Chester Morris

Biography

Chester Morris was an American actor who worked in stage, film, television, and radio. Born in New York City to a Broadway actor and a stage comedienne, he left school to begin his Broadway career at 15 opposite Lionel Barrymore in The Copperhead. After vaudeville with his family, he returned to Broadway and was signed to a film contract while appearing in Crime. His sound film debut was Alibi (1929), which earned him an Academy Award nomination. He had a role in The Divorcee (1930) and appeared opposite Jean Harlow in Red-Headed Woman (1932). By the late 1930s he was in B-movies such as Five Came Back (1939). In 1941 he began playing Boston Blackie, a criminal turned detective, in a film series for Columbia Pictures, and he later played the role on radio. Later he worked in television and theater, returning to Broadway in The Fifth Season and Advise and Consent.

69years old at death

Born February 16, 1901New York City
Died September 11, 1970Bucks County
Star sign: AquariusThe sign runs January 20 to February 18
Also credited as John Chester Brooks Morris

Movie Career

Films: 10
Career span: 41 years1929 to 1970

Genres

Drama100%, 10 films
Crime60%, 6 films
Mystery30%, 3 films
Comedy20%, 2 films
Romance20%, 2 films

First and latest

Photos

Did you know?!

First role
At 15 years old, Chester Morris left school and launched a Broadway career, appearing opposite Lionel Barrymore in The Copperhead.
Big break
Morris was signed to a film contract after a talent agent spotted him while he was appearing in the 1927 play Crime.
Own stunts
Morris had practiced magic since age 12 and performed magic tricks in more than 350 USO shows during World War II.
Big break
In 1941, Morris took the part of Boston Blackie, a criminal turned detective, and his career came back to life. Starting with Meet Boston Blackie, he made 14 Boston Blackie films for Columbia Pictures.

Chester Morris movies on Netflix

The Great White Hope1970IMDb rating 6.9as Pop Weaver
A Close Call for Boston Blackie1946IMDb rating 6.1as Horatio 'Boston Blackie' Black…
Gambler's Choice1944IMDb rating 5.9as Ross Hadley
Five Came Back1939IMDb rating 7.1as Bill Brooks
Law of the Underworld1938IMDb rating 5.5as Gene Fillmore
Red-Headed Woman1932IMDb rating 7.0as William 'Bill' / 'Willie' Legendre Jr.
The Bat Whispers1930IMDb rating 6.3as Detective Anderson
The Big House1930IMDb rating 7.1as John Morgan
The Divorcee1930IMDb rating 6.6as Ted
Alibi1929IMDb rating 5.6as Chick Williams

Best known for

The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.

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The Divorcee1930 Drama, Romanceas Ted
IMDb rating 6.64.2K votes
The Big House1930 Crime, Dramaas John Morgan
IMDb rating 7.13.1K votes
Red-Headed Woman1932as William 'Bill' / 'Willie' Legendre Jr.
IMDb rating 7.04.0K votes
Five Came Back1939as Bill Brooks
IMDb rating 7.12.6K votes
The Bat Whispers1930as Detective Anderson
IMDb rating 6.31.5K votes
Alibi1929as Chick Williams
IMDb rating 5.61.1K votes
The Great White Hope1970as Pop Weaver
IMDb rating 6.93.1K votes
A Close Call for Boston Blackie1946as Horatio 'Boston Blackie' Black…
IMDb rating 6.1448 votes

Most often with

Roland West directed two of these films, Lew Landers two. DeWitt Jennings appears in three of them, more than any other actor. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.

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DeWitt Jennings

Lewis Stone

Una Merkel

Lee Patrick

Ed Brady

Robert MontgomeryRoland WestDirector, 2 films Lew LandersDirector, 2 films

Films together

DeWitt Jennings3 films together, 1929 to 1930
DeWitt Jennings's page
- The Bat Whispers1930IMDb rating 6.3Morris as Detective AndersonJennings as Police Captain
- The Big House1930IMDb rating 7.1Morris as John MorganJennings as Wallace
- Alibi1929IMDb rating 5.6Morris as Chick WilliamsJennings as Officer O'Brien
Lewis Stone2 films together, 1930 to 1932
Lewis Stone's page
- Red-Headed Woman1932IMDb rating 7.0Morris as William 'Bill' / 'Willie' Legendre Jr.Stone as William 'Will' Legendre Sr.
- The Big House1930IMDb rating 7.1Morris as John MorganStone as Warden James Adams
Una Merkel2 films together, 1930 to 1932
Una Merkel's page
- Red-Headed Woman1932IMDb rating 7.0Morris as William 'Bill' / 'Willie' Legendre Jr.Merkel as Sally
- The Bat Whispers1930IMDb rating 6.3Morris as Detective AndersonMerkel as Dale Van Gorder
Lee Patrick2 films together, 1938 to 1944
Lee Patrick's page
- Gambler's Choice1944IMDb rating 5.9Morris as Ross HadleyPatrick as Fay Lawrence
- Law of the Underworld1938IMDb rating 5.5Morris as Gene FillmorePatrick as Dorothy Palmer
Ed Brady2 films together, 1929 to 1932
Ed Brady's page
- Red-Headed Woman1932IMDb rating 7.0Morris as William 'Bill' / 'Willie' Legendre Jr.Brady as Man Outside Pool Hall
- Alibi1929IMDb rating 5.6Morris as Chick WilliamsBrady as George Stanislaus David
Robert Montgomery2 films together, 1930
Robert Montgomery's page
- The Big House1930IMDb rating 7.1Morris as John MorganMontgomery as Kent Marlowe
- The Divorcee1930IMDb rating 6.6Morris as TedMontgomery as Don
Roland WestDirector, 2 films, 1929 to 1930
All films by Roland West
- The Bat Whispers1930IMDb rating 6.3Morris as Detective Anderson
- Alibi1929IMDb rating 5.6Morris as Chick Williams
Lew LandersDirector, 2 films, 1938 to 1946
All films by Lew Landers
- A Close Call for Boston Blackie1946IMDb rating 6.1Morris as Horatio 'Boston Blackie' Black…
- Law of the Underworld1938IMDb rating 5.5Morris as Gene Fillmore
Also two films together2 more actors
- Bud GearyFive Came Back (1939) and Law of the Underworld (1938)
- Leila HyamsRed-Headed Woman (1932) and The Big House (1930)
When several people share the same number of films, the ones with the most films on Netflix are in the chart.

Online

Official profiles and reference pages.

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