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Finlay Currie

January 01, 1970

William Finlay Currie[1] (20 January 1878 – 9 May 1968) was a Scottish actor of stage, screen, and television.[2][3] He received great acclaim for his roles as Abel Magwitch in the British film Great Expectations (1946) and as Balthazar in the American film Ben-Hur (1959).[4][5]

Finlay Currie
Trailer for Ivanhoe (1952)
Born
William Finlay Currie

(1878-01-20)20 January 1878
Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland
Died9 May 1968(1968-05-09) (aged 90)
Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire, England
Resting placeBreakspear Crematorium, Ruislip, London, England
NationalityScottish
OccupationActor
Years active1898–1968
Spouse
Maude Courtney
​
​
(m. 1905; died 1959)​
Children2

In his career spanning 70 years, Currie appeared in seven films nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture, of which Around the World in 80 Days (1956) and Ben-Hur (1959) were winners.[6][7]

Career edit

Currie was born in Edinburgh, Scotland.[1] He attended George Watson's College and worked as organist and choir director.[4] In 1898 he got his first job in Benjamin Fuller's theatre group, and appeared with them for almost 10 years.[8]

After emigrating to the United States in the late 1890s, Currie and his wife, Maude Courtney, did a song-and-dance act on the stage.[4] He made his first film , The Old Man, in 1931.[3] He appeared as a priest in the 1943 Ealing Second World War film Undercover (1943).[9] His most famous film role was the convict, Abel Magwitch, in David Lean's Great Expectations (1946).[8] He also earned praise for his portrayal of Queen Victoria's highland attendant John Brown in The Mudlark (1950).[1]

In the following years he appeared in Hollywood film epics, including such roles as Saint Peter in Quo Vadis (1951), as Balthazar, one of the Three Magi, in the multi-Oscar-winning Ben-Hur (1959); the Pope in Francis of Assisi (1961); and an aged, wise senator in The Fall of the Roman Empire (1964). He appeared in People Will Talk with Cary Grant; and portrayed Robert Taylor's embittered father, Sir Cedric, in MGM's Technicolor version of Ivanhoe (1952).[3] But Ivanhoe also gave Currie one of his most delightful roles, highlighting his comic capabilities, as well as a willingness to still do some action scenes, even in his 70s.

Television roles included Sir Gideon Murray in Alexander Reid's The Lass wi' the Muckle Mou, broadcast by the BBC on 6 October 1953.[10] In 1962, he starred in an episode of NBC's The DuPont Show of the Week, The Ordeal of Dr. Shannon, an adaptation of A.J. Cronin's novel, Shannon's Way.

He was the subject of This Is Your Life in February 1963, when he was surprised by Eamonn Andrews at the BBC Television Theatre in London.[citation needed]

In 1966, Currie played Mr. Lundie, the minister, in the television adaptation of the musical Brigadoon.[11] His last performance was for the television series The Saint which starred Roger Moore. Currie played a dying mafioso boss in the two-part episode "Vendetta for the Saint", which was shown posthumously in 1969.[12]

Late in life, he became a much respected antiques dealer, specialising in coins and precious metals. He was also a longtime collector of the works of Robert Burns.[1]

Personal life and death edit

Currie was married to American actress Maude Courtney.[1][4] They had two children, George and Marion.[1]

Currie died on 9 May 1968 in Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire at age 90.[3] His ashes were scattered in Breakspear Crematorium, Ruislip, Middlesex.

Complete filmography edit

Partial television credits edit

  • The Lass wi' the Muckle Mou (1953) as Sir Gideon Murray
  • Danger Man – Episodes: "The Gallows Tree" (1961) as Jock "That's Two of Us Sorry" (1965) as Jock (NOTE: apparently both times he appeared in that series, his character was named "Jock"!
  • Dixon of Dock Green Episode "A Home of One's Own" (1962) as Mr Caldicott
  • Alice in Wonderland (1966) as the Dodo
  • Gideon's Way Episode "The Thin Red Line" (1966) as the General
  • The Prisoner – Episode "The Chimes of Big Ben" (1967) as General
  • The Saint – Episode "Vendetta for the Saint" (1968) as Don Pasquale (final television appearance)

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Currie, (William) Finlay (1878–1968)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/55968. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
  2. ^ McFarlane, Brian (28 February 2014). The Encyclopedia of British Film: Fourth edition. Oxford University Press. pp. 175-176; ISBN 9781526111968
  3. ^ a b c d . BFI. Archived from the original on 9 May 2016. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
  4. ^ a b c d "BFI Screenonline: Currie, Finlay (1878–1968) Biography". Screenonline.org.uk.
  5. ^ "Ben-Hur (1959) – William Wyler – Review". AllMovie.
  6. ^ . 24 February 2017. Archived from the original on 24 February 2017. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
  7. ^ . 24 February 2017. Archived from the original on 24 February 2017. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
  8. ^ a b "Finlay Currie – Biography, Movie Highlights and Photos". AllMovie.
  9. ^ "Undercover (1943) – Sergei Nolbandov – Cast and Crew". AllMovie.
  10. ^ The Lass wi' the Muckle Mou, Scotland On-Air
  11. ^ . BFI. Archived from the original on 3 December 2018.
  12. ^ "Finlay Currie – Movies and Filmography". AllMovie.

External links edit

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Finlay Currie.

January 01, 1970
finlay, currie, william, january, 1878, 1968, scottish, actor, stage, screen, television, received, great, acclaim, roles, abel, magwitch, british, film, great, expectations, 1946, balthazar, american, film, 1959, trailer, ivanhoe, 1952, bornwilliam, 1878, jan. William Finlay Currie 1 20 January 1878 9 May 1968 was a Scottish actor of stage screen and television 2 3 He received great acclaim for his roles as Abel Magwitch in the British film Great Expectations 1946 and as Balthazar in the American film Ben Hur 1959 4 5 Finlay CurrieTrailer for Ivanhoe 1952 BornWilliam Finlay Currie 1878 01 20 20 January 1878Edinburgh Midlothian ScotlandDied9 May 1968 1968 05 09 aged 90 Gerrards Cross Buckinghamshire EnglandResting placeBreakspear Crematorium Ruislip London EnglandNationalityScottishOccupationActorYears active1898 1968SpouseMaude Courtney m 1905 died 1959 wbr Children2 In his career spanning 70 years Currie appeared in seven films nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture of which Around the World in 80 Days 1956 and Ben Hur 1959 were winners 6 7 Contents 1 Career 2 Personal life and death 3 Complete filmography 4 Partial television credits 5 References 6 External linksCareer editCurrie was born in Edinburgh Scotland 1 He attended George Watson s College and worked as organist and choir director 4 In 1898 he got his first job in Benjamin Fuller s theatre group and appeared with them for almost 10 years 8 After emigrating to the United States in the late 1890s Currie and his wife Maude Courtney did a song and dance act on the stage 4 He made his first film The Old Man in 1931 3 He appeared as a priest in the 1943 Ealing Second World War film Undercover 1943 9 His most famous film role was the convict Abel Magwitch in David Lean s Great Expectations 1946 8 He also earned praise for his portrayal of Queen Victoria s highland attendant John Brown in The Mudlark 1950 1 In the following years he appeared in Hollywood film epics including such roles as Saint Peter in Quo Vadis 1951 as Balthazar one of the Three Magi in the multi Oscar winning Ben Hur 1959 the Pope in Francis of Assisi 1961 and an aged wise senator in The Fall of the Roman Empire 1964 He appeared in People Will Talk with Cary Grant and portrayed Robert Taylor s embittered father Sir Cedric in MGM s Technicolor version of Ivanhoe 1952 3 But Ivanhoe also gave Currie one of his most delightful roles highlighting his comic capabilities as well as a willingness to still do some action scenes even in his 70s Television roles included Sir Gideon Murray in Alexander Reid s The Lass wi the Muckle Mou broadcast by the BBC on 6 October 1953 10 In 1962 he starred in an episode of NBC s The DuPont Show of the Week The Ordeal of Dr Shannon an adaptation of A J Cronin s novel Shannon s Way He was the subject of This Is Your Life in February 1963 when he was surprised by Eamonn Andrews at the BBC Television Theatre in London citation needed In 1966 Currie played Mr Lundie the minister in the television adaptation of the musical Brigadoon 11 His last performance was for the television series The Saint which starred Roger Moore Currie played a dying mafioso boss in the two part episode Vendetta for the Saint which was shown posthumously in 1969 12 Late in life he became a much respected antiques dealer specialising in coins and precious metals He was also a longtime collector of the works of Robert Burns 1 Personal life and death editCurrie was married to American actress Maude Courtney 1 4 They had two children George and Marion 1 Currie died on 9 May 1968 in Gerrards Cross Buckinghamshire at age 90 3 His ashes were scattered in Breakspear Crematorium Ruislip Middlesex Complete filmography editThe Old Man 1931 as Rennett The Frightened Lady 1932 as Brooks Rome Express 1932 as Sam publicist The Good Companions 1933 as Monte Mortimer Excess Baggage 1933 as Inspector Toucan It s a Boy 1933 uncredited Princess Charming 1934 as Baron Seegman Orders Is Orders 1934 as Dave Little Friend 1934 as Grove Gay Love 1934 as Highams My Old Dutch 1934 as Mo Mr Cinders 1934 as Henry Kemp The Big Splash 1935 as Hartley Bassett In Town Tonight 1935 as The Manager Heat Wave 1935 as Captain uncredited The Improper Duchess 1936 as Milton Lee The Gay Adventure 1936 as Porter Wanted 1937 as Uncle Mart Glamorous Night 1937 as Angus MacIntosh Catch as Catch Can 1937 as Al Parsons The Edge of the World 1937 as James Gray Command Performance 1937 as Al Arthur s Manager Paradise for Two 1937 as Creditor uncredited The Claydon Treasure Mystery 1938 as Rubin Follow Your Star 1938 as Maxie Around the Town 1938 as Sam Wyngold The Royal Family of Broadway 1939 TV movie as Oscar Wolfe Leviathan 1939 TV movie Sun Up 1939 TV movie as Pap Todd The Great Adventure 1939 TV Movie as Texel One Night One Day 1939 TV Movie as James Crook s Tour 1941 as Tourist on Desert Bus uncredited 49th Parallel 1941 as The Factor The Day Will Dawn 1942 as Capt Alstad Thunder Rock 1942 as Capt Joshua Stuart The Bells Go Down 1943 as District Officer MacFarlane Warn That Man 1943 as Captain Andrew Fletcher Theatre Royal 1943 as Clement J Earle Undercover 1943 as Father uncredited They Met in the Dark 1943 as Merchant Captain The Shipbuilders 1943 as McWain Don Chicago 1945 as Bugs Mulligan I Know Where I m Going 1945 as Ruairidh Mhor The Trojan Brothers 1946 as W H Maxwell School for Secrets 1946 as Sir Duncan Wills In the Zone 1946 TV Movie as Scotty Spring Song 1946 as Cobb Great Expectations 1946 as Magwitch Musical Chairs 1947 TV Movie as Samuel Plagett Woman to Woman as Theatre Manager You Can t Take It with You 1947 TV Movie as Martin Vanderhof The Brothers 1947 as Hector Macrae The Great Adventure 1947 TV Movie as Texel So Evil My Love 1948 as Dr Krylie My Brother Jonathan 1948 as Dr Hammond Mr Perrin and Mr Traill 1948 as Sir Joshua Varley Sleeping Car to Trieste 1948 as Alastair MacBain Bonnie Prince Charlie 1948 as the Marquis of Tullibardine The History of Mr Polly 1949 as Uncle Jim Edward My Son 1949 as Sir Lawrence Smythe uncredited Whisky Galore 1949 as Narrator uncredited Treasure Island 1950 as Captain Billy Bones Trio 1950 as Mr McLeod in segment Sanatorium My Daughter Joy 1950 as Sir Thomas McTavish The Black Rose 1950 as Alfgar The Mudlark 1950 as John Brown People Will Talk 1951 as Shunderson Quo Vadis 1951 as Saint Peter Walk East on Beacon 1952 as Professor Albert Kafer Kangaroo 1952 as Michael McGuire Ivanhoe 1952 as Cedric Stars and Stripes Forever 1952 as Colonel Randolph Treasure of the Golden Condor 1953 as MacDougal The Broken Jug 1953 TV Movie as Inspector Walter The Lass Wi the Muckle Mou 1953 TV Movie as Sir Gideon Murray Rob Roy The Highland Rogue 1953 as Hamish MacPherson The End of the Road 1954 as Old Mick Mack Beau Brummell 1954 as McIver Brummel s Publisher uncredited Third Party Risk 1954 as Mr Darius Captain Lightfoot 1955 as Callahan Make Me an Offer 1955 as Abe Sparta Thunder Rock 1955 TV Movie as Capt Joshua Stuart Footsteps in the Fog 1955 as Inspector Peters King s Rhapsody 1955 as King Paul Around the World in 80 Days 1956 as Andrew Stuart Reform Club member Zarak 1957 as the Mullah Seven Waves Away 1957 as Mr Wheaton The Little Hut 1957 as the Reverend Bertram Brittingham Bell Saint Joan 1957 as Archbishop of Rheims Campbell s Kingdom 1957 as Old Man Dangerous Exile 1957 as Mr Patient The Naked Earth 1958 as Father Verity Tempest 1958 as Count Grinov 6 5 Special 1958 as Himself Corridors of Blood 1958 as Supt Matheson Solomon and Sheba 1959 as King David Ben Hur 1959 as Balthasar Narrator Hand in Hand 1960 as Mr Pritchard Kidnapped 1960 as Cluny MacPherson The Angel Wore Red 1960 as Bishop The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn 1960 as Capt Sellers Clue of the Silver Key 1961 as Harvey Lane Edgar Wallace Mysteries Clue of the Silver Key 1961 US TV The Edgar Wallace Mystery Theatre as Harvey Lane Five Golden Hours 1961 as Father Superior Francis of Assisi 1961 as the Pope Joseph and His Brethren 1961 as Jacob Go to Blazes 1962 as the Judge The Inspector 1962 as De Kool The Amorous Prawn 1962 as Lochaye Cleopatra 1963 as Titus uncredited Murder at the Gallop 1963 as Old Enderby The Cracksman 1963 as Feathers Billy Liar 1963 as Duxbury West 11 1963 as Mister Cash The Three Lives of Thomasina 1964 as Grandpa Stirling The Fall of the Roman Empire 1964 as Senator Who Was Maddox 1964 as Alec Campbell The Battle of the Villa Fiorita 1965 as Emcee Bunny Lake Is Missing 1965 as Dollmaker Brigadoon 1966 TV Movie as Mr Lundie Alice in Wonderland 1966 TV Movie as Dodo Vendetta for the Saint 1969 as Don PasqualePartial television credits editThe Lass wi the Muckle Mou 1953 as Sir Gideon Murray Danger Man Episodes The Gallows Tree 1961 as Jock That s Two of Us Sorry 1965 as Jock NOTE apparently both times he appeared in that series his character was named Jock Dixon of Dock Green Episode A Home of One s Own 1962 as Mr Caldicott Alice in Wonderland 1966 as the Dodo Gideon s Way Episode The Thin Red Line 1966 as the General The Prisoner Episode The Chimes of Big Ben 1967 as General The Saint Episode Vendetta for the Saint 1968 as Don Pasquale final television appearance References edit a b c d e f Currie William Finlay 1878 1968 Oxford Dictionary of National Biography online ed Oxford University Press doi 10 1093 ref odnb 55968 Subscription or UK public library membership required McFarlane Brian 28 February 2014 The Encyclopedia of British Film Fourth edition Oxford University Press pp 175 176 ISBN 9781526111968 a b c d Finlay Currie BFI Archived from the original on 9 May 2016 Retrieved 1 July 2018 a b c d BFI Screenonline Currie Finlay 1878 1968 Biography Screenonline org uk Ben Hur 1959 William Wyler Review AllMovie 1957 Around the World in 80 Days The Oscars from Wings to Spotlight the 88 films to win Best Picture Film 24 February 2017 Archived from the original on 24 February 2017 Retrieved 1 November 2021 1960 Ben Hur The Oscars from Wings to Spotlight the 88 films to win Best Picture Film 24 February 2017 Archived from the original on 24 February 2017 Retrieved 1 November 2021 a b Finlay Currie Biography Movie Highlights and Photos AllMovie Undercover 1943 Sergei Nolbandov Cast and Crew AllMovie The Lass wi the Muckle Mou Scotland On Air Brigadoon 1966 BFI Archived from the original on 3 December 2018 Finlay Currie Movies and Filmography AllMovie External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Finlay Currie nbsp Biography portal Finlay Currie at IMDb Finlay Currie at the BFI s Screenonline Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Finlay Currie amp oldid 1213031443, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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