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{{short description|British actor}}
{{Short description|English actor (1909–1978)}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2014}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2014}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
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{{Good article}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
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| bgcolour =
| name = André Morell
| name = André Morell
| image = Qatp03.JPG
| image = The Hound of the Baskervilles (1959) trailer - Watson 1.png
| caption = André Morell in ''[[Quatermass and the Pit]]'' (1958–59)
| caption = Morell as [[Doctor Watson]] in ''[[The Hound of the Baskervilles (1959 film)|The Hound of the Baskervilles]]'' (1959)
| birth_name = Cecil André Mesritz
| birth_name = Cecil André Mesritz
| birth_date = {{birth date|1909|08|20|df=y}}
| birth_date = {{birth date|1909|08|20|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[London]], England
| birth_place = [[London]], England
| death_date = {{death date and age|1978|11|28|1909|08|20|df=y}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|1978|11|28|1909|08|20|df=y}}
| death_place = London, England
| death_place = London, England
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| years_active = 1934–1978
| other_name = André Mesritz<br />Andre Morell
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| years_active = 1934–1978
| spouse = {{marriage|[[Joan Greenwood]]<br>|1960}}
| spouse = {{marriage|[[Joan Greenwood]]<br>|1960}}
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| children = 1
| homepage =
| homepage =
| academyawards =
| emmyawards =
| tonyawards =
}}
}}
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'''Cecil André Mesritz''' (20 August 1909 &ndash; 28 November 1978), known professionally as '''André Morell''', was an [[England|English]] actor. He appeared frequently in theatre, film and on television from the 1930s to the 1970s. His best known screen roles were as [[Bernard Quatermass|Professor Bernard Quatermass]] in the [[BBC Television]] serial ''[[Quatermass and the Pit]]'' (1958&ndash;59), and as [[John Watson (Sherlock Holmes)|Doctor Watson]] in the [[Hammer Film Productions]] version of ''[[The Hound of the Baskervilles (1959 film)|The Hound of the Baskervilles]]'' (1959). He also appeared in the films ''[[The Bridge on the River Kwai]]'' (1957) and ''[[Ben-Hur (1959 film)|Ben-Hur]]'' (1959), in several of Hammer's [[horror film]]s throughout the 1960s and in the acclaimed [[ITV Network|ITV]] historical drama ''[[The Caesars (TV series)|The Caesars]]'' (1968).


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'''Cecil André Mesritz''' (20 August 1909 – 28 November 1978), known professionally as '''André Morell''', was an English actor. He appeared frequently in theatre, film and on television from the 1930s to the 1970s. His best known screen roles were as [[Bernard Quatermass|Professor Bernard Quatermass]] in the [[BBC Television]] serial ''[[Quatermass and the Pit]]'' (1958&ndash;59), and as [[John Watson (Sherlock Holmes)|Doctor Watson]] in the [[Hammer Film Productions]] version of ''[[The Hound of the Baskervilles (1959 film)|The Hound of the Baskervilles]]'' (1959).
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His obituary in ''[[The Times]]'' newspaper described him as possessing a "commanding presence with a rich, responsive voice… whether in the classical or modern theatre he was authoritative and dependable."<ref name="timesobit">{{cite news|title=Mr Andre Morell - Stage, film and television actor|work=[[The Times]]|date=1978-11-30|page=19}}</ref>

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He also appeared in the films ''[[The Bridge on the River Kwai]]'' (1957) and ''[[Ben-Hur (1959 film)|Ben-Hur]]'' (1959), in several of Hammer's [[horror film]]s throughout the 1960s and in the acclaimed [[ITV Network|ITV]] historical drama ''[[The Caesars (TV series)|The Caesars]]'' (1968). His obituary in ''[[The Times]]'' newspaper described him as possessing a "commanding presence with a rich, responsive voice… whether in the classical or modern theatre he was authoritative and dependable."<ref name="timesobit">{{cite news|title=Mr Andre Morell - Stage, film and television actor|work=[[The Times]]|date=1978-11-30|page=19}}</ref>


== Biography ==
== Biography ==
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In 1938 he joined the [[Old Vic]] theatre company, and appeared in several of their high-profile productions both at their home theatre and on tour throughout Britain and across the rest of the world.<ref name="timesobit" /> He appeared in ''[[Hamlet]]'' as [[Horatio (character)|Horatio]] opposite [[Alec Guinness]] in the title role, and as Alonso in [[John Gielgud]]'s production of ''[[The Tempest]]''.<ref name="timesobit" /> He played [[Mercutio]] in a production of ''[[Romeo and Juliet]]'' mounted by the Old Vic company at [[Streatham]] in 1939, with [[Robert Donat]] as Romeo.<ref name="timesobit" /> This was Morell's favourite role from his career.<ref name="timesobit" /> His performance in the play was praised by ''The Times'''s critic as "a neat and carefully studied portrait; he is admirable in all his cynical and humorous passages", although the reviewer did add that "one could wish that he had left this manner for the speech about [[Queen Mab]] and addressed this, as a piece of direct poetry, directly to the audience."<ref>{{cite news|title=Streatham Hill Theatre - 'Romeo and Juliet' by William Shakespeare|work=[[The Times]]|date=1939-10-04|page=6}}</ref>
In 1938 he joined the [[Old Vic]] theatre company, and appeared in several of their high-profile productions both at their home theatre and on tour throughout Britain and across the rest of the world.<ref name="timesobit" /> He appeared in ''[[Hamlet]]'' as [[Horatio (character)|Horatio]] opposite [[Alec Guinness]] in the title role, and as Alonso in [[John Gielgud]]'s production of ''[[The Tempest]]''.<ref name="timesobit" /> He played [[Mercutio]] in a production of ''[[Romeo and Juliet]]'' mounted by the Old Vic company at [[Streatham]] in 1939, with [[Robert Donat]] as Romeo.<ref name="timesobit" /> This was Morell's favourite role from his career.<ref name="timesobit" /> His performance in the play was praised by ''The Times'''s critic as "a neat and carefully studied portrait; he is admirable in all his cynical and humorous passages", although the reviewer did add that "one could wish that he had left this manner for the speech about [[Queen Mab]] and addressed this, as a piece of direct poetry, directly to the audience."<ref>{{cite news|title=Streatham Hill Theatre - 'Romeo and Juliet' by William Shakespeare|work=[[The Times]]|date=1939-10-04|page=6}}</ref>


Towards the end of the 1930s he began appearing in films, making his debut on the big screen in ''[[13 Men and a Gun]]'' (1938).<ref name="imdb">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0603682/|title=André Morell|publisher=[[Internet Movie Database]]|accessdate=2007-05-03}}</ref> He appeared frequently in several early drama productions on the [[BBC]]'s fledgling television service, featuring in such roles as Mr Wickham in ''[[Pride and Prejudice]]'' (1938) and Le Bret in ''[[Cyrano de Bergerac (play)|Cyrano de Bergerac]]'' (1938).<ref name="imdb" /> The onset of the [[Second World War]] interrupted his acting career, and he joined the [[Royal Welch Fusiliers]] in 1940. He served with the regiment until 1946, by which time he had attained the rank of [[major]].<ref name="timesobit" />
Towards the end of the 1930s he began appearing in films, making his debut on the big screen in ''[[13 Men and a Gun]]'' (1938).<ref name="imdb">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0603682/|title=André Morell|publisher=[[IMDb]]|access-date=2007-05-03}}</ref> He appeared frequently in several early drama productions on the [[BBC]]'s fledgling television service, featuring in such roles as Mr Wickham in ''[[Pride and Prejudice]]'' (1938) and Le Bret in ''[[Cyrano de Bergerac (play)|Cyrano de Bergerac]]'' (1938).<ref name="imdb" /> The onset of the [[Second World War]] interrupted his acting career, and he joined the [[Royal Welch Fusiliers]] in 1940. He served with the regiment until 1946, by which time he had attained the rank of [[Major (rank)|major]].<ref name="timesobit" />


=== Major film and television roles ===
=== Major film and television roles ===
[[File:The Giant Behemoth (1959) trailer - André Morell.png|thumb|Morell in ''[[The Giant Behemoth]]'']]
Morell returned to the theatre after the war, including another period at the Old Vic in the 1951&ndash;52 season.<ref name="timesobit" /> The ''[[New Statesman]]'''s critic [[T. C. Worsley]] wrote of his performance in a star-studded revival of ''[[King Lear]]'' that "Mr Morell's Kent is the best I remember since Sir Ralph Richardson's."<ref>According to a 1996 profile by Jonathan Rigby</ref> Of his performance in the title role in [[Tyrone Guthrie]]'s production of ''[[Timon of Athens]]'', the ''[[Daily Mail]]'' wrote: "From his stage and screen performances we know him already as an eminently dependable actor, but last night he became a spectacular actor."
Morell returned to the theatre after the war, including another period at the Old Vic in the 1951&ndash;52 season.<ref name="timesobit" /> The ''[[New Statesman]]'''s critic [[T. C. Worsley]] wrote of his performance in a star-studded revival of ''[[King Lear]]'' that "Mr Morell's Kent is the best I remember since Sir [[Ralph Richardson]]'s."<ref>According to a 1996 profile by Jonathan Rigby</ref> Of his performance in the title role in [[Tyrone Guthrie]]'s production of ''[[Timon of Athens]]'', the ''[[Daily Mail]]'' wrote: "From his stage and screen performances we know him already as an eminently dependable actor, but last night he became a spectacular actor."


The same profile quoted Morell's catholic approach to stage assignments: "If a part is a good part and I feel I can enjoy playing it, it doesn't matter whether it's Shakespeare or modern farce … I'd hate to be bogged down in Shakespeare or classic theatre all my life. It's a good thing for an actor to do many different kinds of theatre, because it keeps his imagination stimulated."
The same profile quoted Morell's catholic approach to stage assignments: "If a part is a good part and I feel I can enjoy playing it, it doesn't matter whether it's Shakespeare or modern farce … I'd hate to be bogged down in Shakespeare or classic theatre all my life. It's a good thing for an actor to do many different kinds of theatre, because it keeps his imagination stimulated."{{cn|date=August 2022}}


However, he now increasingly began to win leading parts on television, and in 1953 was cast by the [[television director]] [[Rudolph Cartier]] in a play called ''It Is Midnight, Dr Schweitzer''.<ref name="murray28">Murray, p. 28.</ref> Cartier was impressed with Morell's performance in this play, and offered him the leading role in a science-fiction serial he was preparing with the writer [[Nigel Kneale]], entitled ''[[The Quatermass Experiment]]''. Morell considered the not-yet-completed script, but decided to decline the offer; the part went instead to his co-star from ''It Is Midnight, Dr Schweitzer'', [[Reginald Tate]].<ref name="murray28" />
However, he now increasingly began to win leading parts on television, and in 1953 was cast by the [[television director]] [[Rudolph Cartier]] in a play called ''It Is Midnight, Dr Schweitzer''.<ref name="murray28">Murray, pg. 28.</ref> Cartier was impressed with Morell's performance in this play, and offered him the leading role in a science-fiction serial he was preparing with the writer [[Nigel Kneale]], entitled ''[[The Quatermass Experiment]]''. Morell considered the not-yet-completed script, but decided to decline the offer; the part went instead to his co-star from ''It Is Midnight, Dr Schweitzer'', [[Reginald Tate]].<ref name="murray28" />


He did take one of the leading parts in another Cartier and Kneale production the following year, when he played [[O'Brien (1984)|O'Brien]] in [[Nineteen Eighty-Four (UK TV programme)|their version of]] [[George Orwell]]'s novel ''[[Nineteen Eighty-Four]]'', opposite [[Peter Cushing]] as [[Winston Smith]].<ref name="murray67">Murray, p. 67.</ref> This was a successful and controversial production which provoked much comment and debate;<ref name="obrien">{{cite web|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/tv/id/438460/index.html|title=Nineteen Eighty-Four (1954)|first=Mark|last=Duguid|publisher=[[Screenonline]]|accessdate=2007-05-03}}</ref> Morell's part in it has been praised for his "coolly menacing performance [that] is at least equal to Cushing's."<ref name="obrien" />
He did take one of the leading parts in another Cartier and Kneale production the following year, when he played [[O'Brien (1984)|O'Brien]] in [[Nineteen Eighty-Four (UK TV programme)|their version of]] [[George Orwell]]'s novel ''[[Nineteen Eighty-Four]]'', opposite [[Peter Cushing]] as [[Winston Smith (Nineteen Eighty-Four)|Winston Smith]].<ref name="murray67">Murray, pg. 67.</ref> This was a successful and controversial production which provoked much comment and debate;<ref name="obrien">{{cite web|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/tv/id/438460/index.html|title=Nineteen Eighty-Four (1954)|first=Mark|last=Duguid|publisher=[[Screenonline]]|access-date=3 May 2007}}</ref> Morell's part in it has been praised for his "coolly menacing performance [that] is at least equal to Cushing's."<ref name="obrien" />


This successful collaboration with Cartier and Kneale resulted, four years later, in him once again being offered the role of Professor Bernard Quatermass for the pair's third serial in the series, ''[[Quatermass and the Pit]]'', although on this occasion another actor &ndash; [[Alec Clunes]] &ndash; had already turned them down.<ref name="murray67" /> This time Morell accepted the part, and is regarded by several critics as having provided the definitive interpretation of the character.<ref name="murray67" /><ref name="heaven">{{cite book|title=TV Heaven|first=Jim|last=Sangster|author2=Paul Condon|year=2005|publisher=[[HarperCollins]]|location=London|chapter=The Quatermass series|pages=596&ndash;601|isbn=0-00-719099-9}}</ref> Morell personally found that in later years it was the role for which he was most often remembered by members of the public.<ref name="pixley30" />
This successful collaboration with Cartier and Kneale resulted, four years later, in him once again being offered the role of Professor Bernard Quatermass for the pair's third serial in the series, ''[[Quatermass and the Pit]]'', although on this occasion another actor &ndash; [[Alec Clunes]] &ndash; had already turned them down. This time Morell accepted the part, and is regarded by several critics as having provided the definitive interpretation of the character.<ref name="murray67" /><ref name="heaven">{{cite book|title=TV Heaven|first=Jim|last=Sangster|author2=Paul Condon|year=2005|publisher=[[HarperCollins]]|location=London|chapter=The Quatermass series|pages=596&ndash;601|isbn=0-00-719099-9}}</ref> Morell personally found that in later years it was the role for which he was most often remembered by members of the public.<ref name="pixley30" />


As well as these and other television appearances, Morell gained several notable film roles towards the end of the 1950s. He appeared in two films which won the [[Academy Award for Best Picture]]; ''The Bridge on the River Kwai'' (1957), as Colonel Green,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/film/id/450937/credits.html|title=Bridge on the River Kwai, The (1957) - Cast|publisher=[[Screenonline]]|accessdate=2007-05-03}}</ref> and ''Ben-Hur'' (1959) as Sextus.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052618/|title=Ben-Hur (1959)|publisher=[[Internet Movie Database]]|accessdate=2007-05-03| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20070412115233/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052618/| archivedate= 12 April 2007 | url-status= live}}</ref> With Peter Cushing as [[Sherlock Holmes]], he played [[Arthur Conan Doyle]]'s character Doctor John H. Watson, in Hammer Film Productions' version of ''[[The Hound of the Baskervilles]]'' (also 1959).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2002/11_november/25/baskervilles_release.shtml|title=The Hound of the Baskervilles - A Filmography|publisher=[[bbc.co.uk]]|date=2002-11-25|accessdate=2007-05-03}}</ref> Morell was particularly keen that his portrayal of Watson should be closer to that originally depicted in Conan Doyle's stories, and away from the bumbling stereotype established by [[Nigel Bruce]]'s interpretation of the role.<ref>{{cite book|title=Hammer Films - The Bray Studios Years|first=Wayne|last=Kinsey|year=2002|publisher=Reynolds & Hearn Ltd|location=[[Richmond, London|Richmond]]|isbn=1-903111-11-0|pages=133}}</ref> An earlier Hammer film in which Morell appeared was ''[[The Camp on Blood Island]]'' (1957).
As well as these and other television appearances, Morell gained several notable film roles towards the end of the 1950s. He appeared in two films which won the [[Academy Award for Best Picture]]; ''The Bridge on the River Kwai'' (1957), as Colonel Green,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/film/id/450937/credits.html|title=Bridge on the River Kwai, The (1957) - Cast|publisher=[[Screenonline]]|access-date=3 May 2007}}</ref> and ''Ben-Hur'' (1959) as Sextus.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052618/|title=Ben-Hur (1959)|publisher=[[IMDb]]|access-date=2007-05-03| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070412115233/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052618/| archive-date= 12 April 2007 | url-status= live}}</ref>


With Cushing as [[Sherlock Holmes]], he played [[Arthur Conan Doyle]]'s character Doctor John H. Watson, in Hammer Film Productions' version of ''[[The Hound of the Baskervilles]]'' (also 1959).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2002/11_november/25/baskervilles_release.shtml|title=The Hound of the Baskervilles - A Filmography|publisher=[[bbc.co.uk]]|date=2002-11-25|access-date=2007-05-03}}</ref> Morell was particularly keen that his portrayal of Watson should be closer to that originally depicted in Conan Doyle's stories, and away from the bumbling stereotype established by [[Nigel Bruce]]'s interpretation of the role.<ref>{{cite book|title=Hammer Films - The Bray Studios Years|first=Wayne|last=Kinsey|year=2002|publisher=Reynolds & Hearn Ltd|location=[[Richmond, London|Richmond]]|isbn=1-903111-11-0|pages=133}}</ref> An earlier Hammer film in which Morell appeared was ''[[The Camp on Blood Island]]'' (1957).
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In 1960, Morell appeared as Judge Brack in a production of [[Henrik Ibsen]]'s play ''[[Hedda Gabler]]'' at the [[Oxford Playhouse]].<ref name="timesobit" /> Starring opposite him in the title role was the film actress [[Joan Greenwood]]. They fell in love and flew in secret to [[Jamaica]], where they were married, remaining together until his death.<ref name="wifeobit">{{cite news|title=Obituary of Miss Joan Greenwood, The voice that intrigued generations|work=[[The Times]]|date=1987-03-03}}</ref>

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In 1960, Morell appeared as Judge Brack in a production of [[Henrik Ibsen]]'s play ''[[Hedda Gabler]]'' at the [[Oxford Playhouse]].<ref name="timesobit" /> Starring opposite him in the title role was the film actress [[Joan Greenwood]]. They fell in love and flew in secret to [[Jamaica]], where they were married, remaining together until his death.<ref name="wifeobit">{{cite news|title=Obituary of Miss Joan Greenwood, The voice that intrigued generations|work=[[The Times]]|date=3 March 1987}}</ref>


=== Later career ===
=== Later career ===
Morell continued to appear in Hammer's horror films in the ensuing decade. He had parts in the ''[[Shadow of the Cat]]'' (1960), ''[[She (1965 film)|She]]'' (1964, again with Peter Cushing) and its sequel ''[[The Vengeance of She]]'' (1967), the lead in ''[[The Plague of the Zombies]]'' (1965), and ''[[The Mummy's Shroud]]'' (1966).<ref name="imdb" /> He also starred with Cushing in Hammer's ''[[Cash on Demand]]'', playing the same role he had played opposite [[Richard Vernon]] in the original TV play, ''The Gold Inside'', but turned down the opportunity of reprising the title role in Hammer's feature film adaptation of ''[[Quatermass and the Pit (film)|Quatermass and the Pit]]'' (1967).<ref name="murray95">Murray, p.95</ref>
Morell continued to appear in Hammer's horror films in the ensuing decade. He had parts in the ''[[Shadow of the Cat]]'' (1960), ''[[She (1965 film)|She]]'' (1964, again with Peter Cushing) and its sequel ''[[The Vengeance of She]]'' (1967), the lead in ''[[The Plague of the Zombies]]'' (1965), and ''[[The Mummy's Shroud]]'' (1966).<ref name="imdb" /> He also starred with Cushing in Hammer's ''[[Cash on Demand]]'', playing the same role he had played opposite [[Richard Vernon]] in the original TV play, ''The Gold Inside'', but turned down the opportunity of reprising the title role in Hammer's feature film adaptation of ''[[Quatermass and the Pit (film)|Quatermass and the Pit]]'' (1967).<ref name="murray95">Murray, p.95</ref>


Morell continued to act successfully on television throughout the decade, with guest roles in episodes of series such as ''[[The Avengers (TV series)|The Avengers]]'' (1963 and 1965), ''[[Danger Man]]'' (1965), ''[[Doctor Who]]'' (''[[The Massacre of St Bartholomew's Eve]]'' 1966), ''[[The Saint (TV series)|The Saint]]'' (1965)<ref name="imdb" /> and in ''[[The Caesars (TV series)|The Caesars]]'' (1968) in a prominent role as the [[Roman emperor]] [[Tiberius]].
Morell continued to act successfully on television throughout the decade, with guest roles in episodes of series such as ''[[The Avengers (TV series)|The Avengers]]'' (1963 and 1965), ''[[Danger Man]]'' (1965), ''[[Doctor Who]]'' (''[[The Massacre of St Bartholomew's Eve]]'' 1966), ''[[The Saint (TV series)|The Saint]]'' (1965)<ref name="imdb" /> and in ''[[The Caesars (TV series)|The Caesars]]'' (1968) in a prominent role as the [[Roman emperor]] [[Tiberius]].


In 1969, he became the vice president of [[British Actors' Equity Association|Equity]], the [[trade union]] for British actors and performers. He then served as president of the organisation for a year from 1973&ndash;74.<ref name="timesobit" /> During this time he was involved in a dispute in which Equity threatened to expel [[Laurence Olivier]] as a member due to comments he made in a newspaper feature about the possibility of forming a breakaway union.<ref>{{cite news|title=Equity may expel Lord Olivier|first=Kenneth|last=Gosling|work=[[The Times]]|date=1974-06-24|page=2}}</ref> The union also suffered from financial problems, and Morell continued to warn against destructive divisions amongst the members when he stepped down as president.<ref>{{cite news|title=Equity chief fears 'destructive' union clash|work=[[The Times]]|date=1975-05-12|page=2}}</ref>
In 1969, he became the vice president of [[British Actors' Equity Association|Equity]], the [[trade union]] for British actors and performers. He then served as president of the organisation for a year from 1973&ndash;74.<ref name="timesobit" /> During this time he was involved in a dispute in which Equity threatened to expel [[Laurence Olivier]] as a member due to comments he made in a newspaper feature about the possibility of forming a breakaway union.<ref>{{cite news|title=Equity may expel Lord Olivier|first=Kenneth|last=Gosling|work=[[The Times]]|date=1974-06-24|page=2}}</ref> The union also suffered from financial problems, and Morell continued to warn against destructive divisions amongst the members when he stepped down as president.<ref>{{cite news|title=Equity chief fears 'destructive' union clash|work=[[The Times]]|date=1975-05-12|page=2}}</ref>
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Despite his involvement in union business he continued to be a busy working actor. He appeared in [[Stanley Kubrick]]'s ''[[Barry Lyndon]]'' (1975) as a nobleman friend of the title character. His last television work was an episode of the [[ITV Network|ITV]] series ''[[The Professionals (TV series)|The Professionals]]'' in 1978, the year of his death. The animated film version of ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|The Lord of the Rings]]'', in which he voiced the character of [[Elrond]], was released the same year, but his final film work was not seen until the year after his death. This was as the judge in ''[[The First Great Train Robbery]]''.<ref name="imdb" />
Despite his involvement in union business he continued to be a busy working actor. He appeared in [[Stanley Kubrick]]'s ''[[Barry Lyndon]]'' (1975) as a nobleman friend of the title character. His last television work was an episode of the [[ITV Network|ITV]] series ''[[The Professionals (TV series)|The Professionals]]'' in 1978, the year of his death. The animated film version of ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|The Lord of the Rings]]'', in which he voiced the character of [[Elrond]], was released the same year, but his final film work was not seen until the year after his death. This was as the judge in ''[[The First Great Train Robbery]]''.<ref name="imdb" />


Morell, who smoked up to 60 [[cigarette]]s a day until he gave up in 1976, died from [[lung cancer]] in London on 28 November 1978, at the age of 69. He and his wife [[Joan Greenwood]] had a son, Jason Morell, who also became an actor, appearing in films such as ''[[Mrs. Brown]]'' (1997, as [[Frederick Stanley, 16th Earl of Derby|Lord Stanley]]) and ''[[Wilde (film)|Wilde]]'' (also 1997, as [[Ernest Dowson]]).<ref name="son">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0603695/|title=Jason Morell|publisher=[[Internet Movie Database]]|accessdate=2007-05-03}}</ref>
Morell, who smoked up to 60 [[cigarette]]s a day until he gave up in 1976, died from [[lung cancer]] in London on 28 November 1978, at the age of 69. He and his wife [[Joan Greenwood]] had a son, Jason Morell, who also became an actor, appearing in films such as ''[[Mrs Brown]]'' (1997, as [[Frederick Stanley, 16th Earl of Derby|Lord Stanley]]) and ''[[Wilde (film)|Wilde]]'' (also 1997, as [[Ernest Dowson]]).<ref name="son">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0603695/|title=Jason Morell|publisher=[[IMDb]]|access-date=2007-05-03}}</ref>


== Filmography ==
== Filmography ==
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* ''[[Three Silent Men]]'' (1940) - Charles Klein
* ''[[Three Silent Men]]'' (1940) - Charles Klein
* ''[[Unpublished Story]]'' (1942) - Marchand
* ''[[Unpublished Story]]'' (1942) - Marchand
* ''[[Against the Wind (film)|Against the Wind]]'' (1948) - Abbot (uncredited)
* ''[[Against the Wind (1948 film)|Against the Wind]]'' (1948) - Abbot (uncredited)
* ''[[That Dangerous Age]]'' (1949) - Doctor McCatcheon
* ''[[That Dangerous Age]]'' (1949) - Doctor McCatcheon
* ''[[No Place for Jennifer]]'' (1950) - William's Counsel
* ''[[No Place for Jennifer]]'' (1950) - William's Counsel
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* ''[[Stage Fright (1950 film)|Stage Fright]]'' (1950) - Inspector Byard
* ''[[Stage Fright (1950 film)|Stage Fright]]'' (1950) - Inspector Byard
* ''[[So Long at the Fair]]'' (1950) - Doctor Hart
* ''[[So Long at the Fair]]'' (1950) - Doctor Hart
* ''[[Trio (film)|Trio]]'' (1950) - Dr. Lennox (in segment Sanatorium)
* ''[[Trio (1950 film)|Trio]]'' (1950) - Dr. Lennox (in segment Sanatorium)
* ''[[Seven Days to Noon]]'' (1950) - Superintendent Folland
* ''[[Seven Days to Noon]]'' (1950) - Superintendent Folland
* ''[[The Clouded Yellow]]'' (1950) - Secret Service Chief Chubb
* ''[[The Clouded Yellow]]'' (1950) - Secret Service Chief Chubb
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* ''[[The Secret (1955 film)|The Secret]]'' (1955) - Chief Inspector Blake
* ''[[The Secret (1955 film)|The Secret]]'' (1955) - Chief Inspector Blake
* ''[[They Can't Hang Me]]'' (1955) - Robert Isaac Pitt
* ''[[They Can't Hang Me]]'' (1955) - Robert Isaac Pitt
* ''[[The Man Who Never Was]]'' (1956) - Sir Bernard Spilsbury
* ''[[The Man Who Never Was]]'' (1956) - Sir [[Bernard Spilsbury]]
* ''[[The Black Tent]]'' (1956) - Sheik Salem ben Yussef
* ''[[The Black Tent]]'' (1956) - Sheik Salem ben Yussef
* ''[[The Baby and the Battleship]]'' (1956) - Marshal
* ''[[The Baby and the Battleship]]'' (1956) - Marshal
* ''[[Zarak]]'' (1956) - Maj. Atherton
* ''[[Zarak]]'' (1956) - Maj. Atherton
* ''[[Interpol (1957 film)|Interpol]]'' (1957) - Commissioner Breckner
* ''[[Interpol (film)|Interpol]]'' (1957) - Commissioner Breckner
* ''[[The Bridge on the River Kwai]]'' (1957) - Colonel Green
* ''[[The Bridge on the River Kwai]]'' (1957) - Colonel Green
* ''[[Diamond Safari (1958 film)|Diamond Safari]]'' (1958) - Williamson
* ''[[Diamond Safari (1958 film)|Diamond Safari]]'' (1958) - Williamson
* ''[[Paris Holiday]]'' (1958) - American Ambassador
* ''[[Paris Holiday (1958 film)|Paris Holiday]]'' (1958) - American Ambassador
* ''[[The Camp on Blood Island]]'' (1958) - Col. Lambert
* ''[[The Camp on Blood Island]]'' (1958) - Col. Lambert
* ''[[The Giant Behemoth]]'' (1959) - Prof. James Bickford
* ''[[The Giant Behemoth]]'' (1959) - Prof. James Bickford
Line 101: Line 101:
* ''[[Shadow of the Cat]]'' (1961) - Walter Venable
* ''[[Shadow of the Cat]]'' (1961) - Walter Venable
* ''[[Cash on Demand]]'' (1961) - Colonel Gore Hepburn
* ''[[Cash on Demand]]'' (1961) - Colonel Gore Hepburn
* ''[[The Human Jungle (TV series)|The Human Jungle]]''
* ''[[Woman of Straw]]'' (1964) - Judge (uncredited)
* ''[[Woman of Straw]]'' (1964) - Judge (uncredited)
* ''[[The Moon-Spinners]]'' (1964) - Yacht Captain
* ''[[The Moon-Spinners]]'' (1964) - Yacht Captain
Line 125: Line 126:
== References ==
== References ==
{{refbegin}}
{{refbegin}}
* {{Cite book | last=Murray| first=Andy | title=Into the Unknown: The Fantastic Life of Nigel Kneale |type=paperback|year=2006 | location=London|publisher=[[Headpress]] | isbn=1-900486-50-4 | pages=192 pages}}
* {{Cite book | last=Murray| first=Andy | title=Into the Unknown: The Fantastic Life of Nigel Kneale |type=paperback|year=2006 | location=London |publisher=Headpress | isbn=1-900486-50-4 | pages=192 pages}}
* {{Cite book|title=The Quatermass Collection &mdash; Viewing Notes|last=Pixley|first=Andrew|year=2005|location=London|publisher=[[BBC Worldwide]]|id= BBCDVD1478|pages=48 pages}}
* {{Cite book|title=The Quatermass Collection – Viewing Notes|last=Pixley|first=Andrew|year=2005|location=London|publisher=[[BBC Worldwide]]|id= BBCDVD1478|pages=48 pages}}
* Rigby, Jonathan (1996). ''Andre Morell: Best of British.'' [[Visual Imagination]], London: [[Shivers (magazine)|Shivers]] issue 28. ISSN 0965-8238.
* Rigby, Jonathan (1996). ''Andre Morell: Best of British.'' [[Visual Imagination]], London: [[Shivers (magazine)|Shivers]] issue 28. ISSN 0965-8238.
{{refend}}
{{refend}}


== External links ==
== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* {{IMDb name|id=0603682|name=André Morell}}
* {{IMDb name|id=0603682|name=André Morell}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20111002131923/http://www.planet625.com/quatermass/tv/thepit/morell.htm André Morell profile at Quatermass.org.uk - Nigel Kneale & Quatermass Appreciation Site]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20111002131923/http://www.planet625.com/quatermass/tv/thepit/morell.htm André Morell profile at Quatermass.org.uk - Nigel Kneale & Quatermass Appreciation Site]
⚫
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2012}}


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}

⚫
{{Good article}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Morell, Andre}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Morell, Andre}}

Latest revision as of 12:35, 20 October 2024

André Morell
Morell as Doctor Watson in The Hound of the Baskervilles (1959)
Born
Cecil André Mesritz

(1909-08-20)20 August 1909
London, England
Died28 November 1978(1978-11-28) (aged 69)
London, England
Years active1934–1978
Spouse
​
​
(m. 1960)​
Children1

Cecil André Mesritz (20 August 1909 – 28 November 1978), known professionally as André Morell, was an English actor. He appeared frequently in theatre, film and on television from the 1930s to the 1970s. His best known screen roles were as Professor Bernard Quatermass in the BBC Television serial Quatermass and the Pit (1958–59), and as Doctor Watson in the Hammer Film Productions version of The Hound of the Baskervilles (1959).

He also appeared in the films The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) and Ben-Hur (1959), in several of Hammer's horror films throughout the 1960s and in the acclaimed ITV historical drama The Caesars (1968). His obituary in The Times newspaper described him as possessing a "commanding presence with a rich, responsive voice… whether in the classical or modern theatre he was authoritative and dependable."[1]

Biography

[edit]

Early life and career

[edit]

Morell was born in London, the son of André and Rosa Mesritz.[1][2] Prior to taking up acting professionally he trained as a motor engineer, while also participating in amateur theatrical productions.[2] He turned professional in 1934, initially acting under the name André Mesritz; he anglicised his surname to Morell in 1936, and adopted the latter name legally by deed poll in 1938.[2]

In 1938 he joined the Old Vic theatre company, and appeared in several of their high-profile productions both at their home theatre and on tour throughout Britain and across the rest of the world.[1] He appeared in Hamlet as Horatio opposite Alec Guinness in the title role, and as Alonso in John Gielgud's production of The Tempest.[1] He played Mercutio in a production of Romeo and Juliet mounted by the Old Vic company at Streatham in 1939, with Robert Donat as Romeo.[1] This was Morell's favourite role from his career.[1] His performance in the play was praised by The Times's critic as "a neat and carefully studied portrait; he is admirable in all his cynical and humorous passages", although the reviewer did add that "one could wish that he had left this manner for the speech about Queen Mab and addressed this, as a piece of direct poetry, directly to the audience."[3]

Towards the end of the 1930s he began appearing in films, making his debut on the big screen in 13 Men and a Gun (1938).[4] He appeared frequently in several early drama productions on the BBC's fledgling television service, featuring in such roles as Mr Wickham in Pride and Prejudice (1938) and Le Bret in Cyrano de Bergerac (1938).[4] The onset of the Second World War interrupted his acting career, and he joined the Royal Welch Fusiliers in 1940. He served with the regiment until 1946, by which time he had attained the rank of major.[1]

Major film and television roles

[edit]
Morell in The Giant Behemoth

Morell returned to the theatre after the war, including another period at the Old Vic in the 1951–52 season.[1] The New Statesman's critic T. C. Worsley wrote of his performance in a star-studded revival of King Lear that "Mr Morell's Kent is the best I remember since Sir Ralph Richardson's."[5] Of his performance in the title role in Tyrone Guthrie's production of Timon of Athens, the Daily Mail wrote: "From his stage and screen performances we know him already as an eminently dependable actor, but last night he became a spectacular actor."

The same profile quoted Morell's catholic approach to stage assignments: "If a part is a good part and I feel I can enjoy playing it, it doesn't matter whether it's Shakespeare or modern farce … I'd hate to be bogged down in Shakespeare or classic theatre all my life. It's a good thing for an actor to do many different kinds of theatre, because it keeps his imagination stimulated."[citation needed]

However, he now increasingly began to win leading parts on television, and in 1953 was cast by the television director Rudolph Cartier in a play called It Is Midnight, Dr Schweitzer.[6] Cartier was impressed with Morell's performance in this play, and offered him the leading role in a science-fiction serial he was preparing with the writer Nigel Kneale, entitled The Quatermass Experiment. Morell considered the not-yet-completed script, but decided to decline the offer; the part went instead to his co-star from It Is Midnight, Dr Schweitzer, Reginald Tate.[6]

He did take one of the leading parts in another Cartier and Kneale production the following year, when he played O'Brien in their version of George Orwell's novel Nineteen Eighty-Four, opposite Peter Cushing as Winston Smith.[7] This was a successful and controversial production which provoked much comment and debate;[8] Morell's part in it has been praised for his "coolly menacing performance [that] is at least equal to Cushing's."[8]

This successful collaboration with Cartier and Kneale resulted, four years later, in him once again being offered the role of Professor Bernard Quatermass for the pair's third serial in the series, Quatermass and the Pit, although on this occasion another actor – Alec Clunes – had already turned them down. This time Morell accepted the part, and is regarded by several critics as having provided the definitive interpretation of the character.[7][9] Morell personally found that in later years it was the role for which he was most often remembered by members of the public.[2]

As well as these and other television appearances, Morell gained several notable film roles towards the end of the 1950s. He appeared in two films which won the Academy Award for Best Picture; The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957), as Colonel Green,[10] and Ben-Hur (1959) as Sextus.[11]

With Cushing as Sherlock Holmes, he played Arthur Conan Doyle's character Doctor John H. Watson, in Hammer Film Productions' version of The Hound of the Baskervilles (also 1959).[12] Morell was particularly keen that his portrayal of Watson should be closer to that originally depicted in Conan Doyle's stories, and away from the bumbling stereotype established by Nigel Bruce's interpretation of the role.[13] An earlier Hammer film in which Morell appeared was The Camp on Blood Island (1957).

In 1960, Morell appeared as Judge Brack in a production of Henrik Ibsen's play Hedda Gabler at the Oxford Playhouse.[1] Starring opposite him in the title role was the film actress Joan Greenwood. They fell in love and flew in secret to Jamaica, where they were married, remaining together until his death.[14]

Later career

[edit]

Morell continued to appear in Hammer's horror films in the ensuing decade. He had parts in the Shadow of the Cat (1960), She (1964, again with Peter Cushing) and its sequel The Vengeance of She (1967), the lead in The Plague of the Zombies (1965), and The Mummy's Shroud (1966).[4] He also starred with Cushing in Hammer's Cash on Demand, playing the same role he had played opposite Richard Vernon in the original TV play, The Gold Inside, but turned down the opportunity of reprising the title role in Hammer's feature film adaptation of Quatermass and the Pit (1967).[15]

Morell continued to act successfully on television throughout the decade, with guest roles in episodes of series such as The Avengers (1963 and 1965), Danger Man (1965), Doctor Who (The Massacre of St Bartholomew's Eve 1966), The Saint (1965)[4] and in The Caesars (1968) in a prominent role as the Roman emperor Tiberius.

In 1969, he became the vice president of Equity, the trade union for British actors and performers. He then served as president of the organisation for a year from 1973–74.[1] During this time he was involved in a dispute in which Equity threatened to expel Laurence Olivier as a member due to comments he made in a newspaper feature about the possibility of forming a breakaway union.[16] The union also suffered from financial problems, and Morell continued to warn against destructive divisions amongst the members when he stepped down as president.[17]

Despite his involvement in union business he continued to be a busy working actor. He appeared in Stanley Kubrick's Barry Lyndon (1975) as a nobleman friend of the title character. His last television work was an episode of the ITV series The Professionals in 1978, the year of his death. The animated film version of The Lord of the Rings, in which he voiced the character of Elrond, was released the same year, but his final film work was not seen until the year after his death. This was as the judge in The First Great Train Robbery.[4]

Morell, who smoked up to 60 cigarettes a day until he gave up in 1976, died from lung cancer in London on 28 November 1978, at the age of 69. He and his wife Joan Greenwood had a son, Jason Morell, who also became an actor, appearing in films such as Mrs Brown (1997, as Lord Stanley) and Wilde (also 1997, as Ernest Dowson).[18]

Filmography

[edit]

Footnotes

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Mr Andre Morell - Stage, film and television actor". The Times. 30 November 1978. p. 19.
  2. ^ a b c d Pixley, p. 30.
  3. ^ "Streatham Hill Theatre - 'Romeo and Juliet' by William Shakespeare". The Times. 4 October 1939. p. 6.
  4. ^ a b c d e "André Morell". IMDb. Retrieved 3 May 2007.
  5. ^ According to a 1996 profile by Jonathan Rigby
  6. ^ a b Murray, pg. 28.
  7. ^ a b Murray, pg. 67.
  8. ^ a b Duguid, Mark. "Nineteen Eighty-Four (1954)". Screenonline. Retrieved 3 May 2007.
  9. ^ Sangster, Jim; Paul Condon (2005). "The Quatermass series". TV Heaven. London: HarperCollins. pp. 596–601. ISBN 0-00-719099-9.
  10. ^ "Bridge on the River Kwai, The (1957) - Cast". Screenonline. Retrieved 3 May 2007.
  11. ^ "Ben-Hur (1959)". IMDb. Archived from the original on 12 April 2007. Retrieved 3 May 2007.
  12. ^ "The Hound of the Baskervilles - A Filmography". bbc.co.uk. 25 November 2002. Retrieved 3 May 2007.
  13. ^ Kinsey, Wayne (2002). Hammer Films - The Bray Studios Years. Richmond: Reynolds & Hearn Ltd. p. 133. ISBN 1-903111-11-0.
  14. ^ "Obituary of Miss Joan Greenwood, The voice that intrigued generations". The Times. 3 March 1987.
  15. ^ Murray, p.95
  16. ^ Gosling, Kenneth (24 June 1974). "Equity may expel Lord Olivier". The Times. p. 2.
  17. ^ "Equity chief fears 'destructive' union clash". The Times. 12 May 1975. p. 2.
  18. ^ "Jason Morell". IMDb. Retrieved 3 May 2007.

References

[edit]
  • Murray, Andy (2006). Into the Unknown: The Fantastic Life of Nigel Kneale (paperback). London: Headpress. pp. 192 pages. ISBN 1-900486-50-4.
  • Pixley, Andrew (2005). The Quatermass Collection – Viewing Notes. London: BBC Worldwide. pp. 48 pages. BBCDVD1478.
  • Rigby, Jonathan (1996). Andre Morell: Best of British. Visual Imagination, London: Shivers issue 28. ISSN 0965-8238.
[edit]
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