James Mason Overview:

Legendary actor, James Mason, was born James Neville Mason on May 15, 1909 in Huddersfield, England. Mason appeared in over 150 film and TV roles. His best known films include Madame Bovary (as Gustave Flaubert), A Star Is Born 1954 (opposite Judy Garland as Norman Maine), 20000 Leagues Under the Sea (as Captain Nemo), North by Northwest (as Phillip Vandamm), Journey to the Center of the Earth (as Sir Oliver S. Lindenbrook), Lolita (as Prof. Humbert Humbert), and Georgy Girl (as James Leamington). Mason died at the age of 75 on Jul 27, 1984 in Lausanne, Switzerland and was laid to rest in Corsier Cemetery, Corsier-Sur-Vevey in Vaud Canton, Switzerland.

MINI BIO:

James Mason had a rich, mellow voice and saturnine, sardonic looks. The darker the drama, the more effective he proved, especially as suave villains, men on the run or characters trapped by circumstance. His scathing comments on the British film industry of the forties ostracized him for a time, and he went to Hollywood where, although alternating quality product with utter tosh, he gradually became one of the world's most respected actors.

(Source: available at Amazon Quinlan's Film Stars).

HONORS and AWARDS:

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Although Mason was nominated for three Oscars, he never won a competitive Academy Award.

Academy Awards

YearAwardFilm nameRoleResult
1954Best ActorA Star Is Born (1954)Norman Maine/Alfred HinkelNominated
1966Best Supporting ActorGeorgy Girl (1966)James LeamingtonNominated
1982Best Supporting ActorThe Verdict (1982)Edward ConcannonNominated
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He was honored with one star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the category of Television. James Mason's handprints and footprints were 'set in stone' at Grauman's Chinese Theater during imprint ceremony #107 on Mar 30, 1954.

BlogHub Articles:

Joan Bennett and in "The Reckless Moment"

By Stephen Reginald on Jul 25, 2022 From Classic Movie Man

Joan Bennett and in "The Reckless Moment" Max Ophuls, a renowned German director who only made four films in the United States, directed The Reckless Moment (1949). It starred Joan Bennett and . It was only Mason’s third American film. The film is based on The Blank... Read full article


, Barbara Bel Geddes, and Robert Ryan are "Caught"

By Stephen Reginald on Jul 18, 2022 From Classic Movie Man

, Barbara Bel Geddes, and Robert Ryan are "Caught" Caught (1949) is an American film noir directed by Max Ophuls and starring , Barbara Bel Geddes, and Robert Ryan. The screenplay was by Arthur Laurents from the novel Wild Calendar by Libbie Block.Leonora Eames (Bel Geddes... Read full article


is the “Odd Man Out”

By Stephen Reginald on Nov 27, 2020 From Classic Movie Man

is the “Odd Man Out” Odd Man Out (1947) is a British film directed by Carol Reed and starring and Robert Newton. The film made Mason an international film star and elevated Reed to the ranks of the top directors of the day.Johnny McQueen (Mason) is a member o... Read full article


45th Annual Seattle International Film Festival: A Collage of Clips in Invest in Failure (Notes on Film 06-C, Monologue 03) (2018)

By KC on May 21, 2019 From Classic Movies

While I think that it is usually best to go into a film cold in order to enjoy it fully, the work of Austrian filmmaker Norbert Pfaffenbichler benefits from some explanation. His experimental works are accessible, but require preparation. Invest in Failure (Notes on Film 06-C, Monologue 03) (2018), ... Read full article


THE BLOGATHON: 5 Fingers (1952)

on Oct 5, 2018 From Caftan Woman

The Blogathon hosted by Maddy Loves Her Classic Movies runs on October 5th and 6th. Click HERE for the tributes to the revered actor. Based on a true story, the spy drama could easily fall into the category of the post-war film-noir docudramas, but as it was directed by and was co-writt... Read full article


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James Mason Quotes:

Mr. Smedhurst: If there's one thing I can't stand, it's mystery.


Sir Oliver Lindenbrook: Are we to be abducted every day in Iceland?


Ted: Your wife is at peace, Mr. James. A quick and merciful death. I don't suppose she ever knew what hit her.
James Leamington: Something hit her?


read more quotes from James Mason...



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James Mason Facts
He suffered a severe heart attack in 1959.

In 1952 while remodeling his home, he discovered several reels of Buster Keaton 's "lost" films (Mason had purchased Keaton's Hollywood mansion) and immediately recognized their historical significance and was responsible for their preservation.

Can be seen visiting the set of Stanley Kubrick 's The Shining (1980) in Vivian Kubrick's TV documentary Making 'The Shining' (1980) (TV). Stanley Kubrick did not usually allow visitors to his set, but made an exception for Mason, who had memorably played Humbert Humbert for him in Lolita (1962) .

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