George K. Arthur | |
|---|---|
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| Born | 27 January 1899 Aberdeen, Scotland |
| Died | 30 May 1985 (aged 86) New York City, US |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1919-1958 |
Arthur George Brest (27 January 1899 – 30 May 1985), known professionally as George K. Arthur, was an English actor and producer, born in Aberdeen, Scotland,.[1] He appeared in more than 50 films between 1919 and 1935, and is best known as the diminutive half of the comedy team of Dane & Arthur.
Arthur projected a friendly, amiable personality on screen, which earned him light-comedy character roles in silent films. In 1927 he was working at the prestigious Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studio, where producer Harry Rapf decided that the 5' 6" Arthur would make a good foil for 6' 3" character actor Karl Dane. Dane & Arthur's first feature was Rookies (1927), and the team went on to make a series of economical and well-received features until the end of the silent-film era.
George K. Arthur's British-accented speaking voice did not pose a problem for the new talking pictures, but Karl Dane's Danish accent was considered too thick to be easily understood.[2] MGM discontinued the Dane & Arthur series after the silent feature China Bound (1929); their only talking film for MGM was The Hollywood Revue of 1929, in which they had only a brief guest appearance with very little dialogue.
Although Dane & Arthur had made their reputations as silent comedians, they did star in 10 sound comedies, albeit less prestigious short subjects. Producer Larry Darmour made six for RKO release in 1930–31,[3] and Paramount made four more in 1931–32.[4] Dane & Arthur also toured on Paramount's vaudeville circuit in 1931. After their Paramount commitments were fulfilled, Dane & Arthur went their separate ways.
George K. Arthur returned to character roles, often for MGM, through 1935.
After retiring as an actor Arthur remained with MGM, accepting a job in the sales department of the studio's New York film exchange.[5] While in New York he hosted a weekly 15-minute radio program for WQXR, in which he offered commentary and interviews as a Broadway "first nighter".[6] He had become an American citizen and enlisted in the U. S. Air Force. During World War II he organized shows for the troops.
Arthur later became a producer and distributor of short films.[7] He won an Academy Award for Best Short Film in 1957, for the film The Bespoke Overcoat; and received an additional nomination in the same category the year prior, for On the Twelfth Day.[8]
