Nigel Patrick | |
|---|---|
 WithBeatrice Campbell inGrand National Night (1953) | |
| Born | Nigel Dennis Patrick Wemyss-Gorman (1912-05-02)2 May 1912 Clapham, London, England |
| Died | 21 September 1981(1981-09-21) (aged 69) London, England |
| Occupations | Actor, director, stage manager, writer |
| Years active | 1932–1981 |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
| Awards | Zulueta Award – Best Actor 1960The League of Gentlemen |
Nigel Dennis Patrick Wemyss-Gorman (2 May 1912 – 21 September 1981) was an English actor and stage director born into a theatrical family.
During the late 1940s and 1950s, he became known as a debonair leading man in British films, though he could also portray rogues.[1] He featured inThe Sound Barrier (aka,Breaking Through the Sound Barrier, 1952), under the direction ofDavid Lean.
Patrick was born in London, England, the son of Thomas Joseph Charles Aubrey Wemyss Gorman (born 1875 – died 19??) and actress Dorothy Hilda Turner (1890–1969).[2]
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He made his professional stage debut inThe Life Machine at the Regent Theatre, inKings Cross, London, in 1932 following a period in repertory. Thereafter he appeared in many successful plays, includingHalf a Crown (1934),Ringmaster (1935),Roulette (1935),The Lady of La Paz (1936) andMadmoiselle (1936)
He starred in the long-runningGeorge and Margaret (1937) at theWyndham's Theatre, which ran for 799 performances.
He followed it withTony Draws a Horse (1939) andChildren to Bless You (1939).
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His acting career was put on hold until after service in the Second World War, during which, as aLieutenant-Colonel in theKing's Royal Rifle Corps, he fought in the Middle East, North Africa and Italy.
His debut film performance was as a reporter in a supporting romantic role inMrs. Pym of Scotland Yard (1940). It was filmed in July 1939 and released the following year. After the war, Patrick appeared inMorning Departure (1946) on TV andFools Rush In,Tomorrow's Child (1946) andNoose (1947) on stage.
Patrick had film roles inSpring in Park Lane (1948),Uneasy Terms (1948) and notablyNoose (1948) playing aspiv.[3] Patrick had a good part inSilent Dust (1948) and was promoted to star forThe Jack of Diamonds (1949), which he also co-wrote.
He supportedPatricia Roc inThe Perfect Woman (1949), and had a key role in the film version ofMorning Departure (1950) (a different part to the one he had played on TV).[4]
Patrick was one of several names inTrio (1950) based on stories byW. Somerset Maugham and appeared in the Hollywood-financedPandora and the Flying Dutchman (1951). He was the young teacher inThe Browning Version (1951) withMichael Redgrave, and appeared in a popular comedyYoung Wives' Tale (1951). He returned to the world of Maugham withEncore (1951) and was inWho Goes There! (1951) on stage.
Patrick reprised hisWho Goes There! (1952) performance on film then played a test pilot in the popularThe Sound Barrier (1952). He was then inMeet Me Tonight (1952) andThe Pickwick Papers (1952). Due mostly toThe Sound Barrier, exhibitors voted Patrick the seventh most popular British film star with the public, in 1952.[5]
Patrick was inGrand National Night (1953) and was the ninth most popular British star.[6] On stage he was inEscapade (1953) andBirthday Honours (1953).
The following year he was inForbidden Cargo (1954) and was one of several British stars inThe Sea Shall Not Have Them (1954). He supportedRichard Widmark inA Prize of Gold (1955) forWarwick Films, who announced Patrick might directIn All Dishonesty for them on stage.[7] It did not happen. Instead Patrick starred in a comedyAll for Mary (1955).[8] On stage he was inGreen Room Rags (1954) andThe Remarkable Mr. Pennypacker (1955).
He had a major role inRaintree County (1957).[9]
For Warwick Films, Patrick starred in and directedHow to Murder a Rich Uncle (1957).[10][11]
He supportedJeffrey Hunter inCount Five and Die (1957) and appeared inThe Egg (1957) on stage. Patrick made another for Warwick but as an actor only,The Man Inside (1958), withJack Palance.
On stage Patrick directedNo Way to Kill (1958) andNot in the Book (1958) and acted in and directedPleasure of His Company (1959). He starred inSapphire (1959), winner of Best British Film at the 1960BAFTA Film Awards. It was directed byBasil Dearden who then used Patrick inThe League of Gentlemen (1960).[12] On stage he acted in and directedSettled Out of Court (1960).
Patrick made another for Warwick as an actor,The Trials of Oscar Wilde (1960),[13] then madeJohnny Nobody (1961) for them as director and actor.[14][11]
He was inZero One (1962–1965) on TV and starred in the tough crime thrillerThe Informers (1963).[15]
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Patrick appeared on stage inThe Schoolmistress (1964) andPresent Laughter (1965) and he directedPast Imperfect (1964) andPresent Laughter (1965) andAlan Ayckbourn'sRelatively Speaking (1967) at theDuke of York's Theatre. Film appearances includedBattle of Britain (1969),The Virgin Soldiers (1969) andThe Executioner (1970). He directedAvanti! (1968) on Broadway.
Other stage appearances includedBest of Friends (1970),Reunion in Vienna (1971),Habeas Corpus (1974),The Pay Off (1974),Dear Daddy (1976) andPeter Pan (1978). He also worked steadily as a director.
He married the actressBeatrice Campbell atSt James's, Spanish Place, Marylebone, London on 12 January 1951.[16] She predeceased him in 1979; he died, two years later, fromlung cancer, on 21 September 1981.[17]
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