James Stephenson
Encyclopedia
James Stephenson was a British
actor.
Stephenson's big break came when director William Wyler
cast him, in spite of studio resistance, in The Letter
(1940) opposite Bette Davis
. He was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor
for that role. Later that year he played the title role in Calling Philo Vance, and in 1941 he was first-billed in Shining Victory
, in which he played the character of Dr. Paul Venner. Just as Stephenson's acting career was starting to rise he died due to a myocardial infarction
at the age of 52.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
actor.
Career
British stage actor James Stephenson made his film debut in 1937 at the age of 48 with parts in four films. Warner Brothers signed him the following year, and he began playing urbane villains and disgraced gentlemen.Stephenson's big break came when director William Wyler
William Wyler
William Wyler was a leading American motion picture director, producer, and screenwriter.Notable works included Ben-Hur , The Best Years of Our Lives , and Mrs. Miniver , all of which won Wyler Academy Awards for Best Director, and also won Best Picture...
cast him, in spite of studio resistance, in The Letter
The Letter (1940 film)
The Letter is a 1940 American film noir directed by William Wyler. The screenplay by Howard Koch is based on the 1927 play of the same name by W. Somerset Maugham, originally filmed in 1929.-Plot:...
(1940) opposite Bette Davis
Bette Davis
Ruth Elizabeth "Bette" Davis was an American actress of film, television and theater. Noted for her willingness to play unsympathetic characters, she was highly regarded for her performances in a range of film genres, from contemporary crime melodramas to historical and period films and occasional...
. He was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor
Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor
Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role is one of the Academy Awards of Merit presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize an actor who has delivered an outstanding performance while working within the film industry. Since its inception, however, the...
for that role. Later that year he played the title role in Calling Philo Vance, and in 1941 he was first-billed in Shining Victory
Shining Victory
Shining Victory is a 1941 film based on the play, Jupiter Laughs, by A. J. Cronin. It stars James Stephenson, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Donald Crisp, and Barbara O'Neil, and it was the first film directed by Irving Rapper. Bette Davis makes a brief cameo appearance as a nurse in the film.-Plot...
, in which he played the character of Dr. Paul Venner. Just as Stephenson's acting career was starting to rise he died due to a myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
at the age of 52.
Selected filmography
- The Perfect CrimeThe Perfect Crime (1937 film)The Perfect Crime is a 1937 British crime film directed by and starring Ralph Ince. It also featured Hugh Williams, Glen Alyn, Iris Hoey and Philip Ray....
(1937) - You Live and LearnYou Live and LearnYou Live and Learn is a 1938 British comedy film, directed by Arthur B. Woods and starring Glenda Farrell and Claude Hulbert. The film was a quota quickie production, based on the novel Have You Come for Me? by Norma Patterson...
(1937) - Mr. SatanMr. Satan (film)Mr. Satan is a 1938 British spy thriller, directed by Arthur B. Woods and starring James Stephenson and Chili Bouchier. Unlike a majority of Woods' quota quickie productions of the 1930s which are believed lost, this film survives in the British Film Institute National Archive.-Plot:News...
(1938) - White BannersWhite BannersWhite Banners is a 1938 Warner Brothers drama film starring Claude Rains, Fay Bainter, Jackie Cooper, Bonita Granville, Henry O'Neill, and Kay Johnson....
(1938) - When Were You BornWhen Were You BornWhen Were You Born is a 1938 murder mystery film starring Anna May Wong as an astrologer who helps the police. Each of the twelve principal characters was born under a different astrological sign.-Plot:...
(1938) - Nancy Drew - Detective (1938)
- Devil's IslandDevil's Island (1939 film)Devil's Island is a 1939 prison film directed by William Clemens and starring Boris Karloff.-Cast:* Boris Karloff - Dr. Charles Gaudet* Nedda Harrigan - Madame Helene Lucien* James Stephenson - Colonel Armand Lucien* Adia Kuznetzoff - Pierre Leroux...
(1939) - Confessions of a Nazi SpyConfessions of a Nazi SpyConfessions of a Nazi Spy is a 1939 American spy thriller film and the first blatantly anti-Nazi film produced by a major Hollywood studio prior to World War II. The film stars Edward G. Robinson, Francis Lederer, George Sanders, and a large cast of German actors, including some who had emigrated...
(1939) - Sons of LibertySons of Liberty (film)Sons of Liberty is a 1939 short drama film directed by Michael Curtiz, which tells the story of Haym Solomon. It won an Academy Award in 1940 for Best Short Subject .-Cast:* Claude Rains - Haym Salomon* Gale Sondergaard - Rachel Salomon...
(1939) - Beau GesteBeau Geste (1939 film)Beau Geste is a 1939 film produced by Paramount Pictures based on the novel of the same name by P. C. Wren. It was directed and produced by William A. Wellman from a screenplay by Robert Carson...
(1939) - The Old Maid (1939)
- Espionage AgentEspionage AgentEspionage Agent is a pre–World War II spy melodrama produced by Hal B. Wallis in 1939. Directed by Lloyd Bacon, Espionage Agent, like many Warner Bros. movies, clearly identifies the Germans as the enemy...
(1939) - The Private Lives of Elizabeth and EssexThe Private Lives of Elizabeth and EssexThe Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex is a 1939 historical romantic drama film. It is based on the relationship between Queen Elizabeth I, portrayed by Bette Davis, and Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, played by Errol Flynn...
(1939) - We Are Not AloneWe Are Not Alone (film)We Are Not Alone is a drama film about a doctor who hires a woman as a nanny for his son. When his wife becomes jealous, tragedy consumes all involved. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Hilton, who adapted his novel with Milton Krims.-Cast:*Paul Muni as Dr...
(1939) - Calling Philo Vance (1940)
- The Sea HawkThe Sea Hawk (1940 film)The Sea Hawk is a 1940 American Warner Bros. feature film starring Errol Flynn as an English privateer who defends his nation's interests on the eve of the Spanish Armada. The film was the tenth collaboration between Flynn and director Michael Curtiz. The film's screenplay by Howard Koch and Seton I...
(1940) - A Dispatch from Reuter's (1940)
- The LetterThe Letter (1940 film)The Letter is a 1940 American film noir directed by William Wyler. The screenplay by Howard Koch is based on the 1927 play of the same name by W. Somerset Maugham, originally filmed in 1929.-Plot:...
(1940) - Shining VictoryShining VictoryShining Victory is a 1941 film based on the play, Jupiter Laughs, by A. J. Cronin. It stars James Stephenson, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Donald Crisp, and Barbara O'Neil, and it was the first film directed by Irving Rapper. Bette Davis makes a brief cameo appearance as a nurse in the film.-Plot...
(1941)