Clifford Gray

Clifford Gray (born January 5, 1887 in Birmingham , † September 25, 1941 in Ipswich ) was a British film actor and composer.

Gray was born Percival Davis in England and was taught at King Edward VI school . After graduating, he started working as an actor. He also worked as a screenwriter and wrote songs on the side. He married Dorothy Gould , with whom he was married until her death in 1940.

Grey's entertainment career began in 1914 and ended with his death in 1941. As an actor, he appeared in 24 films from 1914 to 1922. He has appeared in The Crucible (1914), Madame Cubist (1916), The Best Man (1917), Carnival (1921) and The Man from Home (1922), among others. The film music he composed has also been featured in many films. Songs by him were played in the films The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) and The Cat's Meow (2001). The films Rome Express (1932), Mimi (1935) and Yes, Madam? (1939) shot. His best-known script was performed as a musical in 1955 under the name Hit The Deck . He also wrote over 3000 songs in his life and worked with Oscar Levant , Jerome Kern and Al Goodman , among others . The most famous songs for which he wrote the lyrics were “Spread a Little Happiness” (composer Vivian Ellis), newly discovered by Sting's film, and “ Hallelujah! ".

Grey's biography was mistakenly mixed up with that of the American bobsleigh athlete Clifford Gray , which led to the fact that it was even alleged that even Grey's family only found out about this secret second career after his death. But the life dates of both people do not match.

Filmography (selection)

script

• 1934: My Song Goes Round the World
• 1935: Invitation to the Waltz

Web links

• Clifford Gray in the Internet Movie Database (English)