Roy Atwell
Encyclopedia
Jay Leroy Atwell was an American actor, comedian, and composer. He was educated at the Sargent School of Acting, and appeared in 34 films between 1914 and 1947. He is probably famous for his voice performance as Doc the Head Dwarf in Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
. As well as his film work, he appeared in several Broadway
productions, including The Little Missus, The Mimic World, The Firefly, and How's Your Health? He was a member of the Fortune Gallo's
San Carlo Opera Company
, and joined ASCAP in 1957. He composed the popular song Some Little Bug is Going to Find You. He was married three times, to Blanche West (1907-?), Dorothy Young (1913–1916), and Ethel Smith (1916–1936). Roy Atwell, son of Joseph Addison Atwell, is a direct descendant of Joseph Atwell (1754–1834), a revolutionary war soldier who in 1792 purchased land in the military tract in New York State that was then the frontier and built a house ("Atwell's Corners") in what today is known as Pompey Hollow south of Syracuse, New York, near Cazenovia. He wrote the words to a song, "When a Piece of Toast Climbs Your Bedpost with a Cigar."
When Atwell began working on Broadway, he had a role in which he was to deliver the following line: "It is spring and all the little birds are twittering in the tree tops." Being new and somewhat on edge, what Atwell actually did say was: "Tis ting and the twits are birdering in the tree flops." Atwell fully expected to be fired, but the misdelivered line drew a big laugh from the audience and he was asked to repeat it the next night. His unwitting comedic success caused Atwell to make the change from being a dramatic actor to becoming a comedian.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937 film)
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is a 1937 American animated film based on Snow White, a German fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm. It was the first full-length cel-animated feature in motion picture history, as well as the first animated feature film produced in America, the first produced in full...
. As well as his film work, he appeared in several Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
productions, including The Little Missus, The Mimic World, The Firefly, and How's Your Health? He was a member of the Fortune Gallo's
Fortune Gallo
Fortune Thomas Gallo was an Italian-born opera impresario. Gallo was owner and General Manager of the traveling San Carlo Opera Company from 1913 until its disbandment in the late 1950s.-Biography:...
San Carlo Opera Company
San Carlo Opera Company
The San Carlo Opera Company was the name of two different opera companies active in the United States during the first half of the twentieth century.-History:...
, and joined ASCAP in 1957. He composed the popular song Some Little Bug is Going to Find You. He was married three times, to Blanche West (1907-?), Dorothy Young (1913–1916), and Ethel Smith (1916–1936). Roy Atwell, son of Joseph Addison Atwell, is a direct descendant of Joseph Atwell (1754–1834), a revolutionary war soldier who in 1792 purchased land in the military tract in New York State that was then the frontier and built a house ("Atwell's Corners") in what today is known as Pompey Hollow south of Syracuse, New York, near Cazenovia. He wrote the words to a song, "When a Piece of Toast Climbs Your Bedpost with a Cigar."
When Atwell began working on Broadway, he had a role in which he was to deliver the following line: "It is spring and all the little birds are twittering in the tree tops." Being new and somewhat on edge, what Atwell actually did say was: "Tis ting and the twits are birdering in the tree flops." Atwell fully expected to be fired, but the misdelivered line drew a big laugh from the audience and he was asked to repeat it the next night. His unwitting comedic success caused Atwell to make the change from being a dramatic actor to becoming a comedian.
Filmography
- 1947: Where There's LifeWhere There's LifeWhere There's Life is a 1947 comedy film. The film's title derives from a line in Don Quixote .-Plot:...
(Salesman) - 1946: Gentleman Joe Palooka
- 1946: People Are FunnyPeople Are Funny (film)People Are Funny is a 1946 American musical comedy film directed by Sam White based on the popular radio show of the same name.- Plot summary :...
(Mr. Pippensiegal) - 1942: The Fleet's InThe Fleet's InThe Fleet's In is a movie musical produced by Paramount Pictures, directed by Victor Schertzinger, and starring Dorothy Lamour and William Holden. Although sharing the title of the 1928 Paramount film starring Clara Bow and Jack Oakie, it was not a remake...
(Arthur Sidney) - 1937: Snow White and the Seven DwarfsSnow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937 film)Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is a 1937 American animated film based on Snow White, a German fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm. It was the first full-length cel-animated feature in motion picture history, as well as the first animated feature film produced in America, the first produced in full...
(Doc) - 1937: Behind the Mike (Vale)
- 1937: Varsity Show (Prof. Washburn)
- 1936: The Harvester (Jake Eben)
- 1933: Crashing the Gate
- 1926: The Outsider (Jerry Sidon)
- 1923: Souls for SaleSouls for SaleSouls for Sale is a silent film written, directed, and produced by Rupert Hughes from his novel of the same name. The film featured Eleanor Boardman in her first leading role, having won a contract with Goldwyn Studios through their "New Faces of 1921" contest just two years prior.The film is most...
(Arthur Tirrey) - 1922: Red Hot Romance (Jim Conwell)
- 1922: Don't Get Personal (Horace Kane)
- 1922: Grand Larceny (Harkness Boyd)
- 1922: South of Suva (Marmaduke Grubb)
- 1922: The Heart Specialist