Alastair Sim

Alastair Sim (October 9, 1900 – August 19, 1976) was a Scottish character actor, whose comic appearance ensured him success in a string of classic British films.

Related Topics:
October 9 - 1900 - August 19 - 1976 - Scottish - Character - Actor - British - Film

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He was born in Edinburgh into a family of tailors. He was an elocution lecturer at New College, Edinburgh University from 1925 until 1930, and would later be rector from 1948 until 1951. He married Naomi in 1932 and they remained together until his death in 1976. Alastair was always ambiguous about fame and never signed autographs.

Related Topics:
Edinburgh - New College, Edinburgh University - 1925 - 1930 - Rector - 1948 - 1951

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Preferring the stage, he made his London début in Othello in 1930. He also appeared for a season at the Old Vic.

Related Topics:
Stage - London - Othello - 1930 - Old Vic

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He made his film debut in The Case of Gabriel Perry (1935). He spent the remainder of the decade playing supporting roles in films, and was often credited as "stealing the scene" from the leading actors. By the 1940s he had progressed to leading roles, and in 1950 he was voted the most popular film actor in Britain in a national cinema poll.

Related Topics:
The Case of Gabriel Perry - 1935 - 1940s - 1950 - Britain

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His films include Green for Danger (1946), Waterloo Road (1947), Alfred Hitchcock's Stage Fright (1950), Laughter in Paradise (1951), Folly to be Wise (1953), The Belles of St. Trinian's (1954) and An Inspector Calls (also 1954). He played the headmistress Miss Fitton (and her brother Clarence) in the St. Trinian's series. His most portrayed Captain Hook in six different productions of Peter Pan between 1941 and 1968. Probably his best-remembered performance, however, was as the title character in Scrooge, the 1951 adaptation of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. (In 1971 Sim revisited the Scrooge character by lending his voice to an Academy Award-winning animated version of Dickens' story.)

Related Topics:
Green for Danger - 1946 - Waterloo Road - 1947 - Alfred Hitchcock - Stage Fright - 1950 - Laughter in Paradise - 1951 - Folly to be Wise - 1953 - The Belles of St. Trinian's - 1954 - An Inspector Calls - St. Trinian's - Peter Pan - 1941 - 1968 - Scrooge - A Christmas Carol - 1971 - Academy Award - Animated version

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Sim's performance as Mr. Squales in London Belongs to Me (1948) so impressed Alec Guinness that he based his own performance in The Ladykillers (1955) on it.

Related Topics:
London Belongs to Me - 1948 - Alec Guinness - The Ladykillers - 1955

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Sim was made a Commander of the British Empire in 1953. Prior to his death, he played the judge in the popular television series Misleading Cases by A. P. Herbert. He died in London, England from cancer.

Related Topics:
Commander of the British Empire - 1953 - Television - A. P. Herbert - London - England - Cancer

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