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Oliver Peters Heggie ( Otto Peters Heggie; 17 September 1877 – 7 February 1936), billed as O. P. Heggie, was an Australian film and theatre actor best known for portraying the hermit who befriends the Monster in the film ''
Bride of Frankenstein ''Bride of Frankenstein'' is a 1935 American Gothic science fiction horror film, and the first sequel to Universal Pictures' 1931 film ''Frankenstein''. As with the first film, ''Bride of Frankenstein'' was directed by James Whale starring ...
'' (1935). He was born Otto Peters Heggie at
Angaston, South Australia Angaston is a town on the eastern side of the Barossa Valley in South Australia, 77 km northeast of Adelaide. Its elevation is 347 m, one of the highest points in the valley, and has an average rainfall of 561  mm. Angaston was origin ...
to a local pastoralist. He was educated at
Whinham College North Adelaide Grammar School, later Whinham College was a private school operated in North Adelaide, South Australia by John Whinham (3 August 1803 – 13 March 1886) and his family. History John Whinham The founder of the school was born at Sh ...
and the
Adelaide Adelaide ( , ; ) is the list of Australian capital cities, capital and most populous city of South Australia, as well as the list of cities in Australia by population, fifth-most populous city in Australia. The name "Adelaide" may refer to ei ...
Conservatoire of Music. He died in Los Angeles of
pneumonia Pneumonia is an Inflammation, inflammatory condition of the lung primarily affecting the small air sacs known as Pulmonary alveolus, alveoli. Symptoms typically include some combination of Cough#Classification, productive or dry cough, ches ...
. He is buried at Woodside Cemetery,
Yarmouth Port Yarmouth Port is a census-designated place (CDP) in the town of Yarmouth in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 5,320 at the 2010 census. Yarmouth Port was home to the original Christmas Tree Shops until its c ...
,
Barnstable County, Massachusetts Barnstable County is a County (United States), county in the U.S. state of Massachusetts. At the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, the population was 228,996. The county seat is Barnstable, Massachusetts, Barnstable. The county consists ...
.


Career

Heggie appeared in local amateur dramatic companies before leaving his clerk position with the Union Bank, to pursue a career in acting and make his debut in ''Stolen Kisses'' in 1899 at the
Theatre Royal, Adelaide The Theatre Royal on Hindley Street, Adelaide was a significant venue in the history of the stage and movie theater, cinema in South Australia. After a small predecessor of the same name on Franklin Street, Adelaide, Franklin Street (built 1838), ...
. He made his professional debut in '' A Message from Mars'' at the Palace, Sydney, in 1900. He later took the part of the messenger in the same play at the Bijou, Melbourne, and in the production that toured Australia and New Zealand under Walter Hawtrey. After appearing in productions of ''The Three Musketeers'', ''Secret Service'' and ''The Christian'', he left Australia in 1906 for England and was engaged firstly in a production at Margate on the Kent coast, before appearing on the London stage at the
Criterion Theatre The Criterion Theatre is a West End theatre at Piccadilly Circus in the City of Westminster, and is a Grade II* listed building. It has a seating capacity of 588. Building the theatre In 1870, the caterers Spiers and Pond began developmen ...
in a one-acter. He came to the notice of renowned actress
Ellen Terry Dame Alice Ellen Terry (27 February 184721 July 1928) was a leading English actress of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born into a family of actors, Terry began performing as a child, acting in Shakespeare plays in London, and toured ...
with his "Pippy" in the ''Lemonade Boy'' (October 1906). She hired him in January 1907 for her tour of America with ''Nance Oldfield'' (as Alexander Oldworthy) and ''Captain Brassbound's Conversion'' (Osman). His subsequent London stage appearances included the part of Sam in ''Stingaree'' at the Queen's Theatre, and in 1909 the part of Henry French in ''The Strife'', which performed matinees at the Duke of York's, and evening performances at the Haymarket. He also appeared as Julius Baker in
George Bernard Shaw George Bernard Shaw (26 July 1856 – 2 November 1950), known at his insistence as Bernard Shaw, was an Irish playwright, critic, polemicist and political activist. His influence on Western theatre, culture and politics extended from the 188 ...
's ''
Misalliance Misalliance may refer to: * Misalliance (play), a play by Bernard Shaw ** Misalliance (Playhouse 90), a US television play based on Shaw's work * Mésalliance, a marriage to an unsuitable partner {{dab ...
'', as well as in Galworthy's ''Justice'' and in Pinero's ''Trelawny of The Wells''. He played
Sherlock Holmes Sherlock Holmes () is a Detective fiction, fictional detective created by British author Arthur Conan Doyle. Referring to himself as a "Private investigator, consulting detective" in his stories, Holmes is known for his proficiency with obser ...
in '' The Speckled Band'', a portrayal much admired by
Arthur Conan Doyle Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle (22 May 1859 – 7 July 1930) was a British writer and physician. He created the character Sherlock Holmes in 1887 for ''A Study in Scarlet'', the first of four novels and fifty-six short stories about Hol ...
. His cabman in Haddon Chambers' ''Passers By'' of 1911 was praised also. After playing Maximilian Cutts in productions of ''The New Sin'' at the Royal Court and the Criterion in early 1912, he took his own production to America. It played firstly on 15 October 1912 at
Wallack's Theatre Three New York City playhouses named Wallack's Theatre played an important part in the history of American theater as the successive homes of the stock company managed by actors James W. Wallack and his son, Lester Wallack. During its 35-year ...
, New York. On 26 October 1914, he appeared at the same house as Uriah Heep in an adaptation of David Copperfield called ''The Highway of Life''. In England, he appeared in
J.M. Barrie Sir James Matthew Barrie, 1st Baronet, (; 9 May 1860 19 June 1937) was a Scottish novelist and playwright, best remembered as the creator of Peter Pan. He was born and educated in Scotland and then moved to London, where he wrote several succ ...
's short play ''The Dramatists Get What They Want'' at the Hippodrome and took the lead in ''Androcles and The Lion'' (playing Androcles) at St James's. His Rev. Cyril Smith in G.K. Chesterton's first play ''Magic'' in 1914 at the Little Theatre was also highly praised. Transferring to Broadway, he appeared in 1915 in the ''Man Who Married A Dumb Wife'' opposite
Lillah McCarthy Lillah, Lady Keeble OBE (born Lila Emma McCarthy; 22 September 1875 – 15 April 1960) was an English people, English actress and Actor-manager, theatrical manager. Biography Lila Emma McCarty was born in Cheltenham on 22 September 1875, the s ...
in its first presentation on an English speaking stage, reprised his role in ''Androcles'', as Peter Quince in ''A Midsummer Night's Dream'', and in Shaw's ''The Doctor's Dilemma''. He followed by playing solicitor's managing clerk Robert Cokeson in ''Justice'' (1916), Oliver Blayds in ''
The Truth About Blayds ''The Truth About Blayds'' is a three-act comedy by A. A. Milne, first performed in London in December 1921. It depicts the turmoil into which the family of a revered poet, Oliver Blayds, is plunged when it emerges immediately after his death tha ...
'' (1922), and Old Man Minick in ''Minick'' (1924). He took part in numerous revivals of classics ranging from Shylock in ''The Merchant of Venice'' (1918) to Diggory in ''She Stoops to Conquer'' in 1928. In 1927, he was seen by
Norma Shearer Edith Norma Shearer (August 11, 1902June 12, 1983) was a Canadian-American actress who was active on film from 1919 through 1942. Shearer often played spunky, sexually liberated women. She appeared in adaptations of Noël Coward, Eugene O'Neill, ...
and her husband, producer
Irving Thalberg Irving Grant Thalberg (May 30, 1899 – September 14, 1936) was an American film producer during the early years of motion pictures. He was called "The Boy Wonder" for his youth and ability to select scripts, choose actors, gather productio ...
, in the Players Club revival of ''Trelawny of the Wells''. The couple persuaded Heggie to move to Hollywood, where he made his first film appearance in the silent film ''
The Actress ''The Actress'' is a 1953 American comedy-drama film directed by George Cukor based on Ruth Gordon's autobiographical play ''Years Ago''. Gordon also wrote the screenplay. The film stars Spencer Tracy, Jean Simmons, and Teresa Wright, and featur ...
'' (1928) starring Shearer and based on the stage show. The film is now considered lost. Other Broadway appearances included ''Spellbound'' and ''Out of the Sea'' in 1927, ''The Beaux Stratagem'' in 1928, ''They Don't Mean Any Harm'', and a revival of ''The Truth About Blayds'' in 1932. His later film appearances include as
Louis XI of France Louis XI (3 July 1423 – 30 August 1483), called "Louis the Prudent" (), was King of France from 1461 to 1483. He succeeded his father, Charles VII. Louis entered into open rebellion against his father in a short-lived revolt known as the ...
in ''
The Vagabond King ''The Vagabond King'' is a 1925 operetta by Rudolf Friml in four acts, with a book and lyrics by Brian Hooker and William H. Post, based upon Justin Huntly McCarthy's 1901 romantic novel and play ''If I Were King''. The story is a fictionali ...
'' (1930) and Anne Shirley's adoptive father in ''
Anne of Green Gables ''Anne of Green Gables'' is a 1908 novel by Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery (published as L. M. Montgomery). Written for all ages, it has been considered a classic children's novel since the mid-20th century. Set in the late 19th century, t ...
'' (1934). His last work on Broadway was as William Owen in ''
The Green Bay Tree ''The Green Bay Tree'' is a 1933 three-act drama written by Mordaunt Shairp that explores a "half-suggested homosexual relationship" between a man and his protégé or, in the words of one critic "a rich hot-house sybarite" and someone "he a ...
'' (1933). Heggie appeared in at least 27 films, including ''
The Count of Monte Cristo ''The Count of Monte Cristo'' () is an adventure novel by the French writer Alexandre Dumas. It was serialised from 1844 to 1846, and published in book form in 1846. It is one of his most popular works, along with ''The Three Musketeers'' (184 ...
'' (1934), '' The Letter'', '' The Mysterious Dr. Fu Manchu'', ''
The Mighty ''The Mighty'' is a 1998 American coming of age buddy comedy-drama film directed by Peter Chelsom and written by Charles Leavitt. Based on the book '' Freak the Mighty'' by Rodman Philbrick, it stars Sharon Stone, Gena Rowlands, Gillian ...
'', ''
The Wheel of Life ''The Wheel of Life'' is a long sandstone bouldering route on the roof of the Hollow Mountain Cave in the Grampians of Australia. When first climbed, it was graded at , one of the world's first-ever boulder routes at that grade. With repeats, ...
'', '' The Bad Man'', ''The Swan'', ''
Too Young to Marry ''Too Young to Marry'' is a 2007 romantic comedy-drama television film directed by Michel Poulette and based on a story by Elle Triedman. It involves two 17-year-olds, Max Doyle (Dillon Casey) and Jessica Carpenter (Nina Dobrev), who think that ...
'', ''
One Romantic Night ''One Romantic Night'' is a 1930 American pre-Code romantic comedy film directed by Paul L. Stein. It is the first sound film version of Ferenc Molnár's play ''The Swan'', and marked silent screen star Lillian Gish's talkie debut. She starre ...
'', ''
East Lynne ''East Lynne, or, The Earl's Daughter'' is an 1861 English sensation novel by Ellen Wood, writing as Mrs. Henry Wood. A Victorian-era bestseller, it is remembered chiefly for its elaborate and implausible plot centering on infidelity and dou ...
'' (1931), ''
Playboy of Paris ''Playboy of Paris'' is a 1930 American pre-Code musical comedy film directed by Ludwig Berger and starring Maurice Chevalier, Frances Dee (in her film debut), and O.P. Heggie. It was based on a 1911 play '' The Little Cafe'' by Tristan Bernar ...
'', '' Sunny'', ''Madame Jule'', ''
Devotion Devotion or Devotions may refer to: Religion * Anglican devotions, private prayers and practices used by Anglican Christians * Buddhist devotion, commitment to religious observance * Catholic devotions, customs, rituals, and practices of worship ...
'', ''
Peck's Bad Boy Henry "Hennery" Peck, popularly known as Peck's Bad Boy, is a fictional character created by George Wilbur Peck (1840–1916). First appearing in the 1883 novel ''Peck's Bad Boy and His Pa'', the Bad Boy has appeared in numerous print, stage, an ...
'', ''
Ginger Ginger (''Zingiber officinale'') is a flowering plant whose rhizome, ginger root or ginger, is widely used as a spice and a folk medicine. It is an herbaceous perennial that grows annual pseudostems (false stems made of the rolled bases of l ...
'', and '' Smilin' Through'' between 1928 and his death in 1936.


Partial filmography

* ''
The Actress ''The Actress'' is a 1953 American comedy-drama film directed by George Cukor based on Ruth Gordon's autobiographical play ''Years Ago''. Gordon also wrote the screenplay. The film stars Spencer Tracy, Jean Simmons, and Teresa Wright, and featur ...
'' (1928) – Vice-Chancellor Sir William Gower * '' The Letter'' (1929) – Howard Joyce * ''
The Wheel of Life ''The Wheel of Life'' is a long sandstone bouldering route on the roof of the Hollow Mountain Cave in the Grampians of Australia. When first climbed, it was graded at , one of the world's first-ever boulder routes at that grade. With repeats, ...
'' (1929) – Col. John Dangan * '' The Mysterious Dr. Fu Manchu'' (1929) – Inspector Nayland Smith * ''
The Mighty ''The Mighty'' is a 1998 American coming of age buddy comedy-drama film directed by Peter Chelsom and written by Charles Leavitt. Based on the book '' Freak the Mighty'' by Rodman Philbrick, it stars Sharon Stone, Gena Rowlands, Gillian ...
'' (1929) – J.K. Patterson * ''
The Vagabond King ''The Vagabond King'' is a 1925 operetta by Rudolf Friml in four acts, with a book and lyrics by Brian Hooker and William H. Post, based upon Justin Huntly McCarthy's 1901 romantic novel and play ''If I Were King''. The story is a fictionali ...
'' (1930) – King Louis XI * '' The Return of Dr. Fu Manchu'' (1930) – Inspector Nayland Smith * ''
One Romantic Night ''One Romantic Night'' is a 1930 American pre-Code romantic comedy film directed by Paul L. Stein. It is the first sound film version of Ferenc Molnár's play ''The Swan'', and marked silent screen star Lillian Gish's talkie debut. She starre ...
'' (1930) – Father Benedict * '' The Bad Man'' (1930) – Henry Taylor * ''
Playboy of Paris ''Playboy of Paris'' is a 1930 American pre-Code musical comedy film directed by Ludwig Berger and starring Maurice Chevalier, Frances Dee (in her film debut), and O.P. Heggie. It was based on a 1911 play '' The Little Cafe'' by Tristan Bernar ...
'' (1930) – Philibert * '' Sunny'' (1930) – Peters * ''
East Lynne ''East Lynne, or, The Earl's Daughter'' is an 1861 English sensation novel by Ellen Wood, writing as Mrs. Henry Wood. A Victorian-era bestseller, it is remembered chiefly for its elaborate and implausible plot centering on infidelity and dou ...
'' (1931) – Lord Mount Severn * ''
Too Young to Marry ''Too Young to Marry'' is a 2007 romantic comedy-drama television film directed by Michel Poulette and based on a story by Elle Triedman. It involves two 17-year-olds, Max Doyle (Dillon Casey) and Jessica Carpenter (Nina Dobrev), who think that ...
'' (1931) – Cyrus Bumpstead * '' The Woman Between'' (1931) – John Whitcomb * ''
Devotion Devotion or Devotions may refer to: Religion * Anglican devotions, private prayers and practices used by Anglican Christians * Buddhist devotion, commitment to religious observance * Catholic devotions, customs, rituals, and practices of worship ...
'' (1931) – Mr. Emmet Mortimer * '' Smilin' Through'' (1932) – Dr. Owen * ''
The King's Vacation ''The King's Vacation'' is a 1933 American pre-Code romance film starring George Arliss and Marjorie Gateson and directed by John G. Adolfi. The supporting cast features Dick Powell, Patricia Ellis, Florence Arliss, Dudley Digges and O. P. Heg ...
'' (1933) – Joel Thorpe * ''
Zoo in Budapest ''Zoo in Budapest'' is a 1933 American Pre-Code romance/melodrama film directed by Rowland V. Lee and starring Loretta Young, Gene Raymond, O.P. Heggie, and Paul Fix. Gene Raymond, playing Zani, a young, mischievous man who has grown up on ...
'' (1933) – Dr. Grunbaum * ''
Midnight Midnight is the transition time from one day to the next – the moment when the date changes, on the local official clock time for any particular jurisdiction. By clock time, midnight is the opposite of noon, differing from it by 12 hours. ...
'' (1934) – Edward Weldon * ''
The Count of Monte Cristo ''The Count of Monte Cristo'' () is an adventure novel by the French writer Alexandre Dumas. It was serialised from 1844 to 1846, and published in book form in 1846. It is one of his most popular works, along with ''The Three Musketeers'' (184 ...
'' (1934) – Abbe Faria * ''
Peck's Bad Boy Henry "Hennery" Peck, popularly known as Peck's Bad Boy, is a fictional character created by George Wilbur Peck (1840–1916). First appearing in the 1883 novel ''Peck's Bad Boy and His Pa'', the Bad Boy has appeared in numerous print, stage, an ...
'' (1934) – Duffy * ''
Anne of Green Gables ''Anne of Green Gables'' is a 1908 novel by Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery (published as L. M. Montgomery). Written for all ages, it has been considered a classic children's novel since the mid-20th century. Set in the late 19th century, t ...
'' (1934) – Matthew Cuthbert * ''
A Dog of Flanders ''A Dog of Flanders'' is an 1872 novel by English author Marie Louise de la Ramée published under her pseudonym "Ouida". It is about a Flemish people, Flemish boy named Nello and his dog, Patrasche, and is set in Antwerp. In Japan, Korea, R ...
'' (1935) – Grandfather Jehan Daas * ''
Bride of Frankenstein ''Bride of Frankenstein'' is a 1935 American Gothic science fiction horror film, and the first sequel to Universal Pictures' 1931 film ''Frankenstein''. As with the first film, ''Bride of Frankenstein'' was directed by James Whale starring ...
'' (1935) – Hermit * '' Chasing Yesterday'' (1935) – Sylvestre Bonnard * ''
Ginger Ginger (''Zingiber officinale'') is a flowering plant whose rhizome, ginger root or ginger, is widely used as a spice and a folk medicine. It is an herbaceous perennial that grows annual pseudostems (false stems made of the rolled bases of l ...
'' (1935) – Rexford Whittington * '' The Prisoner of Shark Island'' (1936) – Dr. MacIntyre (final film role)


References


External links

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Heggie, O. P. 1877 births 1936 deaths Australian expatriate male actors in the United States Australian male film actors Australian male stage actors 20th-century Australian male actors People from Angaston, South Australia