George Mozart (born David John Gillings; 15 February 1864 – 10 December 1947) was a British music hall comedian, actor and singer, with a career lasting over 70 years.
George Mozart | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | David John Gillings 15 February 1864 Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, England |
| Died | 10 December 1947 (aged 83) London, England |
| Occupation(s) | Comedian, actor |
| Years active | 1873–1947 |
Biography
editHe was born in Great Yarmouth, and began his career at the age of nine playing side-drums at the Theatre Royal in the town. He trained with the Prince of Wales’ Own Norfolk Artillery Band, and played clarinet and violin in local music hall orchestras, before joining a circus as a clown. He became a member of the Livermore Brothers Court Minstrels, as a violinist and comedian, and made his London debut in blackface in 1886.[1]
He formed a double act as 'Engist and Orsa - Musical Clowns', and then formed a comedy and musical duo, 'Warrington and Gillings' with Charles Warrington. They changed their name to 'The Mozarts', and first appeared together in London in 1891. They became successful, and had a 12-month season under Charles Morton at the Palace Theatre.[1]
In 1895, George Mozart was seen by Sir Augustus Harris, who offered him a part in a pantomime at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. He agreed to become a solo performer, and began appearing in more pantomimes and variety shows. His career peaked between then and the outbreak of the First World War.[2] According to writer Roy Busby, he "became one of the finest character comedians and pantomime artistes, topping bills at all the major halls for nearly 30 years notably with the one-man sketches 'A Soldier and a Maid' and 'The Family Album'".[1] W. J. MacQueen-Pope described his "thumb-nail sketches" as "...high art and masterpieces of comic characterisation and observation..".[3]
He made several recordings of his routines, around and shortly after 1900. According to his accompanist Fred Gaisberg, he made his first recordings having changed into full costume and make-up, assuming he could also be seen by listeners.[4] He toured the United States vaudeville circuit in 1907. He had an interest in film making, appearing in, and directing, several short silent films including Coney as Peacemaker (1913).[5] In 1915, he made his first appearance in a revue, playing Queen Elizabeth in André Charlot's Now is the Time.[1]
During the 1920s, he was landlord of the Green Man and French Horn pub in Covent Garden, but continued to perform in variety shows. He also appeared in several films in the 1930s, including The Indiscretions of Eve (1932), The Medicine Man (1933), The Public Life of Henry the Ninth (1935), The Mystery of the Mary Celeste (starring Bela Lugosi, 1935), Song of Freedom (starring Paul Robeson, 1936), and Full Speed Ahead (1936). Mozart was a founder director of Hammer Film Productions, which made several of the films.[1]
He published an autobiography, Limelight, in 1938.[6] His last appearance was at the Victoria Palace, London, a few nights before his death.[7]
He died in London in 1947, at the age of 83.[1]
Filmography
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1932 | The Indiscretions of Eve | Smart | |
| 1933 | The Medicine Man | Sir Timothy Rugg | |
| 1935 | The Public Life of Henry the Ninth | Draughts Player | |
| 1935 | The Mystery of the Mary Celeste | Tommy Duggan | |
| 1936 | Strange Cargo | 'Orace | |
| 1936 | Two on a Doorstep | George | |
| 1936 | Cafe Mascot | George Juppley | |
| 1936 | Song of Freedom | Bert Puddick | |
| 1936 | Full Speed Ahead | Chief Smith | |
| 1936 | The Bank Messenger Mystery | George Brown | |
| 1937 | Jump for Glory | ||
| 1937 | Chinatown Nights | Bill | |
| 1937 | Pygmalion | Third Bystander | (final film role) |
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f Busby, Roy (1976). British Music Hall: An Illustrated Who's Who from 1850 to the Present Day. London: Paul Elek. p. 128-130. ISBN 0 236 40053 3.
- ^ Anne Goulden, "The life and times of George Mozart", British Music Hall Society, In the Limelight, 2018. Retrieved 5 February 2023
- ^ MacQueen-Pope, W. J. (1950). The Melodies Linger On: The Story of Music Hall. London: W. H. Allen. p. 379.
- ^ Richard Anthony Baker, British Music Hall: an illustrated history, Pen & Sword, 2014, ISBN 978-1-78383-118-0, p.258
- ^ "Coney as Peacemaker", BFI. Retrieved 4 February 2023
- ^ George Mozart, WorldCat. Retrieved 5 February 2023
- ^ "Mozart, The Comedian, Dead", Bradford Observer, 11 December 1947, p. 2