William Gordon Harker (7 August 1885 – 2 March 1967) was an English stage and film actor. Harker was one of the sons of Sarah Elizabeth Harker, née Hall, (1856–1927), and

Joseph Harker Joseph Cunningham Harker (17 October 1855 – 15 March 1927) was a British scene painter and theatrical designer in London. Bram Stoker, the author of '' Dracula'', named one of the leading characters ( Jonathan Harker) in the novel after him. Ca ...

(1855–1927), a much admired set painter for the theatre for whom the ''

Dracula ''Dracula'' is a novel by Bram Stoker, published in 1897. As an epistolary novel, the narrative is related through letters, diary entries, and newspaper articles. It has no single protagonist, but opens with solicitor Jonathan Harker taking ...

'' character Jonathan Harker was named. Harker had a long career on the stage, from 1902 to the 1950s. In addition, he appeared in 68 films between 1921 and 1959, including three silent films directed by

Alfred Hitchcock Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock (13 August 1899 – 29 April 1980) was an English filmmaker. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of cinema. In a career spanning six decades, he directed over 50 featur ...

and in several scenes in ''

Elstree Calling ''Elstree Calling'' is a 1930 British comedy musical film directed by Adrian Brunel and Alfred Hitchcock at Elstree Studios. Synopsis The film, referred to as "A Cine-Radio Revue" in its original publicity, is a lavish musical film revue and ...

'' (1930), a revue film co-directed by Hitchcock. He was known for his performance as

Inspector Hornleigh Inspector Hornleigh is a fictional British detective from Scotland Yard, the protagonist of a popular BBC radio series of the 1930s, three British films, a German television series, and three books (two of them language text books). The radio ser ...

in a trilogy of films produced between 1938 and 1940, as well in ''

Saloon Bar Bar or BAR may refer to: Food and drink * Bar (establishment), selling alcoholic beverages * Candy bar * Chocolate bar Science and technology * Bar (river morphology), a deposit of sediment * Bar (tropical cyclone), a layer of cloud * Bar (un ...

'' (1940), based on a stage play he had starred in and another one of his stage successes The Poltergeist made into the film ''

Things Happen at Night ''Things Happen at Night'' is a 1947 British supernatural ghost comedy film directed by Francis Searle and starring Gordon Harker, Alfred Drayton, Robertson Hare and Garry Marsh. The film is based upon a stage play, ''The Poltergeist'', by Fran ...

'' (1947), a poltergeist comedy he co-starred in with

Alfred Drayton Alfred Drayton (1 November 1881 – 26 April 1949) was a British stage and film actor. Drayton worked in a brewery when he was 18 but having a good deal of amateur dramatics experience decided to go on stage. His first appearance on stage was ''T ...

and

Robertson Hare John Robertson Hare, OBE (17 December 1891 – 25 January 1979) was an English actor, who came to fame in the Aldwych farces. He is remembered by more recent audiences for his performances as the Archdeacon in the popular BBC sitcom, ''All Gas ...

. His last major screen role was as the wily waiter Albert in the 1957 motion picture version of '' Small Hotel''.

Filmography

* '' General John Regan'' (1921) * '' The Ring'' (1927) * ''

The Farmer's Wife ''The Farmer's Wife'' is a 1928 British silent romantic comedy film directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring Jameson Thomas, Lillian Hall-Davis and Gordon Harker. It is adapted from a 1916 play of the same name by British novelist, poet an ...

'' (1928) * ''

Champagne Champagne (, ) is a sparkling wine originated and produced in the Champagne wine region of France under the rules of the appellation, that demand specific vineyard practices, sourcing of grapes exclusively from designated places within it, spe ...

'' (1928) * '' The Flying Scotsman'' (1929) * '' The Wrecker'' (1929) * ''

Taxi for Two ''Taxi for Two'' is a 1929 part talkie British romantic comedy film drama directed by Denison Clift and Alexander Esway and starring Mabel Poulton and John Stuart. Produced by Gainsborough Pictures, it was the first sound film made by Gainsbo ...

'' (1929) * ''

The Crooked Billet ''The Crooked Billet'' is a 1929 British drama film directed by Adrian Brunel and starring Madeleine Carroll, Carlyle Blackwell and Miles Mander. It was released in both silent and sound versions, as its production came as the industry was sh ...

'' (1929) * ''

The Return of the Rat ''The Return of the Rat'' is a 1929 British silent drama film directed by Graham Cutts and starring Ivor Novello, Isabel Jeans and Mabel Poulton. It was made by Gainsborough Pictures at their Islington Studios. It was also released with a ...

'' (1929) * ''

'' (1930) * '' The Squeaker'' (1930) * ''

The W Plan ''The W Plan'' is a 1930 British spy film produced and directed by Victor Saville and starring Brian Aherne, Madeleine Carroll, Gibb McLaughlin, and Gordon Harker. The screenplay was written by Saville with Miles Malleson and Frank Launder, ...

'' (1930) * ''

Escape Escape or Escaping may refer to: Computing * Escape character, in computing and telecommunication, a character which signifies that what follows takes an alternative interpretation ** Escape sequence, a series of characters used to trigger some so ...

'' (1930) * ''

The Professional Guest ''The Professional Guest'' is a 1931 British comedy film directed by George King and starring Gordon Harker, Pat Paterson and Richard Bird. It was made at Walton Studios as a quota quickie for release by Fox Film.Wood p.73 Cast * Gordon Harke ...

'' (1931, short) * ''

Shadows A shadow is a dark area where light from a light source is blocked by an opaque object. It occupies all of the three-dimensional volume behind an object with light in front of it. The cross section of a shadow is a two-dimensional silhouette, ...

'' (1931) * ''

The Stronger Sex ''The Stronger Sex'' is a 1931 British drama film directed by Gareth Gundrey and starring Colin Clive, Adrianne Allen and Gordon Harker. It was made by Gainsborough Pictures and shot at the company's Islington Studios in London.Wood p.70 Synops ...

'' (1931) * '' Third Time Lucky'' (1931) * '' The Ringer'' (1931) * '' The Sport of Kings'' (1931) * '' The Calendar'' (1931) * ''

The Man They Couldn't Arrest ''The Man They Couldn't Arrest'' is a 1931 British crime film directed by T. Hayes Hunter and starring Hugh Wakefield, Gordon Harker, Garry Marsh and Dennis Wyndham. Based on a novel by "Seamark" ( Austin J. Small, it was made by Gainsborough ...

'' (1931) * ''

Love on Wheels ''Love on Wheels'' is a 1932 British musical comedy film directed by Victor Saville and starring Jack Hulbert, Gordon Harker, Edmund Gwenn and Leonora Corbett. Plot A daily commuter on a Green Line bus from the suburbs to Central London Fred ...

'' (1932) * '' The Frightened Lady'' (1932) * ''

The Lucky Number ''The Lucky Number'' is a 1933 British sports comedy film directed by Anthony Asquith and starring Clifford Mollison, Gordon Harker, Joan Wyndham and Frank Pettingell. The screenplay concerns a professional footballer who attempts to recover a ...

'' (1932) * ''

Rome Express ''Rome Express'' is a 1932 British thriller film directed by Walter Forde and starring Esther Ralston and Conrad Veidt. Based on a story by Clifford Grey, with a screenplay by Sidney Gilliat, the film is a tale about a European express train ...

'' (1932) * ''

White Face ''White Face'' (also known as ''Edgar Wallace's White Face the Fiend'') is a 1932 British crime film directed by T. Hayes Hunter and starring Hugh Williams, Gordon Harker and Renee Gadd. The film is based on a play by Edgar Wallace. Plot A do ...

'' (1932) * ''

Condemned to Death ''Condemned to Death'' is a 1932 British crime film directed by Walter Forde and starring Arthur Wontner, Gillian Lind and Gordon Harker. It was adapted from the play ''Jack O'Lantern'' by James Dawson which was itself based on a 1929 novel by ...

'' (1932) * '' This Is the Life'' (1933) * '' Britannia of Billingsgate'' (1933) * '' Friday the Thirteenth'' (1933) * '' Road House'' (1934) * '' Dirty Work'' (1934) * '' My Old Dutch'' (1934) * ''

Admirals All ''Admirals All'' is a 1935 British comedy film directed by Victor Hanbury and starring Wynne Gibson, Gordon Harker, Anthony Bushell and George Curzon. It was based on the 1934 play of the same title by Ian Hay and Stephen King-Hall. Premise ...

'' (1935) * ''

The Lad ''The Lad'' is a 1935 British comedy film directed by Henry Edwards and starring Gordon Harker, Betty Stockfeld and Jane Carr. It was made at Twickenham Studios. The film is based on a novel by Edgar Wallace. Plot Bill Shane is The Lad, an opp ...

'' (1935) * '' Boys Will Be Boys'' (1935) * '' The Phantom Light'' (1935) * ''

Hyde Park Corner Hyde Park Corner is between Knightsbridge, Belgravia and Mayfair in London, England. It primarily refers to its major road junction at the southeastern corner of Hyde Park, that was designed by Decimus Burton. Six streets converge at the junc ...

'' (1935) * '' Squibs'' (1935) * '' The Story of Papworth, the Village of Hope'' (1935, short) * '' Wolf's Clothing'' (1936) * '' Two's Company'' (1936) * ''

The Amateur Gentleman ''The Amateur Gentleman'' is a novel by Jeffery Farnol, published in 1913. It was made into a silent film in 1920 and again in 1926 and a talking film in 1936 with Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. starring as the protagonist, Barnabas Barty. Plot summ ...

'' (1936) * '' Millions'' (1937) * '' Beauty and the Barge'' (1937) * ''

The Frog ''The Frog'' is a 1937 British crime film directed by Jack Raymond and starring Gordon Harker, Noah Beery, Jack Hawkins and Carol Goodner. The film is about the police chasing a criminal mastermind who goes by the name of The Frog, and the 193 ...

'' (1937) * ''

Lightning Conductor A lightning rod or lightning conductor (British English) is a metal rod mounted on a structure and intended to protect the structure from a lightning strike. If lightning hits the structure, it will preferentially strike the rod and be conducte ...

'' (1938) * ''

Blondes for Danger ''Blondes for Danger'' is a 1938 British thriller film directed by Jack Raymond and starring Gordon Harker and Enid Stamp-Taylor. It was made at Beaconsfield Studios for release by British Lion. The film's sets were designed by the art directo ...

'' (1938) * ''

No Parking A parking violation is the act of parking a motor vehicle in a restricted place or in an unauthorized manner. It is against the law virtually everywhere to park a vehicle in the middle of a highway or road; parking on one or both sides of a roa ...

'' (1938) * '' Return of the Frog'' (1938) * ''

'' (1938) * ''

Inspector Hornleigh on Holiday ''Inspector Hornleigh on Holiday'' is a 1939 British detective film directed by Walter Forde and starring Gordon Harker, Alastair Sim and Linden Travers. It is the sequel to the 1938 film ''Inspector Hornleigh'', and both films are based on the ...

'' (1939) * ''

'' (1940) * ''

Channel Incident ''Channel Incident'' is a 1940 British short (15 minute) drama film directed by Anthony Asquith and starring Peggy Ashcroft, Gordon Harker, Robert Newton and Kenneth Griffith. It combines documentary footage with acting. It is placed on the shi ...

'' (1940, short) * '' Inspector Hornleigh Goes To It'' (1941) * ''

Once a Crook ''Once a Crook'' is a 1941 British crime film directed by Herbert Mason, produced by Edward Black for 20th Century Fox and featuring Gordon Harker, Sydney Howard, Bernard Lee, Kathleen Harrison, and Raymond Huntley. It is an adaptation to the ...

'' (1941) * ''

Warn That Man ''Warn That Man'' is a 1943 British comedy thriller film directed by Lawrence Huntington and starring Gordon Harker, Raymond Lovell and Finlay Currie. It was based on the 1941 play '' Warn That Man!'' by Vernon Sylvaine which had run for te ...

'' (1943) * ''

29 Acacia Avenue ''29 Acacia Avenue'' is a play by Denis and Mabel Constanduros. Its 1945 British comedy-drama film adaptation, directed by Henry Cass, was released in the U.S. as ''The Facts of Love''. Premise Peter Robinson falls in love with the naïve count ...

'' (1945) * ''

'' (1947) * ''

Her Favourite Husband ''Her Favourite Husband'' (also known by the alternative titles ''The Taming of Dorothy'' and ''Quel bandito sono io'') is a 1950 British-Italian comedy film directed by Mario Soldati and starring Jean Kent, Robert Beatty and Margaret Rutherford ...

'' (1950) * ''

The Second Mate ''The Second Mate'' is a 1950 British crime film directed by John Baxter and starring Gordon Harker, Graham Moffatt and David Hannaford. It was made at Southall Studios. Cast * Gordon Harker as Bill Tomkins * Graham Moffatt as Paddy * David H ...

'' (1950) * '' Derby Day'' (1952) * ''

Bang! You're Dead ''Bang! You're Dead'' is a 1954 British psychological drama film directed by Lance Comfort and starring Jack Warner, Anthony Richmond, Veronica Hurst, Derek Farr and Sean Barrett. The film takes as its subject the accidental killing of a m ...

'' (1954) * ''

Out of the Clouds ''Out of the Clouds'' is a 1955 British drama film directed by Basil Dearden and starring Anthony Steel, Robert Beatty and James Robertson Justice. An Ealing Studios production, the film is composed of small stories dealing with the passenger ...

'' (1955) * '' A Touch of the Sun'' (1956) * '' Small Hotel'' (1957) * ''

Left Right and Centre ''Left Right and Centre'' is a 1959 British satirical comedy film directed by Sidney Gilliat and starring Ian Carmichael, Patricia Bredin, Richard Wattis, Eric Barker and Alastair Sim. It was produced by Frank Launder. A political comedy, it fo ...

'' (1959)

Selected stage roles

* '' London Life'' (1924) * '' The Combined Maze'' (1927) * '' Suspense'' (1930) * '' Road House'' (1932) * '' Afterwards'' (1933) * ''

'' (1939) * ''

Warn That Man! ''Warn That Man!'' is a 1941 comedy thriller play by the British writer Vernon Sylvaine. A comedy-thriller, its plot concerns an attempt to kidnap wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill from an English country house. Having debuted at the N ...

'' (1941)

References

External links

*
''Gordon Harker'' at BFI Screenonline
{{DEFAULTSORT:Harker, Gordon 1885 births 1967 deaths English male film actors English male silent film actors Male actors from London 20th-century English male actors

Gordon Gordon may refer to: People * Gordon (given name), a masculine given name, including list of persons and fictional characters * Gordon (surname), the surname * Gordon (slave), escaped to a Union Army camp during the U.S. Civil War * Clan Gordon, ...