Bruce Lester

Acting

Bruce Lester

Born — Died

1912-06-06 — 2008-06-13

Place of birth

Johannesburg, South Africa

Known for

Acting

Credits

49 titles

Bruce Lester appeared in films from the 1930s into the 1950s, mainly in supporting roles. He was born Bruce Lister in Johannesburg, South Africa and later resided in England. After studying at Brighton College, he began his career on the London Stage and made his big screen debut in 1934. Lester's co-stars included Ronald Colman, Boris Karloff, James Cagney, Ray Milland and Joan Crawford. His film credits include, "To Be a Lady" (1934), "The Third Clue" (1934), "Boy Meets Girl" (1938), "The Witness Vanishes" (1939), "British Intelligence" (1940), "Pride and Prejudice" (1940), "The Letter" (1940, "Above Suspicion" (1943), "Golden Earrings" (1947), "The Fool and the Princess" (1948) and "Tarza…

Known for

Four Star Playhouse poster
6.8

Four Star Playhouse is an American television anthology series that ran from 1952 to 1956, sponsored in its first bi-weekly season by The Singer Company; Bristol-Myers became an alternate sponsor when it became a weekly series in the fall of 1953. The original premise was that Charles Boyer, Ida Lupino, David Niven, and Dick Powell would take turns starring in episodes. However, several other performers took the lead from time to time, including Ronald Colman and Joan Fontaine. Blake Edwards was among the writers and directors who contributed to the series. Edwards created the recurring character of illegal gambling house operator Willie Dante for Dick Powell to play on this series. The character was later revamped and spun off in his own series starring Howard Duff, then-husband of Lupino. The pilot for Meet McGraw, starring Frank Lovejoy, aired here, as did another episode in which Lovejoy recreated his role of Chicago newspaper reporter Randy Stone, from the radio drama Nightbeat.

Four Star Playhouse

1952

Dangerous Assignment poster
5.3

A U.S. government agent travels the world on undercover missions in this 1950s series. Star Brian Donlevy originated the role on radio in the '40s.

Dangerous Assignment

1952

King Richard and the Crusaders poster
6.4

Based on Sir Walter Scott's The Talisman, this is the story of the romantic adventures of Christians and Muslims during the battle for the Holy Land in the time of King Richard the Lionheart.

King Richard and the Crusaders

1954

Pride and Prejudice poster
6.9

In early 19th century England, Mr and Mrs Bennet's five unmarried daughters vie for the affections of rich and eligible Mr Bingley and his status-conscious friend, Mr Darcy, who have moved into their neighbourhood. While Bingley takes an immediate liking to eldest daughter Jane, Darcy has difficulty adapting to local society and repeatedly clashes with second-eldest Elizabeth.

Pride and Prejudice

1940

The Invisible Man Returns poster
6.3

The owner of a coal mining operation, falsely imprisoned for fratricide, takes a drug to make him invisible, despite its side effect: gradual madness.

The Invisible Man Returns

1940

Schlitz Playhouse of Stars poster
7.2

Schlitz Playhouse of Stars is an anthology series that was telecast from 1951 until 1959 on CBS. Offering both comedies and drama, the series was sponsored by the Joseph Schlitz Brewing Company. The title was shortened to Schlitz Playhouse, beginning with the fall 1957 season.

Schlitz Playhouse of Stars

1951

Film credits

1950s · 7 titles

King Richard and the Crusaders poster
6.4

Based on Sir Walter Scott's The Talisman, this is the story of the romantic adventures of Christians and Muslims during the battle for the Holy Land in the time of King Richard the Lionheart.

King Richard and the Crusaders

1954

The Scarlet Coat poster
6.6

An American officer goes undercover to unmask a Revolutionary War traitor.

The Scarlet Coat

1955

The Son of Dr. Jekyll poster
4.9

The son of the notorious Dr. Henry Jekyll is determined to prove that his father's reputation has been unjustly deserved. He sets out to develop his father's formula in order to prove that he was a brilliant scientist rather than a murderous monster.

The Son of Dr. Jekyll

1951

Charade poster
5.8

This is an anthology film with three stories. In "Portrait of a Murderer", a female artist draws sketches of a mysterious neighbor. She is unaware that the man is a murderer. "Duel at Dawn" is set in 1880s Austria. Two military officers fight a duel, with the survivor free to claim the heart of their shared love interest. "The Midas Touch" is a romance story of sorts. Jonah Watson is a successful American businessman, but is disgruntled with his life. He emigrates to England to start a new life, and works as a common servant. But he falls in love with a cockney maid who dreams of marrying into wealth.

Charade

1953

The Pathfinder poster
4.8

Pathfinder, a white man raised by the Mohican Indians, joins forces with the British army to avenge himself on the Mingo warriors and the French, who have brought death and pillage to his people. He takes on a mission to retrieve secret plans from within the French fort at St. Vicente.

The Pathfinder

1952

Tales of Robin Hood poster
5.8

The story of Robin Hood, how he met his Merry Men and Maid Marian, and saved England from Sir Guy de Clairmont and his henchman. Compiled from the few filmed episodes of an unsold TV series.

Tales of Robin Hood

1951

Secrets of Monte Carlo poster
8.0

A U.S. businessman abroad is the patsy for the theft of a rajah's jewels.

Secrets of Monte Carlo

1951

1940s · 18 titles

Pride and Prejudice poster
6.9

In early 19th century England, Mr and Mrs Bennet's five unmarried daughters vie for the affections of rich and eligible Mr Bingley and his status-conscious friend, Mr Darcy, who have moved into their neighbourhood. While Bingley takes an immediate liking to eldest daughter Jane, Darcy has difficulty adapting to local society and repeatedly clashes with second-eldest Elizabeth.

Pride and Prejudice

1940

The Invisible Man Returns poster
6.3

The owner of a coal mining operation, falsely imprisoned for fratricide, takes a drug to make him invisible, despite its side effect: gradual madness.

The Invisible Man Returns

1940

The Letter poster
7.3

After a woman shoots a man to death, a damning letter she wrote raises suspicions.

The Letter

1940

I Walk Alone poster
6.6

Bootleggers on the lam Frankie and Noll split up to evade capture by the police. Frankie is caught and jailed, but Noll manages to escape and open a posh New York City nightclub. 14 years later, Frankie is released from the clink and visits Noll with the intention of collecting his half of the nightclub's profits. But Noll, who has no intention of being so equitable, uses his ex-girlfriend Kay to divert Frankie from his intended goal.

I Walk Alone

1947

Without Reservations poster
6.3

Kit Madden is traveling to Hollywood, where her best-selling novel is to be filmed. Aboard the train, she encounters Marines Rusty and Dink, who don't know she is the author of the famous book, and who don't think much of the ideas it proposes. She and Rusty are greatly attracted, but she doesn't know how to deal with his disdain for the book's author.

Without Reservations

1946

Desperate Journey poster
6.1

A British bomber crew, including Australian and American, is shot down over Germany during a bombing run. The five make their way across a perilous Germany, intent on reaching the UK with the war secrets they have learned, battling Nazis along the way.

Desperate Journey

1942

A Yank in the R.A.F. poster
5.6

An American pilot impulsively joins His Majesty's Royal Air Force in Britain in an attempt to impress his ex-girlfriend.

A Yank in the R.A.F.

1941

Above Suspicion poster
6.2

Two newlyweds spy on the Nazis for the British Secret Service during their honeymoon in Europe.

Above Suspicion

1943

Man Hunt poster
6.9

Shortly before the start of WW2, renowned British big-game hunter Alan Thorndike, vacationing in Bavaria, has Hitler in his gun sight. He is captured, beaten, left for dead, and escapes back to London where he is hounded by Nazi agents and aided by a young woman.

Man Hunt

1941

Golden Earrings poster
6.2

A British colonel escapes from the Gestapo to the Black Forest and poses as a Gypsy's mate.

Golden Earrings

1947

Singapore Woman poster
7.2

A fallen woman seeks redemption at a Singapore rubber plantation. Melodrama.

Singapore Woman

1941

Shining Victory poster
6.1

In a Scottish sanitarium, a brilliant research psychiatrist works on a treatment for dementia praecox. He falls for his altruistic female lab assistant and they begin a passionate, tragic relationship.

Shining Victory

1941

The Mysterious Doctor poster
5.9

The citizens of a tiny Cornish village are tormented during World War II by a headless ghost which is haunting the local tin mine.

The Mysterious Doctor

1943

My Son, My Son! poster
4.8

A self-made success is determined to give his son the lavish upbringing he himself was denied. Not surprisingly, the son grows up to be spoiled rotten, causing grief and pain to everyone who loves him.

My Son, My Son!

1940

Shadows on the Stairs poster
5.2

Occupants of a London boarding house become suspects as a string of murders are discovered.

Shadows on the Stairs

1941

Celia: The Sinister Affair of Poor Aunt Nora poster
7.0

An actress, urged by her detective boyfriend, takes a job as housekeeper for a wealthy elderly woman. The woman's new young husband claims she's ill and refuses entry, raising suspicions about her whereabouts.

Celia: The Sinister Affair of Poor Aunt Nora

1949

Eagle Squadron poster
7.0

An American joins the British Royal Air Force just before Pearl Harbor is attacked, and falls in love with a beautiful English girl.

Eagle Squadron

1942

Strange Journey poster
8.0

Reformed racketeer "Lucky" Leeds flees from the police when he thinks they are about to arrest him for a murder he didn't commit. He and his wife Patti fly to his privately-owned remote island and have to crash land. Also on the island is a group of shipwrecked people, including a German professor, his daughter, an English journalist, a wealthy widow, a sailor and a Nazi Agent.

Strange Journey

1946

1930s · 19 titles

If I Were King poster
7.1

King Louis XI masquerades as a commoner in Paris, seeking out the treachery he is sure lurks in his kingdom. At a local tavern, he overhears the brash poet François Villon extolling why he would be a better king. Annoyed yet intrigued, the King bestows on Villon the title of Grand Constable. Soon Villon begins work and falls for a lovely lady-in-waiting, but then must flee execution when the King turns on him.

If I Were King

1938

Death at Broadcasting House poster
6.1

An actor is murdered live on air whilst a play is being broadcast. Everyone in the play and broadcasting house fall under suspicion.

Death at Broadcasting House

1934

British Intelligence poster
5.8

During WWI pretty German master spy Helene von Lorbeer is sent undercover to London to live with the family of a high-placed British official where she is to rendezvous with the butler Valdar, also a spy, and help him transmit secret war plans back to Germany.

British Intelligence

1939

A Star Fell from Heaven poster
10.0

In this comedy, a talented singer is hired to dub the voice of a star who has lost his own. During the film's premiere, news that he sang the songs slips out and suddenly he finds that he himself has become a star. Unfortunately he soon encounters unanticipated problems. He is especially concerned about his girl friend who dumped him in favor of the voiceless star.

A Star Fell from Heaven

1936

No artwork available
NR

Austin promotional short, showing a tour around the country by many Austin models, from the Seven to the Ascot.

All That Is England

1932

Crime Over London poster
7.0

With the police on their tail, a gang of New York criminals decided to relocate to London where they plan a major robbery on a department store.

Crime Over London

1936

No artwork available
9.0

A king goes on strike and takes a holiday. A double is found to impersonate him who brings disgrace to the throne.

Change for a Sovereign

1937

No artwork available
10.0

An elderly man assists the police in solving a murder, but accidentally reveals his own criminal past in the process.

Old Roses

1935

The Tenth Man poster
7.5

George Winter, a self-made businessman and MP, lets nothing get in the way of his climb to the top. Certain in his belief in the corruptible and foolish nature of others, whenever Winter meets a competitor who can't be bought, he destroys the man through methods both legal and underhanded. Then, he meets his 'tenth man': a victim who refuses to be silenced by threat or bribery, with the power to bring Winter's house of cards crashing down around him.

The Tenth Man

1936

No artwork available
9.0

A lovely English village is threatened with "development" by a speculative builder. The annual cricket match with another village shall decide its fate, between the builder and the three local gentry who oppose the scheme.

Badger’s Green

1934

To Be a Lady poster
10.0

Misadventures of a country girl who comes to the city, and falls in love with a musician.

To Be a Lady

1935

The Witness Vanishes poster
7.0

In this mystery, a newspaper executive and three of his colleagues conspire to have the owner of the highly-respected London Sun committed to an insane asylum. The hapless publisher manages to escape. Soon after, the four collaborators begin dying one-by-one. Oddly their obituaries appear in a rival publication before they are actually killed.

The Witness Vanishes

1939

Ourselves Alone poster
7.5

In 1921, as Irish nationalists battle with British authorities, a young girl is torn between loyalty to her brother, an IRA leader, her fiance, a police inspector, and his comrade and rival in love, a British Army captain.

Ourselves Alone

1936

Boy Meets Girl poster
6.9

Two lazy screenwriters need a story for the studio's cowboy star. A studio waitress turns out to be pregnant. This gives them the idea for a movie about a cowboy and a baby. The waitress's baby becomes the star. The cowboy and his agent run off with the waitress and her valuable asset. The writers retaliate by hiring an unemployed extra to impersonate the baby's father. But the extra already knows the waitress...

Boy Meets Girl

1938

No artwork available
10.0

The German adopted-daughter of a Belgian innkeeper is threatened with internment by him if she reveals to the British billetees that he is a spy. However, she is in love with one of them and helps them.

The Windmill

1937

No artwork available
7.0

“Comedy of a little man forced by chance into a big jewel robbery.” - BFI.

Quiet, Please

1938

No artwork available
10.0

“A troopship bringing home a battalion from Bermuda docks at Southampton and the men are granted only 6 hours leave. The film shows how some of the men spend this precious time.” - BFI.

Hail and Farewell

1936

No artwork available
7.0

The Viennese bride of a Scottish peer is driven away by suspicion and unfriendliness from his family. Famous, she buys the estate and her husband returns to be reconciled with her and the son of whom he never knew.

Thistledown

1938

No artwork available
10.0

“Romantic comedy of a motor factory mechanic encouraged to train his voice by the daughter of the magnate.” - BFI.

Mayfair Melody

1937

Series credits

Four Star Playhouse poster
6.8

Four Star Playhouse is an American television anthology series that ran from 1952 to 1956, sponsored in its first bi-weekly season by The Singer Company; Bristol-Myers became an alternate sponsor when it became a weekly series in the fall of 1953. The original premise was that Charles Boyer, Ida Lupino, David Niven, and Dick Powell would take turns starring in episodes. However, several other performers took the lead from time to time, including Ronald Colman and Joan Fontaine. Blake Edwards was among the writers and directors who contributed to the series. Edwards created the recurring character of illegal gambling house operator Willie Dante for Dick Powell to play on this series. The character was later revamped and spun off in his own series starring Howard Duff, then-husband of Lupino. The pilot for Meet McGraw, starring Frank Lovejoy, aired here, as did another episode in which Lovejoy recreated his role of Chicago newspaper reporter Randy Stone, from the radio drama Nightbeat.

Four Star Playhouse

1952

Dangerous Assignment poster
5.3

A U.S. government agent travels the world on undercover missions in this 1950s series. Star Brian Donlevy originated the role on radio in the '40s.

Dangerous Assignment

1952

Schlitz Playhouse of Stars poster
7.2

Schlitz Playhouse of Stars is an anthology series that was telecast from 1951 until 1959 on CBS. Offering both comedies and drama, the series was sponsored by the Joseph Schlitz Brewing Company. The title was shortened to Schlitz Playhouse, beginning with the fall 1957 season.

Schlitz Playhouse of Stars

1951

Behind the camera