A Nervous Master of Comedy Finds A Place to Relax in the North Country
June 19, 2020
By Maury Thompson
In his six-decade career in show business, actor Edward Everett Horton played the role of Henry Dewlip in the Benn Levy comedy “Springtime for Henry” more than 3,000 times. He brought Henry to Army bases and military hospitals during World War II and to Broadway for a revival in 1951.
Aging Baby Boomers may recognize Horton as the character Roaring Chicken in six episodes of the situation comedy “F Troop,” or as the narrator for the “Fractured Fairytales” segment of “The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show,” though those are among the less monumental moments in a stage, screen, radio and television career that spanned from the early 20th century to 1970. Horton appeared in more than 125 silent and talking films, mostly in the 1920s and ’30s, but he preferred the stage.
Born in Brooklyn in 1886, he was a frequent summer visitor to Lake George, where his mother had owned a cottage at Kattskill Bay since 1916, a cottage the son later owned and rebuilt in 1965, after a fire about five years earlier.
When he died, The New York Times praised Horton as a “master of comic befuddlement.”
“Edward Everett Horton, on the stage, the screen and on tele vision, made an institution of the Nervous Nellie character. He was instantly recognizable as the jittery, worrying fuss budget who could utter a mild “Oh, dear” and make it sound like the end of the world.’’
Horton was among many celebrities who visited Lake George throughout the 20th century, including Broadway actress Frances Starr, violinist Leopold Auer, opera’s Marcella Sembrich, artist Georgia O’ Keeffe, television’s Ed Sullivan, Ronald Reagan, Lucille Ball and Andy Rooney.
Horton struck up a friendship with Arthur P. Irving, the legendarily affable longtime publisher of The Glens Falls Post-Star and Glens Falls Times, who often brought the actor to Glens Falls during his Lake George visits. Indeed, in 1952, The Glens Falls Times called Horton “one of Glens Falls’ favorite neighbors as well as one of its favorite actors.”
On July 15, 1938, Irving was among a group of family and friends the actor treated to lunch at The Queensbury Hotel in Glens Falls, which Horton praised as “one of the finest” hotels he had ever visited.
After the luncheon, Irving brought Horton to the newsroom for a photo-op, recreating a scene from the 1931 movie “The Front Page,” a “great drama of newspaper life” in which Horton appeared.
“From The Queensbury the movie comedian went to the newspaper editorial rooms, where he laid aside his coat, donned the traditional green eyeshade, and went to work on a batch of copy, all for the benefit of George P. Sauter’s camera,” the Glens Falls Times reported. “While a score of (Glens Falls) Post Company employees watched, he was photographed in several poses and then good-naturedly gave his autograph to dozens of employees and others who flocked to the editorial rooms upon learning of the comedian’s presence.”
Horton had a bit of newspaper man in his heritage. His father was a typesetter for The New York Times.
Horton returned to Glens Falls on Aug. 3, 1939, to speak at a weekly meeting of The Glens Falls Rotary Club at The Queensbury Hotel.
Irving, the club’s past president, presided at the meeting and introduced Horton.
“Living up to his reputation of being one of the foremost entertainers in the world, Mr. Horton kept his audience literally ‘in stiches’ during his contribution to the day’s program, relating many of his interesting experiences as an actor and telling several humorous stories, augmented by his famous comic gestures and poses,” the Glens Falls Times reported.
More than 50 guests of club members attended the meeting, including actress Marjorie Lord of San Francisco and actor Gordon Richards of London, who were appearing with Horton in a production of “Springtime for Henry” at the Spa Theatre in Saratoga Springs.
“Today’s meeting of the club was one of the most successful ever conducted, and the guest list was by far the largest in history,” the newspaper reported.
Irving was master of ceremonies on April 13, 1945, when Horton appeared at “All Star Night” at the Knights of Columbus hall on Warren Street, a vaudeville charity show to benefit Temple Beth-El, a Jewish Reform congregation in Glens Falls.
Irving was the consummate public speaker, a fact not lost on Horton. “Mr. Horton related to the attentive audience his secret ambition to become a public speaker for the pure love of being the center of attraction,” reported Patricia Spellman of The Post-Star.
Broadway comedy actress Molly Picon and a company of 40 entertainers from the Scaroon Manor resort at Schroon Lake also participated. David Bines, a producer for RKO Pictures, directed the show. A capacity crowd of about 1,200 attended.
“Throughout the evening the enthusiasm and appreciation of the audience was matched only by that of the actors who repeatedly commented on the fine reception.”
That summer, Horton was spending four days a week at Lake George and three days a week in New York City, where he was guest host for 13 weeks on the “Kraft Music Hall” radio program, during Bing Crosby’s vacation.
Earlier that summer, Horton had visited Glens Falls’ Empire Theatre on South Street, where, early in his career, he appeared in October 1910 with Louis Mann’s traveling vaudeville show.
“Mr. Horton … went back stage to view the theatre’s collection of autographs and pictures of old-time stage shows pasted on dressing room walls,” the Lake George Mirror reported on June 29, 1945.
Years later, Irving arranged for Horton to speak again at a Glens Falls Rotary Club meeting at The Queensbury Hotel on Aug. 20, 1970.
“I’m going to give myself ten more years, and if I don’t amount to something, then I’m going in for handball or lacrosse,” he quipped.
Horton would not have ten more years, or even ten more weeks. On Sept. 3, he was admitted to Glens Falls Hospital.
He regained strength enough in a few days to be flown to his primary home at Encino, California where he collected antiques, grew rare trees and shrubs, and made up his own tennis rules whereby he always won.
It was grand place, 17 rooms sprawling over three stories. “Another picture – another room,” he had once joked.
On Sept. 29, the 84-year-old actor died from cancer at his home in Encino.
He was survived by a sister, Hannabelle, who also frequently visited Lake George, and brothers George and Winter.
“Because true comedy is always another aspect of tragedy, he helped to make life more bearable for a great many people during his long career by teaching them to laugh at themselves,” The Post-Star said of Horton in an Oct. 2, 1970, editorial.
Horton’s speech to the Glens Falls Rotary Club was his last public appearance but not his last appearance on screen.
The movie “Cold Turkey,” in which he appeared with Dick Van Dyke, and an episode of the NBC television show “The Old Timers,” in which he appeared, were released after his death.
Horton fulfilled his goal of working in his chosen profession his whole life.
Asked once if he might retire, Horton told The Post-Star, ‘Never. An actor retires only when there’s no further interest in his work.”
Recent Posts
Facing Out: The Week’s Most Interesting News
October 5, 2024
Facing Out: The Week’s Most Interesting News
September 28, 2024
Facing Out: The Week’s Most Interesting News
September 21, 2024
Facing Out: The Most Interesting News of the Week
September 14, 2024
Facing Out: The Most Interesting News of the Week
September 7, 2024
Facing Out: The Week’s Most Interesting News
August 24, 2024
Facing Out: The Week’s Most Interesting News
August 17, 2024
Drew FitzGerald Joins Behan as Sustainability Advisor
August 14, 2024
Facing Out: The Week’s Most Interesting News
August 10, 2024
Facing Out: The Week’s Most Interesting News
August 3, 2024
Facing Out: The Week’s Most Interesting News
July 27, 2024
Facing Out: The Week’s Most Interesting News
July 27, 2024
Facing Out: The Week’s Most Interesting News
July 20, 2024
Facing Out: The Week’s Most Interesting News
July 13, 2024
Facing Out: The Week’s Most Interesting News
June 29, 2024
Facing Out: The Week’s Most Interesting News
June 22, 2024
Facing Out: The Week’s Most Interesting News
June 15, 2024
Facing Out: The Week’s Most Interesting News
June 8, 2024
Facing Out: The Week’s Most Interesting News
June 1, 2024
Facing Out: The Week’s Most Interesting News
May 25, 2024
Facing Out: The Week’s Most Interesting News
May 18, 2024
Facing Out: The Week’s Most Interesting News
May 11, 2024
Facing Out: The Week’s Most Interesting News
May 4, 2024
Facing Out: The Week’s Most Interesting News
April 27, 2024
Facing Out: The Week’s Most Interesting News
April 20, 2024
Facing Out: The Week’s Most Interesting News
April 13, 2024
Facing Out: The Week’s Most Interesting News
April 6, 2024
Facing Out: The Week’s Most Interesting News
March 30, 2024
Facing Out: The Most Interesting News of the Week
March 23, 2024
Facing Out: The Week’s Most Interesting News
March 16, 2024
Facing Out: The Week’s Most Interesting News
March 9, 2024
Facing Out: The Week’s Most Interesting News
March 2, 2024
Facing Out: The Week’s Most Interesting News
February 24, 2024
Facing Out: The Week’s Most Interesting News
February 17, 2024
Facing Out: The Week’s Most Interesting News
February 10, 2024
Facing Out: The Week’s Most Interesting News
February 3, 2024
Facing Out: The Week’s Most Interesting News
January 27, 2024
Facing Out: The Week’s Most Interesting News
January 20, 2024
Facing Out: The Week’s Most Interesting News
January 13, 2024
Facing Out: The Week’s Most Interesting News
January 6, 2024
Facing Out: The Week’s Most Interesting News
December 16, 2023
Facing Out: The Week’s Most Interesting News
December 9, 2023
Facing Out: The Week’s Most Interesting News
December 2, 2023
Facing Out: The Week’s Most Interesting News
November 18, 2023
Facing Out: The Week’s Most Interesting News
November 11, 2023
Facing Out: The Week’s Most Interesting News
November 4, 2023
Facing Out: The Week’s Most Interesting News
October 28, 2023
Facing Out: The Week’s Most Interesting News
October 21, 2023
Facing Out: The Week’s Most Interesting News
October 14, 2023
Facing Out: The Week’s Most Interesting News
October 7, 2023
Facing Out: The Week’s Most Interesting News
September 30, 2023
The Week’s Most Interesting News
September 23, 2023
Facing Out: The Week’s Most Interesting News
September 16, 2023
Facing Out: The week’s most interesting news
September 9, 2023
Facing Out: The Week’s Most Interesting News
September 2, 2023
Facing Out: The Week’s Most Interesting News
August 26, 2023
Facing Out: The Week’s Most Interesting News
August 19, 2023
August 12, 2023
August 5, 2023
July 29, 2023
July 22, 2023
July 15, 2023
July 8, 2023
July 1, 2023
June 24, 2023
June 17, 2023
June 10, 2023
June 3, 2023
May 27, 2023
May 20, 2023
May 13, 2023
May 6, 2023
April 29, 2023
April 22, 2023
April 15, 2023
April 8, 2023
April 1, 2023
March 25, 2023
March 18, 2023
March 11, 2023
March 4, 2023
February 25, 2023
February 18, 2023
February 11, 2023
February 4, 2023
January 28, 2023
January 21, 2023
January 14, 2023
January 7, 2023
December 17, 2022
December 10, 2022
December 3, 2022
November 19, 2022
November 12, 2022
November 5, 2022
October 29, 2022
October 22, 2022
October 15, 2022
October 8, 2022
October 1, 2022
“The Week What Caught Our Eye”
September 24, 2022
September 17, 2022
September 10, 2022
September 3, 2022
August 27, 2022
August 23, 2022
August 20, 2022
August 13, 2022
August 6, 2022
July 30, 2022
July 23, 2022
Ryan Moore Named CEO of Behan Communications
July 20, 2022
July 16, 2022
July 9, 2022
July 2, 2022
June 25, 2022
June 18, 2022
June 11, 2022
June 4, 2022
May 28, 2022
May 21, 2022
May 13, 2022
May 7, 2022
April 30, 2022
April 23, 2022
April 16, 2022
April 8, 2022
April 2, 2022
March 26, 2022
March 19, 2022
March 12, 2022
March 5, 2022
The Week: What Caught Our Eye 2
February 26, 2022
February 26, 2022
February 19, 2022
February 12, 2022
February 5, 2022
January 29, 2022
January 22, 2022
January 15, 2022
January 8, 2022
December 18, 2021
December 11, 2021
December 4, 2021
November 19, 2021
November 13, 2021
November 6, 2021
October 30, 2021
October 23, 2021
October 16, 2021
October 9, 2021
October 2, 2021
September 25, 2021
September 18, 2021
September 11, 2021
September 4, 2021
August 28, 2021
August 21, 2021
August 14, 2021
“The Week What Caught Our Eye”
August 7, 2021
July 31, 2021
July 24, 2021
July 17, 2021
July 10, 2021
July 3, 2021
June 26, 2021
June 19, 2021
June 12, 2021
June 5, 2021
May 29, 2021
May 22, 2021
May 15, 2021
May 8, 2021
May 1, 2021
April 24, 2021
April 17, 2021
April 17, 2021
April 10, 2021
April 3, 2021
March 27, 2021
March 20, 2021
March 13, 2021
March 6, 2021
February 27, 2021
February 20, 2021
February 13, 2021
February 6, 2021
January 30, 2021
January 23, 2021
The Week: What Caught Our Eye 1/16/21
January 16, 2021
January 9, 2021
December 19, 2020
December 12, 2020
December 5, 2020
November 21, 2020
November 14, 2020
November 7, 2020
October 31, 2020
October 24, 2020
October 17, 2020
October 10, 2020
October 3, 2020
September 26, 2020
September 19, 2020
September 12, 2020
September 5, 2020
August 29, 2020
August 22, 2020
August 15, 2020
August 8, 2020
August 1, 2020
July 25, 2020
Saving the Day: Ed Bartholomew’s Game
July 24, 2020
July 18, 2020
July 11, 2020
July 4, 2020
June 27, 2020
June 20, 2020
June 13, 2020
The Week: What Caught Our Eye 6/6/20
June 6, 2020
June 6, 2020
May 30, 2020
Coronavirus: Talking To Employees About Risk
May 26, 2020
May 23, 2020
Lake George History of Resilience
May 21, 2020
May 16, 2020
May 9, 2020
The Year The Kennedys Came to North Creek
May 8, 2020
April 25, 2020
April 18, 2020
April 11, 2020
April 4, 2020
March 28, 2020
March 21, 2020
March 14, 2020
March 7, 2020
February 29, 2020
February 22, 2020
February 15, 2020
February 8, 2020
February 1, 2020
January 25, 2020
January 18, 2020
January 4, 2020
December 28, 2019
December 21, 2019
December 14, 2019
December 7, 2019
November 30, 2019
November 23, 2019
November 16, 2019
November 9, 2019
November 2, 2019
October 26, 2019
October 19, 2019
October 12, 2019
September 28, 2019
September 21, 2019
September 14, 2019
September 7, 2019
August 31, 2019
August 24, 2019
August 17, 2019
Different Name, Same Great Experience
August 15, 2019
August 10, 2019
Noah John Rondeau: The Famous Hermit of the Adirondacks
August 9, 2019
August 3, 2019
Johnny Podres: Witherbee’s Hometown Hero
August 1, 2019
July 27, 2019
July 20, 2019
July 19, 2019
July 13, 2019
July 6, 2019
June 29, 2019
Portrait of an Adirondack Poet
June 28, 2019
June 22, 2019
June 21, 2019
June 15, 2019
Thomas Edison and The Prospect House
June 14, 2019
June 8, 2019
June 1, 2019
May 25, 2019
May 18, 2019
May 11, 2019
May 4, 2019
April 27, 2019
April 20, 2019
April 13, 2019
April 6, 2019
A Century Ago: A City on the Rise
April 4, 2019
March 30, 2019
March 23, 2019
What caught our eye - Mar 16, 2019
March 16, 2019
What caught our eye - Mar 9, 2019
March 9, 2019
What caught our eye - Mar 2, 2019
March 2, 2019
What Killed the Amazon Deal ... and What Can Be Learned
March 1, 2019
What caught our eye - Feb. 23, 2019
February 23, 2019
What caught our eye - Feb. 16, 2019
February 16, 2019
What caught our eye - Feb. 9, 2019
February 9, 2019
What caught our eye - Feb. 2, 2019
February 2, 2019
Things that caught our eye - Jan. 26, 2019
January 26, 2019
Things that caught our eye - Jan. 19, 2019
January 18, 2019
November 20, 2018
Winning the war for talent: Helping you catch rising stars
November 19, 2018
Who’s to Blame for Political Attack Ads?
November 1, 2018
October 9, 2018
Is that my pizza in a pothole?
June 14, 2018
Preparing for the Unthinkable: Schools Now Lead in Crisis Management and Communications
April 2, 2018
Great Obituaries Will Save Newspapers
March 8, 2018
New Website for Albany Diocese Created by Behan
February 7, 2018
Behan Team Helps Propel Second Statewide Referendum Victory
November 8, 2017
A Graduation Letter to My Kids
May 9, 2017
Donald Trump Is the Media’s Best Friend
May 5, 2017
United Airlines Does Not Have a PR Problem
April 13, 2017
What Do I Need in My Next Communications Chief?
April 6, 2017
Mark Behan joins board of directors of financial holding company
December 5, 2016
Your Firm Will Get Hacked — How Do You Respond?
September 9, 2016
10 Questions Every CEO Should Ask About Crisis Management
October 25, 2014
15 Tips for Effective Employee Communications
March 15, 2012