John Laurie

John Laurie Profile Photo

Characters played by John Laurie

Blind Pew — Treasure Island (1950)

Pirate messenger delivering the black spot, dies from fear.

John the Crofter — The 39 Steps (1935)

John is the crofter whose remote home provides Hannay with a temporary refuge while he is being hunted. Although Hannay stays there only briefly, the coat associated with John's household protects him from Professor Jordan's gunshot when the hymnary inside it stops the bullet.

Darrow — The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971)

Member of Vesalius's medical team, targeted by Phibes.

Peter Manson — The Edge of the World (1937)

Peter Manson is a determined Hirta islander and the father of Robbie and Ruth. He insists on remaining on the island despite failing crops, dwindling peat, and the community’s worsening prospects. He eventually signs the evacuation petition reluctantly, but dies while retrieving a guillemot’s egg from a dangerous cliff.

Ebenezer Balfour — Kidnapped (1960)

Ebenezer is David's miserly uncle at the House of Shaws and is disliked by his neighbours. Seeking to prevent David from receiving his inheritance, he arranges for a fatal accident and then has him shanghaied through Captain Hoseason. Alan later tricks Ebenezer into admitting his crimes, enabling David to claim the inheritance.

Francisco — Hamlet (1948)

A sentry stationed on the battlements of Elsinore. He is relieved from watch by Bernardo at the beginning of the story, establishing the nighttime guard rotation before the apparition is discussed. His brief appearance helps introduce the setting and the unexplained supernatural disturbance surrounding Hamlet's family.

Mr. Jamieson — Devil Girl from Mars (1954)

Mr. Jamieson is the proprietor of the remote Bonnie Charlie inn, which he operates with Mrs.Jamieson. His establishment becomes the main setting for the confrontation with Nyah, who confines everyone inside an invisible barrier and threatens to destroy the building. He is therefore part of the endangered group surrounding Carter, Hennessy, and Justin.

McNab — Medal for the General (1944)

The Scottish gardener at General Church's home. He visits Church in hospital alongside Bates after Church is injured rescuing the crew of a crashed bomber, and tells him that he has been awarded the George Medal for his bravery as a civilian.

Oliver — As You Like It (1936)

Oliver is Orlando’s oppressive older brother, whose treatment forces Orlando to flee their home. In the Forest of Arden, Orlando rescues Oliver from a lion, prompting Oliver to repent and renew their brotherly bond. Oliver then becomes part of the final marriages by marrying Celia.

Merlin — Siege of the Saxons (1963)

The great wizard Merlin is captured by Edmund's men and rescued by Katherine, Robert Marshall, and other loyal countrymen. He helps them in their effort to save Camelot and England, and advises Robert to challenge Edmund to kill him as a traitor using Arthur's sword, Excalibur.

William Hopwood — Fanny by Gaslight (1944)

Fanny's presumed father, William Hopwood runs the Hopwood Shades and keeps his business separate from her life. He sends her to boarding school and later is killed in a fight with Lord Manderstoke. At the inquest, Fanny learns that he ran a brothel; Clive Seymore had paid him to look after her.

Gordon Webb — Laughter in Paradise (1951)

An irascible and demanding middle-class employer who hires Agnes Russell. He fires her but changes his mind to torment her, hires a detective to investigate her motives, and eventually takes her to dinner.

Career Overview

John Laurie has 100 screen credits in a career dating back to 1930. Their work spans 3 cinematic universes — most prominently Dr. Phibes Collection with 1 titles. Signature works include The Edge of the World, Painter and Poet No. 1, Return to the Edge of the World. Explore the interactive character relationship maps on each title page to trace how their roles connect across franchises.

Personal Facts

Known For
Acting
Gender
male
Known Credits
100
Birth Date
1897-03-24 00:00:00
Birth Place
Dumfries, Dumfriesshire, Scotland, UK

Known For

Associated Universes

Universe traveler — spans 3 universes

Frequent Collaborators

Credits

Content sources

Related entry on Wikidata (Q171450), public domain (CC0).