The Secret Heart(1946).

The Secret Heart(1946). Directed by Robert Z. Leonard. Cast: Claudette Colbert, Walter Pidgeon and June Allyson.

Lee is engaged to marry Larry Adams, a alcoholic widower with two children, Chase and Penny. While returning home on an ocean liner, she meets and falls in love with Chris Matthews, a friend of Larry's. Even though she loves Chris, she marries Larry, and moves to his farm in Rhode Island. Larry's talent is playing the piano, which he teaches Penny. Over the next two years Lee tries to live with his alcoholism. On evening while Lee is out with Chris, Larry's body found at the bottom of a cliff. He had committed suicide after embezzling money from his clients. Lee moves the family away from the farm, to New York where she takes a job to pay off Larry's debts, and keeps the truth from Penny, wanting to protect her.

Ten years later, a troubled Penny, drops out of school and is always playing the piano. Lee, now concerned goes to see psychiatrist Dr. Rossiger, and the story up to this point is told in flashback: The doctor advises that they move back to the farm for the summer, since that is where Larry died, and he believes that confronting the past will help cure Penny. Chase returns home from the navy and lands a job with Chris, who now owns a shipyard. He introduces Penny to his navy buddy Brandon Reynolds. They all move to the farm, together with Chase's friend Kay Burns, where Chris comes back into Lee's life after a ten-year absence, and Lee realizes that it was Chris she has always loved. Once at the farm, Chase tells Penny the truth, and she becomes despondent. Although, Brandon is interested in Penny, she loves Chris, and is heartbroken when she finds him in Lee's arms. Penny then tries to kill herself by jumping off a cliff, as Larry had done. Will Lee get there in time to prevent it?

This movie is an interesting psychological study of a young girl obsessed with the memory of her dead father.

Fun Fact:

After filming The Secret Heart together, Claudette Colbert and co-star June Allyson became such great friends in real life Colbert became godmother to Allyson's daughter Pamela.

Elizabeth Patterson (November 22, 1875 – January 31, 1966) was a film and television character actress remembered for her portrayal of elderly neighbor Matilda Trumbull on I Love Lucy.

Patterson's acting in college theatricals, began her interest in drama. Her parents sent her to Europe in the hope of discouraging her from the theater, but her determination to become an actress was only reinforced by her experiences attending productions at the Comédie Française.

After returning from Europe, Patterson move to Chicago, where she joined a theatrical troupe, and toured with repertory companies. In 1913, she made her Broadway debut in the play, Everyman. She remained active in New York City theatre through 1954.

In 1926, at the age of 51, Patterson was cast in her first movie, The Boy Friend. She also performed in the films: A Bill of Divorcement, Tarnished Lady, Dinner at Eight, High, Wide, and Handsome, Intruder in the Dust, Remember the Night, No Man of Her Own, The Shocking Miss Pilgrim, Little Women, My Sister Eileen and Pal Joey.

Never married, Patterson lived alone at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel during her thirty five-year movie career.

Claudette Colbert.

Claudette Colbert, was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress for three films, It Happened One Night (1935), Private Worlds (1936), and Since You Went Away (1945), winning for It Happened One Night.

Video: Full length movie of It Happened One Night.



Claudette Colbert, is the only actress in the history of cinema to star in three films in the same year to be nominated for Best Picture Academy Award, those films being Cleopatra, Imitation of Life, and It Happened One Night which were all made in 1934.

Please click here to learn more about Claudette Colbert.

Personal Quotes:
"Most of us don't know about happiness until it's over".

Tomorrow Is Forever(1946).

Tomorrow Is Forever(1946). Directed by Irving Pichel. Cast: Claudette Colbert, Orson Welles and George Brent. The music score is by Max Steiner. It also features the eight-year-old Natalie Wood in her first credited role.

After Elizabeth MacDonald, receives word that her husband, John Andrew, has been killed in the war. She faints at work and is taken in by her bosses, Larry Hamilton, aunt Jessie, who informs him that Elizabeth is pregnant.

In a German hospital, John is badly injured and decides not to give his real name, so everyone will still believe that he was killed in the war..

Elizabeth, gives birth to a boy, who she names John Andrew and accepts Larry's marriage proposal. Twenty years later, as the threat of war in Europe begins, Elizabeth, is holding on to all hope that her son John Jr., will not be called to duty.

John the father who is now crippled, lives in Austria and calls himself Erich Kessler, begins making plans to return to Baltimore, with his foster daughter Margaret, to work as a chemist at the Hamilton factory. After arriving, John takes Margaret, to the house, in which he and Elizabeth, used to live and tries to find out if his wife Elizabeth, still lives there. Later John, checks in with his new employer Larry, and is unaware that he is married to Elizabeth, accepts his dinner invitation.

John, is shocked when he sees Elizabeth, who does not recognise him, but, she does sense something familiar about him. John, then is introduced to John Jr. and it is not long before he realizes that is his son. Now, John must decide whether or not to reveal his true identity.

This is a very touching story, with wonderful performances by Claudette Colbert and Orson Welles. Anyone, who loves a good old-fashioned love story, will want give this movie a try.

CMBA Blogathon - Movies of 1939: Midnight(1939).

Midnight (1939). Romantic/ comedy. Director: Mitchell Leisen. Written by Charles Brackett and Billy Wilder based on a story by Edwin Justus Mayer and Franz Schulz. Cast: Claudette Colbert, Don Ameche and John Barrymore.

Eve Peabody an American showgirl, finds herself stranded in Paris one rainy night. Eve makes a deal with cab driver Tibor Czerny, to double his fee for driving her from nightclub to nightclub looking for a job. Eve, decides to run away from him when it looks like he is becoming interested in her. She hides from him at a charity event where she meets, millionaire Georges Flammarion.

The adventure begins after Georges gives her the title of the Baroness Czerny and Eve finds herself in a room at the Ritz, every girls dream, with beautiful clothes and a chauffeured limousine. Later that morning, Georges, appears at the Ritz to offer Eve the job of taking Jacques away from Helen. She accepts the job and his weekend invitation at his home. That same day, Tibor has organized the cab drivers of Paris to find Eve and on a tip, he finds her at the Flammarion chateau. Just as Helen is about to expose Eve as an impostor, Tibor arrives as the Baron to claim his wife. Will they be able to keep up the crazy charade?

Favorite quote: Eve Peabody: (at the ball) Don't forget, every Cinderella has her midnight.

This is my second Midnight movie review. I thought the story was magical. Once again, Claudette Colbert shows that she is a wonderful comedian. Don Ameche, gives one of my favorite performances. Mary Astor, combines beauty and meanness into a wonderful performance.

Please click here to view Dawn's first Midnight(1939) movie review.

Claudette Colbert ( September 13, 1903 – July 30, 1996), was a French-born American stage and film actress. Claudette began her career on Broadway during the 1920s, moving onto talking pictures. She began a successful film career with Paramount Pictures and later, as a freelance performer. Claudette was recognized as one of the leading women of screwball comedy. She won the Academy Award for Best Actress in the film, It Happened One Night (1934), and also received Academy Award nominations for her dramatic roles in Private Worlds (1935) and Since You Went Away (1944).

Her film career began to decline in the 1950s, and she made her last film in 1961. Colbert continued to act in theater and, briefly, in television during her later years.

Don Ameche (May 31, 1908 – December 6, 1993) was an Academy Award winning actor. Ameche was a versatile and popular film actor in the 1930s and '40s, usually as the handsome, leading man. He was also popular as a radio master of ceremonies during this time. As his film popularity began to fade in the 1950s, he continued working in theater and some TV. His film career made a comeback in the 1980s as an aging millionaire in, Trading Places (1983) and in the film,Cocoon (1985).

John Barrymore (February 15, 1882 – May 29, 1942). He began his acting career as a handsome stage actor in light comedy. His success continued in movies in both the silent and sound eras. John Barrymore is mostly known for his roles in movies like, Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde (1920), Grand Hotel (1932), Dinner at Eight (1933), Twentieth Century (1934), and Don Juan (1926). He was the brother of Lionel Barrymore and Ethel Barrymore and was the paternal grandfather of, Drew Barrymore.

Mary Astor (May 3, 1906 – September 25, 1987) was most remembered for her performance in the film, The Maltese Falcon (1941) with Humphrey Bogart. Astor began her long motion picture career as a teenager in the silent movies of the 1920s.

She made a successful transition to talkies, eventually winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in the film, The Great Lie (1941). She was an MGM contract player through most of the 1940s and continued to act in movies, on television and on stage until her retirement from the screen in 1964. Astor was the author of five novels. Her autobiography became a bestseller, as did her later book, A Life on Film, which was about her career.

She Married Her Boss(1935).

She Married Her Boss(1935). Directed by Gregory La Cava. Cast: Claudette Colbert and Melvyn Douglas.

The story begins when, secretary Julia Scott, who is in love with her boss, Richard Barclay, the owner of Barclay's Department Store, who unfortunately only thinks of her as his right "hand man." Julia, is offered her dream job working in Paris, but she, turns it down because of her love for Richard. Julia, decides it is time to tell Richard about her feelings. While working late at his home, Julia finds Richard's hysterical sister Gertrude, his brat of a daughter Annabel. Richard, tells Julia to take charge of the house and she fires the servants and gives Annabel, a much needed spanking.

The next day, Julia finds out that her friend Martha, has gone to Richard and told him that Julia, has taken the job in Paris. When Richard asks Julia about it, she says she wants to go to Paris, to find a husband.

Later that same day, everyone, is in an uproar over the sudden, marriage of Richard and Julia. Heartbroken, Julia learns that Richard, sees her more as a business partner than a wife. The next morning, Julia decides not to go into the office so she can settle into her new home. Without her, there is trouble in the office and Julia has her own troubles at home. Martha, comes to visit Julia with Leonard Rogers, a womanizer who has just sold his department store to Richard. When Richard arrives home, he finds Julia, Leonard and Annabel singing together and tells Julia, that he doesn't think their marriage is working out. Julia tells him that she will return to the office the next day. Instead of returning to the office, Julia heads to Philadelphia to manage the Rogers store. After two weeks, Julia has the Philadelphia store in shape and her feelings are hurt, when Richard tells her to take her time in returning home. That night, Julia agrees to go out with Leonard and the two end up drunk in a display window of the department store. Two newspaper photographers, take pictures of the couple and the next day their picture is front page news. Will Richard travel to Philadelphia, to bring Julia back to New York?

Although, the story maybe a little unbelievable, it is still a cute film. One of my favorite scenes is when, Colbert and Bartlett host a cocktail party in the shop window of a department store, with shop mannequins as the guests.

Melvyn Hesselberg (April 5, 1901 – August 4, 1981). Douglas shared top billing with Boris Karloff and Charles Laughton in the films, The Old Dark House (1932), The Vampire Bat(1932), She Married Her Boss(1935). He played opposite Joan Crawford in several films, although.. best known for, A Woman's Face (1941). He also performed with Greta Garbo in three films, As You Desire Me (1932), Ninotchka (1939) and Garbo's final film, Two-Faced Woman (1941).

During World War II, Douglas served in the United States Army and when he returned home he performed  in the films, The Sea of Grass and Mr. Blandings Builds his Dream House.

As Douglas grew older, he took father type roles, The Americanization of Emily (1964), Hud (1963), for which he won his first Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, The Candidate (1972) and I Never Sang for My Father (1970), for which he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor. He won his second Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for the dark comedy, Being There (1979). Douglas' final screen performancewas in the film, Ghost Story (1981). He did not finish his role in the film The Hot Touch (1982) before his death.

Pawsome Pet Pictures: Claudette Colbert

Holy Jumpin' Catfish! - A Post About "It Happened One Night"

I actually have a brand new obsession. I predict that I am going to become uncontrollably obsessed with It Happened One Night after I watched it this evening. At the weekend we ordered three brand new Frank Capra films, It Happened One Night (1934), Mr. Deeds Goes To Town (1936) and Mr. Smith Goes To Washington (1939). As you can imagine, I was all jumping up and down when they arrived, but I had to wait until today as I am now completely almost homework-less. I decided to start off with It Happened One Night. I adore Clark Gable and I think my little sister looks like Claudette Colbert. What could possibly go wrong? NOTHING, I TELL YOU!!!!! NOTHING!!!!!

It Happened One Night (1934)

Cast (Director, Frank Capra):

• Clark Gable as Peter Warne
• Claudette Colbert as Ellie Andrews
• Walter Connolly as Alexander Andrews
• Roscoe Karns as Oscar Shapeley, an annoying bus passenger who tries to pick up Ellie
• Jameson Thomas as "King" Westley

Plot:

Rich daughter of wall street journalist Alexander Andrews, Ellie, has married fortune hunter, "King" Westly against her father's wishes. Before the marriage can be properly made official, Ellie is stolen away by her father and put on his boat with her. He threatens to annul the "Non-Existent" marriage, but Ellie has other ideas, and jumps off the boat and swims away from sight. Planning to run away on a night bus, hoping no one will recognize her and notify the police (who are now scouring America for her), Ellie bumps into wisecracking tough-edged newspaperman Peter Warne.

After an initially frosty start, they get to know each other and Peter ends up blackmailing her into letting him write a story about her stay away from home.

Blanket drawn...

At first she isn't crazy about the idea, but when her journey gets tough, Peter helps her along the way and she starts to fall for him (Sorry to interrupt the plot summary, but how could you not?) in secret.

Stranded and starving (and sleeping on hay) Peter gets some raw carrots for them to eat, but she refuses to eat them unless they are cooked.

She's like, "Really?"

Peter decides that there is no choice but to hitchhike. He tells her that there are three basic types of hitchhiking.

One: The independent *Short, quick, thumb up, backwards gesture*, The Smile (or something, I can't remember :-S) *Cheesy grin, backwards gesture with thumb up, shaking hand while moving it*, The Desperate one *Long sweeping gesture with hand, thumbs up, melancholy face*. None of them work. Suddenly, a long line of speeding cars drive past and he has to do them all in quick succession with no success. Exhausted, Peter dares Ellie to do any better. She goes up to the road and simply raises her skirt just above the knee.

A car immediately pulls up. After a series of unfortunate events, they settle in a hotel for the night. Ellie tells Peter that she loves him, but he seems to have no reaction, and because they insist on having a blanket drawn to separate the two halves of the room, Ellie doesn't see Peter leave the room.

Blanket still drawn.

She gives herself up to the police and is escorted home. It turns out, however, that Peter was going to collect some money from his newspaper firm so he can propose to Ellie. She gets engaged to her old beaux again, but just before the wedding, she tells her Father that she is still in love with Peter Warne, the man she met while she was on the road. Funnily enough, Peter has asked Ellie's father if he can repay him for the costs of looking after Ellie. While Peter is with him, Alexander asks Peter if he still loves Ellie. Peter says yes, and the next day, as Ellie is walking down the aisle, her father tells her that she is making a great mistake and that Peter still loves her. She runs away and she and Peter are together at last.

Yay!!! *Happy dance* :-)

Review

Frank Capra, Claudette Colbert, Clark Gable

This has to be one of the best romantic comedies ever made. Not only is Frank Capra a spectacular director, but Claudette Colbert and Clark Gable is one of the best screen pairings ever! The plot reminds me a little of Roman Holiday if Audrey Hepburn knew that the man was actually a newspaperman. I have to start using Clark Gable's OMG phrase, "Holy jumpin' catfish!". When Clark and Claudette are on the hay in that forest...

HOLY JUMPIN' CATFISH!!! AWESOMENESS COUPLE-ONIFIED *HYPERVENTILATES*!!!! I CAN'T EVEN...

This film is just amazing, and I will never look at a raw carrot in the same way again. Nor will I ever get over Clark Gable in this film... Watching all these amazing people in films (as well as my own awesome family who watch them with me) are setting my standards of people communication ridiculously high. It can't be good for me.

If you'll excuse me, I intend to read Bette Davis' autobiography until the small hours of the morning go to sleep.

~Bette

Since You Went Away(1944).

Since You Went Away(1944). Directed by John Cromwell. Produced by David O. Selznick from the novel Since You Went Away: Letters to a Soldier from His Wife by Margaret Buell Wilder. The music score was by Max Steiner and the cinematography by Stanley Cortez, Lee Garmes, George Barnes (uncredited) and Robert Bruce (uncredited). Cast: Claudette Colbert, Jennifer Jones, Shirley Temple and Joseph Cotten with Monty Woolley, Robert Walker, Lionel Barrymore, Hattie McDaniel, Agnes Moorehead, Guy Madison, Craig Stevens, Janelle Johnson, Keenan Wynn, Florence Bates, and Alla Nazimova.

Fun Fact:
At the time, the longest and most expensive Hollywood film since David O. Selznick's, Gone with the Wind (1939).

The story begins on January 12, 1943, when Anne questions her husband's decision to leave his family and his well paying job to fight in the war. Anne has to let Fidelia, the family's housekeeper go, as she can no longer afford to pay her wages. Because of the housing shortage they decide to take in a border by the name, Col. William G. Smollett, a retired army officer. Soon after, Fidelia asks to move back into the house, offering her housekeeping services as rent. To complicate matters even more, is the romance between Anne's daughter Jane and the Colonel's grandson.

This film captures perfectly the worry of those who with loved ones fighting in the war. Watch for the unforgettable scene when Mr. Mahoney leaves the movie theater. Also, one of my favorite Jennifer Jones performances. You will need a box of Kleenex for this film.

Robert Walker(October 13, 1918 – August 28, 1951). While attending the AADA, Walker met aspiring actress Phylis Isley, who later became the film star, Jennifer Jones. The couple were married in Tulsa, Oklahoma on January 2, 1939 and moved to Hollywood to find work in films. Unfortunately, things did not go as planned and they moved to New York. Walker soon found work in radio while Phylis stayed home and gave birth to two sons, actor Robert Walker, Jr., born April 15, 1940, and Michael Walker, born March 13, 1941. Soon after, Phylis was discovered in 1941 by producer David O. Selznick, who changed her name to Jennifer Jones. She landed the role in the film, The Song of Bernadette (1943).

The couple returned to Hollywood, where Walker started work on the war drama, Bataan (1943). Walker's charming demeanor won him roles as the "boy-next-door in films: See Here, Private Hargrove (1944) and Her Highness and the Bellboy (1945). He also appeared in the film, Since You Went Away (1944) in which he and his wife portrayed doomed young lovers. In real life, they divorced shortly after.

Also that year, Walker starred in the film, The Clock, opposite Judy Garland, in her first  dramatic film. Although Walker, continued to work steadily in Hollywood, he was distraught over the divorce and he suffered a nervous breakdown.

In 1946, Walker starred in, Till the Clouds Roll By, where he played the song writer Jerome Kern. He starred as composer Johannes Brahms in, Song of Love (1947), which co-starred Katharine Hepburn. Later, Walker starred with Ava Gardner in the film, One Touch of Venus(1948).

Soon after he was hired by director Alfred Hitchcock for one of his best performances, Strangers on a Train (1951).

It's a Wonderful World(1939).

It's a Wonderful World(1939). Romantic screwball comedy.Cast: Claudette Colbert and James Stewart, directed by W. S. Van Dyke.

Detective Guy Johnson's client, Willie Heywood is framed for murder and while Guy hides him so he can catch the real killer, both of them are caught by the police, tried and convicted .  Guy for a year, Willie to be executed. On the way to jail, Guy comes across a clue and escapes from the police...

Edwina Corday, accidentally gets involved in Guy's trying to hide from the cops, eventually becoming a runaway herself and falling in love with Guy, causing him a lot of trouble along the way.



This movie is  non-stop fun from start to finish, and Stewart plays a much rougher guy than his usual more like able personality.

Frances Drake (October 22, 1912 – January 18, 2000) . She was appearing as a nightclub dancer in London when she made her first film appearances: Meet My Sister (1933) and The Jewel (1933).

List of  Frances Drake films:
Bolero (1934)
The Trumpet Blows (1934)
Ladies Should Listen (1934)
Forsaking All Others (1934)
Mad Love (1935)
Les Miserables (1935 film)
The Invisible Ray (1936)
And Sudden Death (1936)
Midnight Taxi (1937)
Love Under Fire (1937)
There's Always a Woman (1938)
It's a Wonderful World (1939)
I Take This Woman (1940)
The Affairs of Martha (1942)

Pawsome Pet Pictures: Claudette Colbert.

Personal Quote:

Most of us don't know about happiness until it's over.

True Story: Three Came Home (1950).

Three Came Home(1950,) is a wartime film based on the memoirs of the same name by writer Agnes Newton Keith. Produced by Nunnally Johnson, directed by Jean Negulesco. The New York Times reviewer said, "It will shock you, disturb you, tear your heart out. But it will fill you fully with a great respect for a heroic soul." Cast: Claudette Colbert, Patric Knowles, Florence Desmond, Sessue Hayakawa, Sylvia Andrew, Mark Keuning, Phyllis Morris and Howard Chuman.



American-born Agnes Keith and her British husband live a very happy life in North Borneo with their young son in 1942. Until the Japanese invasion, they are taken to separate prison camps, one for men, the other for women and children. Living with brutality under the control of the camp commander Lieutenant-Colonel Suga. The Lieutenant takes a liking to Mrs Keith because of her work with his people. He is also kind to the children even though his own family was killed in Hiroshima.

This is a wonderful/powerful film if you can look past Claudette Colbert's perfect hairdo while living in a prison camp. Other films may look more realistic, but... the ending is one of the most moving you will ever see.

Fun Facts:

It was while filming this movie that Claudette Colbert hurt her back injury forcing her to give up the part of Margo Channing in, All About Eve (1950) to Bette Davis.

This film's opening prologue states: "This is a true story. Exterior scenes were photographed whenever possible in Borneo, in the exact locales associated with the events as related by Mrs. Keith."

This film was considered by this film's lead actress Claudette Colbert's as one of her best films by her. After filming was complete, Colbert said to this film's director Jean Negulesco: "You know I'm not given to exaggeration, so I hope you believe me when I say that working with you has been the most stimulating and happiest experience of my entire career."

Cameo: Agnes Newton Keith Agnes Newton Keith (1901–1982).

The novelist of whose book this film is based as an English Woman. Keith can be seen in one scene in a process shot standing behind Claudette Colbert who plays her in this film. The scene has Colbert walking along a pier to the Berhala Camp alongside another woman.

Sessue Hayakawa (June 10, 1889 – November 23, 1973). Hayakawa was the first and one of the few Asian actors to find stardom in the United States as well as Europe. Between the mid-1910s and the late 1920s, he was as well known as actors Charlie Chaplin and Douglas Fairbanks. He starred in over 80 movies. His international stardom transitioned both silent films and talkies. Of his English-language films, Hayakawa is probably best known for his role in the film, The Bridge on the River Kwai, for which he received a nomination for Academy Award Best Supporting Actor in 1957. In addition to his film acting career, Hayakawa was a theatre actor, film and theatre producer, film director, screenwriter, novelist, martial artist, and an ordained Zen master

The Gilded Lily(1935)

The Gilded Lily(1935). Directed by Welsey Ruggles. Cast: Claudette Colbert, Fred MacMurray, Ray Milland and Aubrey Smith.

Lynn, and her best friend, reporter Peter Dawes, meet every Thursday night on a bench, where they share a bag of popcorn and talk about their life.. Lynn, soon, meets vacationing English aristocrat Charles Gray Granville, and they fall in love, although he keeps his royal identity a secret. Gray is already engaged to Helen Fergus and when he tells his father, Duke of Lomeshire, that he wants to marry Lynn, the duke insists they return to England and break off the engagement. Gray lies to Lynn about why he's leaving New York, but when Pete meets the Granvilles at the dock, Gray tells him that he is engaged to Helen. Pete writes an article about Lynn, who he calls "No Girl," leaving Gray at the altar. When the Granvilles, read that Helen has broken her engagement, the duke believes Lynn is trying to blackmail him. Gray then sends Lynn a telegram at work asking her price to forget him. Pete decides to make her a celebrity. He gets her a job as a singer and dancer at Nate's Cafe, despite the fact that she can neither sing nor dance. At her opening, Lynn's lack of talent wins laughs from the audience, and she becomes a hit.

After one publicity stunt after another, "No Girl" becomes a household name and as a nightclub star, she goes to London to perform. Gray is in the audience and Lynn, assuming they are still in love, goes out with him. Heartbroken, Pete returns to the states. Who will Lynn share her bag of popcorn with?

Fun Fact:

First of seven movies that Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray filmed together.

This is a wonderful little film I saw for the first time over the weekend. Claudette Colbert is wonderful as always. Fred MacMurray also does a fine job in his part, Ray Milland looks very young and handsome.

First video of 9.

Aubrey Smith(21 July 1863 – 20 December 1948), was an English cricketer and actor. He was knighted by King George VI in 1944 for services to the theatre. He appeared in early films for the nascent British film industry, starring in, The Bump in 1920. Smith later moved to Hollywood where he had a successful career as a character actor playing either officer or gentleman roles.

Smith became infamous for expecting his fellow countrymen to report for regular duty at his Hollywood Cricket Club, and anyone who refused was known to "incur his displeasure". Fiercely patriotic, Smith became openly critical of the British actors of enlistment age who did not return to fight after the outbreak of World War II in 1939. He starred alongside such screen legends as leading ladies Greta Garbo, Elizabeth Taylor, Vivien Leigh, and actors Clark Gable, Laurence Olivier, Ronald Colman, Maurice Chevalier and Gary Cooper. His films include such classics as The Prisoner of Zenda (1937) mentioned above, The Four Feathers (1939), Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1941), and And Then There Were None (1945).