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Leon Errol

April 12, 2023

Leon Errol (born Leonce Errol Sims, July 3, 1881 – October 12, 1951) was an Australian-American comedian and actor in the United States, popular in the first half of the 20th century for his appearances in vaudeville, on Broadway, and in films.

Leon Errol
Errol in 1925
Born
Leonce Errol Sims

(1881-07-03)July 3, 1881
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
DiedOctober 12, 1951(1951-10-12) (aged 70)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
NationalityBritish subject; naturalized United States citizen
Alma materUniversity of Sydney
OccupationActor
Years active1911–1951
Spouse
Stella Chatelaine
​
​
(m. 1906, d. 1946)​

Early years

Born in Sydney to Joseph and Elizabeth Sims.[citation needed] Errol studied medicine at the University of Sydney. When he wrote material for, directed, and acted in the university's annual play, his interests changed to entertaining.[1]

Career

Errol toured Australia, New Zealand and Great Britain and Ireland in a variety of theatrical settings, including circuses, operettas, and Shakespeare. According to his petition for naturalization (1914), he first came to the United States in 1898, having arrived at the Port of San Francisco. By 1905, in Portland, Oregon, he managed a touring vaudeville company troupe, giving an early boost to the career of a young comedian named Roscoe Arbuckle.[citation needed] In 1908, he made the United States his home.

By 1911 Errol had graduated to the New York big time in the 1911 Ziegfeld Follies on Broadway, notably in two skits with the legendary Bert Williams. Errol's sister, Leda Errol (née Sims) was a personal friend of Ziegfeld Follies star Fanny Brice, and she appeared with him in the Ziegfeld Follies doing one- and two-act plays. He appeared every year in the Follies through 1915, when he is also credited as director of the show [2] that included W. C. Fields, Ed Wynn, as well as Marion Davies as one of the Ziegfeld Girls.

While balancing vaudeville appearances and a dozen Broadway shows, like the original 1920 production of Jerome Kern's Sally, in 1919 Errol achieved the pinnacle of vaudeville success: headlining at the Palace.[3][unreliable source?]

Films

 
In a short silent comedy, Buggins (1920)

Errol made his first film, a comic short subject called Nearly Spliced, in 1916 (it was not released before 1921), for pioneering east-coast producer George Kleine.[citation needed] He left Broadway and went to Hollywood, appearing in Sally (1925).[4] He was third-billed for Samuel Goldwyn's One Heavenly Night in 1931. The box-office for that film was disappointing, but overall Errol made a smooth transition to films in a variety of comedy roles. His comic trademark was a wobbly, unsteady walk, moving as though on rubber legs; this bit served him well in drunk routines.

Errol starred in a long string of two-reel comedy shorts, which began at Columbia Pictures in 1933. He also starred in two pioneering three-strip Technicolor shorts made at Warner Brothers, Service with a Smile (released July 28, 1934) and Good Morning, Eve! (September 22, 1934), the former beating the RKO Radio Pictures release La Cucaracha by five weeks as the first live action, all-Technicolor release.

Moving to RKO Radio Pictures in 1934, Leon Errol continued to make six shorts per year until his death in 1951. Most of these were marital farces in which Leon would get mixed up with a pretty girl or an involved business proposition, and face the wrath of his wife (usually Dorothy Granger); the theme song to the series was the nursery rhyme, London Bridge Is Falling Down.

Leon Errol is well remembered for his energetic performances in the Mexican Spitfire movies (1939-43) opposite Lupe Vélez; Errol had the recurring dual role of affable Uncle Matt and foggy British nobleman Lord Epping. After co-star Vélez's death, RKO kept the Spitfire unit intact to produce domestic farces starring Errol. Monogram Pictures signed Errol to appear as fight manager Knobby Walsh in eight of its "Joe Palooka" sports comedies (1946–50), one of which cast Errol as a thinly disguised version of Lord Epping. Errol's best known non-series appearance is in the nonsensical comedy feature Never Give a Sucker an Even Break (1941), released by Universal Pictures and starring Errol's fellow Ziegfeld alumnus W. C. Fields. Universal also kept Errol busy in 14 feature films.

On February 4, 1950, Errol appeared on television as a guest on The Ed Wynn Show, broadcast live to the West Coast on CBS (seen on kinescope film to the East and Midwest on February 18, 1950).

Errol's next-to-last film, Lord Epping Returns (1951), reprised his famous characterization (and some of the gags) introduced in the 1939 feature Mexican Spitfire.

Footage from Errol's short subjects was incorporated into RKO's compilation features Variety Time, Make Mine Laughs, Footlight Varieties, and Merry Mirthquakes. RKO kept Leon Errol in the public eye by reissuing his older comedies throughout the 1950s. His RKO shorts soon became a staple of syndicated television.

Personal life

Errol married Stella Chatelaine in 1906[5] in Denver, Colorado. She died on November 7, 1946, in Los Angeles. Five years later Errol suffered a fatal heart attack, on October 12, 1951, aged 70. They had no children.[citation needed]

Recognition

Errol has a star at 6801 Hollywood Boulevard on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It was dedicated on February 8, 1960.[6]

Partial filmography

References

  1. ^ "Who's Who At Theaters This Week". The Baltimore Sun. Maryland, Baltimore. December 25, 1927. p. 24. Retrieved June 1, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ League, The Broadway. "Leon Errol – Broadway Cast & Staff - IBDB". www.ibdb.com.
  3. ^ "Leon Errol: Rubberlegs". July 3, 2009.
  4. ^ Cullen, Frank; Hackman, Florence; McNeilly, Donald (2007). Vaudeville old & new: an encyclopedia of variety performances in America. Psychology Press. p. 360. ISBN 9780415938532. Retrieved June 1, 2019.
  5. ^ "Collection: Leon Errol Collection". The American Vaudeville Museum Archive. University of Arizona Libraries. Archived from the original on June 1, 2019. Retrieved June 1, 2019.
  6. ^ "Leon Errol". Hollywood Walk of Fame. Archived from the original on June 1, 2019. Retrieved June 1, 2019.

External links

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Leon Errol.

April 12, 2023
leon, errol, born, leonce, errol, sims, july, 1881, october, 1951, australian, american, comedian, actor, united, states, popular, first, half, 20th, century, appearances, vaudeville, broadway, films, errol, 1925bornleonce, errol, sims, 1881, july, 1881sydney,. Leon Errol born Leonce Errol Sims July 3 1881 October 12 1951 was an Australian American comedian and actor in the United States popular in the first half of the 20th century for his appearances in vaudeville on Broadway and in films Leon ErrolErrol in 1925BornLeonce Errol Sims 1881 07 03 July 3 1881Sydney New South Wales AustraliaDiedOctober 12 1951 1951 10 12 aged 70 Los Angeles California U S NationalityBritish subject naturalized United States citizenAlma materUniversity of SydneyOccupationActorYears active1911 1951SpouseStella Chatelaine m 1906 d 1946 wbr Contents 1 Early years 2 Career 3 Films 4 Personal life 5 Recognition 6 Partial filmography 7 References 8 External linksEarly years EditBorn in Sydney to Joseph and Elizabeth Sims citation needed Errol studied medicine at the University of Sydney When he wrote material for directed and acted in the university s annual play his interests changed to entertaining 1 Career EditErrol toured Australia New Zealand and Great Britain and Ireland in a variety of theatrical settings including circuses operettas and Shakespeare According to his petition for naturalization 1914 he first came to the United States in 1898 having arrived at the Port of San Francisco By 1905 in Portland Oregon he managed a touring vaudeville company troupe giving an early boost to the career of a young comedian named Roscoe Arbuckle citation needed In 1908 he made the United States his home By 1911 Errol had graduated to the New York big time in the 1911 Ziegfeld Follies on Broadway notably in two skits with the legendary Bert Williams Errol s sister Leda Errol nee Sims was a personal friend of Ziegfeld Follies star Fanny Brice and she appeared with him in the Ziegfeld Follies doing one and two act plays He appeared every year in the Follies through 1915 when he is also credited as director of the show 2 that included W C Fields Ed Wynn as well as Marion Davies as one of the Ziegfeld Girls While balancing vaudeville appearances and a dozen Broadway shows like the original 1920 production of Jerome Kern s Sally in 1919 Errol achieved the pinnacle of vaudeville success headlining at the Palace 3 unreliable source Films Edit In a short silent comedy Buggins 1920 Errol made his first film a comic short subject called Nearly Spliced in 1916 it was not released before 1921 for pioneering east coast producer George Kleine citation needed He left Broadway and went to Hollywood appearing in Sally 1925 4 He was third billed for Samuel Goldwyn s One Heavenly Night in 1931 The box office for that film was disappointing but overall Errol made a smooth transition to films in a variety of comedy roles His comic trademark was a wobbly unsteady walk moving as though on rubber legs this bit served him well in drunk routines Errol starred in a long string of two reel comedy shorts which began at Columbia Pictures in 1933 He also starred in two pioneering three strip Technicolor shorts made at Warner Brothers Service with a Smile released July 28 1934 and Good Morning Eve September 22 1934 the former beating the RKO Radio Pictures release La Cucaracha by five weeks as the first live action all Technicolor release Moving to RKO Radio Pictures in 1934 Leon Errol continued to make six shorts per year until his death in 1951 Most of these were marital farces in which Leon would get mixed up with a pretty girl or an involved business proposition and face the wrath of his wife usually Dorothy Granger the theme song to the series was the nursery rhyme London Bridge Is Falling Down Leon Errol is well remembered for his energetic performances in the Mexican Spitfire movies 1939 43 opposite Lupe Velez Errol had the recurring dual role of affable Uncle Matt and foggy British nobleman Lord Epping After co star Velez s death RKO kept the Spitfire unit intact to produce domestic farces starring Errol Monogram Pictures signed Errol to appear as fight manager Knobby Walsh in eight of its Joe Palooka sports comedies 1946 50 one of which cast Errol as a thinly disguised version of Lord Epping Errol s best known non series appearance is in the nonsensical comedy feature Never Give a Sucker an Even Break 1941 released by Universal Pictures and starring Errol s fellow Ziegfeld alumnus W C Fields Universal also kept Errol busy in 14 feature films On February 4 1950 Errol appeared on television as a guest on The Ed Wynn Show broadcast live to the West Coast on CBS seen on kinescope film to the East and Midwest on February 18 1950 Errol s next to last film Lord Epping Returns 1951 reprised his famous characterization and some of the gags introduced in the 1939 feature Mexican Spitfire Footage from Errol s short subjects was incorporated into RKO s compilation features Variety Time Make Mine Laughs Footlight Varieties and Merry Mirthquakes RKO kept Leon Errol in the public eye by reissuing his older comedies throughout the 1950s His RKO shorts soon became a staple of syndicated television Personal life EditErrol married Stella Chatelaine in 1906 5 in Denver Colorado She died on November 7 1946 in Los Angeles Five years later Errol suffered a fatal heart attack on October 12 1951 aged 70 They had no children citation needed Recognition EditErrol has a star at 6801 Hollywood Boulevard on the Hollywood Walk of Fame It was dedicated on February 8 1960 6 Partial filmography EditYolanda 1924 Innkeeper Sally 1925 Duke of Checkergovinia Clothes Make the Pirate 1925 Tremble at Evil Tidd The Lunatic at Large 1927 Sam Smith Paramount on Parade 1930 Leon Errol Master of Ceremonies In a Hospital Only Saps Work 1930 James Wilson One Heavenly Night 1931 Otto Finn and Hattie 1931 Finley P Haddock Her Majesty Love 1931 Baron von Schwarzdorf Alice in Wonderland 1933 Uncle Gilbert We re Not Dressing 1934 Hubert The Notorious Sophie Lang 1934 Stubbs Service with a Smile 1934 Walter Webb Technicolor short subject Good Morning Eve 1934 Adam Technicolor short subject The Captain Hates the Sea 1934 Layton Princess O Hara 1935 Last Card Louie Coronado 1935 Otto Wray Should Wives Work 1937 Brennan The Girl from Mexico 1939 Uncle Matthew Matt Lindsay first of the Mexican Spitfire series Career 1939 Mudcat Dancing Co Ed 1939 Pops Marlow Mexican Spitfire 1940 Uncle Matt Lindsay Lord Basil Epping Pop Always Pays 1940 Henry Brewster The Golden Fleecing 1940 Uncle Waldo Blake Mexican Spitfire Out West 1940 Uncle Matt Lindsay Lord Basil Epping Where Did You Get That Girl 1941 Alex MacDevin Six Lessons from Madame La Zonga 1941 Mike Clancy Papa Alvarez Hurry Charlie Hurry 1941 Daniel Jennings Boone Moonlight in Hawaii 1941 Walter Spencer Never Give a Sucker an Even Break 1941 Leon W C Fields s rival The Mexican Spitfire s Baby 1941 Uncle Matt Lindsay Lord Basil Epping Melody Lane 1941 McKenzie Mexican Spitfire at Sea 1942 Uncle Matt Lindsay Lord Basil Epping Mexican Spitfire Sees a Ghost 1942 Uncle Matt Lindsay Lord Basil Epping Mexican Spitfire s Elephant 1942 Uncle Matt Lindsay Lord Basil Epping Strictly in the Groove 1942 Carter B Durham Follow the Band 1943 Big Mike O Brien Cowboy in Manhattan 1943 Hank Gals Incorporated 1943 Cornelius Rensington III Mexican Spitfire s Blessed Event 1943 Uncle Matt Lindsay Lord Basil Epping Higher and Higher 1943 Cyrus Drake Hat Check Honey 1944 Happy Dan Briggs Slightly Terrific 1944 James P Tuttle John P Tuttle Twilight on the Prairie 1944 Cactus ranch foreman The Invisible Man s Revenge 1944 Herbert Babes on Swing Street 1944 Malcolm Curtis She Gets Her Man 1945 Officer Mulligan Under Western Skies 1945 Willie Wells What a Blonde 1945 F Farrington Fowler Mama Loves Papa 1945 Wilbur Todd Riverboat Rhythm 1946 Matt Lindsay Joe Palooka Champ 1946 Knobby Walsh Gentleman Joe Palooka 1946 Knobby Walsh Joe Palooka in the Knockout 1947 Knobby Walsh Joe Palooka in Fighting Mad 1948 Knobby Walsh The Noose Hangs High 1948 Julius Caesar J C McBride Joe Palooka in the Big Fight 1949 Knobby Walsh Joe Palooka in the Counterpunch 1949 Knobby Walsh Joe Palooka Meets Humphrey 1950 Knobby Walsh Lord Cecil Poole Joe Palooka in Humphrey Takes a Chance 1950 Knobby WalshReferences Edit Who s Who At Theaters This Week The Baltimore Sun Maryland Baltimore December 25 1927 p 24 Retrieved June 1 2019 via Newspapers com League The Broadway Leon Errol Broadway Cast amp Staff IBDB www ibdb com Leon Errol Rubberlegs July 3 2009 Cullen Frank Hackman Florence McNeilly Donald 2007 Vaudeville old amp new an encyclopedia of variety performances in America Psychology Press p 360 ISBN 9780415938532 Retrieved June 1 2019 Collection Leon Errol Collection The American Vaudeville Museum Archive University of Arizona Libraries Archived from the original on June 1 2019 Retrieved June 1 2019 Leon Errol Hollywood Walk of Fame Archived from the original on June 1 2019 Retrieved June 1 2019 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Leon Errol Works by or about Leon Errol at Internet Archive Leon Errol at IMDb Leon Errol at the Internet Broadway Database Leon Errol at Find a Grave Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Leon Errol amp oldid 1145862840, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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