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Billy Bevan

May 26, 2023

Not to be confused with Billy B. Van.

Billy Bevan (born William Bevan Harris, 29 September 1887 – 26 November 1957) was an Australian-born vaudevillian, who became an American film actor. He appeared in more than 250 American films between 1916 and 1950.[citation needed]

Billy Bevan
Bevan, 1920s
Born
William Bevan Harris

(1887-09-29)29 September 1887
Orange, New South Wales, Australia
Died26 November 1957(1957-11-26) (aged 70)
Escondido, California, U.S.
Years active1916–1950
SpousesLeah Leona Roberts (1918–52), Betsy Rees (1954–his death)
Children2 daughters

Career

Bevan was born in the country town of Orange, New South Wales, Australia.[1][2][3] He went on the stage at an early age, traveled to Sydney and spent eight years in Australian light opera, performing as Willie Bevan.[4] He sailed to America with the Pollard’s Lilliputian Opera Company in 1912,[1][5] and later toured Canada.[5] Bevan broke into films with the Sigmund Lubin studio in 1916. When the company disbanded, Bevan became a supporting actor in Mack Sennett movie comedies. An expressive pantomimist, Bevan's quiet scene-stealing attracted attention, and by 1922 Bevan was a Sennett star. He supplemented his income, however, by establishing a citrus and avocado farm at Escondido, California.[6]

Usually filmed wearing a derby hat and a drooping mustache, Bevan may not have possessed an indelible screen character like Charlie Chaplin but he had a friendly, funny presence in the frantic Sennett comedies. Much of the comedy depended on Bevan's skilled timing and reactions; the famous "oyster" routine performed on film by Curly Howard, Lou Costello, and Huntz Hall—in which a bowl of "fresh oyster stew" shows alarming signs of life and battles the guy trying to eat it—was originated on film decades earlier by Bevan in the short film Wandering Willies.

By the mid-1920s Bevan was often teamed with Andy Clyde; Clyde soon graduated to his own starring series. The late 1920s found Bevan playing in wild marital farces for Sennett.

The advent of talking pictures took their toll on the careers of many silent stars, including Billy Bevan. Bevan began a second career in "talkies" as a character actor and bit player in roles such as that of a bus driver in the 1929 film High Voltage, a hotel employee in the Mae Murray film Peacock Alley, and the supporting role of Second Lieutenant Trotter in Journey's End in 1930. His starring roles had come to an end, however, and for the next 20 years he often would play rowdy Cockneys (as in Pack Up Your Troubles with The Ritz Brothers), and affable Englishmen (as in Tin Pan Alley and Terror by Night).[7] He played a friendly bus conductor opposite Greer Garson in one of the opening scenes of Mrs. Miniver.

Bevan died in 1957 in Escondido, California,[1] just before new audiences discovered him in Robert Youngson's silent-comedy compilations. The Youngson films mispronounce his name as "Be-VAN"; Bevan himself offered the proper pronunciation in a Voice of Hollywood reel in 1930.

Filmography

Gallery

References

  1. ^ a b c "Billy Bevan, Retired Movie Actor and Rancher, Dies". Times-Advocate. Escondido, California. 29 November 1957. p. 1.
  2. ^ "United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZVN-XR2 : 24 August 2019), William Bevan, 1917-1918.
  3. ^ "United States World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V48R-RCB : 8 November 2017), William Bevan, 1942; citing NARA microfilm publication M1936, M1937, M1939, M1951, M1962, M1964, M1986, M2090, and M2097 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
  4. ^ "Christmas Entertainments". Healesville And Yarra Glen Guardian. Victoria, Australia. 29 December 1911. p. 2. Retrieved 22 December 2016 – via Trove.
  5. ^ a b "Theatrical Gazette". The Referee. New South Wales, Australia. 8 January 1913. p. 15. Retrieved 22 December 2016 – via Trove.
  6. ^ "Billy Bevan Has New Wind Machine For Use On His Local Citrus Grove". Times-Advocate. Escondido, California. 12 November 1937. p. 14.
  7. ^ Anthony Slide (2012), Hollywood Unknowns: A History of Extras, Bit Players, and Stand-Ins P.162, University Press of Mississippi. ISBN 978-1617034749. Slide also notes this of Clyde Cook

External links

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Billy Bevan.
  • Billy Bevan at IMDb
  • Billy Bevan at Virtual History

May 26, 2023
billy, bevan, confused, with, billy, born, william, bevan, harris, september, 1887, november, 1957, australian, born, vaudevillian, became, american, film, actor, appeared, more, than, american, films, between, 1916, 1950, citation, needed, bevan, 1920sbornwil. Not to be confused with Billy B Van Billy Bevan born William Bevan Harris 29 September 1887 26 November 1957 was an Australian born vaudevillian who became an American film actor He appeared in more than 250 American films between 1916 and 1950 citation needed Billy BevanBevan 1920sBornWilliam Bevan Harris 1887 09 29 29 September 1887Orange New South Wales AustraliaDied26 November 1957 1957 11 26 aged 70 Escondido California U S Years active1916 1950SpousesLeah Leona Roberts 1918 52 Betsy Rees 1954 his death Children2 daughters Contents 1 Career 2 Filmography 3 Gallery 4 References 5 External linksCareer EditBevan was born in the country town of Orange New South Wales Australia 1 2 3 He went on the stage at an early age traveled to Sydney and spent eight years in Australian light opera performing as Willie Bevan 4 He sailed to America with the Pollard s Lilliputian Opera Company in 1912 1 5 and later toured Canada 5 Bevan broke into films with the Sigmund Lubin studio in 1916 When the company disbanded Bevan became a supporting actor in Mack Sennett movie comedies An expressive pantomimist Bevan s quiet scene stealing attracted attention and by 1922 Bevan was a Sennett star He supplemented his income however by establishing a citrus and avocado farm at Escondido California 6 Usually filmed wearing a derby hat and a drooping mustache Bevan may not have possessed an indelible screen character like Charlie Chaplin but he had a friendly funny presence in the frantic Sennett comedies Much of the comedy depended on Bevan s skilled timing and reactions the famous oyster routine performed on film by Curly Howard Lou Costello and Huntz Hall in which a bowl of fresh oyster stew shows alarming signs of life and battles the guy trying to eat it was originated on film decades earlier by Bevan in the short film Wandering Willies By the mid 1920s Bevan was often teamed with Andy Clyde Clyde soon graduated to his own starring series The late 1920s found Bevan playing in wild marital farces for Sennett The advent of talking pictures took their toll on the careers of many silent stars including Billy Bevan Bevan began a second career in talkies as a character actor and bit player in roles such as that of a bus driver in the 1929 film High Voltage a hotel employee in the Mae Murray film Peacock Alley and the supporting role of Second Lieutenant Trotter in Journey s End in 1930 His starring roles had come to an end however and for the next 20 years he often would play rowdy Cockneys as in Pack Up Your Troubles with The Ritz Brothers and affable Englishmen as in Tin Pan Alley and Terror by Night 7 He played a friendly bus conductor opposite Greer Garson in one of the opening scenes of Mrs Miniver Bevan died in 1957 in Escondido California 1 just before new audiences discovered him in Robert Youngson s silent comedy compilations The Youngson films mispronounce his name as Be VAN Bevan himself offered the proper pronunciation in a Voice of Hollywood reel in 1930 Filmography EditSalome vs Shenandoah 1919 Distilled Love 1920 Short Married Life 1920 Hospital Staff Janitor uncredited Love Honor and Behave 1920 A Fake Lawyer A Small Town Idol 1921 Director Home Talent 1921 Minor Role uncredited On Patrol 1922 star policeman then convict The Crossroads of New York 1922 Press Agent The Extra Girl 1923 Comedian The White Sin 1924 Travers Dale One Spooky Night 1924 Man in the Haunted House Flirty Four Flushers 1926 Short Jerry Connors Archibald De Shyster Easy Pickings 1927 The Detective The Girl from Everywhere 1927 Messenger Riley the Cop 1928 Paris Cabman uncredited High Voltage 1929 Gus The Driver Weak But Willing 1929 George Downing The Trespasser 1929 Reporter uncredited The Sky Hawk 1929 Tom Berry Peacock Alley 1930 Walter Bell Captain Journey s End 1930 2nd Lt Trotter Temptation 1930 Sam For the Defense 1930 Drunk uncredited Monte Carlo 1930 Train Conductor uncredited For the Love o Lil 1930 Edward O Walker Born to Love 1931 Departing British Soldier uncredited The Spy 1931 Minor Role uncredited Chances 1931 Transatlantic 1931 Hodgkins Waterloo Bridge 1931 Soldier on the Make uncredited The Silent Witness 1932 Horace Ward Sky Devils 1932 The Colonel Vanity Fair 1932 Joseph Sedley Payment Deferred 1932 Hammond Me and My Gal 1932 Ashley uncredited Cavalcade 1933 George Grainger Luxury Liner 1933 Schultz Looking Forward 1933 Mr Barker Night Watchman A Study in Scarlet 1933 Will Swallow Peg o My Heart 1933 Detective 2 uncredited Midnight Club 1933 Detective uncredited Too Much Harmony 1933 Stage Director The Way to Love 1933 M Prial Alice in Wonderland 1933 Two of Spades uncredited Caravan 1934 Police Sergeant The Lost Patrol 1934 Hale Stingaree 1934 Mac Shock 1934 Meadows One More River 1934 Cloakroom Attendant Bulldog Drummond Strikes Back 1934 Man in Hotel Room uncredited The Painted Veil 1934 Bridegroom scenes deleted Limehouse Blues 1934 Herb Mystery Woman 1935 Jepson Vanessa Her Love Story 1935 Horse Auctioneer uncredited Black Sheep 1935 Alfred Dressed to Thrill 1935 Canadian Soldier uncredited The Last Outpost 1935 Private Foster A Tale of Two Cities 1935 Jerry Cruncher The Widow from Monte Carlo 1935 Police Officer Watkins uncredited Song and Dance Man 1936 Curtis Mr Deeds Goes to Town 1936 Cabby uncredited Champagne Charlie 1936 Mr Boswick Ship Bartender uncredited Dracula s Daughter 1936 Albert Private Number 1936 Frederick Piccadilly Jim 1936 Taxi Driver Lloyd s of London 1936 Innkeeper God s Country and the Woman 1937 Plug Hat Personal Property 1937 Frank the Waiter uncredited Slave Ship 1937 Atkins Another Dawn 1937 Pvt Hawkins The Sheik Steps Out 1937 Munson The Wrong Road 1937 McLean Bringing Up Baby 1938 Joe Bartender uncredited The Girl of the Golden West 1938 Nick Blond Cheat 1938 The Bartender uncredited The Young in Heart 1938 Kennel Man uncredited Meet the Girls 1938 Bartender uncredited Mysterious Mr Moto 1938 Customs Official uncredited Shadows Over Shanghai 1938 Gallicuddy Arrest Bulldog Drummond 1938 Aquarium Guard uncredited Up the River 1938 Bartender uncredited A Christmas Carol 1938 Street Watch Leader uncredited Let Freedom Ring 1939 Cockney uncredited Captain Fury 1939 Duffy Grand Jury Secrets 1939 Masseur uncredited Pack Up Your Troubles 1939 British Sergeant uncredited We Are Not Alone 1939 Mr Jones The Earl of Chicago 1940 Guide The Invisible Man Returns 1940 Jim uncredited Rebecca 1940 Policeman uncredited The Long Voyage Home 1940 Joe Limehouse Barman uncredited Tin Pan Alley 1940 Stage Doorman Scotland Yard 1941 Porter uncredited Penny Serenade 1941 McDougal uncredited One Night in Lisbon 1941 Lord Fitzleigh s Aide uncredited Shining Victory 1941 Chivers Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde 1941 Mr Weller Suspicion 1941 Ticket Taker uncredited Confirm or Deny 1941 Mr Bindle The Man Who Wouldn t Die 1942 Phillips the Butler This Above All 1942 Farmer uncredited Mrs Miniver 1942 Bus Conductor uncredited Hi Neighbor 1942 Guest uncredited Counter Espionage 1942 George Barrow A Yank at Eton 1942 Tour Guide uncredited I Married a Witch 1942 Puritan Vendor uncredited London Blackout Murders 1943 Air Raid Warden Forever and a Day 1943 Wartime Cabby Young and Willing 1943 Phillips Holy Matrimony 1943 Cabby uncredited The Return of the Vampire 1943 Horace Civil Defense Worker uncredited Jane Eyre 1943 Bookie uncredited The Lodger 1944 Bartender uncredited Once Upon a Time 1944 Patrol Cop Driver uncredited The Invisible Man s Revenge 1944 Sergeant The Pearl of Death 1944 Constable uncredited National Velvet 1944 Constable uncredited Tonight and Every Night 1945 Cabbie uncredited The Picture of Dorian Gray 1945 Malvolio Jones Chairman Scotland Yard Investigator 1945 Porter uncredited Terror by Night 1946 Train Attendant Devotion 1946 Mr Ames uncredited Cluny Brown 1946 Uncle Arn Porritt uncredited Moss Rose 1947 White Horse Cabby uncredited Love from a Stranger 1947 Taxi Driver uncredited It Had to Be You 1947 Evans the Butler The Swordsman 1948 Old Andrew The Black Arrow 1948 Dungeon Keeper Let s Live a Little 1948 Morton uncredited The Secret Garden 1949 Barney The Secret of St Ives 1949 Douglas uncredited That Forsyte Woman 1949 Porter uncredited Tell It to the Judge 1949 Winston Kitty s Butler uncredited Fortunes of Captain Blood 1950 Billy Bragg Rogues of Sherwood Forest 1950 Will Scarlet Three Secrets 1950 Ed Jackson uncredited Hans Christian Andersen 1952 Town Councilman uncredited Gallery Edit Billy Bevan and Mack Sennett Bathing Beauties 1920s Scene from Oh Daddy featuring Billy Bevan bottom and Mildred June not shown 1922References Edit a b c Billy Bevan Retired Movie Actor and Rancher Dies Times Advocate Escondido California 29 November 1957 p 1 United States World War I Draft Registration Cards 1917 1918 database with images FamilySearch https familysearch org ark 61903 1 1 KZVN XR2 24 August 2019 William Bevan 1917 1918 United States World War II Draft Registration Cards 1942 database with images FamilySearch https familysearch org ark 61903 1 1 V48R RCB 8 November 2017 William Bevan 1942 citing NARA microfilm publication M1936 M1937 M1939 M1951 M1962 M1964 M1986 M2090 and M2097 Washington D C National Archives and Records Administration n d Christmas Entertainments Healesville And Yarra Glen Guardian Victoria Australia 29 December 1911 p 2 Retrieved 22 December 2016 via Trove a b Theatrical Gazette The Referee New South Wales Australia 8 January 1913 p 15 Retrieved 22 December 2016 via Trove Billy Bevan Has New Wind Machine For Use On His Local Citrus Grove Times Advocate Escondido California 12 November 1937 p 14 Anthony Slide 2012 Hollywood Unknowns A History of Extras Bit Players and Stand Ins P 162 University Press of Mississippi ISBN 978 1617034749 Slide also notes this of Clyde CookExternal links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Billy Bevan Billy Bevan at IMDb Billy Bevan at Virtual History Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Billy Bevan amp oldid 1135417811, 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