Laurence Criner
Biography: In his time was considered one of the most popular Black actors of stage and screen from the 1920s to the early 1950s starring in close to 30 films. He started his career as one of the members of the famed acting group The Lafayette Players. In 1926, he first starred in independently produced silent productions "The Flying Ace" and "Black Gold." In 1927, he starred in legendary Black film-maker Oscar Micheaux's "The Millionaire" and then in 1928 co-starred on Broadway in the hit "Meek Mose." In the late 1930's to the early 1940's, Lawrence became a leading man of "race films," starring in 12 films produced by Hollywood's first Black studio, Million Dollar Productions, and his leading ladies were (then legends in the making) Lena Horne in "The Duke Is Tops," Nina Mae McKinney in "Gang Smashers," Theresa Harris in "Gangsters on the Loose," Louise Beavers in "Life Goes On," Ruby Dee in "What A Guy," and a young Dorothy Dandridge played Lawrence's daughter in "Four Shall Die." His Hollywood screen credits were "Black Moon," "Up Jumped The Devil," "King of the Zombies" (where Lawrence played a Doctor, a far cry from Hollywood's usual stereotyping of Black males), "The Gang's All Here," "Sullivan's Travels," "Freckles Come Home," and "Law of the Jungle" where he was teamed with comedy legend Mantan Moreland. "One Dark Night," "Mr. Smith Goes Ghost," "Gang War," "While Thousands Cheer," "Am I Guilty?" "Pigmeat's Laugh Hepcats," and "Miracle in Harlem" are his other film credits. His last film was "The Jackie Robinson Story" where he gave a memorable performance as the minister who encourages Jackie Robinson to accept the offer to be the first Black to play in major league baseball. Lawrence Criner is honored in African American film history for helping in the development and enhancement of films with people of color by providing positive images and non-stereotypes. Another one of his achievements was he served in both WWI and in the Navy in WWII.
Place of Birth: Not available
Birthday: Not available
Deathday: N/A
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Known For
Black Moon
1934-06-15
Black Moon
Overview: A woman returning to her island birthplace finds herself drawn to a voodoo cult.
Genres: Horror Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1934-06-15
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While Thousands Cheer
1940-09-15
While Thousands Cheer
Overview: Kenny Harrington, the star football player of Gilmore College, leads his team to many victories, raising hopes that Gilmore will play in the "Peach Bowl," the championship playoffs of the Western conference. Unknown to Kenny, Downey, the head of a gambling syndicate, has placed a $100,000 bet against the Gilmore team.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1940-09-15
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The Millionaire
1927-11-28
The Millionaire
Overview:
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1927-11-28
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Bargain with Bullets
1937-09-17
Bargain with Bullets
Overview: A gangster film about the Harlem underworld.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1937-09-17
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The Duke Is Tops
1938-07-15
The Duke Is Tops
Overview: A theatrical producer puts aside his own success to boost the career of a talented singer.
Genres: Music Comedy Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1938-07-15
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Miracle in Harlem
1948-11-29
Miracle in Harlem
Overview: A crooked real estate tycoon tricks a trusting young woman out of her small candy store. When he is found dead, the girl is suspected of the crime.
Genres: Romance Mystery
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1948-11-29
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The Gang's All Here
1941-06-11
The Gang's All Here
Overview: Two friends take jobs as truck drivers, unaware that the trucking company is being targeted by a gang of saboteurs who will stop at nothing, including murder, to stop them.
Genres: Adventure Comedy Mystery
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1941-06-11
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Up Jumped the Devil
1941-01-01
Up Jumped the Devil
Overview: Two ne'er-do-wells, Washington and Jefferson, just out of prison are looking for jobs so they won't get arrested for vagrancy. They find out that the wealthy Mrs. Brown is looking to hire a butler and a maid, and Jefferson talks Washington into dressing up as a woman so they can get both jobs. They get the jobs, but they soon run into Bad News Johnson, a crook they met in prison. They find out that Johnson is planning to pull a con on Mrs. Brown and he wants them to go in on it with him. Complications ensue.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1941-01-01
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Midnight Shadow
1939-01-01
Midnight Shadow
Overview: A confidence man pretending to be a mentalist swindles a family.
Genres: Mystery Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1939-01-01
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The Flying Ace
1926-11-05
The Flying Ace
Overview: A veteran World War I fighter pilot returns home a war hero and immediately regains his former job as a railroad company detective. His first case: recover a stolen satchel filled with $25,000 of company payroll, locate a missing employee, and capture a gang of railroad thieves.
Genres: Crime Action Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1926-11-05
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The Jackie Robinson Story
1950-05-16
The Jackie Robinson Story
Overview: Biography of Jackie Robinson, the first black major league baseball player in the 20th century. Traces his career in the negro leagues and the major leagues.
Genres: Drama Family
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1950-05-16
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Gang War
1940-03-28
Gang War
Overview: Two mobs fight for control of the jukebox racket.
Genres: Crime Action
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1940-03-28
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Four Shall Die
1940-10-15
Four Shall Die
Overview: Helen Fielding, heir to the fortunes of the late millionaire Roger Fielding, Sr., has broken off her relationship with the unscrupulous Lew Covey to pursue a romance with reporter Bill Summers. Covey, determined to get at Helen's inheritance, vows to win her back.
Genres: Crime
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1940-10-15
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Pigmeat's Laugh Hepcats
1947-01-23
Pigmeat's Laugh Hepcats
Overview: Pigmeat's Laugh Hepcats
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1947-01-23
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Mr. Smith Goes Ghost
1940-08-27
Mr. Smith Goes Ghost
Overview: Mr. Smith Goes Ghost
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1940-08-27
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Life Goes On
1938-04-01
Life Goes On
Overview: The husband of Sally Weston dies, and she decides to move to New York City where she feels her two young sons, Bob and Henry, can get a better education. Bob grows up to be a brilliant lawyer, while Henry decides that a life of crime is the best path to easy riches. Gangster "Bull" Connors frames Henry, now known as Monte, on a murder charge, and it is up to Bob to clear his brother.
Genres: Action Crime Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1938-04-01
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What a Guy
1948-01-01
What a Guy
Overview: Mantan Moreland's comedy feature.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1948-01-01
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Gang Smashers
1938-12-30
Gang Smashers
Overview: An undercover police woman poses as a nighclub entertainer to catch the main man behind the racketeers going on around Harlem. Meanwhile two men are falling for her.
Genres: Crime Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1938-12-30
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Am I Guilty?
1940-06-21
Am I Guilty?
Overview: A young black doctor sets out to establish a free clinic in Harlem.
Genres: Drama Crime
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1940-06-21
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King of the Zombies
1941-05-14
King of the Zombies
Overview: During World War II, a small plane somewhere over the Caribbean runs low on fuel and is blown off course by a storm. Guided by a faint radio signal, they crash-land on an island. The passenger, his manservant and the pilot take refuge in a mansion owned by a doctor. The quick-witted yet easily-frightened manservant soon becomes convinced the mansion is haunted by zombies and ghosts.
Genres: Horror Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1941-05-14
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Freckles Comes Home
1942-01-02
Freckles Comes Home
Overview: Freckles Winslow comes home from college and the sheriff accuses him of murder, gangsters put him on the spot, and his girl friend, Jane, falls in love with a confidence man.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1942-01-02
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Black Gold
1928-05-07
Black Gold
Overview:
Genres: Action Adventure Crime
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1928-05-07
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