Dennis Price
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| Dennis Price | |
|---|---|
| Born | 23 June 1915 Twyford, Berkshire, England |
| Died | 6 October 1973 Guernsey, Channel Islands |
Dennis Price (23 June 1915 - 6 October 1973) was an English actor who is mainly remembered for his suave screen roles.
[edit] Life and work
Price was born Dennistoun Franklyn John Rose-Price in Ruscombe in Berkshire and attended Copthorne Prep School, Radley College and then Worcester College, Oxford. He studied acting at the Embassy Theatre School of Acting and made his first appearance on stage at the Croydon Repertory Theatre in June 1937, followed by a London debut at the Queen's Theatre on 6th Sept. 1937 in Richard II. Price served in the Royal Artillery from March 1940 - June 1942 but quickly returned to acting upon discharge, appearing with Noel Coward in This Happy Breed and Present Laughter. According to Who's Who, Price claimed his favourite parts had been Noah in the play of that name and Condamine in the stage version of Blithe Spirit.
His first film role was A Canterbury Tale in 1944, and he went on to enjoy a chequered film career, the high point of which was his performance as the suave murderer Louis Mazzini in the British comedy classic, Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949). He was married to the actress Joan Schofield from 1939 to 1950. They had two children.
Price struggled to lead a conventional life during a period in British history when homosexuality was still a criminal offence. On April 19, 1954, Price tried to commit suicide by attempting to gas himself in his London home. Public sympathy led to a resurgence in his popularity and the offer of film roles. However, his private life, which included heavy gambling and an increasing reliance upon alcohol, began to affect his health, looks and career. Price's private anguish may have led to his role in the film Victim (1961), controversial at the time, which portrayed the dilemma faced by a group of gay men who were being blackmailed for their sexuality.
In 1959, he was the original "No.1" in charge of the crew of HMS Troutbridge in the first series of the long-running radio comedy series The Navy Lark but unable to continue the role in the second series owing to other work commitments, he was replaced by Stephen Murray.
In 1965, he became popular with television audiences for his performance as Jeeves opposite Ian Carmichael as Bertie Wooster in The World of Wooster.
In 1966, Price was declared bankrupt and moved to the tax haven island of Sark, describing it with characteristic wit as "a strategic withdrawal". This coincided with an escalation in his alcoholism. Whilst many of his contemporaries were landing major roles in both film and television, Price was constrained to appear in a series of 'B movie' horror films such as Horror Hospital, Twins of Evil and Theatre of Blood. Although some of these films have acquired a cult following, they are far from the more intellectual roles with which he was originally associated. Always an elegant actor, he ended his career on a low note. However, it is for his performance as the witty, sardonic rake Louis Mazzini that he will always be most fondly remembered. Price's portrayal of Mazzini's ruthless determination to succeed to the title of Duke Of Chalfont allowed the actor the chance to display a wider scope of acting talent than he is popularly given credit for. Although co-star Alec Guinness famously plays eight different roles, Price is also called upon to feign several different personalities, accents and characters.
Price died of heart failure resulting from a hip fracture in Guernsey at age 58 on October 6, 1973. He is buried on the nearby island of Sark.
[edit] Filmography
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