# Philip Tonge

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English actor (1897–1959)

Philip Tonge Philip Tonge (ca. 1930) Born Philip Asheton Tonge (1897-04-26)26 April 1897 Hampstead, London, England, United Kingdom Died 28 January 1959(1959-01-28) (aged 61) Hollywood, California, United States Occupation Actor Years active 1902–1959 Spouse(s) Lyda (m. 19??; his death 1959)

**Philip Asheton Tonge** (26 April 1897 – 28 January 1959) was an English actor. Born into a theatrical family, he was a child actor, making his stage debut at the age of five. Among the stars with whom he performed while he was a boy were [Henry Irving](/source/Henry_Irving), [Herbert Beerbohm Tree](/source/Herbert_Beerbohm_Tree), [Ellen Terry](/source/Ellen_Terry) and [Johnston Forbes-Robertson](/source/Johnston_Forbes-Robertson). His colleagues as child actors included [Hermione Gingold](/source/Hermione_Gingold), [Mary Glynne](/source/Mary_Glynne), [Esmé Wynne-Tyson](/source/Esm%C3%A9_Wynne-Tyson) and [Noël Coward](/source/No%C3%ABl_Coward).

Tonge's adult acting career was in the U.S., where he and his parents settled after the [First World War](/source/First_World_War). He made numerous appearances in [Broadway](/source/Broadway_theatre) productions, including nine Coward plays. Among his films were *[Miracle on 34th Street](/source/Miracle_on_34th_Street)* (1947), *[Hans Christian Andersen](/source/Hans_Christian_Andersen_(film))* (1952) and *[Witness for the Prosecution](/source/Witness_for_the_Prosecution_(1957_film))* (1957).

## Life and career

### Early years

Tonge was born in [Hampstead](/source/Hampstead), London, the son of the actor H. Asheton Tonge and his wife Lillian, *née* Brennard, an actress[1][2] He made his first appearance on the stage at [His Majesty's Theatre](/source/Her_Majesty's_Theatre) in October 1902, as Joseph in [Hall Caine](/source/Hall_Caine)'s *The Eternal City*. In December of that year he took the part of Donald in *A Little Un-Fairy Princess* by [Frances Hodgson Burnett](/source/Frances_Hodgson_Burnett), in 1903 he played Ib in *[Ib and Little Christina](/source/Ib_and_Little_Christina)* at [Terry's Theatre](/source/Terry's_Theatre) and Egil in [Ibsen](/source/Henrik_Ibsen)'s *[The Vikings](/source/The_Vikings_at_Helgeland)* under [Ellen Terry](/source/Ellen_Terry)'s management at the [Imperial](/source/Royal_Aquarium).[1] Other child roles included Cupid in a revival of [Ben Jonson](/source/Ben_Jonson)'s masque *[The Hue and Cry After Cupid](/source/The_Hue_and_Cry_After_Cupid)* (1903), Geoffrey in [Tennyson](/source/Alfred%2C_Lord_Tennyson)'s *Becket*, starring [Henry Irving](/source/Henry_Irving) and Eilif in *[An Enemy of the People](/source/An_Enemy_of_the_People)* starring [Herbert Beerbohm Tree](/source/Herbert_Beerbohm_Tree) (all 1905). In 1906 he had his first Shakespeare roles: Robin in *[The Merry Wives of Windsor](/source/The_Merry_Wives_of_Windsor)* and Mamillius in *[The Winter's Tale](/source/The_Winter's_Tale)*; later in the year he went to [Manchester](/source/Manchester) to play Michael in *[Peter Pan](/source/List_of_works_based_on_Peter_Pan#Stage)*. On tour and in London he played Ptolemy in [Shaw's](/source/George_Bernard_Shaw) *[Caesar and Cleopatra](/source/Caesar_and_Cleopatra_(play))*, starring [Johnston Forbes-Robertson](/source/Johnston_Forbes-Robertson) (1907).[1]

Tonge and [Noël Coward](/source/No%C3%ABl_Coward) in *[Where the Rainbow Ends](/source/Where_the_Rainbow_Ends)*, 1911

In September 1908 Tonge was cast as Freddy in *The Sway Boat* at the [Kingsway Theatre](/source/Novelty_Theatre), London,[1] and in December of the same year he had the important role of Tommy in Tree's Christmas family play, *Pinkie and the Fairies*. The cast was headed by Ellen Terry, and included [Frederick Volpe](/source/Frederick_Volpe), [Marie Löhr](/source/Marie_L%C3%B6hr), [Viola Tree](/source/Viola_Tree) and the young [Hermione Gingold](/source/Hermione_Gingold).[3] The following year he was in *A Boy's Proposal*, a [curtain-raiser](/source/Curtain_raiser_(drama)) for [Galsworthy](/source/John_Galsworthy)'s *Strife* at the [Adelphi](/source/Adelphi_Theatre). The reviewer in *[The Times](/source/The_Times)* called Tonge "a remarkable boy" and commented, "Nothing more natural and more accompllshed than this youngster in an Eton jacket could be imagined, and the piece is well worth seeing for his amusing performance alone."[4] In 1911 Tonge and [Mary Glynne](/source/Mary_Glynne) had the principal children's roles in a comic opera, *The Love Mills* at the [Globe](/source/Gielgud_Theatre).[5]

In December 1911 Tonge played Crispian Carey in *[Where the Rainbow Ends](/source/Where_the_Rainbow_Ends)*. The adult stars were [Reginald Owen](/source/Reginald_Owen) as St George of England and [Lydia Bilbrook](/source/Lydia_Bilbrook) as Crispian's mother. Other children in the cast included Gingold, [Esmé Wynne-Tyson](/source/Esm%C3%A9_Wynne-Tyson) and the twelve-year-old [Noël Coward](/source/No%C3%ABl_Coward).[6] Coward idolised Tonge, with whom he had his first sexual experience.[7]

### Adult career

Tonge made his film debut in 1913 in the short *The Still Voice*, and in the following year he made his first appearance on [Broadway](/source/Broadway_theatre) as Tommy Traddles in *The Highway of Life*, a dramatisation of *[David Copperfield](/source/David_Copperfield)* at [Wallack's Theatre](/source/Wallack's_Theatre).[1] He and his parents moved permanently to the US, and he made his adult stage career in New York and on tour in a wide range of roles.[1][2]

In 1915 Tonge played [Paris](/source/Paris) in *[Romeo and Juliet](/source/Romeo_and_Juliet)*.[1] He gave further Broadway performances as Robert Langworthy in *Gamblers All* (1917), Murty in *The Grasshopper* (1917), Roger in *The New Word* (1917), Peter in *Peter's Mother* (1918), Willis Ainley in *Smilin' Through* (1919), Secretary in *Bluebeard's Eighth Wife* (1921) and Lord Kinlock in *The Bunch and Judy* (1922), His final Broadway appearances of the 1920s were as Al Lavery in a crime thriller, *Interference* (1927) and Frank Oakes in a comedy, *In Love With Love* (1928).[8]

During the 1930s Tonge appeared with [Edith Evans](/source/Edith_Evans) in *The Lady with a Lamp* (1931) after which he was in a comedy, *Clear All Wires* (1932) and in 1933 was cast by Coward, now an international star, in the small role of Matthew Birbeck in the premiere of *[Design for Living](/source/Design_for_Living)* (1933), starring Coward, [Alfred Lunt](/source/Alfred_Lunt) and [Lynn Fontanne](/source/Lynn_Fontanne), which ran for five months at the [Ethel Barrymore Theatre](/source/Ethel_Barrymore_Theatre). After two dramas, *Eight Bells* (1933) and *The Lake* (1934), Tonge was in another Coward premiere, the melodramatic *[Point Valaine](/source/Point_Valaine)*, which ran for three months in 1935.[8]

Tonge's next three Broadway roles were in comedies, as Ludlow in [Ivor Novello](/source/Ivor_Novello)'s *Fresh Fields* (1936), the pompous headmaster, the Rev Edmund Ovington, in [Ian Hay](/source/Ian_Hay)'s *[Bachelor Born](/source/Housemaster_(play))* (1938) and Herbert Soppitt in [J. B. Priestley](/source/J._B._Priestley)'s *[When We Are Married](/source/When_We_Are_Married)* (1939). After two short runs in unsuccessful new plays, he had a year and a half playing Dr Bradman in Coward's *[Blithe Spirit](/source/Blithe_Spirit_(play))*, with [Clifton Webb](/source/Clifton_Webb), [Mildred Natwick](/source/Mildred_Natwick), [Leonora Corbett](/source/Leonora_Corbett) and [Peggy Wood](/source/Peggy_Wood).[8]

In 1948 Coward once again cast Tonge in Broadway productions of his shows, this time in six of the short plays in the cycle *[Tonight at 8.30](/source/Tonight_at_8.30)* with [Gertrude Lawrence](/source/Gertrude_Lawrence) and [Graham Payn](/source/Graham_Payn) in the principal roles. Tonge played Murdoch in *[Ways and Means](/source/Ways_and_Means_(Coward_play))*, Mr Edwards in *[Red Peppers](/source/Red_Peppers)*, Burrows in *[Family Album](/source/Family_Album_(play))*, George Cunningham in *[Shadow Play](/source/Shadow_Play_(play))*, Mr Wadhurst in *[Hands Across the Sea](/source/Hands_Across_the_Sea_(play))* and Henry Gow – Coward's own role in the first production – in *[Fumed Oak](/source/Fumed_Oak)*. Tonge appeared in five more Broadway productions between 1948 and 1951, none of which ran for more than two months; they included a six-week run as Sir Andrew Aguecheek in *[Twelfth Night](/source/Twelfth_Night)* and a three-week run as Major Benjy in *Make Way for Lucia*, an adaptation of [E. F. Benson's novels](/source/Mapp_and_Lucia_(novel_series)).[8]

Among Tonge's cinema roles was Julian Shellhammer in the Christmas film *[Miracle on 34th Street](/source/Miracle_on_34th_Street)* (1947). He also appeared as Otto in *[Hans Christian Andersen](/source/Hans_Christian_Andersen_(film))* (1952) and as Chief Inspector Hearne in *[Witness for the Prosecution](/source/Witness_for_the_Prosecution_(1957_film))* (1957). On television, he played District Attorney Cortland in *[Perry Mason](/source/Perry_Mason_(1957_TV_series))*, Dr Robert Means in *[Dr. Hudson's Secret Journal](/source/Dr._Hudson's_Secret_Journal)* (1955–57) and General Amherst in *[Northwest Passage](/source/Northwest_Passage_(TV_series))* (1958–59).

Tonge died in [Hollywood](/source/Hollywood%2C_Los_Angeles), [California](/source/California). He was survived by his wife, Lyda (1902–1984).

## Partial filmography

- *[Still Waters](/source/Still_Waters_(1915_film))* (1915) as Jed Perkins

- *[His Double Life](/source/His_Double_Life)* (1933) as Leek Twin, Henry

- *[Miracle on 34th Street](/source/Miracle_on_34th_Street)* (1947) as Julian Shellhammer

- *[Love from a Stranger](/source/Love_from_a_Stranger_(1947_film))* (1947) as Dr. Horace Gribble

- *[O. Henry's Full House](/source/O._Henry's_Full_House)* (1952) as Man with Umbrella (segment "The Cop and the Anthem") (uncredited)

- *[Hans Christian Andersen](/source/Hans_Christian_Andersen_(film))* (1952) as Otto

- *[House of Wax](/source/House_of_Wax_(1953_film))* (1953) as Bruce Allison (uncredited)

- *[Small Town Girl](/source/Small_Town_Girl_(1953_film))* (1953) as Hemmingway

- *[Scandal at Scourie](/source/Scandal_at_Scourie)* (1953) as Fred Gogarty

- *[Elephant Walk](/source/Elephant_Walk)* (1954) as Planter John Ralph

- *[Khyber Patrol](/source/Khyber_Patrol)* (1954) as Col. A. Rivington

- *[Ricochet Romance](/source/Ricochet_Romance_(film))* (1954) as Mr. Webster

- *[Track of the Cat](/source/Track_of_the_Cat_(film))* (1954) as Pa Bridges

- *[The Silver Chalice](/source/The_Silver_Chalice_(film))* (1954) as Ohad

- *[The Prodigal](/source/The_Prodigal)* (1955) as Barber/Surgeon

- *[Desert Sands](/source/Desert_Sands)* (1955) as Cpl. Sandy McTosh

- *[Pardners](/source/Pardners)* (1956) as Mr. Baxter, Footman

- *[The Peacemaker](/source/The_Peacemaker_(1956_film))* (1956) as Elijah Maddox

- *[Les Girls](/source/Les_Girls)* (1957) as Associate Judge

- *[Witness for the Prosecution](/source/Witness_for_the_Prosecution_(1957_film))* (1957) as Inspector Hearne

- *[Darby's Rangers](/source/Darby's_Rangers)* (1958) as Prof. John Andrews

- *[Macabre](/source/Macabre_(1958_film))* (1958) as Jode Wetherby

- *[Invisible Invaders](/source/Invisible_Invaders)* (1959) as Dr. Adam Penner (posthumous release)

- *[This Earth Is Mine](/source/This_Earth_Is_Mine_(1959_film))* (1959) as Dr. Albert Stone (uncredited, posthumous release, final film role)

## Notes

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-who_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-who_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-who_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-who_1-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-who_1-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-who_1-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-who_1-6) Parker, p. 919–920

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-ph_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-ph_2-1) Hoare, p. 172

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** "At the Play: His Majesty's – Pinkie and the Fairies", *[The Observer](/source/The_Observer)* 20 December 1908, p. 7

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** "Adelphi Theatre", *The Times*, 30 May 1909, p. 13

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** "Globe Theatre", *The Times*, 4 October 1911, p. 6

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** "Where the Rainbow Ends", *The Observer*, 24 December 1911, p. 4

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Hoare, p. 25–26

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-ibdb_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-ibdb_8-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-ibdb_8-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-ibdb_8-3) ["Philip Tonge"](http://www.ibdb.com/production.php?id=2117), Internet Broadway Database, retrieved 6 June 2014

## References

- Hoare (1995). *Noël Coward, A Biography*. London: Sinclair-Stevenson. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1856192652](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1856192652).

- Parker, John (1925). *Who's Who in the Theatre* (fifth ed.). London: Sir Isaac Pitman and Sons. [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [10013159](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/10013159).

## External links

- [Philip Tonge](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0867282/) at [IMDb](/source/IMDb_(identifier))

- [Philip Tonge](https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/68905) at the [Internet Broadway Database](/source/Internet_Broadway_Database)

Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF WorldCat National United States Other SNAC

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Philip Tonge](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_Tonge) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_Tonge?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.