Charles Laughton is an actor who I am sure many people reading this blog are well acquainted with. He was a fine actor who was trained at London's Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. He began appearing on stage in 1926 and naturally it would not be too long until the movies came knocking. Though he is known for his larger than life and theatrical roles, he was also quite capable of more subtle performances including the terrifyingly cold and mostly emotionless mad scientist in the horror classic, Island of Lost Souls (1932). His filmography includes such classics as The Old Dark House (1932), The Sign of the Cross (1932), The Private Life of Henry VIII (1933), Ruggles of Red Gap (1935), Mutiny on the Bounty (1935), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939), The Paradine Case (1947), Witness for the Prosecution (1957) and Spartacus (1960).
He only directed one movie. However, that film is a masterpiece, The Night of the Hunter (1955). He would however direct multiple Broadway plays including The Fatal Alibi (Feb 08, 1932 - Mar 01, 1932), Don Juan in Hell (Nov 29, 1951 - Dec 31, 1951) (Apr 06, 1952 - May 24, 1952), John Brown's Body (Feb 14, 1953 - Apr 11, 1953), The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial (Jan 20, 1954 - Jan 22, 1955) and Major Barbara (Oct 30, 1956 - May 18, 1957).
Here is an article from The New Movie Magazine (dated December 1934). If you have any trouble reading it click on the pages below and use your touch screen to zoom in. If you don't have a touch screen, click here.
Though being best known as a dramatic actor Laughton had a gift for comedy. This can be seen in the film, Abbott and Costello Meet Captain Kid (1952).
Watch a full movie with Charles Laughton below. The film is Jamica Inn (1939) and was directed by none other than Alfred Hitchcock.
Resources Used
https://mediahistoryproject.org/
https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/charles-laughton-9812
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