Laurence Criner

Acting

Laurence Criner

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 Os…

Known For

The Gang's All HereThe Gang's All Here · 1941
The Gang's All Here
5.41941
MovieAdventureComedy
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.
Gang WarGang War · 1940
Gang War
6.31940
MovieCrimeAction
Two mobs fight for control of the jukebox racket.
King of the ZombiesKing of the Zombies · 1941
King of the Zombies
5.21941
MovieHorrorComedy
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.
Am I Guilty?Am I Guilty? · 1940
Am I Guilty?
9.01940
MovieDramaCrime
A young black doctor sets out to establish a free clinic in Harlem.
Up Jumped the DevilUp Jumped the Devil · 1941
Up Jumped the Devil
10.01941
MovieComedy
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.
Four Shall DieFour Shall Die · 1940
Four Shall Die
8.01940
MovieCrime
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.
What a GuyWhat a Guy · 1948
What a Guy
7.01948
MovieComedy
Mantan Moreland's comedy feature.
The Jackie Robinson StoryThe Jackie Robinson Story · 1950
The Jackie Robinson Story
6.31950
MovieDramaFamily
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.

Movies

The Gang's All HereThe Gang's All Here · 1941
The Gang's All Here
5.41941
MovieAdventureComedy
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.
Gang WarGang War · 1940
Gang War
6.31940
MovieCrimeAction
Two mobs fight for control of the jukebox racket.
King of the ZombiesKing of the Zombies · 1941
King of the Zombies
5.21941
MovieHorrorComedy
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.
Am I Guilty?Am I Guilty? · 1940
Am I Guilty?
9.01940
MovieDramaCrime
A young black doctor sets out to establish a free clinic in Harlem.
Up Jumped the DevilUp Jumped the Devil · 1941
Up Jumped the Devil
10.01941
MovieComedy
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.
Four Shall DieFour Shall Die · 1940
Four Shall Die
8.01940
MovieCrime
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.
What a GuyWhat a Guy · 1948
What a Guy
7.01948
MovieComedy
Mantan Moreland's comedy feature.
The Jackie Robinson StoryThe Jackie Robinson Story · 1950
The Jackie Robinson Story
6.31950
MovieDramaFamily
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.
Bargain with BulletsBargain with Bullets · 1937
Bargain with Bullets
7.01937
Movie
A gangster film about the Harlem underworld.
Miracle in HarlemMiracle in Harlem · 1948
Miracle in Harlem
7.51948
MovieRomanceMystery
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.
Black MoonBlack Moon · 1934
Black Moon
5.51934
MovieHorrorDrama
A woman returning to her island birthplace finds herself drawn to a voodoo cult.
The Duke Is TopsThe Duke Is Tops · 1938
The Duke Is Tops
6.31938
MovieMusicComedy
A theatrical producer puts aside his own success to boost the career of a talented singer.
Black GoldBlack Gold · 1928
Black Gold
7.01928
MovieActionAdventure
Mr. Smith Goes GhostMr. Smith Goes Ghost · 1940
Mr. Smith Goes Ghost
7.01940
MovieComedy
Mr. Smith Goes Ghost
Freckles Comes HomeFreckles Comes Home · 1942
Freckles Comes Home
5.81942
MovieComedy
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.
The Flying AceThe Flying Ace · 1926
The Flying Ace
6.11926
MovieCrimeAction
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.
Midnight ShadowMidnight Shadow · 1939
Midnight Shadow
5.31939
MovieMysteryDrama
A confidence man pretending to be a mentalist swindles a family.
Life Goes OnLife Goes On · 1938
Life Goes On
8.01938
MovieActionCrime
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.
While Thousands CheerWhile Thousands Cheer · 1940
While Thousands Cheer
7.01940
MovieDrama
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.
Pigmeat's Laugh HepcatsPigmeat's Laugh Hepcats · 1947
Pigmeat's Laugh Hepcats
1947
MovieComedy
Pigmeat's Laugh Hepcats
The MillionaireThe Millionaire · 1927
The Millionaire
7.01927
MovieDrama
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.