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Ernest Gianello Milton (10 January 1890 – 24 July 1974) was an American-born, naturalised British actor, who was prominent in the 1920s through to the 1940s for his roles in London with the Old Vic Theatre and on the West End stage. In his day, he was considered an outstanding interpreter of
IMDB: selected stage creditsBrief biography and portrait photograph
(Emory University)
BBC
TV discussion; Ernest Milton discussing the portrayal of Hamlet with
Ernest Gianello Milton (10 January 1890 – 24 July 1974) was an American-born, naturalised British actor, who was prominent in the 1920s through to the 1940s for his roles in London with the Old Vic Theatre and on the West End stage. In his day, he was considered an outstanding interpreter of William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare ( 23 April 1564 – 23 April 1616) was an English playwright, poet and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's nation ...
's Hamlet
''The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark'', often shortened to ''Hamlet'' (), is a Shakespearean tragedy, tragedy written by William Shakespeare sometime between 1599 and 1601. It is Shakespeare's longest play. Set in Denmark, the play (the ...
, playing the role several times in the 1920s.
Early life
Milton was born in San Francisco on 10 January 1890.Career
Milton joined the Old Vic in 1918. He later acted with the Royal Shakespeare Company from 1962. Unlike many of his peers, he made very few feature film appearances. A notable supporting role was Robespierre in the 1934 Leslie Howard comedy drama ''The Scarlet Pimpernel
''The Scarlet Pimpernel'' is the first novel in a series of historical fiction by Baroness Orczy, published in 1905. It was written after her stage play of the same title (co-authored with her husband Montague Barstow) enjoyed a long run in Lo ...
''. He voiced the White Rabbit in the 1949 film version of ''Alice in Wonderland
''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'' (also known as ''Alice in Wonderland'') is an 1865 English Children's literature, children's novel by Lewis Carroll, a mathematics university don, don at the University of Oxford. It details the story of a ...
''. He also had supporting roles in '' The Foreman Went to France'' (1942) and '' Cat Girl'' (1957).
He was a pioneer in Shakespeare on BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is a British public service broadcaster headquartered at Broadcasting House in London, England. Originally established in 1922 as the British Broadcasting Company, it evolved into its current sta ...
television. His first appearance was in 1937 as Richard, Duke of Gloucester in the 'wooing scene' from Richard III and he took the title role in the 1938 live production of Julius Caesar
Gaius Julius Caesar (12 or 13 July 100 BC – 15 March 44 BC) was a Roman general and statesman. A member of the First Triumvirate, Caesar led the Roman armies in the Gallic Wars before defeating his political rival Pompey in Caesar's civil wa ...
set in Fascist Italy. This was the first full-length production of a Shakespeare play on television. Later he repeated on television his stage role in Luigi Pirandello
Luigi Pirandello (; ; 28 June 1867 – 10 December 1936) was an Italians, Italian dramatist, novelist, poet, and short story writer whose greatest contributions were his plays. He was awarded the 1934 Nobel Prize in Literature "for his bold and ...
's '' Henry IV .'' Having starred in the original 1929 West End production of Patrick Hamilton's ''Rope
A rope is a group of yarns, Plying, plies, fibres, or strands that are plying, twisted or braided together into a larger and stronger form. Ropes have high tensile strength and can be used for dragging and lifting. Rope is thicker and stronger ...
'', he played the role again in a 1939 BBC TV adaptation.
Personal life
Milton married writer Naomi Royde-Smith in 1926. He died in London on 24 July 1974.References
Further reading
*Bunch, Antonia J. 'Milton, Ernest Gianello (1890-1974)'. In ''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography''. Oxford University Press, 2014.External links
* *IMDB: selected stage credits
(Emory University)
BBC
TV discussion; Ernest Milton discussing the portrayal of Hamlet with
Huw Wheldon
Sir Huw Pyrs Wheldon, (7 May 1916 – 14 March 1986) was a Welsh broadcaster and BBC executive.
Early life
Huw Pyrs Wheldon was born on 7 May 1916 in Prestatyn, Flintshire (historic), Flintshire, Wales. He was educated at Friars School, Ban ...
, Orson Welles
George Orson Welles (May 6, 1915 – October 10, 1985) was an American director, actor, writer, producer, and magician who is remembered for his innovative work in film, radio, and theatre. He is among the greatest and most influential film ...
, and Peter O'Toole
Peter Seamus O'Toole (; 2 August 1932 – 14 December 2013) was an English actor known for his leading roles on stage and screen. His numerous accolades include the Academy Honorary Award, a BAFTA Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and four Golde ...
, October 1963
{{DEFAULTSORT:Milton, Ernest
1974 deaths
American emigrants to England
Naturalised citizens of the United Kingdom
20th-century British male actors
1890 births
Male actors from San Francisco
British male stage actors
British male Shakespearean actors