Gilbert Emery Bensley Pottle[1] (June 11, 1875 – October 28, 1945), known professionally as Gilbert Emery, was an American actor who appeared in over 80 movies from 1921 to his death in 1945. He was also a playwright, author of seven Broadway plays from 1921 to 1933.[2]

Gilbert Emery
Emery in Little Lord Fauntleroy (1936)
Born
Gilbert Emery Bensley Pottle

(1875-06-11)June 11, 1875
DiedOctober 28, 1945(1945-10-28) (aged 70)
NationalityAmerican
Other namesEmery Pottle
Alma materAmherst College
OccupationActor
Spouse
Juliet Wilbour Tompkins
(m. 1904; div. 1905)

Early years

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Gilbert Emery Bensley Pottle was born June 11, 1875, in Naples, New York, to William L. and Hariette (Gilbert) Pottle. He prepared for college at Naples High School and at the Normal School in Oneonta, New York. He graduated from Amherst College[3] in the class of 1899.

Career

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Pottle started out as a short story writer, using the name Emery Pottle,[4] and he later wrote plays. From 1899 to 1900 he was an instructor in English and public speaking at Beloit Academy in Wisconsin. In 1900 he was a reporter for the Morning Sun in New York City; from 1900-1901 he worked for the Evening Post; and from 1901-1903 he worked for Criterion Magazine. He was an instructor in English at Columbia University and a writer.

During World War I, Pottle was a member of the American Expeditionary Forces' Liaison Service, serving with French Balloon Companies 39, 49 and 74. He was later a member of the Paris Peace Conference from 1918 to 1919, and a member of the Interallied Food Commission in 1919.

He wrote a number of books in his early years, including Handicapped, The Little Village, and The Little House. He also wrote poems and short stories for magazines and several plays. Much of his writing was under the pen name Gilbert Emery.

Emery began his career as a playwright in 1921 with several of his plays produced on Broadway into the 1930's. He also acted in several other productions. His first play, "The Hero", was revived in 2014 to acclaimed reviews including the New York Times [1].

Personal life

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On November 22, 1904, Emery (using the name Emery Pottle) married Juliet Wilbour Tompkins, a writer, in New York. Tompkins sued for divorce in March 1905.[5]

Death

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Emery died on October 28, 1945, in Los Angeles, California and is buried in Rose Ridge Cemetery in Naples, NY.[citation needed]

Playwright

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"Far-Away Horses" (Mar 21, 1933 - Mar 1933) (also "staged by")

"Housewarming" (Apr 07, 1932 - Apr 1932)

"Say When" (Jun 26, 1928 - Jul 07, 1928) ("Based on a play by Gilbert Emery")

"Love in a Mist" (Apr 12, 1926 - Jul 17, 1926) (also director)

"Episode" (Feb 04, 1925 - Feb 1925) (also actor)

"Tarnish" (Oct 01, 1923 - May 1924)

"The Hero" (Mar 14, 1921 - Mar 1921), (Sep 05, 1921 - Nov 1921)


Filmography

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From 1921 until his death in 1945, Gilbert Emery acted in at least 88 films, including:

Year Title Role Notes
1921 Cousin Kate Heath Desmond (Film debut)
1929 Behind That Curtain Sir Frederick Bruce
1930 A Lady's Morals Broughm
1931 The Lady Refuses Sir Gerald Courtney
The Yellow Ticket Sir Hubert, British Ambassador Uncredited
The Ruling Voice Andrew Gregory
1932 Okay America! Secretary John Drake
A Farewell to Arms British Major
1934 All of Me The Dean
Coming Out Party Herbert Emerson Stanhope
The House of Rothschild Prime Minister
One More River The Judge
Now and Forever James Higginson
The Man Who Reclaimed His Head His Excellency Uncredited
1935 Clive of India Mr. Sullivan
Cardinal Richelieu Noble
Goin' to Town Winslow
Harmony Lane Mr. Foster
Peter Ibbetson Wilkins
Magnificent Obsession Doctor Ramsay
1936 Wife vs. Secretary Simpson
Little Lord Fauntleroy Purvis
Dracula's Daughter Sir Basil Humphrey
Bullets or Ballots Mr. Thorndyke
1937 The Great Barrier George Stephen
Souls at Sea Captain Martisel
The Life of Emile Zola Minister of War
Double or Nothing Mr. Mitchell
1938 The Buccaneer Captain Lockyer
Lord Jeff Magistrate
Storm Over Bengal Colonel Torrance
1939 The Saint Strikes Back Martin Eastman
The Lady's from Kentucky Pinckney Rodell
Nurse Edith Cavell Brand Whitlock
Raffles Bingham
1940 The House of the Seven Gables Gerald Pyncheon
Waterloo Bridge Colonel at Luncheon Uncredited
Anne of Windy Poplars Stephen Pringle
A Dispatch from Reuters Lord Palmerston Uncredited
South of Suez Manders
1941 Adam Had Four Sons Dr. Lane
Rage in Heaven Mr. Black
That Hamilton Woman Lord Spencer
A Woman's Face Associate Judge
Singapore Woman Sir Stanley Moore
The Great Awakening School Principal
Sundown Ashburton
1942 The Remarkable Andrew Thomas Jefferson
Escape from Hong Kong Col. J.A. Crossley
The Loves of Edgar Allan Poe Thomas Jefferson
King of the Mounties Commissioner Morrison
1943 Sherlock Holmes in Washington Sir Henry Marchmont Uncredited
Appointment in Berlin Gen. Marston Uncredited
The Return of the Vampire Dr. Walter Saunders
1944 Between Two Worlds Benjamin Cliveden-Banks
1945 The Brighton Strangler Dr. Manby Final film

References

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  1. ^ Room, Adrian (2010). Dictionary of Pseudonyms: 13,000 Assumed Names and Their Origins, 5th ed. McFarland. p. 164. ISBN 9780786457632. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
  2. ^ "Gilbert Emery – Broadway Cast & Staff | IBDB".
  3. ^ Bordman, Gerald; Hischak, Thomas S. (2004). The Oxford Companion to American Theatre. Oxford University Press, USA. p. 307. ISBN 9780195169867. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
  4. ^ Bordman, Gerald (1995). American Theatre: A Chronicle of Comedy and Drama 1914-1930. OUP USA. p. 157. ISBN 9780195090789. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
  5. ^ "Juliet Wilbour Tompkins Brings Suit to Secure a Divorce". Oakland Tribune. California, Oakland. March 27, 1905. p. 7. Retrieved February 26, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.  
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