Don Barclay (actor)

Don Barclay
Born Donn Van Tassel Barclay
December 26, 1892
Ashland, Oregon, U.S.
Died October 16, 1975 (aged 82)
Palm Springs, California, U.S.
Resting place
 California
Occupation Actor
Years active 1915–1964

Don Barclay (December 26, 1892 – October 16, 1975) was an American actor whose many roles stretched the period from the Keystone Cops in 1915 to Mary Poppins in 1964. Aside from being a talented comic/character actor and dialectician, he was also a cartoonist and painter and perhaps the world's most famous caricaturist heralded by both the Armed forces, the Library of Congress and art collectors such as Diane Keaton. Recently discovered photos show him drawing caricatures of two of "Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man"'s lead stars, Ilona Massey and Lon Chaney, Jr. with one visitor to that film's set, Shemp Howard of The Three Stooges.

He portrayed Admiral Boom's first mate, Mr. Binnacle [1] in Disney's family film "Mary Poppins". His character was a former naval officer and next door neighbour to the Banks family.

Two examples of his paintings featuring Bob Hope, "Old Four Eyes" and "Bob Hope and Elf", are featured on the official Library of Congress website devoted to Bob Hope (Old Four Eyes is mislabeled in attribution as "Dan Barclay" - "Bob Hope and Elf" is correctly attributed at the bottom of the LOC page).[2] Actress Director Diane Keaton purchased a clown painting by artist Don Barclay which led to her collecting clown paintings and the publication of the book by the actress called "Clown Paintings".[3]

During the time preceding World War II Barclay spent time with Gen Claire Lee Chennault's 14th AAF famous Flying Tigers unit (then known as the "China Blitzers") where he illustrated every person in the group.[4][5][6]

Selected filmography

References

  1. ↑ Averlyman Movie Screencature website featuring photo of Don Barclay as Mr. Binnacle and others,.
  2. ↑ Faces of Bob Hope Library of Congress website exhibit,.
  3. ↑ Story of his work being purchased by Diane Keaton and the resultant book from Clown Paintings book description from Publishers Weekly at official Barnes and Noble Entry,.
  4. ↑ Image of historical document mentioning Don Barclay's visit to the Flying Tigers unit,.
  5. ↑ Fold3 actual image of Don Barclay in aircraft with famous Flying Tigers unit,.
  6. ↑ Fold3 image of Don Barclay sketching Flying Tigers unit members,.

External links