Rumpole of the Bailey interest in nineteenth-century anarchists, especially the Russian Peter Kropotkin from whom the title of the play was drawn. The character's name was later changed to Horace Rumpole when it was discovered that there was a real barrister called Horace Rumbold. The title of the play was briefly changed to "Jolly Old Jean Jacques Rousseau" before settling on the less esoteric "Rumpole of the Bailey". Mortimer was keen on Michael Hordern for the role of Rumpole. When Hordern proved unavailable, the part went to Australian-born actor Leo McKern. Mortimer was initially unenthusiastic about McKern's casting but changed his opinion upon seeing
Why That Actor Was Late a realistic sensibility, markedly different from the theatrical style and rhythm used by Méliès, it was probably directed not by Méliès himself but by his production assistant, the actor Manuel. In addition to its screenings before Vibert's performances, the film was released in the United States as a standalone item by Méliès's Star Film Company. It is numbered 1073–1080 in its catalogues. [Category:French silent films]] Why That Actor Was Late Why That Actor Was Late is a 1908 French short silent comedy film produced by Georges Méliès, and probably directed by Méliès's assistant, an actor credited as Manuel. , a