Langton began his career in the 1930s, acting in numerous films produced in the United Kingdom, several of which were distributed by Paramount Pictures' British division. In 1938 and 1939, he had roles in several BBC productions, including a few adaptations of William Shakespeare's plays. In 1941, during World War II, Langton (who was opposed to the war, but couldn't fight anyway as he had asthma) began touring Britain as part of the Traveling Repertory Theater, a theater company which he founded. The company performed for the troops in locales ranging from bombed cities to churches.