The son of a police superintendent in India, the character actor James Hayter was educated in Scotland, where he was urged into acting by his headmaster. After one year (1924-5) at the Royal Academy of the Dramatic Arts in London, he performed in repertory theater, eventually appearing in The West End in such plays as "1066 and All That" and "French Without Tears." He made his film debut in 1936 and continued in films until World War II, when he served in the Royal Armoured Corps. After the war, he established an active screen career, excelling at various sorts of character roles, especially in comedy. Characteristic roles include Friar Tuck in The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men (1952) and A Challenge for Robin Hood (1967), The Pickwick Papers (1952), and David Copperfield (1970).
A butler working in a foreign embassy in London falls under suspicion when his wife accidentally falls to her death, the only witness being an impressionable young boy.
asPerry
1971 |
Not Tonight, Darlingas Mr. Finlay
1971 |
The Blood on Satan's Clawas Squire Middleton
1971 |
The Firechasersas Inspector Herman
1970 |
Scramble
1970 |
The Horror of Frankensteinas Bailiff
1967 |
A Challenge for Robin Hoodas Friar Tuck
1967 |
Cop-Outas Harry Hawkins
1962 |
Fog for a Killeras Tom Daniels
1959 |
The 39 Stepsas Mr. Memory
1959 |
The Boy and the Bridgeas Tugboat Skipper
1957 |
El aventureroas Monty
1957 |
Mañana...as Silvestre - el Sereno
1957 |
Seven Days from Nowas 'Cookie' Morrow
1957 |
The Heart Withinas Grandfather Willard
1956 |
It's a Wonderful Worldas Bert Fielding
1956 |
Keep It Cleanas Mr. Bouncenboy
1956 |
Port Afriqueas Nino
1956 |
The Big Moneyas Mr. Frith
1955 |
Touch and Goas Kimball
1955 |
Land of the Pharaohsas Mikka, Vashtar's Servant
1954 |
Beau Brummellas Mortimer
1954 |
Cocktails in the Kitchenas The Plumber
1953 |
A Day to Rememberas Fred Collins
1953 |
Always a Brideas Dutton
1953 |
Four Sided Triangleas Dr. Harvey
1953 |
The Great Gameas Joe Lawson
1953 |
The Triangleas Henry Popple (segment "Priceless Pocket")
1953 |
Will Any Gentleman...?as Dr. Smith
1952 |
I'm a Strangeras Horatio Flowerdew
1952 |
The Pickwick Papersas Samuel Pickwick
1952 |
The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Menas Friar Tuck
1952 |
The Crimson Pirateas Prof. Elihu Prudence
1951 |
Calling Bulldog Drummondas Bill
1951 |
Flesh and Bloodas Sir Douglas Manley
1951 |
Tom Brown's Schooldaysas Old Thomas
1950 |
Her Panelled Dooras Capt. Bradshawe
1950 |
Trioas Albert Foreman - Coach Driver (segment "The Verger")
