Robert Morley

His son, Sheridan Morley, is a well-known critic. Also very popular in Germany, in Berlin a theater has also been named for him. Renowned for excelling at repartee and generally being an eloquent conversationalist, Morley gained the epitheton of being a "wit". There is a film festival named in his honor plus a number of theaters, schools and colleges have been given his name in various parts of France. A versatile actor who, especially in his younger years, played roles as divergent as those of Louis XVI (Marie Antoinette, 1938), Oscar Wilde (1960) and a missionary in The African Queen (1951), Morley personified the conservative Brit in many comedy and caper films. In 1961, his portrait appeared on a French commemorative postage stamp. Born Robert Adolph Wilton Morley in Semley, Wiltshire, England, he attended RADA and made his West End stage debut in 1929 and his Broadway debut in 1938 but was soon won over to the big screen. One of the most popular French actors of his time, his image has been enhanced by his young death at the peak of his popularity and has risen to near legendary status in France.

In his Movie Encyclopedia, film critic Leonard Maltin describes Morley as "recognizable by his ungainly bulk, bushy eyebrows, thick lips, and double chin, […] particularly effective when cast as a pompous windbag". To commemorate the100th anniversary of film, in 1995 the government of France issued a series of limited edition coins that included a 100 Franc coin bearing the image of Gérard Philipe. Robert Morley (May 26, 1908 - June 3, 1992) was a British actor who, often in supporting roles, was time and again cast as the archetypal English gentleman representing the Establishment. An actress and writer who adopted the pseudonym, Anne Philipe, she wrote about her husband in a two books, the first called " Souvenirs" published in 1960 and in 1963 a second biography titled "Le Temps d'un soupir" (No Longer Than a Sigh). Marie Antoinette (1938) (King Louis XVI). In 1951, Gérard Philipe married Nicole Fourcade (1917-1990) with whom he had two children. Major Barbara (1941) (Andrew Undershaft). He is buried in the village cemetery in Ramatuelle, Var near the Mediterranean Sea coast.

The Young Mr. Pitt (1942) (Charles James Fox). Recognized worldwide for his talent, he was at the pinnacle of his career when, a few days short of his 37th birthday, Gérard Philipe died from cancer of the liver while in Paris working on a film project. The African Queen (1951) (Reverend Samuel Sayer). From roles as diverse as Faust to Modigliani, he was sought out by France's preeminent directors for his versatility and professionalism. Beat the Devil (1953) (Crook #1). Although adored by young women, beyond his good looks Gérard Philipe was a very talented actor who was highly regarded by his peers. Beau Brummell (1954) (King George III). Gérard Philipe made his film debut in 1943 in Les Petites du Quai aux Fleurs and after a few more minor film roles, he rocketed to fame as a result of his performance in Claude Autant-Lara's 1947 film Le diable au corps.

The Doctor's Dilemma (1959) (Sir Ralph Bloomfield-Bonington). At age 19, he made his stage debut at a theater in Nice and the following year his strong performance in the Albert Camus play, "Caligula" brought an invitation to work with the Théâtre national populaire (T.N.P.) in Paris. The Battle of the Sexes (1959) (Robert MacPherson). Born in Cannes, as a teenager Gérard Philipe took acting lessons before going to Paris to study at the Conservatory of Dramatic Art. Oscar Wilde (1960) (Oscar Wilde). Gérard Philipe (December 4, 1922 – November 22, 1959) was a prominent French actor. Murder at the Gallop (1963) (Hector Enderby) (opposite Margaret Rutherford). La fièvre monte à El Pao (1959).

Jacobs). Les Liaisons dangereuses (1959). Of Human Bondage (1964) (Dr. Le Joueur (1958). Topkapi (1964) (Cedric Page). Montparnasse 19 (1957). Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines (1965) (Lord Rawnsley). Si Paris nous était conté (1955).

The Loved One (1965) (Sir Ambrose Ambercrombie). Les Grandes Manoeuvres (1955). Life at the Top (1965) (Tiffield). Monsieur Ripois (1954). The Alphabet Murders (aka The ABC Murders) (1965) (Captain Arthur Hastings). Le rouge et le noir (1954). Hot Millions (1968) (Caesar Smith). Si Versailles m'était conté (1953).

Cromwell (1970) (The Earl of Manchester). Fanfan la tulipe (1952). Theatre of Blood (1973) (Meredith Merridew). La Ronde (1950). Great Expectations (1974) (TV) (Uncle Pumblechook). La Chartreuse De Parme (1948). Who Is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe? (aka Too Many Chefs) (1978) (Max). Le diable au corps (1947).

The Human Factor (1980) (Dr Percival). L'Idiot (1946). The Old Men at the Zoo (1982) (TV mini-series) (Lord Godmanchester). Les Petites du Quai aux Fleurs (1943). Alice in Wonderland (1985) (TV) (King of Hearts). Little Dorrit (1988) (Lord Decimus Barnacle).