FAMOUS ACTOR DEAD.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20278, 12 April 1934, Page 1

FAMOUS ACTOR DEAD.

Sir Gerald Du Maurier’s Career. United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, April 11. The death has occurred of Sir Gerald Du Maurier. Sir Gerald Du Maurier, the actormanager, was born in March, 1573, the son of Mr George Du Maurier. the “Punch” artist and author of “Trilby.” He was educated at Harrow and he first appeared on the stage at the Garrick in 1894. Next year he toured with Forbes-Rofcertson and joined Tree’s company, acompanying it to the United States in 1896. In 1910 he became connected with Frank Curzon in the management of Wyndham's Theatre. He joined the Army as a cadet in the Irirh Guards in 1918 and did not return to the stage till September, 1919. He was the author of the play “ A Royal Rival ” and part-author of “ The Dancers ” with Viola Tree and “ Charles I. and II.” with his brother Guy. As an actor he had a singular dominat-

ing personality that held and fascinated. He was knighted in 1922. In 1927 he made a very outspoken criticism of his profession in relation to its benevolent fund. II e complained that actors earning big money never gave a cent to it and that most of the people who applied for help were in the same position.

Among the plays in which he was seen were “ Raffles ” and “ Brewster’s Millions,” in which he made a great hit. “ The Red Lamp," “ Trilby," “ The Seats of the Mighty.” “ The Ware Case,” “ London Pride,” “ Trelawny of the Wells.” “ The Choice,” “ The Prude’s Fall,” “ Bull-Dog Drummond.” “ Not In Our Stars,” “To Have the Honour.” “ A Slice off Life,” “ PassersBy,” “ Arsene Lupin.” “ Jelf’s,” “ Doormats.” “ The Clever Ones.” “ A Country Mouse.” “ Cynthia.” and “ Merely Mar)' Ann.” He wa« the original Captain Hook and Mr Darling in “ Peter Pan,” and the other Barrie plavs in which he appeared were “Mary Rose,” “ Dear Brutus.” “ A Kiss for Cinderella.” “ What Every Woman Knows,” and “ The Admirable Crichton.” Sir Gerald Du Maurier, who in recent vears has played in several talking films, was last seen in Christchurch at the Regent Theatre in. “ I Was a Spy.” He was also seen here in “ Escape.” the film version cf Galsworthy’s play, and “ Lord Camber’s Ladies.”