Charles Collins (actor)
Encyclopedia
Charles Collins was an American singer and actor of the stage, television, and film. He was particularly known for his work within musical comedy.
's Artists and Models (1927). He went on to star in several Broadway productions during the 1930s, including Ripples (1930), Smiling Faces
(1932), Say When
(1935), Conjur Man Dies (1936), Macbeth
(1936), and Sea Legs
(1937). During this time he also began to appear in Hollywood musical film
s beginning with Shave It with Music in 1932. His other film roles during this decade included the roles of Baxter in Paree, Paree
(1934) and Jonathan Pride in Dancing Pirate
(1936). He also recorded music for the 1934 film Those Were the Days
.
Collins appeared in two more films during the 1940s: Syncopation (1942) and Swing Hostess
(1944). He recorded the song "Don't Dilly Dally on the Way" for the 1946 film London Town. He returned to Broadway in 1945 to portray Boris Kolenkhov in You Can't Take It with You
, and again in 1947 to portray Gaston in The Red Mill
. In 1951 he made his first television appearance as a guest star on the Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok program. He appeared in small parts in three more films during the 1950s, Confidence Girl (1952), The Steel Trap
(1952), and A Blueprint for Murder
(1953), after which his career considerably slowed down.
After an absence from Broadway of more than 25 years, Collins returned to New York in 1973 for his final Broadway appearance in the musical Shelter. He later served as the stage manager for the Broadway musical Platinum
.
Biography
Collins made his Broadway debut in 1927 in Harry AkstHarry Akst
Harry Akst was an American songwriter, who started out his career as a pianist in vaudeville accompanying singers such as Nora Bayes, Frank Fay and Al Jolson.-Life and career:Akst was born in New York, United States....
's Artists and Models (1927). He went on to star in several Broadway productions during the 1930s, including Ripples (1930), Smiling Faces
Smiling Faces
Smiling Faces is an American musical with music by Harry Revel, lyrics by Mack Gordon, and a musical book by Harry Clarke. Produced by Lee Shubert and Jacob J. Shubert, the production opened on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre where it ran from August 30, 1932, through September 24, 1932, for a...
(1932), Say When
Say When
Say When is an American musical with music by Ray Henderson, lyrics by Ted Koehler, and a musical book by Jack McGowan. Directed by Bertram Harrison, the production opened on Broadway at the Imperial Theatre where it ran from November 8, 1934 through January 12, 1935 for a total of 76 performances....
(1935), Conjur Man Dies (1936), Macbeth
Macbeth
The Tragedy of Macbeth is a play by William Shakespeare about a regicide and its aftermath. It is Shakespeare's shortest tragedy and is believed to have been written sometime between 1603 and 1607...
(1936), and Sea Legs
Sea Legs
Sea Legs is an American musical with music by Michael H. Cleary and lyrics by Arthur Swanstrom. The musical book by Swanstrom is based on the play The Cat Came Back by Laurence E. Johnson, Beula King, and Avery Hopwood. Produced by Albert Bannister and J...
(1937). During this time he also began to appear in Hollywood musical film
Musical film
The musical film is a film genre in which songs sung by the characters are interwoven into the narrative, sometimes accompanied by dancing. The songs usually advance the plot or develop the film's characters, though in some cases they serve merely as breaks in the storyline, often as elaborate...
s beginning with Shave It with Music in 1932. His other film roles during this decade included the roles of Baxter in Paree, Paree
Paree, Paree
Paree, Paree is a black and white Vitaphone musical short starring Bob Hope and Dorothy Stone. Cole Porter wrote the lyrics and music for this musical comedy short...
(1934) and Jonathan Pride in Dancing Pirate
Dancing Pirate
-Cast:*Charles Collins as Jonathan Pride*Frank Morgan as Mayor Don Emilio Perena*Steffi Duna as Serafina Perena*Luis Alberni as Pamfilo *Victor Varconi as Don Balthazar *Jack La Rue as Lt. Chago...
(1936). He also recorded music for the 1934 film Those Were the Days
Those Were the Days (1934 film)
Those were the Days is a film primarily remembered as Will Hay's first major film role. It was based on the farce The Magistrate written by playwright Sir Arthur Wing Pinero, and was the first of two Hay movies that were based Pinero's plays, the other being Dandy Dick...
.
Collins appeared in two more films during the 1940s: Syncopation (1942) and Swing Hostess
Swing Hostess
Swing Hostess is a 1944 American musical comedy film directed by Sam Newfield and starring Martha Tilton, Iris Adrian, Charles Collins, Betty Brodel, Cliff Nazarro and Harry Holman.- Plot summary :...
(1944). He recorded the song "Don't Dilly Dally on the Way" for the 1946 film London Town. He returned to Broadway in 1945 to portray Boris Kolenkhov in You Can't Take It with You
You Can't Take It with You
You Can't Take It with You is a comedic play in three acts by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart. The original production of the play opened at the Booth Theater on December 14, 1936, and played for 837 performances...
, and again in 1947 to portray Gaston in The Red Mill
The Red Mill
The Red Mill is an operetta written by Victor Herbert, with a libretto by Henry Blossom. It premiered on Broadway on September 24, 1906 at the Knickerbocker Theatre and ran for 274 performances, starring comedians Fred Stone and David Montgomery. It was revived on October 16, 1945, opening at the...
. In 1951 he made his first television appearance as a guest star on the Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok program. He appeared in small parts in three more films during the 1950s, Confidence Girl (1952), The Steel Trap
The Steel Trap
- Plot :Joseph Cotten plays a bank officer who decides to rob his own bank and head to Brazil before he can be found out. Leaving with his wife , he finds it difficult exiting the country.- Trivia :...
(1952), and A Blueprint for Murder
A Blueprint for Murder
A Blueprint for Murder is a thriller film starring Joseph Cotten, Jean Peters, and Gary Merrill, and directed and written by Andrew L. Stone.-Plot:...
(1953), after which his career considerably slowed down.
After an absence from Broadway of more than 25 years, Collins returned to New York in 1973 for his final Broadway appearance in the musical Shelter. He later served as the stage manager for the Broadway musical Platinum
Platinum (musical)
Platinum is a musical with a book by Will Holt and Bruce Vilanch, music by Gary William Friedman, and lyrics by Holt. Set in a Hollywood recording studio, it centers on Lila Halliday, a star of 1940s and 50s movie musicals who is attempting a comeback...
.