John Fraser’s dashing looks saw him once described as “the most handsome man in Britain” and it’s understandable how he appeared as the love interest in so many films of the 1950s. John Fraser was more than just a beautiful matinée idol and screen heart-throb though – he had a wide range, from heroic war films to period dramas, and was a searingly-honest writer.

Fraser’s first major film role was in “Valley of Song“, the charming story of two rival families in a Welsh mining community, vying for prime spot in the local choir. The 1953 film, which “introduced” John Fraser and Maureen Swanson as the star-crossed lovers, also starred Rachel Thomas, along with Rachel Roberts in her first film, and Kenneth Williams‘ first film credit.

After “Valley of Song”, Fraser went on to appear in “Loves of Three Queens” (also known as “The Face That Launched a Thousand Ships”) with Terence Morgan & Richard O’Sullivan; “Touch & Go” with Jack Hawkins, Bessie Love, Liz Fraser, & Alfred Burke; and then the classic British war film “The Dam Busters” with Richard Todd, Michael Redgrave, & George Baker.

Next was the musical “The Good Companions” with Hugh Griffith, Janette Scott, Joyce Grenfell, & Carole Lesley; “The Wind Cannot Read” with Dirk Bogarde & Yoko Tani; “Tunes of Glory” with Alec Guinness, Andrew Keir, Duncan MacRae, & Dennis Price; & then “The Trials of Oscar Wilde” which saw Fraser nominated for a BAFTA.

Fraser’s additional credits include “El Cid” alongside Herbert Lom; “Tamahine” with Nancy Kwan; “Waltz of the Toreadors” with Peter Sellers; “Operation Crossbow” with Richard Todd & Sylvia Syms; the cult 1965 film “Repulsion” with Catherine Deneuve, Ian Hendry, Yvonne Furneaux, & Helen Fraser; “A Study in Terror” with Donald Houston, Edina Ronay, & Barbara Windsor; “Doctor in Clover” with Joan Sims & Wendy Richard; & “Isadora” with Vanessa Redgrave.