Charles Bennett (actor)

Charles Bennett (11 March 1889 – 15 February 1943) was a New Zealand-born American actor who was successful in silent films.

Charles Bennett
Bennett (with straw hat) leading chorus girls in Citizen Kane (1941)
Born	March 11, 1889 Dunedin, New Zealand
Died	February 15, 1943 (aged 53) Hollywood, California, U.S.
Years active	1912–1943
Spouse(s)	Boots Mallory (m. 1929; div. 193?)

Biography

Bennett was born in Dunedin, New Zealand, and died in Hollywood, California. He started his film career in Keystone comedies like Tillie's Punctured Romance and The Property Man. He also appeared in the Broadway musical Of Thee I Sing between 1931 and 1933. The sound film damaged his career and he got reduced to bit parts during his later film appearances. Perhaps the most recognizable role of his later film career was the entertainer in the Inquirer party sequence in Citizen Kane (1941), who performs the song "Oh, Mr. Kane!". He appeared in over 100 films between 1912 until his death in 1943. Bennett was married to actress Boots Mallory.[1]

Partial filmography

• How States Are Made (1912, Short)
• The Property Man (1914, Short) - George Ham - Lena's Husband
• Mabel's Blunder (1914, Short) - The Boss - Harry's Dad
• Tillie's Punctured Romance (1914) - Uncle Banks, Tillie's millionaire uncle
• The Rainbow Girl (1917) - Amos Divine
• The Bride of Fear (1918) - Martin Sterling
• All Wrong (1919) - Donald Thompson
• The Adventures of Ruth (1919) - Wayman
• The Top of New York (1922) - Mr. Isaacson
• America (1924) - William Pitt
• Narcotic (1933) - Hand Wrestler
• Treasure Island (1934) - Pirate of the Spanish Main
• I Live My Life (1935) - Stewart (uncredited)
• Lloyd's of London (1936) - Coster (uncredited)
• Born to Dance (1936) - Quartet Member (uncredited)
• Step Lively, Jeeves! (1937) - Steward (uncredited)
• The Road Back (1937) - Innkeeper (uncredited)
• The Man Who Cried Wolf (1937) - Taxi Manager (uncredited)
• A Damsel in Distress (1937) - Carnival Barker (uncredited)
• The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) - Peddler at tournament (uncredited)
• Mysterious Mr. Moto (1938) - Cockney Singer (uncredited)
• Gunga Din (1939) - Telegraph Operator (uncredited)
• The Light That Failed (1939) - Soldier (uncredited)
• Adventure in Diamonds (1940) - Cockney Sailor (uncredited)
• Citizen Kane (1941)[2] - the Entertainer at the head of the chorus line in the Inquirer party sequence (uncredited)
• Man Hunt (1941) - Costermonger (uncredited)
• A Yank in the R.A.F. (1941) - Man on Stretcher (uncredited)
• Mrs. Miniver (1942) - Milkman (uncredited)
• Random Harvest (1942) - Porter (uncredited)
• It Ain't Hay (1943) - SPCA Driver (uncredited) (final film role)

References

1. "Overview for Boots Mallory". Turner Classic Movies.
2. Naremore, James (1989). The Magic World of Orson Welles (2nd ed.). Dallas: Southern Methodist University Press. pp. 40–41. ISBN 087074299X.

External links

• Charles Bennett at IMDb
• Charles Bennett at Find a Grave