 Black Beauty 1971  G, 90 min.
Genre: Family / Drama
Director: James Hill
Cast: Mark Lester, Walter Slezak, Peter Lee Lawrence, Uschi Glas, Patrick Mower, John Nettleton, Maria Rohm, Eddie Golden, Clive Geraghty, John Hoey, Patrick Gardiner, Brian McGrath, Ronan Smith, Margaret Lacey, John Franklyn
The exceptional horse is the highlight of this adaptation of Anna Sewell's novel. Black Beauty grows up with young Joe Evans (Mark Lester), but then is taken away and passes through several people–including gypsies, a Spanish circus owner, and a soldier fighting the war in India. Finally, Black Beauty is rescued and, once again, Joe regains the regal horse.
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Crossed Swords 1977 PG, 113 min.
Genre: Adventure
aka: The Prince and the Pauper
Director: Richard Fleischer
Cast: Mark Lester, Oliver Reed, Raquel Welch, Ernest Borgnine, George C. Scott, Rex Harrison, David Hemmings, Harry Andrews, Sybil Danning, Murray Melvin, Julian Orchard, Felicity Dean, Graham Stark, Preston Lockwood
In this remake of Mark Twain's classic tale "The Prince and the Pauper," Mark Lester takes on dual roles of both Henry VIII's (Rex Harrison) son Prince Edward and the poor boy from the London slums, Tom. The boys meet, realize that they look alike, trade clothes, and inadvertently switch identities. As they live each other's lives for awhile, both boys find problems associated with the other's life.
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Eyewitness 1970 PG, 95 min.
Genre: Horror / Thriller
aka: Sudden Terror
Director: John Hough
Cast: Mark Lester, Lionel Jeffries, Susan George, Tony Bonner, Jeremy Kemp, Peter Vaughan, Betty Marsden, Peter Bowles, Anthony Stamboulieh, Joseph Furst
Ziggy (Mark Lester) and his sister live in a lighthouse run by their grandfather. Known for stretching the truth, no one believes Ziggy when he witnesses the assassination of an African leader by two policemen. But the (fake) policemen know he is telling the truth, and now he, his sister, and her boyfriend are on the run as the chase begins. Not bad, with good scenery.
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 Oliver! 1968  G, 146 min.
Genre: Family / Musical / Drama / Romance
Director: Carol Reed
Cast: Ron Moody, Oliver Reed, Harry Secombe, Shani Wallis, Mark Lester, Jack Wild, Hugh Griffith, Joseph O'Conor, Leonard Rossiter, Megs Jenkins, Peggy Mount, Hylda Baker, Kenneth Cranham, Sheila White, Wensley Pithey
This film won Academy Awards for Best Picture and Director and is an excellent production of Charles Dickens' story set to music. The plot involves the orphan Oliver Twist (Mark Lester) who is befriended by the Artful Dodger (Jack Wild) and joins a gang of thieves led by Fagan (Ron Moody). Despite his circumstances, Oliver does find friends and a "family" within the gang. Popular songs include "As Long as He Needs Me" and "Consider Yourself." A total of six Oscars were received, and there were six other nominations, including Best Actor (Ron Moody) and Supporting Actor (Jack Wild).
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Scalawag 1973 G, 93 min.
Genre: Adventure
Director: Kirk Douglas
Cast: Kirk Douglas, Mark Lester, Neville Brand, George Eastman, Don Stroud, Lesley-Anne Down, Phil Brown, Danny DeVito, Mel Blanc, Davor Antolic
A one-legged pirate (Kirk Douglas) helps Jamie (Mark Lester) and Lucy-Ann (Leslie Anne Down) look for a lost treasure. Stupid, but not bad for a rainy day.
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Who Slew Auntie Roo? 1971  PG, 89 min.
Genre: Horror / Thriller
aka: Whoever Slew Antie Roo?
Director: Curtis Harrington
Cast: Shelley Winters, Mark Lester, Chloe Franks, Ralph Richardson, Lionel Jeffries, Hugh Griffith, Rosalie Crutchley, Judy Cornwell, Marianne Stone, Pat Heywood
This modern-day "Hansel and Gretel" story involves the kidnapping of Christopher (Mark Lester) and Katy (Chloe Franks) by their Aunt Roo (Shelley Winters). The children eventually kill Aunt Roo and burn down her home.
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| 1. Black Beauty (1971)
2. Crossed Swords (1977)
aka: The Prince and the Pauper
3. Eyewitness (1970)
aka: Sudden Terror
4. Oliver! (1968)
5. Scalawag (1973)
6. Who Slew Auntie Roo? (1971)
aka: Whoever Slew Antie Roo?
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