Philip Golding Simmons MC (4 June 1884 - 5 January 1963), known professionally as Philip Strange, was an English singer and stage and film actor. In a career of over 40 years, he appeared as a tenor in concerts and musical plays and then turned to straight plays and films. He was mostly cast in supporting roles, playing princes and villains, aristocrats and soldiers. His greatest success as an actor came late in his career when he played the father in The Winslow Boy during a ten-month tour in 1947-1948.
Early life Philip Golding Simmons was born at Bird Place in Remenham, Henley-on-Thames, Berkshire, England, the only son of Sir William Anker Simmons K.B.E. (1857-1927), an auctioneer and estate agent, agricultural adviser and four times mayor of Henley-on-Thames," Debrett’s Baronetage, Knightage and Companionage …, London: Dean and Son, 1921, p. 1120; „Death of Sir Anker Simmons. Unique Record of Public Service.“ Reading Standard, 22 October 1927, p. 9. and Lady Simmons, née Edith Nora Beddome (d. 1932). He had three sisters: Irene Nora (b. 1887), Marjorie Yvonne (b. 1890) and Lorna Yvette (b. 1897). Strange was educated at Marlborough College from September 1897Marlborough College Register from 1843 to 1904 inclusive, 5th edition, 1905, p. 555. and was awarded the prize for trebles in the following year.„The prize for trebles … was taken by P. G. Simmons, whose singing of „My gentle child“ (Charles Kingsley) was second to none that has ever been heard at the College. - „Marlborough College: Glee and Solo Competition.“ Marlborough Times, 9 April 1898, p. 5. He went on to study singing under Arthur Thompson (d. 1926)“Mr. Philip Simmons. An Appreciation.“ Henley and South Oxford Standard, 3 April 1908, p. 5. at the Royal Academy of Music, where he won the Ross Scholarship and in 1904 a bronze medal for singing.Royal Academy of Music. Prize List, July 1904, p. 13. He then went to Paris to pursue further vocal training with Jacques Bouhy for a year.“British Musicians No. 29. - Mr. Philip Simmons.“ Gentlewoman, 13 July 1907, p. 46.
Career
Concerts
Strange sang for the first time in public at the Terminal Chamber Concert of the students of the Royal Academy of Music at the Queen’s Hall in London on 21 July 1904.„Mr. Philip Simmons at the Queen’s Hall“, Henley and South Oxford Standard, 29 July 1904, p. 4. He began his professional career two years later after his return from France and made his debut at a concert with Clara Butt in Dundee on 16 October 1906.„Mr. Philip Simmons“, Henley and South Oxford Standard, 19 Oct 1906, p. 5. Strange toured with Clara Butt and Kennerley Rumford until 1912, and the pair became friends of the Simmons family (see below). From 1907 to 1912, Strange appeared regularly at the Chappell Ballad Concerts at the Queen’s Hall in London.„Great Success of a Local Singer“. Henley and South Oxford Standard, 28 Feb 1908, p. 5. He also performed solo and sang at the Aeolian Hall„Mr. Philip Simmon’s Concert“, Henley and South Oxford Standard, 1 May 1908, p. 5. and at the Promenade Concerts„The Promenade Concerts“, Globe, 2 Sept 1908, p. 5. in 1908 and gave a vocal recital at Bechstein Hall in 1910.„Mr. Philip Simmons. Tenor Singer’s Artistic Recital at Bechstein Hall“, The Morning Leader, 22 June 1910, p. 3. In the same year he became the first singer to perform the song „Where My Caravan has Rested“, accompanied by Hermann Löhr, who had completed the composition on the same day.„A Favourite Song“, Bexhill-on-Sea Observer, 8 February 1936, p. 2. Strange had by now become a popular and sought after tenor. He accompanied the ten-year-old pianist Solomon at his debut at the Royal Albert Hall in 1912,The Referee, 7 April 1912, p. 12. performed with Vera Doria at the Aeolian Hall„Aeolian Hall Concert“, Daily Express, 11 June 1919, p. 6. and was a member of the Marie Novello Trio in 1919.„The Palladium“, The Stage, 24 July 1919, p. 12. In 1926 he appeared with José Collins in Washington.The Washington Post, 14 Feb 1926, p. 4; Belfrage (1927), p. 55. His last performance as a singer seems to have been in April 1939 as one of the soloists of John Stainer’s The Crucifixion at St. Paul’s Parish Church, Thornton Heath.„The Crucifixion“, Croydon Times, 8 April 1939, p. 2.
Theatre
Besides singing, Strange also acted on the stage throughout most of his career. Two years after he made his debut as a tenor, George Edwardes gave him a contract to appear in his shows at the Gaiety Theatre and elsewhere.Belfrage (1927), p. 54. His first role in 1908 was Sir Anthony Phipps in the musical play The Dollar Princess in Manchester and Edinburgh, before it opened in London.„New „Play with Music““, Manchester Courier, 26 December 1908, p. 7. He next played Apollo in Tariff Reform, or the Gift of the Gods in HenleySouth Bucks Standard, 4. June 1909, p. 6. and appeared in the tour production of The Merry Widow.Belfast News-Letter, 7. September 1909, p. 6. After two years of concerts, Strange returned to plays in 1912 and performed in The Dancing Viennese by Oscar Straus at the Coliseum in London.The Era, July 6, 1912, p. 23. In the fall he went to America where he appeared as Prince Ivan in The Enchantress in Ohio,The Billboard, November 2, 1912, p. 18. as Gaston in Little Boy Blue at the Chicago Opera House„Little Boy Blue Thrills But Little“, The Billboard, February 8, p. 5. and as Prince Louis, the leading male role, in The Dream Maiden, a comic opera by Allen Lowe and Bela Laszky, in New York and on tour.„Philip Simmons’ good tenor voice and handsome presence, as the French marquis, is likely to send many a thrill through the romantic young person.“ The Detroit Times, January 21, 1913, p. 3. After the war, Strange performed in the musical play MaggieThe Stage, 30 October 1919, p. 18. by Fred Thompson and the next year in Who’s Hooper?„Mr. Philip Simmons, a newcomer to the cast, takes Mr. Michaelis’s somewhat thankless part of the real Mr. Hooper. His singing and acting last night were excellent.“ Daily News (London), 4 May 1920, p. 7. and The Naughty Princess.The Era, 13 October 1920, p. 8. In 1922, he appeared in Bruce Bairnsfather’s two-act play Old Bill, M.P.„… and Mr Philip Simmons, in the part of a gentleman who was required to say „Cherrio!“ on several occasions - and practically nothing else - was suitably impressive.“ - The Queen, 22 July 1922, p. 19. Now under contract with George Grossmith and J. A. E. Malone, Strange was the leading man in the touring production of the musical comedy Sally.„Prince’s Theatre. First Visit of „Sally“ to Bristol“. Western Daily Press, 5. December 1922, p. 9. In the next year he appeared as Hector in the popular musical play ToniThe Era, 10. October 1923, p. 14. and then in the successful musical comedy The Beauty Prize,Edinburgh Evening News, 15. January 1924, p. 7. followed by the equally popular comedy Patricia, in which he played the hero.„A Cinderella Up-To-Date: Patricia at his Majesty’s“. Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News, 29. November 1924, p. 9. See also „A Peep at „Patricia“ - The Musical Comedy at His Majesty’s Theatre London (1924)“, where Strange, as the jealous husband, can be seen standing on the left.
This string of successes was cut short in 1925. Edward Laurillard had offered Strange the leading part in the American performance of A Night Out.Belfrage (1927), p. 54. The play, which had been a success in London, proved to be a flop in Philadelphia and was canceled after 16 performances.Bordman, Gerald Martin. Days to be happy, years to be sad: the life and music of Vincent Youmans, New York and Oxford, Oxford University Press, 1982, p. 222. Strange accepted a settlement, went to New York and looked for work on Broadway. Nothing came his way for six months. Then he met William Le Baron who offered him a bit part in a film.Belfrage (1927), p. 55. He went to Hollywood, where he acted in three plays. Under his new name of Philip Strange, he played the male lead in The Silver Cord with the Los Angeles Repertory Theatre at the Figueroa Playhouse in 1928.„Nance O’Neil in Star Role“. Los Angeles Evening Post, November 20, 1928, p. 4. Two years later he appeared in two one-act plays at The Writers’ Club, first in Acid Drops„Stage Review. The Writers’ Club.“ Hollywood Filmograph, May 10, 1930, p. 37. by Gertrude E. Jennings and then in The Prince Sits Out The Dance by Marie E. Rodda.„The Writers’ Club“. Hollywood Filmograph, June 7, 1930, p. 25.
Films
Philip Strange made 38 films, 15 of them in New York and Hollywood, where he spent four years. Today, many of his films are lost, while 12 are accessible online.
In 1921-1922, he appeared in three films produced by Stoll Picture Productions in Cricklewood: The Eleventh Hour, which was commenced in August 1921 and partly filmed at Henley,„The Bioscope Studio Notes“, The Bioscope, 18 August 1921, p. 43; Gifford (1986), No. 07561. Half a Truth, which was completed in November,Kinematograph Weekly, 17 November 1921, p. 21; Gifford (1986), No. 07457. and The Truants, a Foreign Legion film in which he played the hero.Gifford (1986), No. 07469. The last two films are lost.
While looking for work on Broadway in 1926, Strange met William Le Baron who encouraged him to take a screen test at the Astoria Studios on Long Island.Belfrage (1927), p. 55. The test went well, and Strange was offered a bit part in The Sorrows of Satan, where he can be spotted sitting at a table at min. 36:46. On the film set, he was noticed by Adolphe Menjou because of his fine suit by Anderson & Sheppard.Belfrage (1927), p. 55. Menjou asked him if he wanted to play in his next film, The Ace of Cads. Strange got the second lead and played the villain, conveying „a nice note of ruthless selfishness.“Sargent, Epes W. „The Ace of Cads“. Motion Picture Herald, October 30, 1926, p. 566. It was his first important role. Before the film was released, the actor’s name was changed, first to Sterling, and then to Strange.Strange (1927), p. 20. He was now offered a long-term contract with Paramount Famous Players-Lasky.„Signs with Paramount“, Moving Picture World, May 14, 1927, p. 99. In the New York studios, Strange made The Popular Sin„The Popular Sin. Brillant English Actors in Marriage Drama“. London Daily Chronicle, 10 February 1927, p. 5. and Broadway Nights,„Philip Strange … really make [sic] his first bid for film fame in „Broadway Nights“ with one of the most finished characterizations seen in Eastern projection rooms in many a month.“ Spargo, John S. „All Leave East But Kane Company. Paramount, Pathe Lots to Close at Once“, Exhibitors Herald, March 26, 1927, p. 35. both of which are lost. When the Astoria Studio was shut down on 15 March 1927, all staff, including the contract players, were sent to Hollywood.St. John-Brenon, Aileen. „Manhattan Medley“, Picture-Play Magazine, June 1927, p. 52.