Laurence Criner
Acting
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.
Known For
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.
The Jackie Robinson Story
A woman returning to her island birthplace finds herself drawn to a voodoo cult.
Black Moon
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.
King of the Zombies
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.
The Gang's All Here
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.
Up Jumped the Devil
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.
While Thousands Cheer
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.
Gang Smashers
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.
Four Shall Die
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.
Miracle in Harlem
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.
Freckles Comes Home
A theatrical producer puts aside his own success to boost the career of a talented singer.
The Duke Is Tops
A young black doctor sets out to establish a free clinic in Harlem.
Am I Guilty?
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.
Life Goes On
A confidence man pretending to be a mentalist swindles a family.
Midnight Shadow
An African American entrepreneur who has built up his fortune in South America returns to the U.S. and falls in love with a young woman who turns out to be part of a notorious family of criminals. Considered a lost film.
The Millionaire
Two mobs fight for control of the jukebox racket.
Gang War
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.
The Flying Ace
Mantan Moreland's comedy feature.
What a Guy
A gangster film about the Harlem underworld.
Bargain with Bullets
Pigmeat's Laugh Hepcats