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Leo Genn is a Actor British born on 9 august 1905 at London (United-kingdom)

Leo Genn

Leo Genn
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Birth name Leopold John Genn
Nationality United-kingdom
Birth 9 august 1905 at London (United-kingdom)
Death 26 january 1978 (at 72 years) at London (United-kingdom)

Leo John Genn (9 August 1905 – 26 January 1978) was a British stage and film actor and barrister.

Biography

Early life
He was born at 144 Kyverdale Road, Stamford Hill, Hackney, London, England. His father, Woolfe (William) Genn, was a jewellery salesman and the maiden name of his mother, Rachel, was Asserson.

Genn attended the City of London School and studied law at St Catharine's College, Cambridge, qualifying as a barrister in 1928. He ceased practising as a lawyer soon after the Second World War. On 14 May 1933, Genn married Marguerite van Praag, a casting director at Ealing Studios. They had no children.


Theatre career
Genn's theatrical debut was in 1930 in A Marriage has been Disarranged at the Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne and then at the Royalty Theatre in Dean Street, London. Actor/manager Leon M. Lion had engaged him simultaneously as an actor and attorney. In 1933 he appeared in Ballerina by Rodney Ackland. Between September 1934 and March 1936, Leo Genn was a member of the Old Vic Company where he appeared in many productions of Shakespeare. In 1937 he was Horatio in Tyrone Guthrie's production of Hamlet, with Laurence Olivier as Hamlet, in Elsinore, Denmark. In 1938, Genn appeared in the theatrical hit, The Flashing Stream by Charles Langbridge Morgan and went with the show to America and Broadway. His many other stage performances included Lillian Hellman's Another Part of the Forest, 12 Angry Men, The Devil's Advocate, Maugham's The Sacred Flame.
In 1959 Genn gave a reading in Chichester Cathedral.


Film career
Genn's first film role was as Shylock in Immortal Gentleman (1935), a biography of Shakespeare. Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. hired Genn as a technical advisor on the film Accused (1936). He was subsequently given a small part in the film on the strength of a "splendid voice and presence". Genn received another small role in Alexander Korda's The Drum (1938) and was the young man who danced with Eliza Doolittle at the duchess's ball in Pygmalion, a film made in the same year, although he was uncredited.


Army career
During World War II Genn served in the Royal Artillery, being made Lieutenant Colonel in 1943. In 1944, the actor was given official leave to appear as the Constable of France in Laurence Olivier's Henry V. Genn was awarded the Croix de Guerre in 1945. He was part of the British unit that investigated war crimes at Belsen concentration camp and later was an assistant prosecutor at the trial for Belsen in Lüneburg, Germany.


Post-war
He was in Green for Danger (1946) and The Snake Pit (1948). After his Oscar-nominated success as Petronius in Quo Vadis (1951) he appeared in John Huston's Moby Dick (1956). Genn also appeared in some rather forgettable American films, such as The Girls of Pleasure Island, and Plymouth Adventure (1952), a fictionalised, but entertaining soap opera treatment of the Pilgrims' landing at Plymouth Rock. He fared far better in a British film, Personal Affair (1953), starring opposite Gene Tierney. He played Major Michael Pemberton in Rossellini's remarkable and largely forgotten film Era Notte a Roma (Escape by Night, 1960). Leo Genn narrated both the coronation programmes of 1937 and 1953; the King George VI Memorial Programme, 1952; UN opening (from USA), 1947.

Genn was a governor of the Mermaid Theatre and trustee of the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre. He was also council member of the Arts Educational Trust. He was appointed Distinguished Visiting Professor of Theatre Arts, Pennsylvania State University, 1968 and Visiting Professor of Drama, University of Utah, 1969.

Genn died 26 January 1978 in London from pneumonia, complications of a heart attack. His interment was in France.

Best films

Quo Vadis (1951)
(Actor)
55 Days at Peking (1963)
(Actor)
The Red Beret (1953)
(Actor)
The Snake Pit (1948)
(Actor)
Plymouth Adventure (1952)
(Actor)
The Silent One (1973)
(Actor)

Usually with

Freddie Young
Freddie Young
(7 films)
Felix Aylmer
Felix Aylmer
(9 films)
John Huston
John Huston
(3 films)
Source : Wikidata

Filmography of Leo Genn (66 films)

Display filmography as list

Actor

Frightmare
Frightmare (1974)
, 1h28
Directed by Pete Walker
Origin United-kingdom
Genres Thriller, Horror
Actors Rupert Davies, Sheila Keith, Leo Genn, Paul Greenwood, Victor Winding, Noel Johnson
Roles Dr. Lytell
Rating62% 3.1004553.1004553.1004553.1004553.100455
In an isolated farmhouse, a woman named Dorothy Yates lives with her husband. Dorothy has just been released from a mental institution after it was found she was a cannibal who killed and partially ate at least six people in 1957. Her husband, Edmund Yates was convicted as well but we come to find out that he only faked his dementia in order to remain with his wife. He was a truly devoted husband who loved his wife dearly but really had nothing to do with the actual murders in 1957 and in the present.
The Silent One, 1h57
Directed by Claude Pinoteau
Origin France
Genres Drama, Thriller, Spy
Themes Spy films
Actors Lino Ventura, Leo Genn, Suzanne Flon, Robert Hardy, Lea Massari, Bernard Dhéran
Roles Chief of M.I.5
Rating68% 3.446323.446323.446323.446323.44632
À l'occasion de la venue à Londres d'une délégation scientifique soviétique, les services secrets britanniques enlèvent un de ses membres et le font passer pour mort. Il s'agit en fait d'un savant français, Clément Tibère, enlevé par le KGB seize ans plus tôt. Refusant de collaborer dans un premier temps par peur des pressions et des menaces de mort, Tibère finit cependant par accepter de dénoncer deux espions soviétiques participant à la délégation. Les Britanniques le relâchent alors sous une nouvelle identité. Mais, immédiatement, le KGB le pourchasse. Il essaye alors de regagner la France et de trouver un moyen d'échapper à la chasse à l'homme.
The MacKintosh Man, 1h38
Directed by John Huston
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Thriller, Action, Spy
Themes Spy films, Seafaring films, Transport films, Political films
Actors Paul Newman, Dominique Sanda, James Mason, Harry Andrews, Ian Bannen, Nigel Patrick
Roles Rollins (uncredited)
Rating62% 3.1479753.1479753.1479753.1479753.147975
Joseph Rearden, a British Intelligence agent, arrives in London and makes a rendezvous with MacKintosh, the head of his organisation, in a discreet office located just off Trafalgar Square. MacKintosh and his deputy, Mrs Smith, inform him of a simple way to steal diamonds which are transported via the post service to avoid attention. This he does, apparently getting successfully away after punching a postman, and making off with the diamond-filled parcel. However, that evening, in his hotel room he is paid a visit by two Metropolitan Police detectives who have received an anonymous phone call advising them about the robbery. They are unconvinced by Rearden's pretence to be an innocent Australian who had recently arrived in London.
Endless Night, 1h39
Directed by Sidney Gilliat
Origin United-kingdom
Genres Drama, Thriller, Horror, Crime
Actors Hayley Mills, Hywel Bennett, Britt Ekland, Per Oscarsson, George Sanders, David Bauer
Roles Psychiatrist (uncredited)
Rating60% 3.000743.000743.000743.000743.00074
Michael Rogers (Bennett), a young drifter currently employed as a chauffeur, has a chance meeting with the lovely Ellie Thomsen (Mills). He dreams of building a magnificent house on a particular spot of land along the Devon coast. Unknown to him, she is actually a wealthy heiress and can make his dream come true. With the help of her efficient German companion, Greta (Ekland), they marry and build a memorable home designed by noted architect Santonix (Oscarsson), much to the disapproval of Ellie's family, who try to buy off Michael.
Die Screaming Marianne, 1h39
Directed by Pete Walker
Origin United-kingdom
Genres Drama, Thriller, Horror, Crime
Actors Susan George, Barry Evans, Leo Genn, Alan Curtis, Anthony Sharp, Martin Wyldeck
Roles The Judge
Rating49% 2.4733352.4733352.4733352.4733352.473335
Marianne, a nightclub dancer, is on the run from vicious criminals. On her 21st birthday, she will inherit a vast fortune as well as some legal papers that will incriminate her father, a crooked judge. When her father invites Marianne to his estate in Portugal, a game of cat-and-mouse begins.
A Lizard in a Woman's Skin, 1h43
Directed by Lucio Fulci
Origin Italie
Genres Thriller, Horror
Themes Films about sexuality, LGBT-related film, Lesbian-related films
Actors Florinda Bolkan, Jean Sorel, Stanley Baker, Silvia Monti, Leo Genn, Alberto de Mendoza
Roles Edmond Brighton
Rating67% 3.3953653.3953653.3953653.3953653.395365
Carol Hammond (Bolkan) is the daughter of a wealthy lawyer and politician named Edmund Brighton (Leo Genn). Her husband Frank (Jean Sorel) is a lawyer working for Brighton's practice. They all live together in a large apartment with Joan (Edy Gall), Frank's teenage daughter from a previous marriage. Carol has been visiting a psychoanalyst (George Rigaud) because of a string of disturbing dreams she's been having featuring her decadent neighbor, Julia Durer (Anita Strindberg). Julia's frequent, late-night parties infuriate and yet excite Carol, evoking images of wild sex-and-drug orgies.
The Bloody Judge, 1h43
Directed by Jesús Franco
Origin German
Genres Drama, Horror, Historical
Themes Films about religion
Actors Christopher Lee, Maria Schell, Leo Genn, Margaret Lee, Maria Rohm, Peter Martell
Roles Lord Wessex
Rating52% 2.6020152.6020152.6020152.6020152.602015
Après la mort du roi Charles II (1685) George Jeffreys, qui dirige la justice en Angleterre, essaie de consolider le règne du nouveau monarque, le roi Jacques II, en persécutant impitoyablement ceux qui sont accusés d’être des rebelles et des adversaires du nouveau roi, et il déchaine une chasse aux sorcières brutale.
Connecting Rooms
Genres Drama
Themes Films based on plays
Actors Bette Davis, Michael Redgrave, Leo Genn, Kay Walsh, Olga Georges-Picot, Alexis Kanner
Roles Dr. Norman
Rating63% 3.197863.197863.197863.197863.19786
Les relations compliquées des résidents d'une pension de famille miteuse de Londres. Parmi eux, la chanteuse Wanda Fleming, flattée par l’attention de Mickey Hollister, prétendu auteur-compositeur pop, et l’ancien maître d’école James Wallraven, accusé de pédophilie et réduit à travailler comme concierge dans une galerie d’art .
Connecting Rooms, 1h43
Origin United-kingdom
Genres Drama
Themes Théâtre, Films based on plays
Actors Bette Davis, Michael Redgrave, Alexis Kanner, Kay Walsh, Leo Genn, Olga Georges-Picot
Roles Dr. Norman
Rating63% 3.197863.197863.197863.197863.19786
Les relations compliquées des résidents d'une pension de famille miteuse de Londres. Parmi eux, la chanteuse Wanda Fleming, flattée par l’attention de Mickey Hollister, prétendu auteur-compositeur pop, et l’ancien maître d’école James Wallraven, accusé de pédophilie et réduit à travailler comme concierge dans une galerie d’art .
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, 2h
Directed by Charles Jarrott
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Science fiction, Thriller, Fantastic
Actors Jack Palance, Denholm Elliott, Leo Genn, Torin Thatcher, Duncan Lamont, Oskar Homolka
Roles Dr. Lanyon
Rating66% 3.3427853.3427853.3427853.3427853.342785
Le docteur Jekyll persévère dans ses recherches scientifiques afin de révéler le Mal qui existe dans la nature humaine au moyen de potions chimiques. Il finit par dévoiler sa face cachée en devenant Mister Hyde. Il commet un meurtre et devient la cible de la police.
Circus of Fear, 1h31
Directed by John Llewellyn Moxey, Werner Jacobs
Origin United-kingdom
Genres Thriller, Horror
Themes Circus films
Actors Christopher Lee, Leo Genn, Klaus Kinski, Margaret Lee, Suzy Kendall, Cecil Parker
Roles Elliott
Rating54% 2.700972.700972.700972.700972.70097
When an armoured car is robbed, in a daring daylight raid on London’s Tower Bridge, one of the gang hides the money in Barberini's Circus. The police begin investigating when people are found murdered by throwing knives. Gregor (Christopher Lee), is a facially scarred lion tamer, one of the many suspects in a case investigated by Scotland Yard's detective Elliot (Leo Genn). His examination of all the clues leads to a final denouement in front of the assembled suspects during a knife-throwing act.
Khartoum
Khartoum (1966)
, 2h14
Directed by Basil Dearden
Origin United-kingdom
Genres Drama, War, Action, Adventure, Historical
Themes Films set in Africa, Films about terrorism, Political films
Actors Laurence Olivier, Charlton Heston, Richard Johnson, Ralph Richardson, Alexander Knox, Michael Hordern
Roles Narrator (voice)
Rating67% 3.3958653.3958653.3958653.3958653.395865
In 1883, in the Sudan, a force of 10,000 poorly trained Egyptians under the command of British Col. William "Billy" Hicks (Edward Underdown) is lured into the desert and slaughtered by Muslim zealots led by Muhammad Ahmad (Laurence Olivier), a fanatic Sudanese Arab who believes he is the Mahdi, the prophesied "expected one of Mohammed." The British Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone (Ralph Richardson), who does not wish to send more military forces to Khartoum, is under great pressure to send military hero Major General Charles George Gordon (Charlton Heston) there to salvage the situation and restore British prestige. Gordon has strong ties to Sudan, having broken the slave trade there in the past, but Gladstone distrusts him. Gordon has a reputation for strong, if eccentric, religious beliefs and following his own judgement, regardless of his orders. Granville Leveson-Gower, 2nd Earl Granville, the British foreign secretary (Michael Hordern), knowing this, tells Gladstone that by sending Gordon to Khartoum, the British government can ignore all public pressure to send an army there, and absolve themselves of any responsibility over the area if Gordon ignores his orders. Gladstone is mildly shocked at the suggestion, but as it is popular with the public and Queen Victoria, he adopts it for the sake of expediency.
Ten Little Indians, 1h31
Directed by George Pollock
Origin United-kingdom
Genres Drama, Thriller, Horror, Crime, Politic
Actors Hugh O'Brian, Shirley Eaton, Fabian Forte, Leo Genn, Stanley Holloway, Wilfrid Hyde-White
Roles General Mandrake
Rating65% 3.2965653.2965653.2965653.2965653.296565
Ten people travel by aerial tramway to a snowbound mansion, invited there by a Mr. U. N. Owen to spend the weekend. They discover that none of them has actually ever met Owen, including his secretary as well as a married housekeeper and cook, all hired through an agency.
The Delhi Way, 50minutes
Directed by James Ivory
Origin USA
Genres Documentary
Themes Documentary films about cities
Actors Leo Genn
Roles Narrator (voice)
Rating65% 3.28393.28393.28393.28393.2839
The Death Ray of Dr. Mabuse, 1h30
Directed by Hugo Fregonese
Origin France
Genres Thriller, Crime
Themes Spy films, Seafaring films, Transport films
Actors Peter van Eyck, O. E. Hasse, Yvonne Furneaux, Walter Rilla, Ernst Schröder, Dieter Eppler
Roles Adm. Quency
Rating48% 2.4263352.4263352.4263352.4263352.426335
L'agent des services secrets britanniques, le major Anders, enquête sur le professeur Larsen qui a inventé un rayon de la mort sur son île. Parmi les parties qui tentent de l'obtenir, il y a le grand criminel le Dr Mabuse. Anders dirige une armée d'hommes-grenouilles pour arrêter Larsen et Mabuse.