Romney Brent(bornRomulo Larralde;26 January 1902 – 24 September 1976) was a Mexican actor, director and dramatist. Most of his career was on stage in North America, but in the 1930s he was frequently seen on the London stage, on television and in films.
Romney Brent | |
|---|---|
 Brent in the TV seriesSuspense(1949) | |
| Born | Romulo Larralde 26 January 1902 |
| Died | 24 September 1976(aged 74) Mexico City,Mexico |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1922–1965 |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 1 |
Early life
editBornRomulo Larralde26 January 1902 inSaltillo,Coahuila,Mexico, his father was a diplomat, and Brent was educated in several cities throughout the world, especially in New York City.[1]
Career
editHe studied for the stage underTheodore Komisarjevskyand began work as an actor with theTheatre GuildinHe Who Gets Slappedwhen he was 20 and later that year was onBroadwayin their production ofThe Lucky OnebyA. A. Milne.He established a reputation in "gentle, ingratiating" roles, such as the Lion inGeorge Bernard Shaw'sAndrocles and the Lion,the worried groom in Shaw'sGetting Marriedand Launcelot Gobbo inThe Merchant of Venice.[1]In 1925–26, he appeared in two seasons of the long-running musicalrevueGarrick Gaietieson Broadway. Another Broadway success was inThe Little Showin 1925–30.
In 1932, in London, he appeared inNoël Coward's revueWords and Musicas compère, as Stanhope in a parody ofJourney's End,and as a missionary in a sketch in which he sang Coward's famous song "Mad Dogs and Englishmen".[1]While in London, he directed aHerbert Farjeonrevue and wrote the book forCole Porter'sNymph Errant.[1]In 1933 Brent was cast as Paul, Duc de Chaucigny-Varennes in Coward'sConversation Piecebut struggled with the role and was replaced by Coward himself, to whom Brent gladly handed it over, adding "providing you let me still come to rehearsals and watch you find out what a bloody awful part it is."[2]
In New York in the 1930s, Brent created the role of the Rev Phosphor Hammingtrap in Shaw'sThe Simpleton of the Unexpected Isles,which he also directed.[1]In London he played Tobias inJames Bridie'sTobias and the Angeland Bottom inA Midsummer Night's Dream.After that, his main work in the theatre was in America, both in the classics and in modern works, as actor and director. For example, in 1946–47 he starred on Broadway inJoan of Lorraine.In Mexico he directed plays in Spanish.[1]
Brent appeared in numerous television shows from 1930 into the 1960s. Among other films, he appeared inEast Meets West(1936),Under the Red Robe(1937),Dinner at the Ritz(1937),The Middle Watch(1940) andAdventures of Don Juan(1949).
He appeared as Autolycus inThe Winter's TalebyWilliam Shakespearein 1945-46. That show, produced by theTheatre Guild,opened inPittsburghSeptember 24, 1945 and toured fourteen American Cities before opening at theCort Theaterin New York City January 16, 1946.B. Iden Paynewas listed as the director of the show when it opened; by the time the show arrived in New York City, Payne and Brent were both listed as directors.[3]In 1946, Brent directed and appeared (as Caius) in another touring Shakespeare play produced by the Theatre Guild,The Merry Wives of Windsor.[4]In September 1965, Brent went to Manila, the Philippines, to direct a stage production of the Broadway musicalCarnival(for then St. Paul College, now St. Paul University, Manila) with the Manila Symphony Orchestra.[citation needed]
On television he appeared on Pulitzer Prize Playhouse,Somerset Maugham TV Theatre,Robert Montgomery Presents,Suspense,Schlitz Playhouse of Stars,Kraft Theatre,Playhouse 90,ZorroandThe Adventures of Jim Bowie.He portrayed the French detectiveMaigretin an episode ofStudio One,and Dr. Armstrong in a 1959 NBC TV film ofAgatha Christie'sTen Little Indians.
Personal life and death
editDuring the last seven years of his life, he taught drama in Mexico City.[5]Brent was married to the American actress and singerGina Malo.He died at the age of 74 inMexico City,Mexico.
Filmography
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1936 | East Meets West | Dr. Shagu | |
| 1937 | Head Over Heels | Matty | |
| 1937 | The Dominant Sex | Joe Clayton | |
| 1937 | Dreaming Lips | Peter Lawrence | |
| 1937 | Under the Red Robe | Marius | |
| 1937 | Who's Your Lady Friend? | Fred | |
| 1937 | School for Husbands | Morgan Cheswick | |
| 1937 | Dinner at the Ritz | Jimmy Raine | |
| 1938 | His Lordship Goes to Press | Pinkie Butler | |
| 1939 | On the Night of the Fire | Jimsey Jones | |
| 1940 | The Middle Watch | Ah Fong | |
| 1940 | Let George Do It! | Slim Selwyn | |
| 1948 | The Adventures of Don Juan | King Phillip III | |
| 1950 | Dream Ballerina | Director | |
| 1955 | The Virgin Queen | French Ambassador | |
| 1957 | Don't Go Near the Water | Mr. Alba - Melora's Father | |
| 1958 | Screaming Mimi | Charlie Weston |
Notes
editReferences
edit- Lesley, Cole (1976)The Life of Noel Coward,Jonathan Cape, London,ISBN0-224-01288-6
External links
edit
- Romney Brentat theInternet Broadway Database
- Romney BrentatIMDb
- Profile from All Movie Guide
- 1926 photo of Brent
- Romney Brent papers, 1934-1975 (bulk 1969-1975),held by the Billy Rose Theatre Division,New York Public Library for the Performing Arts