Figure 1.--Here we see Desmond in 'Sabatoge', a 1936 fil ambout foreign terrorists in London. Here he wears a school cap. Like many boys attending state schools at the time, he wears a school cap but with a suit rather than a uniform.

Desmond appeared in quite a few British films during the 1930s. In his child roles he often ended up a fatality. He later enjoyed telling his many death scenes. American producers almost always saw to it that their film stars, especially child film stars, survived the film. British producers were less likely to follow this dictim. Despite his roles often leading to a tragic end he played a wise cracking mischievous British boy. The British public loved him in that role. He seems to have had less impact on American audiences. He kept his youthfulness for quite a long time, allowing him to play child and youth roles into his late teens. He always seems to me to act like a typical michievous 12 year old. Tge British I believe woukd say 'cheeky'. In the film "Non-stop New York", even as an older teenager, he can still be seen eating sweets in several scenes.

Midshipman Easy (1935)

Desmond's first screen role was as Gossett in 'Midshipman Easy' directed by Carol Reed (1935). Here he was beaten to death. In 'Midshipman Easy' he was costumed in a Royal Navy uniform. He played in a series of Gainsborough films.

Sabotage (1936)

The following year he played Stevie in 'Sabotage' (1936) and was blown to pieces when he unknowingly carried a parcel bomb onto a London city bus and it exploded. This is an interesting film for several reasons. It is about foreign terrorists, but despite events in Germany, there is no connection made between the terrorists and the NAZIs. The British film industry, like the British Government was pursuing a policy of apeasement. This was one of Desmond's best known films and an early Hitchcock talkie. Desmond wore a long trouser suit for special occasions and the rest of the time he wore a short pants suit. I'm not sure how common this was, but Desmond was about 16 years old when he made the film. He also wore a school cap.

Tudor Rose (1936)

Next Desmond played the role of Prince Edward VI in 'Tudor Rose' (1936). The American title was 'Nine Days a Queen'. He wore Tudor costumes. I would not have recognized him without the credits. He died a horrible death from an illness. Edward is often glossed over with thevkarger personalities of the other Tudors. But Edward was raised along withbhis half-sister Elizabeth a Protestant and it was during his reign that England became Protestant. A development is older sister Mary was unable to reverse.

Non-stop New York (1937)

Desmond plays child violinist prodigy Arnold James who liked to play the saxophone in 'Non-Stop New York' (1937). Arnold is suposed to be about 14-years old. Desmond was about 18 years old at the time. He tended to play younger boys. . In the film as an older teenager, he can still be seen eating sweets in several scenes. He has quite a good role in the film. This crime thriller was directed by Robert Stevenson. It is about a young woman who is the target of a murder plot. This is an early airline film. The main female character is on a trans-Atlantic flight from London to New York. Before this film, such films were always set on trains or ships. Trans-Atlantic flights were very new. Desmond was dressed in a short pants suit. His overcoat was a black cap with ornate fasteners. His white shirt had large collars. His hair was curly and he wore spectacles.

Drums (1938)

The Stars Look Down (1940)

Created: 6:34 PM 3/7/2011
Last updated: 6:34 PM 3/7/2011