John Longden
John Longden was a British film actor. He appeared in more than 80 films between 1926 and 1964, including six films directed by Alfred Hitchcock.
Biography
Longden was born in the West Indies, the son of a Methodist missionary, and was educated at Kingswood School, Bath, Somerset. Originally intending to be a mining engineer, he worked for two years in a coal mine in Yorkshire, where he started acting in amateur theatrical companies. An introduction to Seymour Hicks saw him start acting on the legitimate stage, beginning with a walk-on part in Old Bill, MP. He played in My Old Dutch with Albert Chevalier, then spent time with the Liverpool and Birmingham repertory theatres. He also appeared in The Farmer's Wife, produced by Barry Jackson at the Court Theatre in London for two years.
About this time Longden began to appear in silent films. He signed a contract with Gaumont British Pictures to write and act, earning a notable success with Alfred Hitchcock's Blackmail. He also directed the 1932 quota quickie Come Into My Parlour which was released by MGM.
Australian interlude
Longden went to Australia in 1933 to perform in several plays. While there he appeared in the film The Silence of Dean Maitland for Cinesound Productions.
The performance was very well received. Longden took on the roles of two more films for the same company, Thoroughbred and It Isn't Done.
In 1934 it was announced that he was going to play the lead in an adaptation of Robbery Under Arms, but this film was never made. The same year Longden also announced he was going to act in and direct an Australian film called Highway Romance, about an English man and Australian girl travelling from Sydney to Brisbane. A company called Highway Productions was formed with Frederick Ward and a capital of £10,000 but the film was not made.
Later career
Longden returned to Britain where he continued to work steadily in theatre and film. He appeared on several episodes of season one of The Adventures of Robin Hood playing various characters, and returned for one episode in season three. He died in London, 26 May 1971, aged 70.
Selected filmography
The Ball of Fortune - DaltryThe House of Marney - RichardThe Glad Eye - FloquetThe Flight Commander - IvanThe Arcadians - Jack MeadowsQuinneys - Joseph QuinneyMademoiselle Parley Voo - Le Beau - IllusionistPalais de danse - No. 1What Money Can Buy - Ralph TreshamYou Know What Sailors Are - Minor RoleThe Flying Squad - Inspector John BradleyPiccadilly - Man from China Blackmail - Detective Frank WebberAtlantic - LanchesterThe Last Post - David / MartinElstree Calling The Flame of Love - Lieutenant Boris BoriskoffJuno and the Paycock - Charles BenthamTwo Worlds - Lt. Stanislaus von Zaminsky Children of Chance - JeffreyThe Skin Game - Charles HornblowerTwo Crowded Hours - Harry FieldingThe Ringer - Inspector WemburyHindle Wakes - Boyfriend Murder on the Second Floor - Warder JacksonThe Wickham Mystery - Harry CrawfordA Lucky Sweep - Bill HigginsRynox - Tony BenedikBorn Lucky - Frank DaleThe Silence of Dean Maitland - Dean Cyril MaitlandThoroughbred - Bill PeelIt Isn't Done - Peter AshtonFrench Leave - Lt. GlennisterJennifer Hale - Police Inspector MertonYoung and Innocent - Det. Insp. KentLittle Miss Somebody - Jim TrevorDial 999 - Bill WaringThe Gaunt Stranger - Inspector BlissBad Boy - Inspector ThompsonQ Planes - PetersJamaica Inn - Captain Johnson Goodbye, Mr. Chips - Raven The Lion Has Wings Contraband - Passport OfficerTower of Terror - CommandantOld Mother Riley's Circus - BillThe Common Touch - Stuart GordonThis Was Paris - French Officer One of Our Aircraft Is Missing - Ground Officer Unpublished Story - Metcalf Rose of Tralee - Paddy O'BrienThe Silver Fleet - Jost MeertensYellow Canary - Officer Death by Design - Inspector SladeA Matter of Life and Death - Narrator Dusty Bates - Tod JenkinsThe Ghosts of Berkeley Square - Mortimer DigbyAnna Karenina - Gen. SerpuhouskyThe Last Load - Mr. PotterBonnie Prince Charlie - Col. O'SullivanTrapped by the Terror - PierreFeature Story The Lady Craved Excitement - Inspector JamesThe Fighting Pimpernel - The AbbotThe Man Who Disappeared - Sherlock HolmesPool of London - Det. Insp. WilliamsThe Dark Light - StephenThe Magic Box - Speaker in Connaught RoomsBlack Widow - Mr. KempThe Wallet - Man With PipeDangerous Cargo - WorthingtonMeet Mr. Callaghan - Jeremy MeraultonThe Ship That Died of Shame - The DetectiveAlias John Preston - Richard SandfordCount of Twelve - Simon Graves Raiders of the River - Professor DykesQuatermass 2 - LomaxThree Sundays to Live - WarderInnocent Sinners - Admiral Woman's Temptation - Inspector SymsAn Honourable Murder - Julian CaesarSo Evil, So Young - TurnerLancelot and Guinevere - King Leodogran The Man Who Finally Died - Munch Frozen Alive - Prof. Hubbard