Bruce Lester (6 June 1912 – 13 June 2008) was a South African-born

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national ide ...

film actor with over 60 screen appearances to his credit between 1934 and his retirement from acting in 1958. Lester's career divided into two distinct periods. Between 1934 and 1938, billed as Bruce Lister, he appeared in upwards of 20 British films, mostly of the cheaply shot and quickly forgotten

quota quickie The Cinematograph Films Act of 1927 ('' 17 & 18 Geo. V'') was an act of the United Kingdom Parliament designed to stimulate the declining British film industry. It received Royal Assent on 20 December 1927 and came into force on 1 April 1928. D ...

variety. He then moved to the US, where he changed his surname to Lester, and found himself for a time appearing in some of the biggest prestige productions of their day, alongside stars such as

Bette Davis Ruth Elizabeth "Bette" Davis (; April 5, 1908 – October 6, 1989) was an American actress with a career spanning more than 50 years and 100 acting credits. She was noted for playing unsympathetic, sardonic characters, and was famous for her pe ...

Joan Crawford Joan Crawford (born Lucille Fay LeSueur; March 23, ncertain year from 1904 to 1908was an American actress. She started her career as a dancer in traveling theatrical companies before debuting on Broadway theatre, Broadway. Crawford was si ...

Tyrone Power Tyrone Edmund Power III (May 5, 1914 – November 15, 1958) was an American actor. From the 1930s to the 1950s, Power appeared in dozens of films, often in swashbuckler roles or romantic leads. His better-known films include ''Jesse James'', ' ...

and

Errol Flynn Errol Leslie Thomson Flynn (20 June 1909 – 14 October 1959) was an Australian-American actor who achieved worldwide fame during the Golden Age of Hollywood. He was known for his romantic swashbuckler roles, frequent partnerships with Olivia ...

. Lester himself never achieved star-billing, but was said to have remarked that this at least meant that if a film was a flop, no blame ever fell on his shoulders.Bruce Lester obituary
''The Daily Telegraph'', 27 June 2008. ''Retrieved 14 August 2010''

Early life

Born in

Johannesburg Johannesburg ( , , ; Zulu and xh, eGoli ), colloquially known as Jozi, Joburg, or "The City of Gold", is the largest city in South Africa, classified as a megacity, and is one of the 100 largest urban areas in the world. According to Demo ...

to English parents, Lester was educated at

Brighton College Brighton College is an independent, co-educational boarding and day school for boys and girls aged 3 to 18 in Brighton, England. The school has three sites: Brighton College (the senior school, ages 11 to 18); Brighton College Preparatory Sc ...

Sussex Sussex (), from the Old English (), is a historic county in South East England that was formerly an independent medieval Anglo-Saxon kingdom. It is bounded to the west by Hampshire, north by Surrey, northeast by Kent, south by the English ...

. He dabbled in amateur dramatics, but also showed potential as an exceptionally talented tennis player, and was considering trying to make a living from the sport until friends convinced him that acting offered far greater earning potential."Bruce Lester: Dapper actor in Forties Hollywood"
''The Independent'', 1 July 2008. ''Retrieved 14 August 2010''

Film career

1930s

After spending some time as a stage actor, Lester obtained his first minor film role in the 1934 quota quickie ''

The Girl in the Flat ''The Girl in the Flat'' is a 1934 British crime film directed by Redd Davis and starring Stewart Rome, Belle Chrystall, Vera Bogetti and Noel Shannon. Its plot concerns a barrister's fiancée who is blackmailed over an alleged murder. Cast * ...

''. His performance was noticed and a good career opportunity presented itself straight away when he was offered the male romantic lead in '' To Be a Lady'', opposite

Chili Bouchier Chili Bouchier (born Dorothy Irene Boucher; 12 September 1909 – 9 September 1999) was an English film actress who achieved success during the silent film era, and went on to many screen appearances with the advent of sound films, before progre ...

, one of Britain's top female stars of the time. Far from a quota quickie, this was a quality production with a generous budget, but failed to perform as well as expected at the box-office. This was followed by another romantic lead, this time with

Valerie Hobson Babette Louisa Valerie Hobson (14 April 1917 – 13 November 1998) was a British actress whose film career spanned the 1930s to the early 1950s. Her second husband was John Profumo, a British government minister who became the subject of the P ...

, in '' Badger's Green'', a film in which cricket played a major part and which was praised for its "Englishness". Both of these films are believed lost, but are deemed of great interest by the

British Film Institute The British Film Institute (BFI) is a film and television charitable organisation which promotes and preserves film-making and television in the United Kingdom. The BFI uses funds provided by the National Lottery to encourage film production, ...

and are both included on its " 75 Most Wanted" list of missing British feature films. Lester's career then began to stagnate. The most enduring British film in which he appeared was ''

Death at Broadcasting House ''Death at Broadcasting House'', also known as ''Death at a Broadcast'', is a 1934 British mystery film directed by Reginald Denham and starring Ian Hunter, Austin Trevor, Henry Kendall, and Jack Hawkins. Novel The original plot comes from a ...

'', also from 1934, although his role was relatively minor. The next few years were spent toiling mainly in low-budget programmes, often in insignificant roles. Things took an upturn in 1938, when he was signed to

Teddington Studios Teddington Studios was a large British television studio in Teddington, London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, providing studio facilities for programmes airing on the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, Sky1 and others. The complex also prov ...

, the British division of

Warner Brothers Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (commonly known as Warner Bros. or abbreviated as WB) is an American Film studio, film and entertainment studio headquartered at the Warner Bros. Studios, Burbank, Warner Bros. Studios complex in Burbank, Califo ...

. He was promptly sent to the US, where he was cast in the

James Cagney James Francis Cagney Jr. (; July 17, 1899March 30, 1986) was an American actor, dancer and film director. On stage and in film, Cagney was known for his consistently energetic performances, distinctive vocal style, and deadpan comic timing. He ...

vehicle '' Boy Meets Girl''. He was then signed to a three-year Hollywood contract, reportedly at Cagney's urging. One of his first Hollywood assignments was the high-profile historical drama ''

If I Were King ''If I Were King'' is a 1938 American biographical and historical film starring Ronald Colman as medieval poet François Villon, and featuring Basil Rathbone and Frances Dee. It is based on the 1901 play and novel, both of the same name, by Just ...

''.

1940s and 1950s

Lester's film career hit its peak in the early 1940s, beginning with the role of Mr. Bingley in the 1940 adaptation of '' Pride and Prejudice'', followed by landing a plum role in the

classic '' The Letter''. Lester and Davis shared some crucial scenes in the film, and it was soon being reported that Davis was very taken by the handsome young Englishman, going out of her way to help him and put him at his ease on set. It is generally believed that a brief relationship of some description developed between the two, although nothing came of it. Writer Jerry Asher, a long-time friend of Davis, recalled: "She found Bruce attractive and sweet, but he was a bit tame for her speed." At this time Lester briefly returned to

Britain Britain most often refers to: * The United Kingdom, a sovereign state in Europe comprising the island of Great Britain, the north-eastern part of the island of Ireland and many smaller islands * Great Britain, the largest island in the United King ...

, intending to join the

army An army (from Old French ''armee'', itself derived from the Latin verb ''armāre'', meaning "to arm", and related to the Latin noun ''arma'', meaning "arms" or "weapons"), ground force or land force is a fighting force that fights primarily on ...

. However he was persuaded that his talents would be better employed in helping to promote the Allied cause in the US. He returned, and appeared in several films in which he played flying officers, including '' Man Hunt'', '' A Yank in the RAF'' and ''

Desperate Journey ''Desperate Journey'' is a 1942 American World War II action and aviation film directed by Raoul Walsh and starring Errol Flynn and Ronald Reagan. The supporting cast includes Raymond Massey, Alan Hale Sr., and Arthur Kennedy. The melodramatic f ...

''. In 1943 he played in the Joan Crawford and Fred MacMurray spy drama '' Above Suspicion''. He did then decide to join the British services, serving through to the end of the war. On his return to Hollywood, Lester's career faltered, with both the quality of film and size of role he was being offered tapering off. He did land a good part in 1947's ''

Golden Earrings ''Golden Earrings'' is a 1947 romantic spy film made by Paramount Pictures and starring Ray Milland and Marlene Dietrich. It was directed by Mitchell Leisen and produced by Harry Tugend from a screenplay by Frank Butler, Helen Deutsch and Ab ...

'' with Ray Milland and

Marlene Dietrich Marie Magdalene "Marlene" DietrichBorn as Maria Magdalena, not Marie Magdalene, according to Dietrich's biography by her daughter, Maria Riva ; however Dietrich's biography by Charlotte Chandler cites "Marie Magdalene" as her birth name . (, ; ...

, then returned for a time to Europe, where he starred in '' But Not in Vain'' (1948 – filmed in the

Netherlands ) , anthem = ( en, "William of Nassau") , image_map = , map_caption = , subdivision_type = Sovereign state , subdivision_name = Kingdom of the Netherlands , established_title = Before independence , established_date = Spanish Netherl ...

) and ''Celia: The Sinister Affair of Poor Aunt Nora'' (1949). Returning to the US, Lester began to turn his hand to working as a story analyst for Paramount and Columbia. In the early 1950s he was playing minor roles in low-budget versions of English-set historical dramas such as ''Tales of Robin Hood'' and ''Lorna Doone''. As the decade progressed film parts became ever-smaller, until he was mainly playing uncredited bit parts. Lester's final screen credit came in 1958's ''

Tarzan and the Trappers ''Tarzan and the Trappers'' is a 1958 action adventure film featuring Edgar Rice Burroughs' famous jungle hero Tarzan and starring Gordon Scott, Eve Brent, Rickie Sorensen and Lesley Bradley. It was filmed as three pilot episodes for a television ...

'', after which he decided to retire from acting and spend the rest of his life out of the spotlight.

Later life

In later years, Lester and his wife divided their time between Los Angeles and

Palm Springs Palm Springs (Cahuilla: ''Séc-he'') is a desert resort city in Riverside County, California, United States, within the Colorado Desert's Coachella Valley. The city covers approximately , making it the largest city in Riverside County by land ...

. He continued to play tennis, and was a keen member of the

Hollywood Cricket Club __NOTOC__ The Hollywood Cricket Club (HCC) is an amateur cricket club in Los Angeles, California. It is a member of the Southern California Cricket Association. The club was formed in 1932 by British actor and cricketer C. Aubrey Smith. Smith le ...

. Lester died in Los Angeles on 13 June 2008, one week after his 96th birthday. He was buried at the

Westwood Memorial Park Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park & Mortuary is a cemetery and mortuary located in the Westwood Village area of Los Angeles. It is located at 1218 Glendon Avenue in Westwood, with an entrance from Glendon Avenue. The cemetery was ...

Westwood, Los Angeles Westwood is a commercial and residential neighborhood in the northern central portion of the Westside region of Los Angeles, California. It is the home of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Bordering the campus on the south ...

Filmography

*1934: ''

'' - Bit Role (uncredited) *1934: '' To Be a Lady'' - Jerry Dean *1934: '' Badger's Green'' - Dickie Wetherby *1934: ''

'' - Peter Ridgwell (uncredited) *1934: ''

The Third Clue ''The Third Clue'' is a 1934 British crime film directed by Albert Parker and starring Basil Sydney, Molly Lamont and Raymond Lovell. The film was based on Neil Gordon's novel ''The Shakespeare Murders'', which also inspired '' The Claydon Tr ...

'' - Derek Clayton *1935: ''Old Faithful'' - Chris Morgan *1935: ''Old Roses'' - Alf Haines *1936: '' Ourselves Alone'' - 2nd Lieut. Lingard *1936: '' A Star Fell from Heaven'' - Winkler *1936: '' The Tenth Man'' - Edward O'Donnell *1936: ''

Crime Over London ''Crime Over London'' is a 1936 British crime film directed by Alfred Zeisler and starring Margot Grahame, Paul Cavanagh and David Burns. It was made at Isleworth Studios,Wood p.89 based on the novel ''House of a Thousand Windows'' by Ludwi ...

'' - Ronald Martin *1936: '' Hail and Farewell'' - Peter Dove *1936: ''

The Heirloom Mystery ''The Heirloom Mystery'' is a 1936 British drama film directed by Maclean Rogers and starring Edward Rigby, Mary Glynne and Gus McNaughton. After being secretly commissioned by a man to create a replica piece of furniture so he can sell the valu ...

'' - Alf Dene *1936: '' Head Office'' - Halliday *1937: ''

Mayfair Melody ''Mayfair Melody'' is a 1937 British musical film, directed by Arthur B. Woods and starring popular bass-baritone singer Keith Falkner in the first of his three screen performances. It was made at Teddington Studios by the British subsidiary o ...

'' - Dickie *1937: '' The Windmill'' - Officer *1937: ''

Ship's Concert ''Ship's Concert'' is a 1937 British musical film directed by Leslie S. Hiscott and starring Claude Hulbert, Joyce Kirby and Henry Kendall. It was made as a quota quickie at Teddington Studios by the British subsidiary of Warner Brothers.Wood p ...

'' (Short) - Purser *1937: '' Change for a Sovereign'' - Prince William *1938: ''Quiet Please'' - Dr. Faversham *1938: '' Thistledown'' - Lord James Dunfoyle *1938: '' Boy Meets Girl'' - Rodney Bowman *1938: ''

'' - Noel le Jolys *1939: '' Home from Home'' - Jim *1939: ''

The Witness Vanishes ''The Witness Vanishes'' is a 1939 American mystery film directed by Otis Garrett and starring Edmund Lowe, Wendy Barrie, and Bruce Lester. Cast list Production In 1937, Universal Pictures made a deal with Crime Club, who were published of w ...

'' - Lord Noel Stratton *1940: ''

The Invisible Man Returns ''The Invisible Man Returns'' is a 1940 American horror science fiction film directed by Joe May. The film stars Cedric Hardwicke, Vincent Price, Nan Grey and John Sutton. The film is a sequel to the 1933 film ''The Invisible Man'', and the sec ...

'' - Chaplain (uncredited) *1940: ''

British Intelligence The Government of the United Kingdom maintains intelligence agencies within three government departments, the Foreign Office, the Home Office and the Ministry of Defence. These agencies are responsible for collecting and analysing foreign and d ...

'' - Frank Bennett *1940: ''

My Son, My Son! ''My Son, My Son!'' is a 1940 American drama film based on a novel by the same name written by Howard Spring and directed by Charles Vidor. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Academy Award for Best Production Design, Best Art Direction by ...

'' - Rory O'Riorden *1940: '' Pride and Prejudice'' - Mr. Bingley *1940: '' The Letter'' - John Withers *1941: ''

Shadows on the Stairs ''Shadows on the Stairs'' is a 1941 American mystery film directed by D. Ross Lederman. It is based on Frank Vosper's play '' Murder on the Second Floor''. The British subsidiary of Warner Brothers had previously produced a film adaptation of ...

'' - Hugh Bromilow *1941: ''

Singapore Woman ''Singapore Woman'' is a 1941 American drama film directed by Jean Negulesco and starring Brenda Marshall and David Bruce. The Warner Bros. B picture is a remake of '' Dangerous'' (1935) using leftover sets from '' The Letter'' (1940). The s ...

'' - Clyde *1941: ''

Shining Victory ''Shining Victory'' is a 1941 American drama film based on the 1940 play '' Jupiter Laughs,'' by A. J. Cronin. It stars James Stephenson, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Donald Crisp, and Barbara O'Neil. It is the first film directed by Irving Rapper. ...

'' - Dr. Bentley *1941: '' Man Hunt'' - Co-Pilot (uncredited) *1941: '' A Yank in the RAF'' - Flight Lt. Sterling Richardson *1942: ''

Eagle Squadron The Eagle Squadrons were three fighter squadrons of the Royal Air Force (RAF) formed with volunteer pilots from the United States during the early days of World War II (circa 1940), prior to America's entry into the war in December 1941. Wit ...

'' - King (uncredited) *1942: ''

'' - English Officer *1943: ''

The Mysterious Doctor ''The Mysterious Doctor'' is a 1943 American horror film directed by Benjamin Stoloff and written by Richard Weil. The film stars John Loder, Eleanor Parker, Bruce Lester, Lester Matthews and Forrester Harvey. The film was released by Warner ...

'' - Lt. Christopher 'Kit' Hilton *1943: '' Above Suspicion'' - Thornley *1943: ''

Flesh and Fantasy ''Flesh and Fantasy'' is a 1943 American anthology film directed by Julien Duvivier and starring Edward G. Robinson, Charles Boyer, Robert Cummings, and Barbara Stanwyck. The making of this film was inspired by the success of Duvivier's previous ...

'' - Young Man (uncredited) *1946: ''

The Wife of Monte Cristo ''The Wife of Monte Cristo'' is a 1946 American adventure film directed by Edgar G. Ulmer and starring John Loder and Lenore Aubert. It was successful at the box office. Plot Edmund Dantes, The Count of Monte Cristo, returns in 1832, now ac ...

'' - (uncredited) *1946: ''

Without Reservations ''Without Reservations'' is a 1946 RKO Radio Pictures American comedy film directed by Mervyn LeRoy and starring Claudette Colbert, John Wayne and Don DeFore. The film was adapted by Andrew Solt from the novel ''Thanks, God! I'll Take It From H ...

'' - Army Lieutenant (uncredited) *1946: ''

Cloak and Dagger "Cloak and dagger" was a fighting style common in the Renaissance involving a knife hidden beneath a cloak. The term later came into use as a metaphor, referring to situations involving intrigue, secrecy, espionage, or mystery. Overview In " Th ...

'' - British Officer (uncredited) *1946: '' Strange Journey'' - Roger Blythe *1947: ''

'' - Richard Byrd *1947: ''

I Walk Alone ''I Walk Alone'' is a 1947 film noir directed by Byron Haskin and starring Burt Lancaster and Lizabeth Scott, with a supporting cast featuring Wendell Corey and Kirk Douglas. This was the first of five films that Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas ...

'' - Charles (uncredited) *1948: '' But Not in Vain'' - Fred Van Nespen *1949: ''

The Fool and the Princess ''The Fool and the Princess'' is a 1948 British drama film directed by William C. Hammond and starring Bruce Lester, Lesley Brook and Adina Mandlová. It was made at the Merton Park Studios. Main cast * Bruce Lester - Harry Granville * Lesley B ...

'' - Harry Granville *1949: '' Celia: The Sinister Affair of Poor Aunt Nora'' - Larry Peters *1951: '' Tarzan's Peril'' - Warden (uncredited) *1951: ''Tales of Robin Hood'' - Alan A. Dale *1951: ''

Lorna Doone ''Lorna Doone: A Romance of Exmoor'' is a novel by English author Richard Doddridge Blackmore, published in 1869. It is a romance based on a group of historical characters and set in the late 17th century in Devon and Somerset, particularly ar ...

'' - Walt Snowe (uncredited) *1951: ''

Secrets of Monte Carlo ''Secrets of Monte Carlo'' is a 1951 American crime film directed by George Blair and starring Warren Douglas, Lois Hall and June Vincent. Plot In Hong Kong, a British insurance investigator and an American businessman join forces to recover the ...

'' - British Inspector *1951: ''

The Son of Dr. Jekyll ''The Son of Dr. Jekyll'' is a 1951 American horror film directed by Seymour Friedman and starring Louis Hayward, Jody Lawrance and Alexander Knox. The film is a continuation of Robert Louis Stevenson's original classic 1886 novella ''Strange ...

'' - Daniels' Reporter (uncredited) *1952: '' The Pathfinder'' - Capt. Clint Bradford *1953: '' Rogue's March'' - Wilson (uncredited) *1953: '' Storm over Africa'' - Saxon *1954: ''

King Richard and the Crusaders ''King Richard and the Crusaders'' is a 1954 American historical drama film made by Warner Bros. The film stars Rex Harrison, Virginia Mayo, George Sanders and Laurence Harvey, with Robert Douglas, Michael Pate and Paula Raymond. It was direct ...

'' - Castelaine *1954: ''

Charade Charade or charades may refer to: Games * Charades, originally "acting charades", a parlor game Films/TV * ''Charade'' (1953 film), an American film featuring James Mason * ''Charade'' (1963 film), an American film starring Cary Grant and A ...

'' - Capt. van Buren *1955: ''

The Sea Chase ''The Sea Chase'' is a 1955 World War II drama film starring John Wayne and Lana Turner, and featuring David Farrar, Lyle Bettger, and Tab Hunter. It was directed by John Farrow from a screenplay by James Warner Bellah and John Twist based on ...

'' - Petty Officer (uncredited) *1955: ''

The Scarlet Coat ''The Scarlet Coat '' is a 1955 American historical drama and swashbuckler in Eastmancolor and CinemaScope released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, produced by Nicholas Nayfack, directed by John Sturges. It stars Cornel Wilde, Michael Wilding, George Sa ...

'' - Col. Simcoe (uncredited) *1957: ''

Something of Value ''Something of Value'' is a 1957 American drama film directed by Richard Brooks and starring Rock Hudson, Dana Wynter, and Sidney Poitier. The film was reissued under the title ''Africa Ablaze''. The film, based on the book of the same name by ...

'' - Physician - McKenzie Massacre (uncredited) *1957: ''

The Seventh Sin ''The Seventh Sin'' is a 1957 American drama film directed by Ronald Neame and starring Eleanor Parker, Bill Travers and George Sanders. It is based on the 1925 novel '' The Painted Veil'' by W. Somerset Maugham. Plot In post-World War II Hong ...

'' - Allan (uncredited) *1958: ''

'' (TV Movie) - Commissioner Brandini (final film role)

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Lester, Bruce 1912 births 2008 deaths English male film actors People from Johannesburg English expatriates in the United States People educated at Brighton College Burials at Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery South African emigrants to the United Kingdom