I’ve always known the name ‘Ivor Novello’ but to now have only had the feeling of an association with the 1920s and 1930s of Noel Coward.
In fact, the Welshman starred in one of Coward’s early plays, ‘Sirocco’ (1927), which explored the notion of free love. And it was of Novello that Coward - in a typical Cowardism - said ‘the two most beautiful things in the world are Ivor's profile and my mind’.
After seeing Robert Altman’s ‘Gosford Park’ (2010) again recently in which Jeremy Northam plays Novello, I decided to finally get up to speed with this to me elusive character.
Reading about this Welshman, I was surprised by the diversity in his career.
He began writing the 250 songs for which is most known at Magdalen College Choir School where he was on a singing scholarship.
In the early 1920s, he took up acting, appearing in romantic melodramas, both on stage and in film.
He was the writer on a number of these ventures and, extraordinarily, wrote the dialogue for the 1932 ‘Tarzan and the Ape Man’ which starred Johnny Weissmuller and Maureen O'Sullivan.
His greatest success in this branch of his career was starring in one of Alfred Hitchcock’s first thrillers, ‘The Lodger’, in 1927.
This silent film was based on a story by Marie Belloc Lowndes and a play ‘Who Is He?’ which was co-written by Belloc Lowndes. It involves the hunt for a ‘Jack the Ripper’ type serial killer in London. The wrong man is accused of the crime and is forced to prove his innocence.
I’ve included Novello’s rather startling entrance in this film to the video here.
The composer/actor/writer also appeared in Hitchcock’s lesser known ‘Downhill) in the same year.
With a beautiful speaking voice, Novello made an easy transition to talkies, starring in a re-make of ‘The Lodger’ in 1932.
He also appeared in 'I Lived With You' (1933) as Russian Prince Felix Leeniev. And I’ve included as section of this movie in which he convinces a group of tee-totally women that the vodka he is offering them is a kind of Russian tea - they of course get thoroughly hammered.
Novello then decided to focus on music and theatre, writing and appearing in eight musicals to great critical acclaim, such as ‘Glamorous Night’ (1935), ‘The Dancing Years’ (1939) and ‘Perchance to Dream’ (1945).
This video starts with a set of images of the composer and actor. The audio is what I believe is Novello’s speaking voice grafted over Julie Bryan’s singing ‘My Dearest Dear’ from 'The Dancing Years'.
Then there are the sections from ‘The Lodger’ and ‘I Lived With You’.
Finally, there is newsreel footage of Novello signing autographs for charity at a Theatrical Garden Party on 6th June 1939. And we hear him speak to each donor in turn. It’s a voice of the period but, in addition, is beautifully modulated and caressing - compliant and warmly engaging.
Enjoy!
16 окт 2024
