James Harcourt Explained

James Harcourt (20 April 187318 February 1951) was an English character actor.[1] [2]

Harcourt was born in Headingley, Leeds, West Riding of Yorkshire. He started work as a cabinet maker, and drifted into amateur dramatics. He appeared as a stage actor first in 1903 and worked with the Liverpool Repertory Company from 1919 to 1931, and was with the Old Vic in the mid 1940s.[3] [4]

In 1947, Harcourt appeared in the original West End production of the popular musical Bless the Bride, directed by Wendy Toye.[5] [6]

He was married to the actress Isadora Keith, and was the father of camera operator and cinematographer David Harcourt.[7]

He died in Eton, Buckinghamshire on 18 February 1951 aged 77.[8]

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNotes
1931Hobson's Choice Hobson
1933Paris Plane
1933Song of the Plough Doctor
1934The Old Curiosity Shop the Single Gentleman
1935Look Up and Laugh Mr. Pearson Uncredited
1936All at Sea Mr. Humphrey
1936The Avenging Hand Sam Hupp Uncredited
1936Laburnum Grove Joe Fletten
1936Seven Sinners Vicar (Father Blanchard)
1936Wings Over Africa Wilkins
1936Men Are Not Gods Porter Uncredited
1937Return of a Stranger Johnson
1938Kate Plus Ten Bank Manager
1938Penny Paradise Amos Cook
1938You're the Doctor William Firmstone
1938Follow Your Star Mr. Tee
1939I Met a Murderer Hay Wagon Driver
1940The Stars Look Down Will
1940Night Train to Munich Axel Bomasch
1940The House of the Arrow Boris Raviart
1941The Farmer's Wife Valiant Dunnybrigg
1941You Will Remember Judge Uncredited
1941Love on the Dole Old Man Who Has His Dole Stopped Uncredited
1941This England
1942Atlantic Ferry Minor role Uncredited
1942Penn of Pennsylvania Fox
1942Hard Steel Jim Calver
1942The Young Mr. Pitt Bellamy Uncredited
1945He Snoops to Conquer Councilor Hopkins
1945Johnny Frenchman Joe Pender
1946The Captive Heart Doctor
1946I See a Dark Stranger Grandfather
1947The Grand Escapade Old Traveller
1947Meet Me at Dawn Henri, the butler
1949Obsession Aitkin (butler) (final film role)

References

Notes and References

  1. Web site: James Harcourt. https://web.archive.org/web/20170307050323/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b9ee45f87. dead. 7 March 2017.
  2. Web site: James Harcourt - Theatricalia.
  3. Book: Goldie, Grace Nisbet. The Liverpool repertory theatre, 1911-1934. registration. james harcourt.. 1 January 1935. The University press of Liverpool. Internet Archive.
  4. Book: McFarlane, Brian. The Encyclopedia of British Film: Fourth edition. 16 May 2016. Oxford University Press. 9781526111968. Google Books.
  5. Web site: Bless the Bride - A.P. Herbert and Vivian Ellis - The Guide to Musical Theatre.
  6. Web site: Production of Bless the Bride - Theatricalia.
  7. Web site: David Harcourt.
  8. Web site: findmypast.co.uk.