H.B. Warner

Where to watch H.B. Warner

• It's a Wonderful LifeMovie · 1946

Biography

Henry Byron Warner (often credited as H.B. Warner) was an English actor. He was the definitive cinematic Jesus Christ in Cecil B. DeMille's The King of Kings (1927). He was born into a prominent theatrical family on October 26, 1875 in London. His father was Charles Warner, and his grandfather was James Warner, both prominent English actors. He replaced J.B. Warner as Jesus in The King of Kings (1927) when J.B. died of tuberculosis at age 29. (J.B. was not Henry's brother. J.B. had taken the professional last name "Warner" because Henry's family took him in.) Henry Warner's family wanted him to become a doctor, and he graduated from London University but eventually gave up his medical studies. The theater was in his blood, and he studied acting in Paris and Italy before joining his father's stock company, making his debut in the English production of "Drink." It was from his father that he honed his craft. Warner made it to America in the early 1900s, after touring the British Empire. Billed as Harry Warner, he made his Broadway debut in the American colonial drama "Audrey" at Hoyt's Theatre on November 24, 1902, starring James O'Neill, the father of playwright Eugene O'Neill. He was billed as H.B. Warner in his next appearance on Broadway, in the 1906 comedy "Nurse Marjorie." He appeared in 13 more Broadway productions in his career, from the twin-bill of "Susan in Search of a Husband" & "A Tenement Tragedy" (also 1906) to "Silence" in 1925. He moved into motion pictures, making his debut in the Mutual short Harp of Tara (1914). Also in 1914, he appeared in a film written by Cecil B. DeMille for Famous Players Lasky, The Ghost Breaker (1914), in which he had played on Broadway the year before. Warner became a leading man and a star in silent pictures, reaching the zenith of his career playing Jesus in DeMille's The King of Kings (1927). His excellent performance was actually enhanced by the silent screen, allowing the audience to imagine how Jesus would sound. Warner could be extremely moving in silent pictures, notably in the melodrama Sorrell and Son (1927) as a war veteran father who sacrifices all for his son. When talkies arrived, he became a busy supporting player. A favorite of Frank Capra , appeared in Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936). Cast again by Capra, he was nominated for Best Supporting Actor in Lost Horizon (1937). He also appeared in You Can't Take It with You (1938), and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939). Other major talkies included The Devil and Daniel Webster (1941) and Topper Returns (1941). Other than Jesus, the role he is best remembered role for today is in It's a Wonderful Life (1946), in which he played Mr. Gower, the druggist who is saved from committing a lethal medication error by the young George Bailey (the James Stewart character as a child). H.B. Warner appeared in Sunset Blvd. (1950) as himself. His last credited role was as Amminadab in DeMille's The Ten Commandments (1956), a remake of the earlier silent The Ten Commandments (1923). He last role was an uncredited bit part in Darby's Rangers (1958).

Filmography

1. 2019Lux Æterna: The Art of Filmmakingas The Son of God
2. 1956The Ten Commandmentsas Amminadab
3. 1951Here Comes the Groomas Uncle Elihu
4. 1950Sunset Boulevardas H.B. Warner
5. 1949Hellfireas Brother Joseph
6. 1949El Pasoas Judge Fletcher
7. 1947High Wallas Mr. Slocum
8. 1947Driftwoodas Rev. Hollingsworth
9. 1946It's a Wonderful Lifeas Mr. Gower
10. 1946Strange Impersonationas Dr. Mansfield, plastic surgeon
11. 1944Rogues' Galleryas Professor Reynolds
12. 1944Enemy of Womenas Col. Eberhart Brandt
13. 1944Action in Arabiaas Abdul al-Rashid
14. 1943Hitler's Childrenas The Bishop
15. 1942The Boss of Big Townas Jeffrey Moore
16. 1942A Yank in Libyaas Herbert Forbes
17. 1942Crossroadsas Prosecuting Attorney
18. 1942The Corsican Brothersas Dr. Enrico Paoli
19. 1941All That Money Can Buyas Justice Hawthorne
20. 1941Ellery Queen and the Perfect Crimeas Ray Jardin
21. 1941City of Missing Girlsas Capt. McVeigh
22. 1941Topper Returnsas Mr. Carrington
23. 1940New Moonas Father Michel
24. 1939Mr. Smith Goes to Washingtonas Senate Majority Leader
25. 1939The Rains Cameas Maharajah
26. 1939Nurse Edith Cavellas Hugh Gibson
27. 1939Bulldog Drummond's Brideas Colonel Nielson
28. 1939The Gracie Allen Murder Caseas Richard Lawrence
29. 1939Bulldog Drummond's Secret Policeas Colonel Nielson
30. 1938Arrest Bulldog Drummondas Colonel Nielsen
31. 1938You Can't Take It with Youas Ramsey
32. 1938Bulldog Drummond in Africaas Colonel J. A. Nielsen
33. 1938The Toy Wifeas Victor Brigard
34. 1938The Adventures of Marco Poloas Chen Tsu
35. 1938The Girl of the Golden Westas Father Sienna
36. 1937Victoria the Greatas Lord Melbourne
37. 1937Lost Horizonas Chang
38. 1936Mr. Deeds Goes to Townas Judge May
39. 1936Moonlight Murderas Godfrey Chiltern
40. 1936The Garden Murder Caseas Major Fenwicke-Ralston
41. 1935A Tale of Two Citiesas Theophile Gabelle
42. 1935Born to Gambleas Carter Mathews
43. 1934In Old Santa Feas Charlie Miller
44. 1934Grand Canaryas Dr Ismay
45. 1934Viva Villa!as Man
46. 1933Supernaturalas Dr. Carl Houston
47. 1932The Phantom of Crestwoodas Priam Andes
48. 1932Unholy Loveas Dr. Daniel Gregory
49. 1932Cross-Examinationas Gerald Waring
50. 1932The Menaceas Inspector Tracy
51. 1931Expensive Womenas Melville Raymond
52. 1931Five Star Finalas Michael Townsend
53. 1931The Reckless Houras Walter Nichols
54. 1930Liliomas Chief Magistrate
55. 1930The Green Goddessas Major Crespin
56. 1929The Show of Showsas The Victim - Guillotine Sequence (uncredited)
57. 1929The Trial of Mary Duganas District Attorney Galway
58. 1928The Divine Ladyas Sir William Hamilton
59. 1927The King of Kingsas Jesus, The Christ
60. 1923Zazaas Bernard Dufresne