
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
6.8Four 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
5.3A 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
6.4Based 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
6.9In 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
6.3The 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
7.2Schlitz 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
6.4Based 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
6.6An American officer goes undercover to unmask a Revolutionary War traitor.
The Scarlet Coat
1955
4.9The 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
5.8This 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
4.8Pathfinder, 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
5.8The 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
8.0A U.S. businessman abroad is the patsy for the theft of a rajah's jewels.
Secrets of Monte Carlo
1951
1940s · 18 titles
6.9In 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
6.3The 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
7.3After a woman shoots a man to death, a damning letter she wrote raises suspicions.
The Letter
1940
6.6Bootleggers 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
6.3Kit 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
6.1A 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
5.6An 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
6.2Two newlyweds spy on the Nazis for the British Secret Service during their honeymoon in Europe.
Above Suspicion
1943
6.9Shortly 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
6.2A British colonel escapes from the Gestapo to the Black Forest and poses as a Gypsy's mate.
Golden Earrings
1947
7.2A fallen woman seeks redemption at a Singapore rubber plantation. Melodrama.
Singapore Woman
1941
6.1In 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
5.9The 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
4.8A 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
5.2Occupants of a London boarding house become suspects as a string of murders are discovered.
Shadows on the Stairs
1941
7.0An 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
7.0An 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
8.0Reformed 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
7.1King 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
6.1An 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
5.8During 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
10.0In 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
Austin promotional short, showing a tour around the country by many Austin models, from the Seven to the Ascot.
All That Is England
1932
7.0With 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
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
An elderly man assists the police in solving a murder, but accidentally reveals his own criminal past in the process.
Old Roses
1935
7.5George 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
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
10.0Misadventures of a country girl who comes to the city, and falls in love with a musician.
To Be a Lady
1935
7.0In 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
7.5In 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
6.9Two 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
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
“Comedy of a little man forced by chance into a big jewel robbery.” - BFI.
Quiet, Please
1938
“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
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
“Romantic comedy of a motor factory mechanic encouraged to train his voice by the daughter of the magnate.” - BFI.
Mayfair Melody
1937
Series credits
6.8Four 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
5.3A 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
7.2Schlitz 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

