In British and Hollywood productions, Howard often played stiff upper lipped Englishmen. He appeared in the film version of "Outward Bound" (1930), though in a different role from the one he portrayed on Broadway. He had second billing under Norma Shearer in "A Free Soul" (1931), which also featured Lionel Barrymore and future "Gone With the Wind" rival Clark Gable six years prior to their Civil War masterpiece. He starred in the film version of "Berkeley Square" (1933), for which he was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor. He played the title character in "The Scarlet Pimpernel" (1934).