Description: Autographed 3" x 5" postcsrd photograph of the British actor of stage and screen.Margins were trimmed to standard postcard size for framing..Leslie James Banks CBE (1890 – 1952) was an English stage and screen actor, director and producer, now best remembered for playing gruff, menacing characters in black-and-white films of the 1930s and 1940s.Leslie Banks was born in West Derby, Liverpool, Lancashire, to George and Emily (née Dalby) Banks. He attended school at Glenalmond College in Scotland, and later studied at Keble College, Oxford with the intention of becoming a parson, but decided against this.He joined Frank Benson's company, and made his acting debut in October 1911 at the town hall in Brechin, playing Old Gobbo in The Merchant of Venice. He then toured the United States and Canada with Henry V. Esmond and Eva Moore in 1912 and 1913. Returning to London, he appeared for the first time on the West End stage at the Vaudeville Theatre on 5 May 1914, as Lord Murdon in The Dangerous Age.During the First World War he served with the Essex Regiment. He received injuries that left his face partially scarred and paralyzed. In his acting career he would use this injury to good effect, by showing the unblemished side of his face when playing comedy or romance and the scarred, paralyzed side of his face when playing drama or tragedy. After the war, Banks joined the Birmingham Repertory Theatre. He returned to London in 1921, and established himself as a leading dramatic actor and West End star known for his powerful yet restrained performances.Working in both London and New York City, he gained prominence on both sides of the Atlantic, and it was when he was in New York that Kenneth Macgowan persuaded him to go to Hollywood and make his first credited movie debut there in The Most Dangerous Game in 1932.Film careerHis formidable bulk and intimidating aspect served him well in his first important film role, as a diabolical Russian hunter of human prey in The Most Dangerous Game (1932). The film features Joel McCrea and Fay Wray. For the rest of his career, he divided his time between Britain and the United States and between film and theatre. His other film roles included Alfred Hitchcock's The Man Who Knew Too Much (1934), Fire Over England (1937), Jamaica Inn (1939), Laurence Olivier's Henry V (1944), and David Lean's Madeleine (1950). Against 'type', Banks starred in The Arsenal Stadium Mystery (1939), as the eccentric Inspector Anthony Slade.His theatre roles included Eliza Comes to Stay (his American debut in 1914), Captain Hook in Peter Pan (his New York debut in 1924), the title role in Clive of India (1934), Petruchio in The Taming of the Shrew (1937), the schoolmaster in Goodbye, Mr Chips (1938), and James Jarvis in the Kurt Weill musical Lost in the Stars (1950).Banks was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his services to theatre in 1950, the year of his last appearances on stage and screen. He died in 1952, aged 61, from a stroke he suffered while walking. Filmography1921 Experience (Film debut)1932 The Most Dangerous Game Count Zaroff1933 Strange Evidence Francis RelfI Am Suzanne Adolphe 'Baron' Herring1934 The Fire Raisers Jim BrontonRed Ensign David BarrThe Man Who Knew Too Much Bob Lawrence1935 Sanders of the River Commissioner R.G. SandersThe Night of the Party Sir John HollandThe Tunnel Frederick Robbins1936 Debt of Honour Maj. Jimmie StantonThree Maxims Mac1937 Wings of the Morning Lord ClontarfFire Over England Earl of LeicesterFarewell Again Col. Harry Blair1939 Jamaica Inn Joss MerlynThe Arsenal Stadium Mystery Inspector Anthony SladeSons of the Sea Captain Hyde1940 21 Days KeithDead Man's Shoes Roger de VetheuilBusman's Honeymoon Inspector KirkThe Door with Seven Locks Dr. ManettaNeutral Port George Carter1941 Cottage to Let John BarringtonShips with Wings Vice-Admiral Weatherby1942 The Big Blockade Civil Service: TaylorWent the Day Well? Oliver Wilsford1944 Henry V Chorus1947 Mrs. Fitzherbert Charles Fox1949 The Small Back Room Col. A.K. Holland1950 Your Witness Col. Roger Summerfield Madeleine James Smith (final film) Will combine shipments, payment however, must be made at the close of the auction and you must advise us you intend to purchase additional items. Thank you!
Price: 32 USD
Location: New York, New York
End Time: 2025-02-02T14:27:46.000Z
Shipping Cost: 12 USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
Restocking Fee: No
Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 14 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Size: 3" x 5"
Modified Item: No
Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
Original/Reproduction: Original
Signed by: Leslie banks
Object Type: Photograph
Autograph Authentication: Harmonie Autographs and Music, Inc.
Industry: Movies
