Ramsay Hill (born Cyril Seys Ramsay-Hill; 30 November 1889 – 3 February 1976)Stewart, William T. (1981). International Film Necrology. was a British radio and film actor, and a former British and Egyptian army officer, whose military experience and multilingual proficiency helped make him a much-in-demand technical advisor and dialogue coach in Hollywood.
Early life and career Born in Georgetown, British Guiana, Ramsay Hill was the child of John Ramsay-Hill and Rosalie Vansolsman."Novelist's Daughter Weds; British Major Claims Her as Bride". The Los Angeles Times. 18 December 1930. p. 9."New York, New York City Marriage Records, 1829-1938", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:24DQ-F4C : Mon Mar 11 23:14:31 UTC 2024), Entry for Cyril Leys Ramsay-Hill and Patsey Morris, 17 December 1930. He obtained a degree in Chemistry from Brighton Technical School in 1909,"Medical News". The Lancet. 10 April 1909. and served with the Royal Buckinghamshire Hussars in World War I.
Speaking more than two decades after his death, actor Parley Baer—who had appeared with Ramsay Hill at least once on one of the most popular old-time radio anthology seriesScott, Keith (July 2021). SUSPENSE! Broadcast log, production notes, and detailed cast listings of ... RADIO'S OUTSTANDING THEATER OF THRILLS!. Internet Archive. p. 172.—recalled that his late colleague was "a good actor who put a lot of imagination into the parts he was given."Hayes, Charles (1995). Oserian; Place of Peace. Nairobi: Rima Publications. p. 331. . Regarding his performance as John, Prince of England in Cecil B. DeMille's The Crusades, Pittsburgh Sun Telegraph critic George Seibel wrote that, amidst the film's many romantic episodes and spectacular combat sequences, the "best acting of the spectacle" is done by Ramsay Hill and Joseph Schildkraut—as the Marquis of Montferrat—while playing a game of chess.Seibel, George (24 September 1935). "Saladin Gets the Vote as Richard Makes War and Love in 'Crusades'". Pittsburgh Sun Telegraph. p. 14.
In contrast to his film career, consisting primarily of small, often uncredited roles overshadowed by his crucial and relatively well-publicized contributions as a technical consultant,Quigg, Jack (22 October 1950). "Technical Lore Sidetracks Would-Be Actor". Elmira Star-Gazette. p. 5-D. Ramsay-Hill had a lengthy radio acting career including many substantial roles, some of the most notable being Roderick Usher (from Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher"),Old Time Radio Researchers (23 February 2017). "Escape - The Fall of the House of Usher". YouTube. Godfrey Ablewhite (in Wilkie Collins's The Moonstone),"KGU News". The Honolulu Advertiser. 20 Jun 1948. p. 12. Merlin in Mark Twain's A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court,Morrison, Dennis (5 April 2023). "A CONNECTICUT YANKEE IN KING ARTHUR'S COURT - NBC UNIVERSITY RADIO THEATER". YouTube. and the title character in the NBC University Theatre production of Eric Knight's short story "The Old General."Palmer, Zuma (9 May 1952). "Accident Almost Ended Welk's Band Leading Career". Los Angeles Evening Citizen News. p. 22.
Personal life and death Ramsay-Hill became a naturalized United States citizen on 23 May 1952, at the age of 62."California, Southern District Court (Central) Naturalization Index, 1915-1976", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KX35-141 : Fri 08 19 Mar:44:26 UTC 2024), Entry for Cyril Seys Ramsay-Hill, 1952. He was married at least four times,"Echo of Four Divorces; U.S. Third Bride of Hussar Major". Daily Herald. 19 December 1930. p. 9. the second being to Edith Mary Agnes Hughes (née Maude), beginning on 22 November 1924, and continuing until their divorce on 18 Jun 1928."England and Wales Marriage Registration Index, 1837-2005," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVZ5-S3GW : 8 October 2014), Cyril S Ramsay-Hill and null, 1924; from "England & Wales Marriages, 1837-2005," database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing 1924, quarter 4, vol. 1A, p. 1107, St. George Hanover Square, London, England, General Register Office, Southport, England. The third marriage, commencing on 17 December 1930, was to Patsey Morris (daughter of writer Gouverneur Morris"Globe-Trotting Briton Weds". Hawaii Tribune-Herald. 5 January 1931. p. 2.), with whom Ramsay-Hill had one son, John,"United States Census, 1940", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K9HB-48T : Sat 9 Mar 06:14:12 UTC 2024), Entry for Cyril S Ramsey-Hills and Patsey Ramsey-Hills, 1940. and to whom he remained married at least until February 1949, at which time it was reported that the couple resided on Foothill Boulevard in Pasadena.Perlee, Chuck (21 February 1949). "Altadena Calling; More Help for 'Sister City' Needed". Pasadena Star-News. p. 10. The younger Ramsay-Hill had a brief career as a child actor on radio before committing suicide in 1957 at age 19,"John Ramsay Hill: Programs/Episodes". Old Time Radio Researchers."California, County Birth and Death Records, 1800-1994", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QG1P-R4W6 : Sun 10 Mar 03:57:47 UTC 2024), Entry for John Ramsay-Hill and Cyril S Ramsay-Hill, 13 December 1957. reportedly due to a failed love affair.Associated Press (15 December 1957). "Son Kills Self, Love Affair Blamed". The San Bernardino County Sun. p. D-7. By that point, Ramsay-Hill and Morris had evidently divorced, as the Los Angeles Mirror lists the deceased's parents as Cyril Ramsay-Hill and Patsy Splane."Vital Notices: John Ramsay-Hill". Los Angeles Mirror. 18 December 1957. p. 34.
On 3 February 1976, having fallen seriously ill more than two months prior,House, Adrian (1995). The Great Safari : The Lives of George and Joy Adamson. London: Harper Collins. p. 354. . Ramsay-Hill died of undisclosed causes at the Valley Presbyterian Hospital in Van Nuys, survived by his wife Polly Ramsay-Hill. His remains are interred at Valhalla Memorial Park in North Hollywood.
Radio