Desmond Tester
Acting
Biography
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Desmond Tester (17 February 1919 – 31 December 2002) was an English and Australian film actor and television actor, host and executive. He was born in London, England. Among his most notable roles was that of the ill-fated boy Stevie in the Alfred Hitchcock film Sabotage (1936). Tester made his first stage appearance at the age of 12, receiving positive reviews from London critics. He was known more as a child actor in film in his native England. Tester's characters often met with doomed fates, in such early films as Carol Reed's Midshipman Easy (1935), Tudor Rose (1936), The Stars Look Down (1939), and Sabotage. He also appeared in The Drum (1938). After World War II, he moved to Australia and embarked in careers in radio, theater and television. As television broadcasting began in Australia, Tester soon found work with Channel Nine's What's My Line and in a variety of children's programs including Kaper Kops with Reg Gorman and Rod Hull. He spent fifteen years at Channel Nine, taking charge of children's programming, and became more involved behind the scenes in production and publicity. He later moved to Reg Grundy Productions, eventually leaving the industry entirely due to a dislike of the overall management culture. In 1974 he revived his stage acting career. He also had occasional minor roles in various films, such as Barry McKenzie Holds His Own (1974) and The Wild Duck (1983). Tester died in Sydney on 31 December 2002. Description above from the Wikipedia article Desmond Tester, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Known For
Rafferty's Rules was an Australian television drama series which ran from 1987 to 1990 on the Seven Network. Rafferty's Rules was one of the first programs undertaken by the Seven Network's then new in-house drama unit, going into production in May 1985 as "a 15-part courtroom drama". The program had started out as a pilot episode, recorded in early 1984 with the actor Chris Haywood in the lead role. When the pilot episode was remounted later in 1984, Chris Haywood wasn't available and the lead role was re-cast to John Wood. This second recording was eventually broadcast as the program's first episode.
Rafferty's Rules
Karl Anton Verloc and his wife own a small cinema in a quiet London suburb where they live seemingly happily. But Mrs. Verloc does not know that her husband has a secret that will affect their relationship and threaten her teenage brother's life.
Sabotage
Set in the India of the British Raj, the evil and untrustworthy Prince Guhl (Raymond Massey) plans to wipe out the British troops as they enjoy the hospitality of Guhl's spacious palace. It's up to the loyal young Prince Azim (Sabu) to warn the troops of Guhl's treachery by tapping out a message on his drum.
The Drum
Davey Fenwick leaves his mining village on a university scholarship intent on returning to better support the miners against the owners. But he falls in love with Jenny who gets him to marry her and return home as local schoolteacher before finishing his degree.
The Stars Look Down
Barry McKenzie's Aunt Edna is kidnapped by Count Von Plasma, the vampire head of an isolated Eastern European dictatorship who mistakes her for the Queen of England and thinks that kidnapping her will draw tourists to his country. Barry and his mates set out to rescue her and bring her back to Australia.
Barry McKenzie Holds His Own
Bill Peach explains the stories of the great 18th and 19th century explorers of Australia, complete with full-cast re-enactments.
The Explorers
The tragic story of Lady Jane Grey, the young queen who reigned in England for nine days before she was executed.
Tudor Rose
Ibsen's play, adapted to Australia, concerns a couple forced to answer for their daughter's legitimacy.
The Wild Duck
Flying from one charming lady---eluding another---and almost losing both!
The Beloved Vagabond
Set during the Peninsular Campaign of the Napoleonic War, Mr Midshipman Easy has just joined the Royal Navy. He is very keen to do well but luckily he has an understanding captain to pull him out of the various adventures he seems to get involved in.
Midshipman Easy
A German spy is dispatched to Britain to search out targets for a planned invasion.
An Englishman's Home
A young woman finds herself as the intended victim of a murder plot on a transatlantic flight from London to New York.
Non-Stop New York
A London cabby finds a greyhound puppy in his cab, and gives it to his daughter. She raises it and trains it up at the race tracks; and in spite of crooked rival owners, the dog eventually wins the Greyhound Derby.