James Stephenson
ActingAbout James Stephenson
British stage actor James Stephenson made his film debut quite late in life, at the age of 49, in 1937, making four pictures that year. Warner Bros. got a glimpse of this distinguished gent and signed him to a contract where he indulged himself in urbane villainy. Proving a reliable support in such films as Boy Meets Girl (1938), You Can't Get Away with Murder (1939), The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex (1939), and the classic adventure The Sea Hawk (1940), he was entrusted by director William Wyler and mega-star Bette Davis to play the sympathetic role of the family attorney Howard Joyce in The Letter (1940). It was the role of a lifetime and he didn't let them down for he earned an Oscar nomination in the process. Stephenson was soon on a roll, playing the titular sleuth in Calling Philo Vance (1940) and was first-billed in the above-average "B" movie Shining Victory (1941) when he died suddenly in 1941 of a heart attack at the rather young age of 53. Date of Death: 29 July 1941, Pacific Palisades, California (heart attack)
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of James Stephenson reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 37 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Drama
The majority of James Stephenson's filmography leans towards the Drama genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.
The "Box Office" Signature
With a 19% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), James Stephenson remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in The Letter, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best James Stephenson Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from James Stephenson's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of James Stephenson.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1941 | International Squadron | Squadron Leader Charles Wyatt | Average | Similar → |
| 1941 | Shining Victory | Dr. Paul Venner | Average | Similar → |
| 1941 | Flight from Destiny | Dr. Lawrence 'Larry' Stevens | Flop | Similar → |
| 1940 | The Letter | Howard Joyce | Hit | Similar → |
| 1940 | South of Suez | Inspector Thornton | Flop | Similar → |
| 1940 | A Dispatch from Reuters | Carew | Average | Similar → |
| 1940 | The Sea Hawk | Abbott | Hit | Similar → |
| 1940 | River's End | McDowell | Average | Similar → |
| 1940 | Murder in the Air | Joe Garvey | Flop | Similar → |
| 1940 | Calling Philo Vance | Philo Vance | Average | Similar → |
| 1940 | Wolf of New York | Hiram Rogers | Hit | Similar → |
| 1939 | We Are Not Alone | Sir William Clintock | Average | Similar → |
| 1939 | The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex | Sir Thomas Egerton | Average | Similar → |
| 1939 | The Monroe Doctrine | Senor De La Torre | Hit | Similar → |
| 1939 | Espionage Agent | Dr. Anton Rader | Average | Similar → |
| 1939 | The Old Maid | Jim Ralston | Hit | Similar → |
| 1939 | Beau Geste | Major Henri de Beaujolais | Hit | Similar → |
| 1939 | Sons of Liberty | Colonel Tillman | Average | Similar → |
| 1939 | Confessions of a Nazi Spy | British Military Intelligence Agent | Average | Similar → |
| 1939 | Wanted by Scotland Yard | Fingers | Flop | Similar → |
| 1939 | On Trial | Gerald Trask | Average | Similar → |
| 1939 | The Adventures of Jane Arden | Dr. George Vanders | Average | Similar → |
| 1939 | Secret Service of the Air | Jim Cameron | Average | Similar → |
| 1939 | Torchy Blane in Chinatown | Dr. Mansfield | Average | Similar → |
| 1939 | King of the Underworld | Bill Stevens | Average | Similar → |
| 1939 | Devil's Island | Col. Armand Lucien | Flop | Similar → |
| 1938 | Heart of the North | Stephen Gore | Flop | Similar → |
| 1938 | Nancy Drew… Detective | Challon | Average | Similar → |
| 1938 | Boy Meets Girl | Major Thompson | Hit | Similar → |
| 1938 | Cowboy from Brooklyn | Prof. Landis | Flop | Similar → |
| 1938 | White Banners | Thomas Bradford | Average | Similar → |
| 1938 | When Were You Born | Phillip Corey | Flop | Similar → |
| 1938 | Mr. Satan | Tim Garnett | Flop | Similar → |
| 1938 | The Dark Stairway | Inspector Clarke | Flop | Similar → |
| 1937 | The Man Who Made Diamonds | Ben | Flop | Similar → |
| 1937 | You Live and Learn | Sam Brooks | Flop | Similar → |
| 1937 | Transatlantic Trouble | Lewis | Flop | Similar → |
James Stephenson - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of James Stephenson?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring James Stephenson is "The Letter" with a rating of 7.3/10.
How many movies has James Stephenson acted in?
James Stephenson has been featured in at least 37 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by James Stephenson?
Other notable films include "The Sea Hawk", "The Old Maid", and "Wolf of New York".