James Corner

Dark-haired, boyishly handsome James Corner's acting career on stage and film lasted but a few years before he was killed serving his country in WWII. Born James Walker Corner to an upper class family in Platteville, Wisconsin on April 30, 1915, he was the son of Douglas Corner, a machinery executive, and May Walker Corner, a socialite. The family moved to Joplin, Missouri when he was but an infant. An interest in acting was sparked while a college student and attending Stanford University in Southern California. He appeared in such local/school plays as "Yellow Jack" (1935), "Paths of Glory," "Three Sheets to the Wind," "Roadside," "1936 Big Game Gaieties," "this Side Idolatry" and "Lady Precious Stream" all in 1936. Following graduation he returned East and performed in stock in the Connecticut area. Discovered by producer/director George Abbott, James earned a role in the London company of the hit comedy "Room Service," then returned to the States and built up his reputation with roles in the Broadway shoes "What a Life" (1938) (as a rival of teen Henry Aldrich) and "Run, Sheep, Run (1938). When Paramount decided to film a version of the Broadway hit "What a Life," James and Betty Field were brought in to repeat their stage roles. James was well-received in What a Life (1939) and was given a second role in Winter Carnival (1939), which was released first. A return back East to perform on Broadway in "Ring Two (1939) and "Out from Under" and a few TV roles (1940), he was signed for his third movie role Scattergood Pulls the Strings (1941) opposite lovely and demure Susan Peters. WWII interrupted his film flow and he dutifully enlisted with the 102nd Infantry Division, 9th Army in 1942, eventually earning the rank of Captain. In November of 1944, he earned distinction when, as a scout, he surprised a German troop and captured a number of prisoners. The 29-year-old was killed in action weeks later (on December 2, 1944) and buried in a military cemetery in the Netherlands.