Robert Coote Movies
Born in London and educated at Sussex' Hurstpierpont College, actor Robert Coote can be described as Britain's Ralph Bellamy. After making his film debut in the Gracie Fields vehicle Sally in Our Alley (1931) and spending several years on the London stage, the gangly, mustached Coote settled in Hollywood, where in film after film he played stuffed-shirt aristocrats, snooty military officers and clueless young twits who never got the girl. Coote interrupted his film career for World War II service as a squadron leader with the Canadian Air Force, then returned to supporting roles in such films as The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1947) and Forever Amber (1948). In 1956, Coote was cast as Col. Pickering in the long-running Broadway musical My Fair Lady; eight years later he appeared in the weekly TV series The Rogues, generally carrying the series' plotlines when the "official" stars--David Niven, Charles Boyer and Gig Young--were indisposed. Robert Coote's last film appearance was as one of the theatrical critics dispatched by looney Shakespearean actor Vincent Price in Theatre of Blood. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1937
In this romantic adventure, a wealthy Arab sheik has a reputation for breeding some of the fastest horses in the world. Meanwhile, the spoiled daughter of a corkscrew magnate bets her British betrothed that she can find a horse that can beat any nag in his stable. She and her father then set out for Arabia to find the famous sheik. They are accompanied by her eccentric aunt and ill-mannered cousin. The Americans are classically ugly in their attitudes and when they meet the traditionally garbed sheik, they mistake him for a mere porter and desert guide. To get his revenge and teach the brutish Americans something about cultural sensitivity, he kidnaps the girl and then leaves her alone in the desert. To add insult to injury, he later grabs her off the alter during her wedding and marries her himself. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ramon Novarro, Lola Lane, (more)
- 1937
In this Australian western, a rancher's daughter goes out on a long-distance lark unaware that her father is facing financial dire straits. A new foreman finally contacts the girl so she will come home. The young woman finally comes home, but encounters constant disagreements with foreman. In addition to their personal squabbles, they must also cope with a nearby rancher who has decided to dam the river to force them to abandon their land. Fortunately, the clever foreman stops the plot, restores water to ranch, and wins the young woman's heart. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Victor Jory, Margaret Dare, (more)
- 1937
The 1937 Thirteenth Chair was the third film version of the 1919 stage melodrama by Bayard Veiller. Dame Mae Whitty dominates the proceedings as Mme. La Grange, a phony mystic who is on hand when a man is killed during one of her seances. The killing takes place in the home of a provincial British Indian governor, and the victim was a blackmailer whom everyone present had good reason to despise. Complicating matters for Mme. La Grange is the fact that one of the suspects, Nell O'Neill (Madge Evans) is her own daughter. Dissatisfied with the manner in which brusque Scotland Yard inspector Marney (Lewis Stone) is investigating the case, La Grange takes matters in her own hands, stage-managing a second seance so that the guilty party will be frightened into a confession. More slickly produced than the 1929 version of Thirteenth Chair, the remake isn't quite as enjoyable, lacking two vital ingredients: Margaret Wycherly and Bela Lugosi, the earlier version's Mme. LaGrange and Inspector Marney. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dame May Whitty, Madge Evans, (more)
- 1934
In this British drama, based on a popular play, a wealthy young Jew goes to a weekend house party and finds himself victimized by anti-Semitic guests. To add insult to injury, his wallet is then stolen. The fellow exposes the pilferer and threatens to take him to court until the other guests, terrified of scandal, offer to make him a member of their exclusive club. It seems, like a good offer until the other members express their racist reservations about his joining. The angered fellow decides to take it to court after all. The distraught thief is found guilty and subsequently suicides. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Basil Rathbone, Heather Thatcher, (more)
