James Mason
James Mason was an acclaimed British actor, born on May 15, 1909, in Huddersfield, Yorkshire, England. Known for his distinctive voice, sophisticated demeanor, and versatility, Mason enjoyed a successful career in both British and American cinema.
Mason began his acting career on the stage in the late 1930s, performing in various theater productions in London's West End. He made his film debut in the British movie "Late Extra" in 1935. However, it was his performance in the film "The Man in Grey" (1943) that gained him critical acclaim and established him as a leading actor.
In the late 1940s, Mason gained international recognition for his roles in several notable British films.
He delivered a memorable performance as the tormented writer in "The Seventh Veil" (1945), for which he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. He also starred in films like "Odd Man Out" (1947) and "The Wicked Lady" (1945), showcasing his ability to portray complex and morally ambiguous characters.
In the 1950s, Mason moved to Hollywood and continued to impress audiences with his talent and versatility. He starred in Alfred Hitchcock's suspense thriller "North by Northwest" (1959), opposite Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint, and delivered a powerful performance as Humbert Humbert in Stanley Kubrick's controversial film "Lolita" (1962). Other notable films of this period include "A Star Is Born" (1954) and "Bigger Than Life" (1956).
Mason's acting style was characterized by his suave demeanor, intelligent presence, and the ability to bring depth and complexity to his roles. He excelled in a wide range of genres, including dramas, thrillers, and historical epics.
In addition to his film work, Mason also appeared in television productions, receiving critical acclaim for his performance in the mini-series "The Prisoner of Zenda" (1984) and the TV film "A Hazard of Hearts" (1987).
Throughout his career, James Mason received numerous awards and nominations, including several BAFTA nominations and a Golden Globe Award for his role in "Georgy Girl" (1966).
James Mason passed away on July 27, 1984, in Lausanne, Switzerland. His contributions to cinema continue to be celebrated, and he is remembered as one of the great actors of his generation, admired for his distinctive voice, sophisticated presence, and memorable performances.
Mason began his acting career on the stage in the late 1930s, performing in various theater productions in London's West End. He made his film debut in the British movie "Late Extra" in 1935. However, it was his performance in the film "The Man in Grey" (1943) that gained him critical acclaim and established him as a leading actor.
In the late 1940s, Mason gained international recognition for his roles in several notable British films.
He delivered a memorable performance as the tormented writer in "The Seventh Veil" (1945), for which he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. He also starred in films like "Odd Man Out" (1947) and "The Wicked Lady" (1945), showcasing his ability to portray complex and morally ambiguous characters.
In the 1950s, Mason moved to Hollywood and continued to impress audiences with his talent and versatility. He starred in Alfred Hitchcock's suspense thriller "North by Northwest" (1959), opposite Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint, and delivered a powerful performance as Humbert Humbert in Stanley Kubrick's controversial film "Lolita" (1962). Other notable films of this period include "A Star Is Born" (1954) and "Bigger Than Life" (1956).
Mason's acting style was characterized by his suave demeanor, intelligent presence, and the ability to bring depth and complexity to his roles. He excelled in a wide range of genres, including dramas, thrillers, and historical epics.
In addition to his film work, Mason also appeared in television productions, receiving critical acclaim for his performance in the mini-series "The Prisoner of Zenda" (1984) and the TV film "A Hazard of Hearts" (1987).
Throughout his career, James Mason received numerous awards and nominations, including several BAFTA nominations and a Golden Globe Award for his role in "Georgy Girl" (1966).
James Mason passed away on July 27, 1984, in Lausanne, Switzerland. His contributions to cinema continue to be celebrated, and he is remembered as one of the great actors of his generation, admired for his distinctive voice, sophisticated presence, and memorable performances.
Quotes:
"I'm a character actor: the public never knows what it's getting by way of a Mason performance from one film to the next. I therefore represent a thoroughly insecure investment."
"I purposely would not go and see the old version of Here Comes Mr. Jordan (1941). They told me my part was played by Claude Rains, for whom I have an infinite admiration, and I knew I would never be as good as him."
[on Joseph L. Mankiewicz] "A Letter to Three Wives (1949) and All About Eve (1950) were marvelous films. I thought that the last good film he made was 5 Fingers (1952), because personally I have not seen a Mankiewicz film that appeared to be well-directed since then. For instance, Cleopatra (1963) was a hideous film but nevertheless you could see that it had some good, well-written scenes and the director had not served the writer well."
"Having been fascinated by the Alan Ladd phenomenon, I now had the opportunity to study it at close quarters. It turned out that he had the exquisite coordination and rhythm of an athlete, which made it a pleasure to watch him when he was being at all physical."
[on Judy Garland] "In some of her films she showed talent which was very comic and touching. Touching because she played with a bright smile and a great spirit, while the situation was rather dramatic, even tragic perhaps. She had in fact a quality which can only be compared to Charles Chaplin's heartbreaking quality: always optimistic, always gay, always inventive, against poverty, against desperate situations - and that's when Judy is at her best."
[on Alfred Hitchcock] "You can see from the way he uses actors that he sees them as animated props. He casts his films very, very carefully and he knows perfectly well in advance that all the actors that he chooses are perfectly capable of playing the parts he gives them, without any special directorial effort on his part. He gets some sort of a charge out of directing the leading ladies, I think, but that's something else."
[on Bette Davis] "The greatest actress of all time."
- James Mason
Trivia:
Critic Vincent Canby said about Mason: "He is, in fact, one of the very few film actors worth taking the trouble to see even when the film that encases him is so much cement".
Mason lived with future wife Pamela Kellino and husband Roy, and even after Mason married her, Kellino continued to live with them.
In a January 6, 1947 "Life" magazine article Mason claimed he preferred jazz and Duke Ellington to classical music and his favorite stars were Spencer Tracy, Jean Gabin, Lena Horne, Carmen Miranda, and Veronica Lake.
He has appeared in three films that have been selected for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically or aesthetically" significant: The Tell-Tale Heart (1953), A Star Is Born (1954) and North by Northwest (1959).
Performed the role of Field Marshal Erwin Rommel in two films, first in 1951 with "The Desert Fox" and followed in 1953 by "The Desert Rats".
Mason lived with future wife Pamela Kellino and husband Roy, and even after Mason married her, Kellino continued to live with them.
In a January 6, 1947 "Life" magazine article Mason claimed he preferred jazz and Duke Ellington to classical music and his favorite stars were Spencer Tracy, Jean Gabin, Lena Horne, Carmen Miranda, and Veronica Lake.
He has appeared in three films that have been selected for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically or aesthetically" significant: The Tell-Tale Heart (1953), A Star Is Born (1954) and North by Northwest (1959).
Performed the role of Field Marshal Erwin Rommel in two films, first in 1951 with "The Desert Fox" and followed in 1953 by "The Desert Rats".
