Alec Kellaway
Encyclopedia
Alec Kellaway was a South African-born actor best known for his work in Australian theatre and film, notably playing a number of character roles for director Ken G. Hall
. He was the brother of Cecil Kellaway
. He also worked as a producer in Vaudeville and helped run the Talent School at Cinesound Productions
.
Kellaway played a wide variety of roles for Ken Hall, ranging from a gay floorwalker in Dad and Dave Come to Town
(1938) to a magician in Let George Do It
(1938). Hall wrote in his memoirs that the actor "was never Alec Kellaway in any of them - a contrast to many actors, who play themselves in whatever part you give them. Alec always studied the part, got to really understand the person he was to play, then worried about how he would walk, talk, think."
Ken G. Hall
Kenneth George Hall, AO OBE , better known as Ken G. Hall, was an Australian film director, considered one of the most important figures in the history of the Australian film industry.-Early years:...
. He was the brother of Cecil Kellaway
Cecil Kellaway
Cecil Lauriston Kellaway was a South African-born character actor.Cecil Kellaway spent many years as an actor, author, and director in the Australian film industry until he tried his luck in Hollywood in the 1930s. Finding he could get only gangster bit parts, he got discouraged and returned to...
. He also worked as a producer in Vaudeville and helped run the Talent School at Cinesound Productions
Cinesound Productions
Cinesound Productions Pty Ltd was one of Australia's first feature film production companies. Established in June 1932, Cinesound developed out of a group of companies centred around Greater Union Theatres, that covered all facets of the film process, from production, to distribution and...
.
Kellaway played a wide variety of roles for Ken Hall, ranging from a gay floorwalker in Dad and Dave Come to Town
Dad and Dave Come to Town
Dad and Dave Come to Town is a 1938 Australian comedy film directed by Ken G. Hall, the third in the 'Dad and Dave' comedy series starring Bert Bailey.-Synopsis:...
(1938) to a magician in Let George Do It
Let George Do It (1938 film)
Let George Do It is a 1938 comedy starring popular stage comedian George Wallace. It was the first of two films Wallace made for Ken G. Hall at Cinesound Productions, the other one being Gone to the Dogs...
(1938). Hall wrote in his memoirs that the actor "was never Alec Kellaway in any of them - a contrast to many actors, who play themselves in whatever part you give them. Alec always studied the part, got to really understand the person he was to play, then worried about how he would walk, talk, think."
Selected Filmography
- Lovers and LuggersLovers and LuggersLovers and Luggers is a 1937 adventure melodrama about a pianist who goes to Thursday Island to retrieve a valuable pearl.-Production:The script was based on a novel by Gurney Slade which was set in Broome and adapted by Frank Harvey...
(1937) - The Broken MelodyThe Broken Melody (1937 film)The Broken Melody is a 1938 Australian drama film directed by Ken G. Hall and starring Lloyd Hughes, Diana Du Cane and Rosalind Kennerdale. It was based on a best-selling novel by F.J. Thwaites.-Production:...
(1938) - Let George Do ItLet George Do It (1938 film)Let George Do It is a 1938 comedy starring popular stage comedian George Wallace. It was the first of two films Wallace made for Ken G. Hall at Cinesound Productions, the other one being Gone to the Dogs...
(1938) - Dad and Dave Come to TownDad and Dave Come to TownDad and Dave Come to Town is a 1938 Australian comedy film directed by Ken G. Hall, the third in the 'Dad and Dave' comedy series starring Bert Bailey.-Synopsis:...
(1938) - Gone to the DogsGone to the Dogs (1939 film)Gone to the Dogs is a 1939 comedy vehicle starring George Wallace. It was the second of two films he made for director Ken G. Hall, following Let George Do It .-Synopsis:...
(1939) - Come Up SmilingCome Up SmilingCome Up Smiling is a 1939 Australian comedy starring popular US stage comedian Will Mahoney.-Synopsis:Barney O'Hara is a performer in a touring carnival who tries to raise money to save the voice of his talented singer daughter Pat Come Up Smiling is a 1939 Australian comedy starring popular US...
(1939) - Mr. Chedworth Steps OutMr. Chedworth Steps OutMr. Chedworth Steps Out is a 1939 Australian film directed by Ken G. Hall. The film is a comedy about a mild-mannered clerk who is dominated by his wife and gets fired from his job after years of service...
(1939) - Dad Rudd, MPDad Rudd, MPDad Rudd, M.P. is a 1940 comedy that was the last of four films made by Ken G. Hall starring Bert Bailey as Dad Rudd. It was the last feature film directed by Hall prior to the war and the last made by Cinesound Productions, Bert Bailey and Frank Harvey....
(1940) - Smithy (1946)
- The Kangaroo KidThe Kangaroo KidMatt Coulter, the Kangaroo Kid, is a world class stuntman from Brisbane, Australia. Most of his stunts are performed on a Quad bike.In 2000 he created two new "Guinness Book of Records" records by jumping 14 4 x 4 jeeps and 4 moving 4 x 4 jeeps...
(1950) - Squeeze a FlowerSqueeze a FlowerSqueeze a Flower is 1970 Australian comedy film directed by Marc Daniels.-Plot:Brother George is the only monk at the Italian Monastery who knows the secret recipe of the popular liqueur that is the sole source of income for the monastery...
(1970)
External Links
- Alec Kellaway at IMDB
- Biography at Australian Variety theatre archive
- Alec Kellaway Australian theatre credits at AusstageAusstageAusStage is an online database which records information about live performances in Australia. It provides records of productions from the beginnings of theatre in Australia up to today...