Graham Moffat facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Graham Moffat
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Moffat c. 1912
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| Born | 21 February 1866 |
| Died | 12 December 1951 |
| Nationality | Scottish |
| Known for | Men's League for Women's Suffrage and Bunty Pulls the Strings |
| Spouse(s) | Maggie Moffat |
William Graham Moffat (born February 21, 1866 – died December 12, 1951) was a talented Scottish actor, director, and writer. He was also a spiritualist. Graham Moffat is well-known for his play Bunty Pulls the Strings, which was a big hit.
He also helped start a group called the Men's League for Women's Suffrage in Glasgow. This happened in 1907 after his wife, Maggie Moffat, was arrested for protesting.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Graham Moffat was born on February 21, 1866, in Glasgow, Scotland. He was the third of eight children. His parents were William Moffat and Helen Dobson.
Growing up in Glasgow, he loved going to the theatre. He saw many famous comedians and entertainers of his time. This early experience likely inspired his own career.
In 1897, Graham Moffat married Margaret Liddell Linck. She was a stage actress and also designed costumes.
Supporting Women's Rights
Graham Moffat's wife, Maggie, was a suffragist. This means she believed women should have the right to vote. In 1907, Maggie was arrested at a protest in London. She was put in prison because she refused to pay a fine.
Because of this, Graham Moffat started the Men's League for Women's Suffrage in Glasgow. This group supported women's right to vote. He even wrote a play to help the cause, called The Maid and the Magistrate.
A Hit Play: Bunty Pulls the Strings
A few years later, Graham Moffat wrote a funny play called Bunty Pulls the Strings. It became a huge success in London's West End. The play ran for 617 shows at the Haymarket Theatre in 1911.
When the play opened on Broadway in New York in late 1911, it was also very popular. The New York Times newspaper praised the play. They said it was one of the freshest and healthiest plays in New York.
The Scottish actress Molly Pearson played the main character, Bunty, in New York. The funny actor James Finlayson played Bunty's father in both New York and London. Graham Moffat even took the play on tour in New Zealand in 1914. In 1921, Bunty Pulls the Strings was made into a film, but that film is now lost.
Directing Films and Later Life
Graham Moffat also directed at least one film himself. It was called Till the Bells Ring. This film was 46 minutes long and was an early experimental sound film. It was based on a comedy play he had created in 1908. Graham Moffat, his wife, and his daughter all starred in the film.
By 1950, Graham Moffat was living in Cape Town, South Africa. He passed away there in 1951 at the age of 85.
