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Henry Wilcoxon

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Henry Wilcoxon
Wilcoxon inThe Miniver Story(1950)
Born
Harry Frederick Wilcoxon

(1905-09-08)8 September 1905
Roseau,Dominica,British West Indies
Died6 March 1984(1984-03-06)(aged 78)
Los Angeles, California,U.S.
Other namesHarry Wilcoxon
OccupationActor
Years active1926–83
Spouses
Sheila Garrett
​
​
(m.1936;div.1937)​
​
​
(m.1938;div.1969)​
Children3

Henry Wilcoxon(bornHarry Frederick Wilcoxon;8 September 1905 – 6 March 1984) was a British-American[1][2]actor and film producer, born in theBritish West Indies.He was known as an actor in many of directorCecil B. DeMille's films, also serving as DeMille's associate producer on his later films.

Early life

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Wilcoxon was born on 8 September 1905 inRoseau,Dominica(then administered as part of theBritish West Indies). His father was English-born Robert Stanley 'Tan' Wilcoxon, manager of theColonial Bankin Jamaica[3]and his mother, Lurline Mignonette Nunes, was a Jamaican amateur theatre actress, descendant of a wealthy Spanish merchant family.[3][2][4]

Henry was close with his older brother, Robert Owen Wilcoxon, known as 'Owen'. Henry (known then by his born name, Harry) had a difficult childhood. His mother "disappeared suddenly and mysteriously" (presumably she died) when he was about a year old, and his father took him and Owen (aged four) to England with the intention that his own mother, Ann Wilcoxon, would care for them. But because the grandmother was too frail to care for the children, they were first sent to a badfoster home,where they became ill from malnutrition and neglect until this was discovered by the authorities, and they were moved to anorphanage.Harry suffered fromrickets,and Owen developed astutterand hadepilepticfits.[5]They were rescued from the orphanage to a new foster home run by the more caring Stewart family, at Springfield House in Acton, London.[6][7]After several years Harry's father 'Tan', with his new wife Rosamond took the children home with them toBridgetown,Barbados, where they were educated. Harry was sent toWolmer's Boys SchoolinKingston, JamaicaandHarrison College,Barbados. Harry later claimed that at 14 he was 'almost' the underwater swimming champion of Barbados[8]and good enough to become asalvage diver.[2]

Harry and his brother Owen were known as 'Biff' and 'Bang' to friends and family due to fighting skills gained in amateur boxing.

Acting

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After completing his education, Wilcoxon was employed by Joseph Rank, the father ofJ. Arthur Rank,before working forBond Streettailors Pope and Bradshaw.[2]While working for the tailors, Wilcoxon applied for avisato work as achauffeurin the United States, but upon seeing his application refused, turned to boxing, and then to acting.[2]

Stage

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Harry Wilcoxon's first stage performance was as a supporting actor in an adaptation of the novelThe 100th Chance,by Ethel M. Dell, in November 1927 at Blackpool,[9]before he joined theBirmingham Repertory Theatrethe next year and toured "for several years" playing "all roles that came his way."[2]Among these roles, he found critical success playingCaptain Cookin a production ofRudolph Besier'sThe Barretts of Wimpole Streetat the LondonQueen's TheatrealongsideGwen Ffrangcon-Davies,Scott SunderlandandCedric Hardwicke.[2]In June 1932, at the Queen's Theatre, he played Donald Gage alongsideEdith Evansas Irela in SirBarry Jackson's production ofBeverley Nichols' novelEvensong.[10]

Early screen work

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Wilcoxon andClaudette ColbertinCleopatra(1934)

In 1931, Wilcoxon made his screen debut as "Larry Tindale" inThe Perfect Lady,followed by a role oppositeHeather AngelinSelf Made Lady,alongsideLouis Haywardand others.[2]In 1932, he appeared in a remake of the 1929 filmThe Flying Squad(based on the novel byEdgar Wallace), reprising the role originated by future-HitchcockregularJohn Longden.[2]Altogether he made eight films inBritainprior to 1934.

Also in 1933, "while acting on stage inEight Bells,atalent scoutforParamount Picturesreportedly arranged ascreen testwhich came to the attention of producer-directorCecil B. DeMillein Hollywood. "[2]DeMille recalls in his autobiography:

One of my longest and closest professional and personal associations began because I was impatient about waiting my turn for the use of a projection room at the studio, while I was castingCleopatra.I had already engagedClaudette Colbertfor the title role, but had not yet found a satisfactoryMark Antonyto play opposite her.

However, I did have some film footage of horses that I wanted to see, for possible use in the picture. I took it to the projection room, but found the room in use... While waiting in the booth, I heard, come from the soundtrack of the test film [being shown], a resonant, manly voice, with only a pleasant trace of an English accent... I asked who the young actor was.

'Oh,' I was told, 'he's a young Englishman that Paramount signed from the London stage. Name of Harry Wilcoxon, but the executives don't think Harry is dignified enough, so we're changing his name to Henry Wilcoxon.'

'Harry or Henry,' I said, 'he is Marc Antony.' "[11]

So he was renamed by DeMille for the role of Marc Antony inCleopatra,and from then on he wasHenry Wilcoxon.

Wilcoxon was next given the lead role ofRichard the Lionheartin DeMille's big-budget filmThe Crusades(1935) oppositeLoretta Young.That film, however, was a financial failure, "losing more than $700,000".[2]After the lack of success ofThe Crusades,Wilcoxon's career stalled; although he featured—and starred—in a number of films, most were "minorB'slikeThe President's MysteryandPrison NurseforRepublic [Pictures]."[2]Wilcoxon himself deemed his worst acting job to be inMysteriousMr. Moto(1938), in which year he played inIf I Were Kingand featured inFive of a Kindwith theDionne quintuplets.[2]

The war years

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In 1941, Wilcoxon appeared asCaptain Hardy,alongsideLaurence OlivierandVivien Leigh,inAlexander Korda'sLady Hamilton,during the filming of which:

a wad of flame fell from a torch directly on Olivier's head, setting his wig afire. Wilcoxon, standing right beside him, tried to extinguish the blaze but was unsuccessful. Finally he had to wrench the wig from Olivier's head, but both of his hands were badly burned while Olivier's eyebrows were scorched. "[2]

When the U.S. enteredWorld War IIin December 1941, Wilcoxon enlisted in theUnited States Coast Guard,supposedly "leaving his home twenty minutes after the announcement that the U.S. had declared war and proceeding to enlist then and there."[2]He served with the Coast Guard until 1946, gaining the rank of lieutenant commander.[2]

During his period of service, three films in which he appeared were released in 1942, among themMrs. Miniver,[12]which received considerable public acclaim, as well as sixAcademy Awards.[2]Wilcoxon, in his role as thevicar,"wrote and re-wrote" the key sermon with directorWilliam Wyler"the night before the sequence was to be shot."[2]The speech "made such an impact that it was used in essence byPresident Rooseveltas a morale builder and part of it was the basis for leaflets printed in various languages and dropped over enemy and occupied territory. "[2]

Upon his return from war service, Wilcoxon "picked up his relationship with Cecil B. DeMille" withUnconquered,and after starring asSir Lancelotin the1949 musical versionofMark Twain'sA Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court(withBing Crosbyin the title role), he featured (with "fifth starring billing" ) in DeMille'sSamson and Delilah(1949).[2]To help pre-sell the film, "DeMille arranged for Wilcoxon to tour the country giving a series of lectures on the film and its research in 41 key cities in the United States and Canada."[2]However, "after the fourteenth city," Wilcoxon collapsed "from a mild bout ofpneumonia,"(actuallytuberculosis), and the tour was continued by "press-agentRichard CondonandRingling Brotherspublic relationsman Frank Braden "(who also collapsed, inMinneapolis).[2]Condon finished touring by the time of the film's release in October 1949.[2]Wilcoxon, meanwhile, had returned to England under contract to feature inThe Miniver Story(1950), a sequel to the multi-Oscar-winningMrs. Miniver(1942) in which he reprised his role as the vicar.

Later life as producer and TV actor

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In the late 1940s, "several young actors and actresses came to Wilcoxon and wifeJoan Woodburyand asked them to form a play-reading group ", which began to take shape as the 'Wilcoxon Players' in 1951, when the two" transformed their living room into a stage. "[2]'Guest star' performers sometimes appeared in the plays produced by the group, among themLarry ParksandCorinne Calvet,and soon the "Wilcoxon Group Players Annual Nativity Play" was being performed "at the Miles Playhouse inSanta Monica."[2]The group was recognised by theAmerican Cancer Societyin 1956 with a Citation of Merit, awarded for donations received by attendees of the groups Easter productions.[2]

Wilcoxon played a "small but important part" in DeMille's 1952 productionThe Greatest Show on Earth,on which film he also served as associate producer, helping steer the film towards itsAcademy Award for Best Picture,1952.[2]He also acted as associate producer on, and acted (as Pentaur, the pharaoh's captain of the guards) in DeMille's remake of his ownThe Ten Commandments(1956). Wilcoxon was sole producer on the 1958 filmThe Buccaneer,a remake of DeMille's1938 effort,which DeMille only "supervised" (due to his declining health) whileAnthony Quinndirected.[2]

After DeMille died, Wilcoxon did "considerable work... in pre-production" on "a film based on the life ofLord Baden-Powell,founder of theBoy Scoutmovement, "which DeMille had left unrealised, and was also ultimately abandoned.[2]

After a relatively inactive period "for the next three or four years," Wilcoxon had a "chance meeting with actorCharlton Hestonand directorFranklin SchaffneratUniversal Studios,"a meeting which saw him appear inThe War Lord(1965), for which he again "went on tour... visiting 21 cities to publicize the picture."[2]

He was credited as co-producer on a "90-minute tribute to Cecil B. DeMille televised byNBC"entitledThe World's Greatest Showman: The Legend of Cecil B. DeMille(1963), whose production was hampered by the absence of "some of DeMille's best-remembered films of the 30s and 40s" when rights-holderMCArefused their use.[2]At the opening of the DeMille Theatre in New York, he produced a "two-reel short," that in the estimation of criticDon Miller"was much better than this 90-minute tribute."[13]

In the last two decades of his life, Wilcoxon worked sporadically and accepted minor acting roles in a number of television and film productions. He guest-starred in shows includingDaniel Boone,Perry Mason,I Spy,It Takes a Thief,The Wild Wild West,Gunsmoke,Cimarron Strip,Cagney & Lacey,The Big Valley,Private BenjaminandMarcus Welby, M. D.,as well as in a smaller number of films. Wilcoxon is probably best known today for his small but memorable role as the golf-obsessed Bishop Pickering in the classic 1980 comedyCaddyshack.[2]In one scene, he plays golf in the driving rain with groundskeeper Carl, played by actorBill Murray.It took hours to film the scene, with both actors standing under artificial rain towers and wind machines. In an interview from 2010, Murray called Wilcoxon “a great pro” who “nailed everything he did.” Wilcoxon also told Murray that the book,The Art of Dramatic Writingwas an influence in his career.[14]

Personal life

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Through loans from the assets he acquired from his early acting career, Wilcoxon assisted his brother Owen in establishing himself in 1931 as a partner in the Vale Motor Company in London. For a short time, Henry showed a personal interest in the development of their sports car, theVale Special.At that time his female companion was a London-based American stage actressCarol Goodner.[15]

English-born actressHeather Angel,whom he had previously acted with inSelf Made Lady(1932) when they were both in England, had come to Hollywood a few months before Wilcoxon and met him again in 1934.[16]They became lifetime friends.[17]She taught him horse-riding, and acted in two more films with him:The Last of the Mohicans(1936) andLady Hamilton(1941). Heather Angel and her husbandRalph Forbeswere both present at Wilcoxon's wedding to Sheila Garrett.

Wilcoxon married a 19-year-old actressSheila Garretton 28 June 1936, but they divorced a year later. When they had first met, two years before they were married, she was introduced by her sisterLynn Browningas "Bonnie", but when they got to know each other better he preferred the name Sheila Garrett.[18]

On 17 December 1938, he married 23 year old actressJoan Woodbury.[19]They had three daughters: Wendy Joan Robert Wilcoxon (1939–2020),[20]Heather Ann Wilcoxon (1947) and Cecilia Dawn "CiCi" Wilcoxon (1950).[2]His second daughter was named after Heather Angel.[21]His youngest daughter was named after Cecil B. DeMille: DeMille said he wanted the child to be called Cecil if it was a boy, but when it turned out to be a girl, DeMille was still insistent, saying "I think Cecilia is a beautiful name! My daughter is named Cecilia."[22]They divorced in 1969.[23]

Wilcoxon was an amateur painter and photographer, whose work was exhibited on at least one occasion in London.[2]He was also "an avidantiquecollector and accomplished flier. "[2]

At his home inBurbankin the summer of 1975 Wilcoxon first met his niece Valerie (1933–2017), the English daughter of his brother Owen[24]with Dorothy Drew (sister of architectJane Drew). Up until then he did not know that his brother, killed in 1940 during theDunkirk evacuation,had any children.

Death

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Wilcoxon died on March 6, 1984 in Los Angeles, at the age of 78, after suffering fromcancerfor a number of years.[25]

Recognition

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Wilcoxon has a star on theHollywood Walk of Fameat6256 Hollywood Blvd.west of Argyle St., in front of the W Hollywood Hotel & Residences and theMetro B LineHollywood/Vine station,and across from thePantages Theater.

Partial filmography

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Made in UK:

Made in USA:

References and notes

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  1. ^"Henry Wilcoxon".latimes.com.Retrieved1 April2024.
  2. ^abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyzaaabacadaeafagahaiDaynard, DonHenry Wilcoxonin Peter Harris (ed.)The NewCaptain George's WhizzbangNo. 13 (1971), pp. 2–7
  3. ^abThe deMercado Family Website"Monthly Comments: Jamaica" Vol. 6 – 'Memories and Reflections,' by Ansell HartArchived24 July 2008 at theWayback Machine.Retrieved 7 August 2008
  4. ^"BMD records".Retrieved 7 August 2008
  5. ^Lionheart in Hollywood,Prologue p.xv: "Tan advertised for a foster home and the brothers were sent to the first family that responded. There Harry and Owen were locked in an attic room and fed leftovers while the money and clothing that came with them went to the family's own children. Harry and Owen were kept in appalling conditions, both afflicted with lice, Harry crippled with rickets and Owen developed a lifelong stutter and epileptic fits.
  6. ^Lionheart in Hollywood,Prologue p.xvi: "Even when the abuse was discovered, neither father nor grandmother wanted to take them back; instead the boys were sent to an orphanage and might have remained there if a good foster home not heard of their plight and considered taking them in. The Stewart family (consisting mainly of maiden sisters), with a large house in Acton, accepted the abandoned children. The youngest, Ruth, took special care of Owen. Harry had atrocious behaviour but was taken in hand by an elder sister Sara. The boys had to call each sister" Auntie ", were taught table manners, sent to Sunday school, tutored in school work and Harry's legs fitted with braces.
  7. ^The 1911 census shows Harry and Owen Wilcoxon with the Stewart family at Springfield House, Horn Lane, Acton. They are Charlotte Stewart (age 80) and single daughters Harriet (49), Caroline (48), Sara (39), Kathleen (37) and Ruth (34). Also a son John (41) with his wife Florence (33). The house had 18 rooms.
  8. ^Lionheart in Hollywood,p.29, p.86. Twice in the biography Henry is quoted as saying he wasalmostthe underwater swimming champion of Barbados.
  9. ^The Stage,3 November 1927
  10. ^The Stage,30 June 1932
  11. ^Cecil B. DeMille quoted byDaynard, DonHenry Wilcoxonin Peter Harris (ed.)The NewCaptain George's WhizzbangNo. 13 (1971), pp. 2–7
  12. ^His role in "Mrs. Miniver" must have had special meaning to Henry because his only brother,Sub-LieutenantRobert Owen Wilcoxon of theRoyal Naval Volunteer Reserve,had been killed by a German bomb when assisting in theDunkirk evacuationon 29 May 1940.
  13. ^Don Miller quoted inDaynard, DonHenry Wilcoxonin Peter Harris (ed.)The NewCaptain George's WhizzbangNo. 13 (1971), pp. 2–7
  14. ^Caddyshack: The making of a Hollywood Cinderella story,Flatiron Books, 2018, page 187.
  15. ^David Cox,Ave Atque Vale,pp.13, 26
  16. ^Lionheart in Hollywood,p.6
  17. ^Statements made on certain movie websites that Heather Angel and Henry Wilcoxon were married are spurious. No such marriage is mentioned in Henry's autobiographyLionheart in Hollywood.
  18. ^Lionheart in Hollywood,pp.69–70
  19. ^Lionheart in Hollywood,p.114
  20. ^On 21 June 1940, at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Hollywood, Henry and Joan Wilcoxon's daughter, first named Wendy Joan Wilcoxon was christened Wendy Joan Robert Wilcoxon in memory of his brother Robert Owen Wilcoxon who had been killed at the Dunkirk Evacuation three weeks earlier
  21. ^Lionheart in Hollywood,p.160
  22. ^Lionheart in Hollywood,pp.196–197
  23. ^Lionheart in Hollywood,p.351
  24. ^Sub-Lieut. Robert Owen Wilcoxon of theRoyal Naval Volunteer Reserve,only brother of Henry Wilcoxon, assisted in the Dunkirk evacuation on 29 May 1940; but, having helped to get hundreds of Allied troops off the beach to safety in his assault landing craft, he was fatally injured when, after returning to the sloop HMS Bideford to arrange a tow back to Dover, the ship had its stern blown off by a bomb dropped from a dive-bombing German aircraft. This must have been on Wilcoxon's mind during the making of the filmMrs. Miniver.This event is reported in the bookThe Evacuation from Dunkirk, 'Operation Dynamo', 26 May–4 June 1940ed. W. J. R. Gardner, pub. Frank Cass, London, 2000ISBN0-7146-5120-6
  25. ^Ap (8 March 1984)."Henry Wilcoxon Dead at 78; Screen Actor and Producer".The New York Times.ISSN0362-4331.Retrieved1 April2024.

Bibliography

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  • Cox, David (2006).Ave Atque Vale – the story of the Vale Special.Berkshire: Martin Publications.ISBN0-9553010-0-9.
  • Gardner, W. J. R., ed. (2000).The Evacuation from Dunkirk: 'Operation Dynamo' 26 May – 4 June 1940.London: Frank Cass.ISBN0-7146-5120-6.
  • Harris, Peter (ed.); Daynard, Don (1971)."Henry Wilcoxon" in The New Captain George's Whizzbang No. 13 (Vol.3 No.1).Toronto: Vast Whizzbang Organization.{{cite book}}:|first=has generic name (help)
  • Wilcoxon, Henry; Orrison, Katherine (1991).Lionheart in Hollywood: the autobiography of Henry Wilcoxon.Metuchen, NJ and London: The Scarecrow Press, Inc.ISBN0-8108-2476-0.
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