Alma R Hutchens

Robert Cummings, born Charles Clarence Robert Orville Cummings, was an American actor active from the 1930s until his death in 1990. He gained recognition for his roles in comedy films like 'The Devil and Miss Jones' and thrillers such as Alfred Hitchcock's 'Saboteur' and 'Dial M for Murder.' Cummings received multiple Primetime Emmy Award nominations, winning one for Best Actor in a Single Performance in 1955. His career began with various stage names, including Blade Stanhope Conway and Bryce Hutchens, before he settled on Robert Cummings and later Bob Cummings.

His early life revealed a fascination with aviation; he learned to fly during high school and became the first official flight instructor in the United States. Despite studying aeronautical engineering briefly, financial difficulties following the 1929 stock market crash led him to pursue acting. His early acting career involved elaborate deceptions, such as inventing the persona of "Blade Stanhope Conway" to secure roles in New York and London. He also adopted the name "Bryce Hutchens" for a period. His professional life was marked by a transition from early, less prominent roles to significant film and television work, earning him stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Born in Joplin, Missouri, Robert Cummings's father was a surgeon, and his mother was an ordained minister of the Science of Mind, hinting at a background with spiritual or philosophical leanings. During his high school years, Cummings developed a profound interest in aviation, learning to fly and achieving his first solo flight in 1927. Though some accounts suggest a connection to aviation pioneer Orville Wright, these appear to be anecdotal, with Cummings himself describing learning to fly through practical instruction from a local plumber. His early aviation endeavors included offering rides to local residents for a fee. Notably, Cummings was issued flight instructor certificate No. 1, making him the first officially licensed flight instructor in the United States.

Cummings briefly attended Drury College and then the Carnegie Institute of Technology to study aeronautical engineering, but financial setbacks caused by the 1929 stock market crash led him to leave. It was during his time at Carnegie Tech, while participating in plays, that he discovered a passion for acting. To circumvent the demand for British actors and accents in New York theater, Cummings invented the persona of "Blade Stanhope Conway." He traveled to England, adopted an accent, and created a fabricated theatrical background to market himself to American producers. Upon returning to New York, this elaborate ruse helped him secure initial acting roles. Later, facing a shift in market demand from British to American-themed roles, he changed his name again to "Bryce Hutchens" and appeared in the "Ziegfeld Follies of 1934."

Cummings's film career gained momentum after he moved to Los Angeles. He secured a contract with Paramount Pictures, appearing in numerous films, including Westerns like 'Desert Gold' and 'Arizona Mahoney,' as well as B-movies and some larger productions. After his contract with Paramount ended, he found success with Universal Pictures, particularly in the film 'Three Smart Girls Grow Up,' which showcased his talent for light comedy. He went on to star in many successful films and television shows, earning five Primetime Emmy Award nominations and one win. His contributions to the entertainment industry were recognized with two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960.

“three quarters of Broadway plays were from England”

“Blade Stanhope Conway in Candida”

“some excellent bits of acting”

“suddenly the bottom dropped out of the John Bull market; almost overnight, demand switched from Londoners to lassoers.”

“I Like the Likes of You”