Born at Kensington, London in 1913, James Leblanche Stewart would change his name to Stewart Granger to avoid being confused with popular American actor James "Jimmy" Stewart. The grandson of Queen Victoria's Italian singing master Luigi Lablache, Granger made his British screen (though uncredited) debut as a waiter in 1933s The Song You Gave Me.

 

 

More small often uncredited roles followed until 1940 when Granger enlisted in the British Army, serving until 1942 when he was invalided out of service. With so many young men off at war, a greater opportunity presented itself with a major role opposite James Mason the 1943s The Man in Gray and as Apollodorus opposite Claude Rains and Vivian Leigh in 1945s Caesar and Cleopatra. (a small role in Caesar and Cleopatra was played by a young and at the time unknown actress named Jean Simmons who would later become Granger's
wife.)

As was usually the case, when a star made in big in Great Britain they would garner notice with the major American studio in Hollywood and Granger was no exception. Well remembered for his 1950 role as H. Rider Haggard's Allan Quatermain in King Solomon's Mines, Granger became a major Hollywood star and something of a swashbuckling replacement for the quickly fading Erroll Flynn. Perhaps two of his most memorable parts were in the dual role in 1952s The Prisoner of Zenda and Andre Moreau in Scaramouche also from 1952. Scaramouche is noted for having the longest sword duel in film history. Granger apparently took his swordsmanship training very seriously and his mastery of the sport was considered by many to be second only to the great Basil Rathbone. Granger would even make several westerns including North to Alaska opposite John Wayne and Ernie Kovacs in 1960.

As major film roles became scarcer in the 1960s, Granger made the transition to the small screen, appearing in dozens of productions in the 60s and 70s. He would return to the big screen
from time to time usually in character and supporting roles such as the treacherous Sir Edward Matherson in The Wild Geese (1978). Stewart Granger passed away in Santa Monica,
California in 1993.

In this character study, Granger appears rather in a rather thoughtful which belies the comedic nature of Soldiers Three. Costumed in a relatively authentic manner with ribbons that
appear to represent those of the 1882-89 Egypt Medal, the 1896 India General Service Medal, and the Khedive's Star. The brass regimental title on his shoulder strap is too blurred to make out while the lion and crown collar badges are similar to those used by the Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment).

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Black and White Publicity Still
8 inches by 10 inches (28cm x 18cm)
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
United States
1951