Mark Lester Movies
- 1942
British music-hall comedian Max Miller ("The Cheeky Chappie") always had difficulty transferring his risque style to films, principally because the censors were on their guard the moment he sashayed into view. Asking for Trouble is a relatively "clean" Miller farce, though Max manages to slip a few double-entendres under the door. This time, Miller poses as a big game hunter, armed with an empty weapon and a litany of wheezy old gags. His ruse is designed to rescue the daughter (Carol Lynne) of a general (Mark Lester) from the lechery of genuine hunter Wilfred Hyde-White. When inspiration flags in the script department, Miller tosses in one of his inimitable comic songs. Asking for Trouble was the last of Max Miller's fourteen film appearances. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1940
Lambeth Walk is the film version of the evergreen West End musical Me and My Girl, which was still being successfully revived into the 1980s. The enormously popular music-hall entertainer Lupino Lane repeats his stage characterization as Bill, a diffident working-class cockney who finds himself heir to a title and a vast estate. Though he now has his pick of England's most gorgeous debutantes, Bill remains faithful to his blue-collar girlfriend Sally (Sally Gray). The film's new title was designed to cash in on a then-popular dance craze, which is performed by the high-kicking Lupino Lane in the course of events. In America, Lambeth Walk was distributed by MGM, whose British Elstree Studios facilities had put the film together in the first place. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lupino Lane, Sally Gray, (more)
- 1939
In this British wartime propaganda film, a Nazi spy creeps into England and is taken in by a kindly family who have no idea who he really is. He repays their kindness by using their home as a radio base for his communiqués to other Nazis regarding the location of British targets for German planes and paratroopers. The plot really thickens when the Nazi falls in love with the daughter. When the Nazis attack, the Nazi houseguest kills one of his own officers. He is then dragged out and shot just before the British bombers fly over and destroy the home. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Edmund Gwenn, Mary Maguire, (more)
- 1936
Gunrunners who even kill their enemies through the use of train wrecks are being trailed by Yankee detective Lowe and girlfriend Cummings. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1935
Henry Oscar plays Gabriel Perry in this rusty-dusty British courtroom drama. Perry is the local justice-of-the peace; his wife is played by Olga Lindo. When Mrs. Perry discovers that Gabriel has committed murder, she can do nothing; after all, a wife cannot testify against her husband (or could not back in 1935). Margaret Lockwood, on the verge of stardom, shows up in a nondescript ingenue role. The Case of Gabriel Perry was adapted from Wild Justice, a play by James Dale. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
In this romance, a poor girl spends her spare time window shopping for pricey goods. On a lark, she goes into an auto dealership to price a Rolls Royce. She feigns outrage when she learns the car has already been sold. She petulantly demands that she be sold that particular car. Her feisty actions are observed by a wealthy playboy who immediately falls in love with her. Much to the shock of her parents, who own a small antique shop, a brand new Rolls is delivered right to the front of their shop. Her mother goes to the dealer and demands to know who bought the vehicle for him. The dealer tells her that her daughter "won" it. Of course, it was the playboy who bought her the car on the sly. When at last they meet, the two fall in love. They encounter difficulty when the playboy discovers that she works at his father's musical instrument factory. He must conceal his identity to avoid scandal, but it cannot be avoided. The truth comes out and it is a while before the couple can get back together. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Mills, Mark Lester, (more)
- 1934
In this British comedy, a proper teacher at a private girl's school secretly elopes with a wrestler. To conceal the wedding, she has her twin sister, a trick rider for the circus, take her place in school. The circus performer turns out to be a natural teacher and before her sister comes back, is promoted to headmistress. Keep a sharp eye out for Vivien Leigh in her feature film debut. She plays a school girl and though she only had one line, a number of close-ups centered on her. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1931
In this crime drama, a gangster murders his own girlfriend and kidnaps a wealthy socialite. He takes her to his boat and holds her for ransom. Fortunately, an ace reporter follows his tracks and manages to save the girl. When faced with his own capture, the gangster chooses to kill himself instead. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
