Amy Brandon Thomas
Encyclopedia
Amy Marguerite Brandon Thomas (9 March 1890 – 9 May 1974) was an English film and stage actor. She was the daughter of the playwright Brandon Thomas
. She is also known as Amy Brandon-Thomas.
and his wife Marguerite, and was educated privately. She married W. Deane Brand.
Thomas joined the stage professionally in 1907, playing Alice Ormerod in A Lancashire Sailor at the Theatre Royal, Preston, where she also played Ela Delahay in her father's comedy, Charley's Aunt
. She appeared in London that Christmas at the New Royalty Theatre in the same two plays, although this time she played Kitty Verdun in Charley's Aunt. She was next seen at the Garrick Theatre
in 1908, as Lucy Lorirner in A Pair of Spectacles, with Sir John Hare
, subsequently touring with him. In 1909 she was at the Royal Court Theatre
in London as Kate Dalliscm in Strangers Within the Gates and then toured with Johnston Forbes-Robertson
as Vivien O' Hussy in The Passing of the Third Floor Back at the Haymarket Theatre
. That Christmas, she was Barbara Tracy in Might is Right. In 1910, she first played Portia in The Merchant of Venice at the Court Theatre, then appearing at His Majesty's Theatre
with Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree
as Olivia in Twelfth Night, then touring as Portia with Arthur Phillips's company. That autumn, she was at the Lyceum Theatre, London, as Millie Anderson in The Sins of London, finishing the year at the London Pavilion as Nan in Good for Nothing. The next year, she was at Wyndham's Theatre
as Lady Margaret Beauchamp in Mr. Jarvis and later at the Palace Theatre as Odette in The Choice.
In 1912, she was back at His Majesty's, playing Elizabeth Sydenham in Drake. The next year, at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane
, she reprised the role of Vivien in The Passing of the Third Floor Back. Then, at His Majesty's, she again played Olivia in Twelfth Night. In the Autumn, at the New Theatre, Manchester, she was Renee de Cochefordt in Under the Red Robe. In 1914, she played Mabel Chiltern in An Ideal Husband
at the St. James's Theatre. Then, at His Majesty's, she reappeared as Elizabeth Sydenham in Drake. The next year, she was Madame Pasquier de la Man in Peter Ibbetson. In 1916, at the Comedy Theatre, she played in Half-Past Eight. In 1917, at the Haymarket, she played Evelyn Garland in Felix Gets a Month, ending the year at the St. James's in Charley's Aunt, again as Kitty. The next year, she was at the Queen's Theatre as Marion Fenton in Lot 79 and at the Lyric Theatre
as Valentine Boudet in The Purple Mask. In 1919, at the Garrick, she played Mary Willmore in The Purse Strings. She had engagements in variety theatres during 1920 in The Odds. In 1921, she was back at St. James's as Lady Emma Jones in Emma. The next year at the Ambassadors' Theatre, she was Lady Eleanor Davys in Charles I, ending the year as Lady Mabel in The Secret Agent at the Prince of Wales's Theatre. In 1923, she was Lady Amy Ducksworth in So This Is London. Later roles included Sue in Is Zat So? at the Apollo Theatre
(1926) and Lady Featherstone in Blue Eyes at the Piccadilly Theatre
(1928).
Beginning during World War I
, and until the 1930s, she made several films, most notably as the defending counsel in Alfred Hitchcock
's Murder!
Thomas enjoyed reading, sewing and motoring.
She died in London at the age of 84.
Brandon Thomas
Walter Brandon Thomas was an English actor, playwright and song writer, best known as the author of the farce Charley's Aunt....
. She is also known as Amy Brandon-Thomas.
Life and career
Amy Brandon Thomas was born in London, the daughter of the playwright Brandon ThomasBrandon Thomas
Walter Brandon Thomas was an English actor, playwright and song writer, best known as the author of the farce Charley's Aunt....
and his wife Marguerite, and was educated privately. She married W. Deane Brand.
Thomas joined the stage professionally in 1907, playing Alice Ormerod in A Lancashire Sailor at the Theatre Royal, Preston, where she also played Ela Delahay in her father's comedy, Charley's Aunt
Charley's Aunt
Charley's Aunt is a farce in three acts written by Brandon Thomas. It broke all historic records for plays of any kind, with an original London run of 1,466 performances....
. She appeared in London that Christmas at the New Royalty Theatre in the same two plays, although this time she played Kitty Verdun in Charley's Aunt. She was next seen at the Garrick Theatre
Garrick Theatre
The Garrick Theatre is a West End theatre, located on Charing Cross Road, in the City of Westminster. It opened on 24 April 1889 with The Profligate, a play by Arthur Wing Pinero. In its early years, it appears to have specialised in the performance of melodrama, and today the theatre is a...
in 1908, as Lucy Lorirner in A Pair of Spectacles, with Sir John Hare
John Hare (actor)
Sir John Hare , born John Fairs, was an English actor and manager of the Garrick Theatre in London from 1889 to 1895.-Biography:Hare was born in Giggleswick in Yorkshire and was educated at Giggleswick school...
, subsequently touring with him. In 1909 she was at the Royal Court Theatre
Royal Court Theatre
The Royal Court Theatre is a non-commercial theatre on Sloane Square, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. It is noted for its contributions to modern theatre...
in London as Kate Dalliscm in Strangers Within the Gates and then toured with Johnston Forbes-Robertson
Johnston Forbes-Robertson
Sir Johnston Forbes-Robertson was an English actor and theatre manager. He was considered the finest Hamlet of the nineteenth century and one of the finest actors of his time, despite his dislike of the job and his lifelong belief that he was temperamentally unsuited to acting.-Early life:Born in...
as Vivien O' Hussy in The Passing of the Third Floor Back at the Haymarket Theatre
Haymarket Theatre
The Theatre Royal Haymarket is a West End theatre in the Haymarket in the City of Westminster which dates back to 1720, making it the third-oldest London playhouse still in use...
. That Christmas, she was Barbara Tracy in Might is Right. In 1910, she first played Portia in The Merchant of Venice at the Court Theatre, then appearing at His Majesty's Theatre
Her Majesty's Theatre
Her Majesty's Theatre is a West End theatre, in Haymarket, City of Westminster, London. The present building was designed by Charles J. Phipps and was constructed in 1897 for actor-manager Herbert Beerbohm Tree, who established the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art at the theatre...
with Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree
Herbert Beerbohm Tree
Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree was an English actor and theatre manager.Tree began performing in the 1870s. By 1887, he was managing the Haymarket Theatre, winning praise for adventurous programming and lavish productions, and starring in many of its productions. In 1899, he helped fund the...
as Olivia in Twelfth Night, then touring as Portia with Arthur Phillips's company. That autumn, she was at the Lyceum Theatre, London, as Millie Anderson in The Sins of London, finishing the year at the London Pavilion as Nan in Good for Nothing. The next year, she was at Wyndham's Theatre
Wyndham's Theatre
Wyndham's Theatre is a West End theatre, one of two opened by the actor/manager Charles Wyndham . Located on Charing Cross Road, in the City of Westminster, it was designed by W.G.R. Sprague about 1898, the architect of six other London theatres between then and 1916...
as Lady Margaret Beauchamp in Mr. Jarvis and later at the Palace Theatre as Odette in The Choice.
In 1912, she was back at His Majesty's, playing Elizabeth Sydenham in Drake. The next year, at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane
Theatre Royal, Drury Lane
The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane is a West End theatre in Covent Garden, in the City of Westminster, a borough of London. The building faces Catherine Street and backs onto Drury Lane. The building standing today is the most recent in a line of four theatres at the same location dating back to 1663,...
, she reprised the role of Vivien in The Passing of the Third Floor Back. Then, at His Majesty's, she again played Olivia in Twelfth Night. In the Autumn, at the New Theatre, Manchester, she was Renee de Cochefordt in Under the Red Robe. In 1914, she played Mabel Chiltern in An Ideal Husband
An Ideal Husband
An Ideal Husband is an 1895 comedic stage play by Oscar Wilde which revolves around blackmail and political corruption, and touches on the themes of public and private honour...
at the St. James's Theatre. Then, at His Majesty's, she reappeared as Elizabeth Sydenham in Drake. The next year, she was Madame Pasquier de la Man in Peter Ibbetson. In 1916, at the Comedy Theatre, she played in Half-Past Eight. In 1917, at the Haymarket, she played Evelyn Garland in Felix Gets a Month, ending the year at the St. James's in Charley's Aunt, again as Kitty. The next year, she was at the Queen's Theatre as Marion Fenton in Lot 79 and at the Lyric Theatre
Lyric Theatre (London)
The Lyric Theatre is a West End theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue in the City of Westminster.Designed by architect C. J. Phipps, it was built by producer Henry Leslie with profits from the Alfred Cellier and B. C. Stephenson hit, Dorothy, which he transferred from the Prince of Wales Theatre to open...
as Valentine Boudet in The Purple Mask. In 1919, at the Garrick, she played Mary Willmore in The Purse Strings. She had engagements in variety theatres during 1920 in The Odds. In 1921, she was back at St. James's as Lady Emma Jones in Emma. The next year at the Ambassadors' Theatre, she was Lady Eleanor Davys in Charles I, ending the year as Lady Mabel in The Secret Agent at the Prince of Wales's Theatre. In 1923, she was Lady Amy Ducksworth in So This Is London. Later roles included Sue in Is Zat So? at the Apollo Theatre
Apollo Theatre
The Apollo Theatre is a Grade II listed West End theatre, on Shaftesbury Avenue in the City of Westminster. Designed by architect Lewin Sharp for owner Henry Lowenfield, and the fourth legitimate theatre to be constructed on the street, its doors opened on 21 February 1901 with the American...
(1926) and Lady Featherstone in Blue Eyes at the Piccadilly Theatre
Piccadilly Theatre
The Piccadilly Theatre is a West End theatre located at 16 Denman Street, behind Piccadilly Circus and adjacent to the Regent Palace Hotel, in the City of Westminster, England.-Early years:Built by Bertie Crewe and Edward A...
(1928).
Beginning during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, and until the 1930s, she made several films, most notably as the defending counsel in Alfred Hitchcock
Alfred Hitchcock
Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock, KBE was a British film director and producer. He pioneered many techniques in the suspense and psychological thriller genres. After a successful career in British cinema in both silent films and early talkies, Hitchcock moved to Hollywood...
's Murder!
Murder!
Murder! is a 1930 British drama film directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring Herbert Marshall, Norah Baring and Edward Chapman. It is based on a novel and play called Enter Sir John by Clemence Dane and Helen Simpson...
Thomas enjoyed reading, sewing and motoring.
She died in London at the age of 84.
Selected filmography
- Partners at Last (1916)
- The Profligate (1917)
- The Cry for Justice (1919)
- The English Rose (1920)
- At the Villa RoseAt the Villa Rose (1930 film)At the Villa Rose is a 1930 British Mystery film directed by Leslie S. Hiscott and starring Norah Baring, Richard Cooper and Austin Trevor. It marked the screen debut of Northern Irish actor Trevor.-Production:...
(1930) - Murder!Murder!Murder! is a 1930 British drama film directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring Herbert Marshall, Norah Baring and Edward Chapman. It is based on a novel and play called Enter Sir John by Clemence Dane and Helen Simpson...
(1930) - Java HeadJava Head (1934 film)Java Head is a 1934 British historical drama film directed by Thorold Dickinson and J. Walter Ruben. It starred Anna May Wong, Elizabeth Allan, Ralph Richardson, Herbert Lomas and George Curzon...
(1934) - Vintage WineVintage WineVintage Wine is a 1935 British comedy film directed by Henry Edwards and starring Seymour Hicks, Claire Luce, Eva Moore and Judy Gunn.-Cast:* Seymour Hicks - Charles Popinot* Claire Luce - Nina Popinot* Eva Moore - Josephine Popinot...
(1935)
External links
- Portrait of Thomas as a baby by Whistler
- Photo of Thomas as Portia in The Merchant of VeniceThe Merchant of VeniceThe Merchant of Venice is a tragic comedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1596 and 1598. Though classified as a comedy in the First Folio and sharing certain aspects with Shakespeare's other romantic comedies, the play is perhaps most remembered for its dramatic...
- Who's Who in the Theatre contains a biography of Thomas.
- Photo of Thomas in Murder!