Alan Napier Movies
Though no one in his family had ever pursued a theatrical career (one of his more illustrious relatives was British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain), Alan Napier was stagestruck from childhood. After graduating from Clifton College, the tall, booming-voiced Napier studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, then was engaged by the Oxford Players, where he worked with such raw young talent as John Gielgud and Robert Morley. He continued working with the cream of Britain's acting crop during his ten years (1929-1939) on the West End stages. Napier came to New York in 1940 to co-star with Gladys George in Lady in Waiting. Though his film career had begun in England in the 1930s, Napier had very little success before the cameras until he arrived in Hollywood in 1941. He essayed dignified, sometimes waspish roles of all sizes in such films as Cat People (1942), The Uninvited (1943), and House of Horror (1946); among his off-the-beaten-track assignments were the bizarre High Priest in Orson Welles' Macbeth (1948) and a most elegant Captain Kidd in the 1950 Donald O'Connor vehicle Double Crossbones. In 1966, Alan Napier was cast as Bruce Wayne's faithful butler, Alfred, on the smash-hit TV series Batman, a role he played until the series' cancellation in 1968. Alan Napier's career extended into the 1980s, with TV roles in such miniseries as QB VII and such weeklies as The Paper Chase. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
In this espionage drama, a Secret Service agent must discover who has been smuggling British arms into China. The prime suspect is a prosperous Chinese merchant-philanthropist and the agent thinks the merchant is working with the notorious Chinese guerrilla warlord General Ling. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Griffith Jones, Valery Inkijinoff, (more)
- 1937
In this British comedy, set during the Boer War, a foot soldier saves his major's life. The officer is most grateful and puts the soldier in line for a Victoria Cross (a medal for valor). Unfortunately the well-meaning major's actions cause the soldier to be extradited back to England where he must stand trial for a series of crimes he committed before he joined the military. Later the major scours the British jails in search of the heroic lad. He finally finds him recruiting soldiers for WW I. The major offers to raise the soldier's son along with his own grandson. The boys are totally different. The soldier's son is a budding juvenile delinquent while the major's grandson is a perfect angel. The major hopes that the latter will have a good influence on the former, but this does not turn out to be the case. Twenty years pass. Goody-two-shoes is now serving time, while the soldier's son lives quite well on the spoils of his illegal activities. He also takes good care of the elderly major, who does not know the truth about his grandson ( he thinks his grandson is living in America) because the soldier's son refuses to tell him. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tom Walls, Ralph Lynn, (more)
- 1935
In this drama, two brothers fall in love with the same woman. As she is already betrothed to a count, neither of them have a chance until a murder occurs that sends one of the brothers to jail, freeing the other to have the woman. He does this by performing beautiful musical compositions that he swiped from his imprisoned brother. The compositions are proclaimed the work of a musical genius, and the faker becomes quite famous. Meanwhile, the imprisoned brother is released and joins a monastery. Nothing can persuade him to forsake his vows. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Stuart, Hugh Williams, (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)
- 1931
In this complex romantic drama set in the Middle East, a German baroness goes there for a visit and ends up falling in love with a French military officer. Her husband is equally adulterous and endeavors to catch her with her lover to insure that he will have custody of the heir after their divorce. Before his scheme plays itself out, the Frenchman intervenes and kills him. To protect the baroness, he then disposes of the evidence the husband gathered against her. Unhappiness eventually ensues. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1930
One of several British films produced and directed by American moviemaker Larry Trimble, Caste gets under way when the hero, played by Sir John Hare, defies his family's wishes and marries a chorus girl. Disgraced in the eyes of "proper" society, Hare deserts his new wife and joins his regiment in South Africa, where he is later reported to be missing in action. Meanwhile, Hare's wife returns to her old neighborhood and bears her husband's child. Several years pass before the very-much-alive Hare returns to entreat his wife's forgiveness. Though billed first, the delightful Peggy Hyland was wasted in the role of the hero's wisecracking sister. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
