In 1952 while remodeling his home, he discovered several reels of Buster Keaton 's "lost" films (Mason had purchased Keaton's Hollywood mansion) and immediately recognized their historical significance and was responsible for their preservation.

Was the original choice to play Professor Kingsfield in The Paper Chase (1973) , but had to turn down the role due to poor health. John Houseman , who had acted in only one other movie in a bit part, was cast and won an Oscar.

Can be seen visiting the set of Stanley Kubrick 's _The Shining (1980)_ in Vivian Kubrick 's TV documentary _Making 'The Shining' (1980)_ . Stanley Kubrick didn't usually allow visitors to his set, but made an exception for Mason, who had memorably played Humbert Humbert for him in Lolita (1962) .

He should not be confused with the American actor, Jim Mason, aka James Mason, who appeared in silent films, particularly Westerns in the Twenties and Thirties.

Eddie Izzard often uses an impression of James Mason in his stand-up comedy routines as the voice of a confused, dithering God.

Was offered the part of Viktor Komarovsky in Doctor Zhivago (1965) by double-Oscar winning director David Lean after Marlon Brando failed to respond to director Lean's written inquiry into whether he wanted to play the role. Mason initially accepted the part. Lean decided on Mason, who was a generation older than Brando, as he did not want an actor who would overpower the character of Yuri Zhivago (specifically, to show Zhivago up as a lover of Lara, who would be played by the young Julie Christie, which the charismatic Brando might have done, shifting the sympathy of the audience). Mason eventually dropped out and Steiger, who had just won the Silver Bear as Best Actor for his role as the eponymous The Pawnbroker (1964), accepted the role.

Was scheduled to play James Bond 007 in a 1958 TV adaptation of From Russia with Love, which was ultimately never produced. Later, despite being in his 50s, Mason was a contender to play Bond in Dr. No (1962) before Sean Connery was cast.

He was offered the role of Lawyer Crosby (Wendy Hiller) in the 1978 Cat And The Canary

Told "Playboy Magazine" in the late 1970s that he hated rock n' roll but loved country music.

Father of Morgan Mason and actress/scriptwriter Portland Mason .

Turned down the role of Hugo Drax in the 1979 Bond film Moonraker (1979) .

Was rejected by fellow student Alistair Cooke for an acting role whilst at Cambridge. Cooke asked Mason what course he was studying. "Architecture", replied Mason. "Then I think you should finish your degree and forget about acting." advised Cooke, in one of his rare lapses of judgment.

Became alienated from his family after refusing to serve in World War II on the grounds of being a conscientious objector.

11 years after being mentioned in Rope (1948) as making an excellent villain, he was finally cast by Alfred Hitchcock as such in North by Northwest (1959).

An avowed pacifist, he refused to perform military service during the Second World War, a stance that caused his family to break with him for many years.

He had been considered for the part of Harry Lime in "The Third Man" TV series (1959-60) but 'Michael Rennie (I)' ended up in the role.

Starred with his wife Clarissa Kaye-Mason in the original 1979 version of Salem's Lot, although they never appeared together on screen.

Was responsible for getting an unknown actor from New Zealand his first major film role. That actor was Sam Neill .

He refused to wear make-up.

11 years after being mentioned in Rope (1948) as making an excellent villain, he was finally cast by Alfred Hitchcock as such in North by Northwest (1959).

Became alienated from his family after refusing to serve in World War II on the grounds of being a conscientious objector.

Was offered the part of Viktor Komarovsky in Doctor Zhivago (1965) by double-Oscar winning director David Lean after Marlon Brando failed to respond to director Lean`s written inquiry into whether he wanted to play the role. Mason initially accepted the part. Lean decided on Mason, who was a generation older than Brando, as he did not want an actor who would overpower the character of Yuri Zhivago (specifically, to show Zhivago up as a lover of Lara, who would be played by the young Julie Christie, which the charismatic Brando might have done, shifting the sympathy of the audience). Mason eventually dropped out and Rod Steiger, who had just won the Silver Bear as Best Actor for his role as the eponymous The Pawnbroker (1964), accepted the role.

Eddie Izzard often uses an impression of James Mason in his stand-up comedy routines as the voice of a confused, dithering God.

Was rejected by fellow student Alistair Cooke for an acting role whilst at Cambridge. Cooke asked Mason what course he was studying. "Architecture", replied Mason. "Then I think you should finish your degree and forget about acting." advised Cooke, in one of his rare lapses of judgment.

Was the original choice to play Professor Kingsfield in The Paper Chase (1973) , but had to turn down the role due to poor health. John Houseman , who had acted in only one other movie in a bit part, was cast and won an Oscar.

Can be seen visiting the set of Stanley Kubrick `s _The Shining (1980)_ in Vivian Kubrick `s TV documentary _Making `The Shining` (1980)_ . Stanley Kubrick didn`t usually allow visitors to his set, but made an exception for Mason, who had memorably played Humbert Humbert for him in Lolita (1962) .

Told "Playboy Magazine" in the late 1970s that he hated rock n` roll but loved country music.

He was offered the role of Lawyer Crosby (Wendy Hiller) in the 1978 Cat And The Canary

Starred with his wife Clarissa Kaye-Mason in the original 1979 version of Salem`s Lot, although they never appeared together on screen.

In 1952 while remodeling his home, he discovered several reels of Buster Keaton `s "lost" films (Mason had purchased Keaton`s Hollywood mansion) and immediately recognized their historical significance and was responsible for their preservation.

Turned down the role of Hugo Drax in the 1979 Bond film Moonraker (1979) .

Was scheduled to play James Bond 007 in a 1958 TV adaptation of From Russia with Love, which was ultimately never produced. Later, despite being in his 50s, Mason was a contender to play Bond in Dr. No (1962) before Sean Connery was cast.

Was responsible for getting an unknown actor from New Zealand his first major film role. That actor was Sam Neill .

Father of Morgan Mason and actress/scriptwriter Portland Mason .

An avowed pacifist, he refused to perform military service during the Second World War, a stance that caused his family to break with him for many years.

He had been considered for the part of Harry Lime in "The Third Man" TV series (1959-60) but `Michael Rennie (I)` ended up in the role.

He should not be confused with the American actor, Jim Mason, aka James Mason, who appeared in silent films, particularly Westerns in the Twenties and Thirties.