Miles Malleson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Miles Malleson
Malleson in Stage Fright (1950)
Born	William Miles Malleson (1888-05-25)25 May 1888 Croydon, Surrey, England
Died	15 March 1969(1969-03-15) (aged 80) Westminster, London, England
Other names	Miles Malieson
Occupation	Actor/screenwriter
Years active	1921– 1965
Spouse(s)	Lady Constance Malleson (m. 1915; div. 1923) Joan G. Billson (m. 1923; div. 1940) Tatiana Lieven (m. 1946; sep. 1969)

William Miles Malleson (born May 25, 1888 – died March 15, 1969) was a talented English actor and writer. He is best known for his roles in British comedy films from the 1930s to the 1960s. Later in his career, he also appeared in some Hammer horror movies, like The Brides of Dracula.

Miles Malleson was also a writer for many films. He even wrote for some movies he acted in, such as Nell Gwyn (1934) and The Thief of Bagdad (1940). He also translated and adapted plays by the famous French writer Molière.

Miles Malleson's Life Story

Miles Malleson was born in Croydon, England. His father, Edmund Taylor Malleson, was a chemist. His mother, Myrrha Borrell, came from an interesting family. One of her relatives was a famous coin collector, and another was an inventor.

Miles went to Brighton College and then to Emmanuel College, Cambridge at Cambridge. While at Cambridge, he once pretended to be a politician and gave a speech at a debating club dinner. Everyone was surprised when they found out!

Early Acting Career

Miles first acted on stage in November 1909. He played a character named Sosias in a play called 'The Wasps' at Cambridge. He became a professional actor in November 1911. He studied acting at the Academy of Dramatic Art, which is now known as the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA).

War and Political Views

In September 1914, Miles joined the Army. He was sent to Malta but soon became ill and was sent home in January 1915.

Later in 1915, Miles met Clifford Allen. Allen helped Miles become a pacifist (someone who believes that war and violence are wrong) and a socialist (someone who believes that society should be fair for everyone). Miles then joined a peace group called the No-Conscription Fellowship. This group supported people who refused to join the army because of their beliefs.

Miles wrote two plays against war: "D" Company and Black 'Ell. The play Black 'Ell was not allowed to be performed in the UK for nine years because it was seen as criticizing British soldiers.

Miles also supported the Bolshevik revolution, a big political change in Russia. He helped start the 1917 Club in London, which was a socialist club. Another play he wrote, Paddly Pools, was a children's play with a socialist message. It was often performed by amateur groups after World War I.

Working for Social Change

In the 1920s, Miles became a director for the Arts Guild of the Independent Labour Party. This group helped set up amateur drama clubs across Britain. They also helped put on plays by famous writers like George Bernard Shaw. Miles also wrote a play called Six Men of Dorset (1934), which was about the Tolpuddle Martyrs. These were farm workers who fought for better rights.

Miles Malleson's Acting Style

Miles Malleson had a unique look and a gentle, sometimes absent-minded way of speaking. His voice was soft and high. He is well-remembered for many roles, including:

• The Sultan in The Thief of Bagdad (1940)
• The hangman in Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949)
• Dr. Chasuble in The Importance of Being Earnest (1952)

He was also very good at serious acting. The famous actor Sir John Gielgud said Miles was "splendid" as Polonius in Shakespeare's play Hamlet.

Later Years

Towards the end of his life, Miles had trouble with his eyesight, which made it hard for him to work. He passed away in March 1969 after surgery. A special service was held for him, where famous actors like Sybil Thorndike and Laurence Olivier gave readings.

Family Life

Miles Malleson was married three times. In 1915, he married Lady Constance Malleson, who was a writer and interested in social change. They divorced in 1923. He then married Joan Billson in 1923, and they divorced in 1940. His third wife was Tatiana Lieven, whom he married in 1946.

Miles Malleson's Work

As an Actor

As a Screenwriter

Plays Miles Malleson Wrote

• Youth
• The Little White Thought
• "D" Company
• Six men of Dorset: A play in three acts (with Harvey Brooks)
• Paddly Pools: A Little Fairy Play
• The Bet: A Play in One Act (based on a short story by Chekov)
• Black 'Ell (1916)
• Michael (1917)
• The Artist (1919)
• The Fanatics (1924)
• Conflict (1925)
• Yours Unfaithfully (1933)
• The Glorious Days (1952), a musical play
• Molière: Three Plays (1960), including 'The Slave of Truth (Le Misanthrope)', 'Tartuffe' and 'The Imaginary Invalid'
• The Ace

See also

In Spanish: Miles Malleson para niños