He made his film debut in 1934 in "Whispering Tongues", and later in the decade also began to appear in the newer medium of television. On 11 November 1937, Tate appeared as Stanhope again in a production of "Journey's End" made by the BBC's fledgling television service, one of its earliest major drama productions. His performance was praised by the television critic of "The Times" newspaper, who wrote that: "his performance brilliantly full of fiery disillusionment. It successfully dominated the stage—no easy matter when Osborne is played as well as Mr. Basil Gill played him."