and placed second.
After returning to California, Felix sang at the famous Hollywood Bowl in an opera called La traviata. He also performed in San Francisco, California with the city's opera company. He continued his voice lessons and radio work, including a show called Shell Mountain House. Felix finally made his movie debut in 1934 in a film called Down to Their Last Yacht. He also appeared as a gypsy in the movie Caravan.
Becoming Famous (1934–1937)
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Felix Knight's most famous role was as Tom-Tom, the Piper's Son, in the 1934 musical movie Babes in Toyland. In the film, he played the romantic lead and sang several songs, including "A Castle in Spain." This movie was based on a popular operetta from 1903.
Even though he had a contract with MGM, Felix didn't make movies directly for them. Instead, he was loaned out to other studios. He made two musical short films for Warner Bros.: Springtime in Holland (1935) and Carnival Day (1936). In Springtime in Holland, he played a Dutch milk seller. In Carnival Day, he was a jockey who sang "The Rose in Her Hair."
His next feature film was The Bohemian Girl, which again reunited him with Laurel and Hardy. Felix had a small role as a gypsy singer in this movie. He also briefly appeared as a nightclub singer in the musical comedy Pick a Star. Despite studying acting, Felix didn't get many more film roles after this time.
Life in New York and Later Years
In 1937, Felix Knight moved to New York City. He made many radio recordings and also recorded nine songs for Victor Records. He started performing on network radio again, including shows like Schaefer All-Star Parade and Music Appreciation Hour. He even had his own weekly radio program.
In 1939, Felix made his concert debut at The Town Hall, singing classical pieces. He made his Broadway debut in 1940 in a show called It Happens on Ice. In 1942, he sang in the opera The Merry Widow at Carnegie Hall. His last Broadway role was in Once Over Lightly, which was based on the opera The Barber of Seville.
During World War II, Felix Knight served in the military and was present at Guadalcanal.
The year 1946 was very busy for Felix. He continued to be active in radio and also signed with Decca Records. He became a member of the famous Metropolitan Opera. At the Met, he sang the role of Count Almaviva in Il barbiere di Siviglia. He stayed with the Met until 1950 and also continued to appear on radio shows.
In the early 1950s, Felix Knight had his own television series called Felix Knight Sings. He also appeared on other TV shows, singing opera arias and Christmas hymns. He made more records, including songs from operettas.
After leaving the Met, Felix performed in concerts with major orchestras like the Philadelphia Orchestra. He also sang in supper clubs and nightclubs. In 1960, he recorded an album of songs from the musicals Can-Can and Kiss Me, Kate. He was also an occasional guest on late-night talk shows like The Jack Paar Show.
Towards the end of the 1960s, Felix Knight decided to stop traveling so much. He started a new career as a vocal teacher. He taught many Broadway and opera singers and continued teaching for the rest of his life. Felix was also a founding member of The Sons of the Desert, an international fan club for Laurel and Hardy, and he attended many of their meetings.
Personal Life
Marriage and Family
While filming Babes in Toyland, Felix Knight fell in love with his co-star, Alice Moore. She played the Queen of Hearts in the movie. They got married on October 17, 1935, but later divorced in 1939.
In 1940, Felix married Ethel Blume, a radio actress. They had one child together, William Felix Knight II. Their son even appeared on a TV show called Juvenile Jury in 1954.
Death
Felix Knight passed away on June 18, 1998, in The Bronx, New York City. He is buried in the Woodlawn Cemetery. Not long before he died, Felix said, "I did my best, I tried to be a nice guy. I helped people whenever I could, and I never complained. ... For a country boy from a cotton patch in Macon, Georgia—I think I did pretty good."
His wife, Ethel Blume, passed away in 2014.
Images for kids
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A 1947 photo of Knight (left) as Belmonte and Eleanor Steber (right) as Constanze in Die Entführung aus dem Serail
