Welcome to the Arliss Archives. I’m Bob Fells, a life-long fan of George Arliss (1868-1946), and by avocation, a film historian (silents and early talkies), pianist, music archeologist (I’ll explain this at some point), and author of a biography and film critique titled, George Arliss The Man Who Played God (Scarecrow Press, 2004).
Although this book was published a few years ago, I find myself continuing to research Mr. Arliss and collecting Arliss memorabilia for my personal collection. I have since published another two volumes as part of the ARLISS ARCHIVES inspired by this blog. If you are so inclined my three Arliss volumes can be found on Amazon.com. This blog is not about me – I get plenty of attention in my day job as an attorney and trade association executive. This blog is about my friend George Arliss so you won’t be reading or seeing very much about me around here. Please stop by often as I will be continuing adding new posts about once a month for the foreseeable future. I’d appreciate any comments you may care to offer. Thanks.
ARLISS ARCHIVES 
HELLO MR. FELLS,
I FOUND YOUR WEBSITE QUITE BY ACCIDENT WHILE TRYING TO DO SOME RESEARCH ON SOME VINTAGE MOVIE COSTUMES WORN BY GEORGE ARLISS IN MY COLLECTION. I WAS ABLE TO FIND SOME REALLY NICE PICTURES OF HIM WEARING THE COSTUMES ON YOUR SITE. THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND EFFORTS IN MAKING SUCH A UNIQUE SITE DEDICATED TO MR.ARLISS. I AM VERY HAPPY TO SEE THAT MR. ARLISS HAS NOT BEEN FORGOTTEN!
MY BEST,
DALE VANDEGRIFF
A relative of mine, Ronald Harry Shipley (1899-1958), was the founder and senior partner of Shipley, Blackburn, Sutton & Co, a London accounting firm with deep links to the British stage/film industry from the 1920s into the 1950s – it is said that at one point the firm managed the accounts of half of the West End from chorus girls to Laurence Olivier.
I’ve recently discovered that George Arliss was a client and friend of Ron Shipley’s and was wondering if in your research you’ve ever come across his or his firm’s name?
I’m particularly interested in whether Ron was in any way involved in the court case during WWII involving George’s undisclosed North American funds.
Any information would be most appreciated.
Kind Regards,
Andrew Shipley
This information is very interesting but I don’t recall coming across any references by Mr. A concerning any Shipley. I have a private letter from Mr. A commenting on his court case. All he says about a money manager is, “I was the innocent victim of another person’s neglect.” I have no idea who he was referring to.
Dear Bob,
I wonder if you know where I might find a copy of this film? I have searched high and low for a copy for my grandmother who went on a date with my grandfather when it was released at the cinema.
She is sadly no longer with us, but I would love to watch it myself.
I hope to hear from you
Kind regards
Josh,
I’m not sure what film you are referring to. Please advise. Thx.
Bob
Dear Mr. Fells,
Hope this email is finding you and your family safe and healthy. I came across your wonderful George Arliss site while looking for a photograph of Alan Whittaker, a stand-in for Arliss for almost 15 years. I am writing a book about Peter Pan touring companies from 1906-1940. I acquired an album of inscriptions belonging to cast member William G. Manning, who filled up the book with many comments from actors, writers, composers, etc. from 1903 until 1936. Alan Whittaker wrote in it. Is it possible to obtain a high resolution scan (tif) of the black and white photo from your collection with. Alan and George Arliss? I have several self-portrait caricatures by Alan but no photos. ( I have just ordered the Scarlet Pimpernel so I may see him in a bit role.) I am also curious if you might have any other info about Whittaker. I found a small but good article about him and Arliss in the British Newspaper Archives.
I would credit you and your books in my book. Please check out my books on Amazon or any book site to see that I am legit.
My email address is: bkhanson1@aol.com
Thanks much for any consideration.
Sincerely,
Bruce
Bruce K. Hanson
Bruce,
I just emailed you so please check your spam file as well as your inbox.
Bob
Several sources repeat the claim that George Arliss lived in Pangbourne after WW-II. For example “He remained in London throughout the Blitz years, before settling in Pangbourne, Berkshire”. I can’t find this information in his autobiographies – have you seen anything to confirm it ? Thanks, Clive
Mr. A passed away in London on Feb. 5, 1946 and was seen taking one of his walks near his Maida Vale home two weeks before his death. So I am inclined to dismiss this Berkshire report except to say that I had seen something a few years ago that he and Florence spent some time away from London at some point during the war. A family relative told me that U.S. Admiral Chester Nimitz had offered to bring the Arlisses to the US shortly after the outbreak of WWII but they declined. Even well-respected reference works can repeat bad info. For many years I would read that the British director Leslie Arliss was the son of George and Florence but he was a cousin. I labored mightily to correct this bad info and by now I believe these sources have dropped that “son” business.
Yes I read about him being seen taking a walk near Marble Arch in your book, it is clear he died in Maida Hill. Google advises me that someone asked Pangbourne Council a question about him in 2017 but the nature of the question and reply is not on-line – maybe I’ll contact them and ask. Thanks. Clive. ( Email acbxgbr @ hotmail.co.uk)
Dear Mr..Fells: i am greatly in thrall of all your research. George Arliss is my very favorite actor. I have copies of all of his sound films and two of his surviving silents. But I understand a third silent still exists somewhere: “Twenty Dollars a Week.” Do you know, sir, how I could obtain and watch this film. I’m also a fan of Ronald Colman, so this Fillmore is of double interest to me. Thank you! James Pendleton
Hello James, I’m always happy to meet a fellow Arlissian. I assume the two silents you have are THE DEVIL and a rather poor print of THE GREEN GODDESSS. The UCLA Film Archive restored GODDESS back in the late 90s and even held a gala re-premiere. But they have done not much with it since then but there’s a short clip of it on YT and they have done a great job with it. $20 A WEEK is held by the Library of Congress in Washington, DC. They have a duplicate print that they have loaned for film convention showings. Somebody took some video during a screening and it looks very good. People who have seen the film tell me that it’s a “nice” film but nothing special and Colman doesn’t have much to do. The story was revised and worked much better as the talkie, THE WORKING MAN (1933). Incidently, Colman played the Rajah in a 1947 radio version of GREEN GODDESS. It’s available on the Internet Archive and is part of the US Steel series. At the end, Colman discusses his playing the the high priest in the Arliss stage version. Bestregards, Bob Fells
Hi, I have a friend who is dealing with a deceased estate which contains a quantity of Arliss memorabilia. Would you be interested in speaking to him? Regards, Greg Ray, Australia
Yes, I am interested to learn the Arliss material it contains. Your friend can contact me here and provide an email. Thank you. Bob Fells
Yes, I would. He can contact me here and then we can exchange email addresses. Thank you. Bob Fells
Hi Bob
I would be very interested to see Disraeli (1929) but haven’t been able to source a copy from anywhere. Do you know if it’s commercially available?
I live in the UK.
Many thanks
Tim.
PS Enjoyed your Arliss Biography – glad you are keeping his name alive.
Tim,
The ’29 DISRAELI was once available on VHS and old copies can be found on places like ebay. If you can send me your email, I can provide you with more info. Bob
Tim, I found your email address so no need to reply. I’ll be in touch. Bob
Hi Bob,
I stumbled on your excellent site while researching a small bronze bust of Arliss at an online auction. The bust was misidentified to be of Ivan Simpson playing Watkins in “The Green Goddess.” It actually is a sculpture by Simpson of his friend Arliss as the Rajah. You animate it in your 154th Birthday video.
My real interest is in American sculptors (Simpson was Scottish, as you know), but I’m drawn to pieces with history. And this is certainly one. I’ve read your blog with the images of Simpson and the history of Simpson as a member of Arliss’ “company.” Excellent. Thanks for maintaining the site. As bumblers like me will attest, you never know when you will spark new interest in Mr. Arliss.