Sir Edward Seymour Hicks (30 January 1871 – 6 April 1949), better known as Seymour Hicks, was a British actor, music hall performer, playwright, screenwriter, theatre manager and producer. He became well known for writing, starring in and producing Edwardian musical comedy. Beginning in 1913, however, he had a significant film career. Hicks began in film during the silent era and continued to act in sound films.
His first role was for his own screenplay adaptation of A Christmas Carol, titled Scrooge, alongside William Lugg, J. C. Buckstone, and his wife Ellaline Terriss.Scrooge on the Silent Era website His next film role was in the title role of the film biography David Garrick.
Hicks formed his own production company in 1923. The same year, he made his director's début, alongside Alfred Hitchcock, in Always Tell Your Wife although no director was credited on film itself. He wrote the screenplay for this, as well as for several films in the early 1930s. Hicks directed two more films: Sleeping Partners in 1930 and Glamour in 1931. Later notable films included The Lambeth Walk in 1939 and Busman's Honeymoon in 1940. He made his last supporting role in Silent Dust shortly before his death in 1949.
Filmography Year Title Role Director credit Writer credit1912The World Famous Musical Comedy Artistes Seymour Hicks and his wife Ellaline Terris in a Selection of Their DancesOn-screen participant 1913ScroogeScroogeDavid Garrick David Garrick1923Always Tell Your WifeJames Chesson1927Blighty Armistice day enthusiast in hospital1930Tell TalesOn-screen participantSleeping PartnersHe1931The Love HabitJustin AbelardGlamourHenry Garthorne1932Money for NothingJay Cheddar 1934The Secret of the LochProfessor Heggie1935Royal CavalcadeGentlemanVintage WineCharles PopinotMr What's His NameAlfred HenfieldScroogeEbenezer Scrooge1936It's You I WantVictor DelaneyEliza Comes to StaySandy Verrall1937Change for a Sovereign Cast Member1939The Lambeth WalkSir John TremayneYoung Man's FancyHenry, Duke of Beaumont1940Busman's HoneymoonMervyn Bunter1941Pastor HallGeneral von Grotjahn1947Fame Is the SpurLord Lostwithiel, 'Old Buck' 1949Silent Dust Lord Clandon Note: The source for the film appearances is the British Film Institute."Hicks, Seymour", British Film Institute, retrieved 1 April 2012
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