Victor Fred Moore (February 24, 1876 – July 23, 1962) was an American actor of stage and screen, a major Broadway star from the late 1920s through the 1930s. He was also a writer and director, but is best remembered today as a comedian, playing timid, mild-mannered roles. Today's audiences know him as the star of a Christmas-themed movie that has become a perennial: '' It Happened on 5th Avenue'' (1947). Moore plays a vagrant who occupies a millionaire's mansion—without the millionaire's knowledge—while the owner is vacationing.

Career

Victor Moore appeared in 21 Broadway shows and more than 50 films. His first appearance on Broadway was in ''

Rosemary ''Salvia rosmarinus'' (), commonly known as rosemary, is a shrub with fragrant, evergreen, needle-like leaves and white, pink, purple, or blue flowers. It is a member of the sage family, Lamiaceae. The species is native to the Mediterranean r ...

'' (1896). He also appeared in

George M. Cohan George Michael Cohan (July 3, 1878November 5, 1942) was an American entertainer, playwright, composer, lyricist, actor, singer, dancer and theatrical producer. Cohan began his career as a child, performing with his parents and sister in a vaudev ...

's '' Forty-five Minutes from Broadway'', which opened January 1, 1906, and its sequel, ''The Talk of New York'' (1907). He went on to star in shows such as '' Oh, Kay!'' (1926) as Shorty McGee, '' Hold Everything!'' (1928) as Nosey Bartlett, Gershwin's ''

Of Thee I Sing ''Of Thee I Sing'' is a musical with a score by George Gershwin, lyrics by Ira Gershwin and a book by George S. Kaufman and Morrie Ryskind. The musical lampoons American politics; the story concerns John P. Wintergreen, who runs for Preside ...

'' (1931) as Vice-president Alexander Throttlebottom, '' Let 'Em Eat Cake'' (1933),

Cole Porter Cole Albert Porter (June 9, 1891 – October 15, 1964) was an American composer and songwriter. Many of his songs became Standard (music), standards noted for their witty, urbane lyrics, and many of his scores found success on Broadway the ...

's '' Anything Goes'' (1934) as Moonface Martin, and

Irving Berlin Irving Berlin (born Israel Isidore Beilin; May 11, 1888 – September 22, 1989) was a Russian-born American composer and songwriter. His music forms a large part of the Great American Songbook. Berlin received numerous honors including an Acade ...

's ''

Louisiana Purchase The Louisiana Purchase () was the acquisition of the Louisiana (New France), territory of Louisiana by the United States from the French First Republic in 1803. This consisted of most of the land in the Mississippi River#Watershed, Mississipp ...

'' (1940) as Senator Oliver P. Loganberry. Moore often appeared with actor William Gaxton, with Gaxton's self-assured slicker playing opposite Moore's worried friend. Moore's talent was first recognized by screenwriter Beatrice deMille. He made his film debut in 1915. He starred in three films that year, two of which were directed by

Cecil B. DeMille Cecil Blount DeMille (; August 12, 1881January 21, 1959) was an American filmmaker and actor. Between 1914 and 1958, he made 70 features, both silent and sound films. He is acknowledged as a founding father of American cinema and the most co ...

– '' Chimmie Fadden'' and '' Chimmie Fadden Out West''. He also appeared in '' Swing Time'' (1936) with

Fred Astaire Fred Astaire (born Frederick Austerlitz, May 10, 1899 – June 22, 1987) was an American dancer, actor, singer, musician, choreographer, and presenter, whose career in stage, film, and television spanned 76 years. He is widely regarded as the "g ...

and

Ginger Rogers Ginger Rogers (born Virginia Katherine McMath; July 16, 1911 – April 25, 1995) was an American actress, dancer and singer during the Classical Hollywood cinema, Golden Age of Hollywood. She won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her starri ...

, ''

Make Way for Tomorrow ''Make Way for Tomorrow'' is a 1937 American tragedy film directed by Leo McCarey. The plot concerns an elderly couple (played by Victor Moore and Beulah Bondi) who are forced to separate when they lose their house and none of their five ch ...

'' (1937), '' The Heat's On'' with

Mae West Mary Jane "Mae" West (August 17, 1893 – November 22, 1980) was an American actress, singer, comedian, screenwriter, and playwright whose career spanned more than seven decades. Recognized as a prominent sex symbol of her time, she was known ...

, ''

Duffy's Tavern ''Duffy's Tavern'' is an American radio programming, radio sitcom that ran for a decade on several networks (CBS, 1941–42; Blue Network, NBC-Blue Network, 1942–44; and NBC, 1944–51), concluding with the December 28, 1951, broadcast. The ...

'' (1945), ''

Ziegfeld Follies The ''Ziegfeld Follies'' were a series of elaborate theatrical revue productions on Broadway in New York City from 1907 to 1931, with renewals in 1934, 1936, 1943, and 1957. They became a radio program in 1932 and 1936 as '' The Ziegfeld Foll ...

'' (1946), '' On Our Merry Way'' (1948), '' A Kiss in the Dark'' (1949), and '' We're Not Married'' (1952), working with Ginger Rogers for a second time. His last screen appearance was a role as a plumber in ''

The Seven Year Itch ''The Seven Year Itch'' is a 1955 American romantic comedy film directed by Billy Wilder, who co-wrote the screenplay with George Axelrod. Based on Axelrod's 1952 The Seven Year Itch (play), play of the same name, the film stars Marilyn Monroe ...

'' (1955). He worked in film twice with

Bob Hope Leslie Townes "Bob" Hope (May 29, 1903 – July 27, 2003) was an American comedian, actor, entertainer and producer with a career that spanned nearly 80 years and achievements in vaudeville, network radio, television, and USO Tours. He appeared ...

, first in ''

'' (1941) and again in '' Star Spangled Rhythm'' (1942). In the film ''

'' (1946), Moore enacted the famous " Pay the Two Dollars" sketch (in which Moore is arrested on a minor charge, only to have his lawyer steamroll the case into higher courts). Edward Arnold played the William Gaxton lawyer role. Moore made a guest appearance as himself on ''The

Martin and Lewis Martin and Lewis were an American comedy duo, comprising singer Dean Martin and comedian Jerry Lewis. They met in 1944 and debuted at Atlantic City's 500 Club on July 25, 1946; the team lasted ten years to the day. Before they teamed up, Martin ...

radio show'' on August 16, 1949, and was a regular (as himself) on ''The Jimmy Durante Show''. In 1945, Moore appeared in the

Daffy Duck Daffy Duck is an animated cartoon character created by animators Tex Avery and Bob Clampett for Leon Schlesinger Productions. Styled as an anthropomorphic black duck, he has appeared in cartoon series such as ''Looney Tunes'' and '' Merrie Me ...

cartoon '' Ain't That Ducky''. He was so pleased with his caricature he offered to add his voice free of charge—on the condition that the animators draw him with a little more hair. Moore also appeared on television on such shows as

The Colgate Comedy Hour ''The Colgate Comedy Hour'' is an American comedy-musical variety series that aired live on the NBC network from 1950 to 1955. The show featured many notable comedians and entertainers of the era as guest stars. Many of the scripts of the serie ...

and ''So This Is Hollywood'' alongside former child star Mitzi Green.

Personal life

Moore was married twice: first to actress Emma Littlefield from June 23, 1903 until her death on June 23, 1934, and then to Shirley Paige on January 16, 1942, when Moore was 65 and Paige was 20. The marriage was not publicly announced for more than a year. They remained married until Moore's death 20 years later. He had three children with his first wife: an adopted son Victor, Jr., Ora Victora and Robert Emmett. Moore was well liked by his colleagues. In 1915, among the actors' colony in

Long Island, New York Long Island is a densely populated continental island in southeastern New York (state), New York state, extending into the Atlantic Ocean. It constitutes a significant share of the New York metropolitan area in both population and land are ...

he established a social group called L.I.G.H.T.S. (Long Island Good Hearted Thespians Society), based in Freeport. The membership included many showbusiness notables, including

John Philip Sousa John Philip Sousa ( , ; November 6, 1854 – March 6, 1932) was an American composer and conductor of the late Romantic music, Romantic era known primarily for American military March (music), marches. He is known as "The March King" or th ...

Al Jolson Al Jolson (born Asa Yoelson, ; May 26, 1886 – October 23, 1950) was a Lithuanian-born American singer, comedian, actor, and vaudevillian. Self-billed as "The World's Greatest Entertainer," Jolson was one of the United States' most famous and ...

Will Rogers William Penn Adair Rogers (November 4, 1879 – August 15, 1935) was an American vaudeville performer, actor, and humorous social commentator. He was born as a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, in the Indian Territory (now part of Oklahoma ...

and the Ringling Brothers. Moore noted that people in show business often had to work during the Christmas season, so he instituted annual "Christmas in July" celebrations especially for actors. Moore campaigned for Republican Thomas E. Dewey during the 1944 presidential election campaign. Moore died of a heart attack on July 23, 1962. He was 86 years old. He is interred at Cypress Hills Cemetery in

Brooklyn Brooklyn is a Boroughs of New York City, borough of New York City located at the westernmost end of Long Island in the New York (state), State of New York. Formerly an independent city, the borough is coextensive with Kings County, one of twelv ...

, New York.

Legacy

The Victor Moore Bus Terminal and business arcade at the

New York City Subway The New York City Subway is a rapid transit system in New York City serving the New York City boroughs, boroughs of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx. It is owned by the government of New York City and leased to the New York City Tr ...

's Roosevelt Avenue / 74th Street station in Jackson Heights, Queens was named for him when it opened in 1941. In 2005, the arcade was replaced by an Intermodal Transportation Complex serving the same subway and bus lines.

Filmography

Victor Moore in Louisiana Purchase trailer

Silent films

*'' Snobs'' (1915) as Henry Disney *'' Chimmie Fadden'' (1915, Short) as Chimmie Fadden *'' Chimmie Fadden Out West'' (1915) as Chimmie Fadden *'' The Race'' (1916) as Jimmy Grayson Jr. *'' The Clown'' (1916) as Piffle *''The Best Man'' (1916, Short) *''In Society and Out'' (1916, Short) *''He Meant Well'' (1917, Short) *''Did It Ever Happen to You?'' (1917, Short) as Vic *''The Sleepwalker'' (1917, Short) as Vic *''He Got There After All'' (1917, Short) as Vic *''Some Doctor'' (1917, Short) *''His Military Figure'' (1917, Short) *''Ballad and Bologna'' (1917, Short) *''Invited Out'' (1917, Short) *''Moving'' (1917, Short) *''Flivvering'' (1917, Short) *''Community'' (1917, Short) *''Bungalowing'' (1917 short) *''Oh, Pop!'' (1917, Short) *''Camping'' (1917, Short) *''In Bed-In Bad'' (1917, Short) *''The Cow Jumped Over the Moon'' (1917, Short) *''Home Defense'' (1917, Short) *''Faint Heart and Fair Lady'' (1917, Short) *''Nutty Knitters'' (1917, Short) *''Toothaches and Heartaches'' (1917, Short) *''The Installment Plan'' (1917, Short) *''The Wrong Mr. Fox'' (1917, Short) as Jimmy Fox *''Oh! U-Boat'' (1917, Short) *''Meatless Days and Sleepless Nights'' (1918, Short) *''He Got His'' (1918, Short) *''Adam and His Eves'' (1918, Short) *'' The Man Who Found Himself'' (1925) as Humpty Dumpty Smith

Sound films

*'' Dangerous Nan McGrew'' (1930) as Doc Foster *'' Heads Up'' (1930) as Skippy Dugan *''Love in the Suburbs'' (1931 short) *''Ladies not Allowed'' (1932 short) *'' Romance in the Rain'' (1934) as J. Franklyn Blank *'' Gift of Gab'' (1934) as Colonel Horatios Trivers *'' Swing Time'' (1936) as Pop Cardetti *'' Gold Diggers of 1937'' (1936) as J.J. Hobart *'' We're on the Jury'' (1937) as Mr. J. Clarence 'Pudgy' Beaver *''

'' (1937) as Barkley Cooper *'' Meet the Missus'' (1937) as Otis Foster *'' The Life of the Party'' (1937) as Oliver *'' She's Got Everything'' (1937) as Waldo Eddington *'' Radio City Revels'' (1938) as Paul Plummer *'' This Marriage Business'' (1938) as Jud Parker *''

'' (1941) as Sen. Oliver P. Loganberry *'' Star Spangled Rhythm'' (1942) as William "Bronco Billy" Webster *''

This Is the Army ''This Is the Army'' is a 1943 American wartime musical film, musical comedy film produced by Jack L. Warner and Hal B. Wallis and directed by Michael Curtiz, adapted from This Is the Army (musical), the wartime stage musical of the same name, d ...

'' (1943) as Soldier's Father (uncredited) *'' Riding High'' (1943) as Mortimer J. Slocum *'' The Heat's On'' (1943) as Hubert Bainbridge *'' True to Life'' (1943) as Pop Porter *'' Carolina Blues'' (1944) as Phineas / Elliott / Hiriam / Horatio / Aunt Martha / Aunt Minerva Carver *'' It's in the Bag!'' (1945) as Himself *'' Ain't That Ducky'' (1945 short) as Hunter (uncredited voice) *''

'' (1945) as Lawyer's Client ('Pay the Two Dollars') *''

'' (1945) as Michael O'Malley *'' It Happened on 5th Avenue'' (1947) as Aloysius T. McKeever *'' On Our Merry Way'' (1948) as Ashton Carrington *'' A Kiss in the Dark'' (1949) as Horace Willoughby *'' We're Not Married!'' (1952) as Justice of the Peace Melvin Bush *''

'' (1955) as Plumber (final film role)

Radio appearances

References

External links

* * *
Victor Moore papers, 1864–1958 [bulk 1890s–1958]
Billy Rose Theatre Division, The New York Public Library. {{DEFAULTSORT:Moore, Victor 1876 births 1962 deaths 19th-century American male actors 20th-century American comedians 20th-century American male actors American directors American male comedians American male film actors American male radio actors American male silent film actors American male stage actors American male television actors American male voice actors Burials at Cypress Hills Cemetery People from Hammonton, New Jersey American vaudeville performers 19th-century American comedians Comedians from Atlantic County, New Jersey Actors from Atlantic County, New Jersey