Charles Laughton is the greatest character actor of any century. He did not have a loveless marriage. True, it was cruel not telling his wife until after they married, but they respected and revered each other until his death. She chose to stay which means a lot. Years after his death, she always spoke reverently and with pride about him. He died of bone cancer. One of the most painful of all cancers.It is very clear he is in ill health here. Thank you for this posting. Genius is too small a wo
I first saw Charles Laughton in Sidewalks of London with Vivien Leigh and I loved him as soon as I saw him and he reminded me so much of John Candy too. He seemed like a big teddy bear back then, 1938. It's sad to see him here, he looks so miserable...
"Witness for the Prosecution" is the movie where I finally took notice of him. After that, I couldn't get enough of his films, such a wonderful and talented actor!
My first exposure to Charles Laughton was as a Captain Bligh caricature in the Bugs Bunny cartoon Buccaneer Bunny. It wasn't until I was a little older that I actually saw any of his films. Always enjoyed him in comedic roles like The Canterville Ghost, Ruggles of Red Gap and aspects of Witness for the Prosecution. FYI: Laughton and Meredith also starred in THE MAN ON THE EIFFEL TOWER directed by Meredith.
@iLY0X8 Well, he was probably in bad health, but on a deeper level he was what you would call "complicated". Living for decades in a marriage to a woman you are not attracted to because you're gay can do that to a person. Especially a person of great intelligence and talent who happened to be born into a homophobic culture.
Mr. Laughton was an extremely fine actor. His portrayal of "Quasimodo" in The Hunchback of Notre Dame is the standard by which all others are judged who do that role. Bravo!
I just finished reading Simon Callow's bio of Laughton. From watching this video of Laughton, I see nothing but pain in his face, that he had to subject himself to promoting his play or movie, whatever. Laughton was married to the great actress Elsa Lanchester (Bride of Frankenstein) who he lived with two years before they married. Then she discovered he was a homosexual, their marriage continued until the day he died, of bone cancer. But I still see the pain on his face.
I read somewhere that Laughton was quite overwhelmed by the presence of Clark Gable while filming. Mutiny on the Bounty, having a keen interest in his manly personance. however , knowing that such an encounter was impossible, bittered him towards Gable and intensified the vengeful cruelty of his acting as Captain Bligh.
Great actor. Anybody who wants to be thoroughly entertained should check out "Witness for the Prosecution." The delightful actress who plays his nurse and nemesis in the film was Laughton's wife in real life, Elsa Lanchester.
@senoramariposa And "Hobson's Choice." Brillant. "Jolly good." Even his one word answers gave him away to me. His voice is so unique. And what reading?? Anyone know? I wonder if there are any here on YT? My current favorite voice is James Earl Jones. I could listen to him speak all day. . :) This was fun. Thank you Dick for sharing it with us! Songs
If I may be permitted to put an even finer point on this, the phrase that would best express bitterchew's meaning, as I understand it, is "my favorites ARE Fred and Steve Allen", the present tense of the verb reflecting bitterchew's current preferences.
There's one more nit to pick: he ought to have written "Fred Allen and Steve Allen". Writing as he did, he left the impression that the two men were related, which they were not.
I'm hooked on these old WML clips, but have to admit that the regulars on the panel(Serf, Kilgallen and Francis)always maintained a sort of arrogance toward anyone they perceived to be not in their "league" as well as a kind of bewildered inability to figure out how to react to those far above it, although sometimes Arlene was down to Earth. John Daley was ok, but my favorites is Fred and Steve Allen.
-Don't pay too much attention to backstage stories; usually they are created by inadequate pests who have too much time on their hands, or need to sell their shabby tabloids.
(Continued from below). Genius is too small a word for this great man.
mvies77 1 month ago
Charles Laughton is the greatest character actor of any century. He did not have a loveless marriage. True, it was cruel not telling his wife until after they married, but they respected and revered each other until his death. She chose to stay which means a lot. Years after his death, she always spoke reverently and with pride about him. He died of bone cancer. One of the most painful of all cancers.It is very clear he is in ill health here. Thank you for this posting. Genius is too small a wo
mvies77 1 month ago
His performance as Sir Wilfred is Witness for the Prosecution is one of the single greatest performances in the history of film!
Ulysses61 2 months ago
I first saw Charles Laughton in Sidewalks of London with Vivien Leigh and I loved him as soon as I saw him and he reminded me so much of John Candy too. He seemed like a big teddy bear back then, 1938. It's sad to see him here, he looks so miserable...
Charmedfan2010 4 months ago
charles laughton..one of the finest actors to ever appear in film.
he was simply Magnificent.
JadeTomZ 5 months ago
"Witness for the Prosecution" is the movie where I finally took notice of him. After that, I couldn't get enough of his films, such a wonderful and talented actor!
TaviaStrife 6 months ago
One of the top actors ever, he was a genius at acting
PhillyDippy5 6 months ago
One of the most sophisticated, talented erudite actors ever...the Great Charles Laughton...they certainly don't make them like that anymore.
CarloQuinto 9 months ago
You can call this clip, "The Hunchback Meets The Penguin".
Vitte4 10 months ago 2
could be john candy's father
iamfreemanontheland 1 year ago
@iamfreemanontheland Lol or his grandfather.
MeBenHalpin 6 months ago
Laughton has such a large double chin he almost has two faces. I wonder what the rest of him looks like. In fact maybe I shouldnt.
chanctonbury63 1 year ago
My first exposure to Charles Laughton was as a Captain Bligh caricature in the Bugs Bunny cartoon Buccaneer Bunny. It wasn't until I was a little older that I actually saw any of his films. Always enjoyed him in comedic roles like The Canterville Ghost, Ruggles of Red Gap and aspects of Witness for the Prosecution. FYI: Laughton and Meredith also starred in THE MAN ON THE EIFFEL TOWER directed by Meredith.
Gnillob802 1 year ago
Actors promoting literacy on TV! Where would that happen now?
inqueling 1 year ago
What an actor! We dont get actors of this caliber today.
franklindavid 1 year ago
Constipation is just terrible! Terrible!
spagandtuna 1 year ago
why does he look so in pain and unhappy?
iLY0X8 1 year ago
@iLY0X8 Well, he was probably in bad health, but on a deeper level he was what you would call "complicated". Living for decades in a marriage to a woman you are not attracted to because you're gay can do that to a person. Especially a person of great intelligence and talent who happened to be born into a homophobic culture.
paolovid 1 year ago
brilliant
samia7762zaid 1 year ago
Witness for the Prosecution WOW
RichardOliverWY 1 year ago 3
Charles Laughton was a true English Gent.
MyMerlin1 2 years ago 3
Night of the Hunter (1955)! One of my favourite films. Great cinema and/but a story time wasn't ready for back then.
piffdoddy 2 years ago 3
This episode is only 20 years before Rocky..but look how young Burgess Meredith is.
mooneepondskid 2 years ago 3
Mr. Laughton was an extremely fine actor. His portrayal of "Quasimodo" in The Hunchback of Notre Dame is the standard by which all others are judged who do that role. Bravo!
rolex452 2 years ago 7
adorooooo
YUMYUMYAAH 2 years ago
The brilliant, charming Charles Laughton.
lbr1234 2 years ago 15
quasimodo
elprimerhombreyo 2 years ago
I just finished reading Simon Callow's bio of Laughton. From watching this video of Laughton, I see nothing but pain in his face, that he had to subject himself to promoting his play or movie, whatever. Laughton was married to the great actress Elsa Lanchester (Bride of Frankenstein) who he lived with two years before they married. Then she discovered he was a homosexual, their marriage continued until the day he died, of bone cancer. But I still see the pain on his face.
janicesoprano 3 years ago
I read somewhere that Laughton was quite overwhelmed by the presence of Clark Gable while filming. Mutiny on the Bounty, having a keen interest in his manly personance. however , knowing that such an encounter was impossible, bittered him towards Gable and intensified the vengeful cruelty of his acting as Captain Bligh.
asuperdemo1 3 years ago
Actually the bio I referenced does bring that up about Clark Gable. And he was certainly bitter and cruel in Mutiny! Great thoughts, thanks.
janicesoprano 3 years ago
Gable was offended by Laughton's homosexuality because it reminded him of his own rent boy past.
JohnRogersly 3 years ago
@janicesoprano Yeah, he looked like he was on trial. Cheer up, fatso!
JasonRadley 1 year ago
Neeto neeto neeto!!! He could do anything from Shakespeare to light comedy and beyond!!!Such a gentleman!!!
SueBeaWho 3 years ago 2
The Penguin is duped!
bigred997 3 years ago 4
Great actor. Anybody who wants to be thoroughly entertained should check out "Witness for the Prosecution." The delightful actress who plays his nurse and nemesis in the film was Laughton's wife in real life, Elsa Lanchester.
ParkerAllen2 3 years ago 7
Absolutely. "Witness for the Prosecution" is one of the greats. Works of such caliber are rarely made today.
senoramariposa 2 years ago 25
@senoramariposa And "Hobson's Choice." Brillant. "Jolly good." Even his one word answers gave him away to me. His voice is so unique. And what reading?? Anyone know? I wonder if there are any here on YT? My current favorite voice is James Earl Jones. I could listen to him speak all day. . :) This was fun. Thank you Dick for sharing it with us! Songs
Songsmirth 10 months ago
@senoramariposa WftP is my favourite Laughton film. I could watch it over and over and it still amazes me.
MOTHERofSEPHY 3 months ago
If I may be permitted to put an even finer point on this, the phrase that would best express bitterchew's meaning, as I understand it, is "my favorites ARE Fred and Steve Allen", the present tense of the verb reflecting bitterchew's current preferences.
karlakor 3 years ago
There's one more nit to pick: he ought to have written "Fred Allen and Steve Allen". Writing as he did, he left the impression that the two men were related, which they were not.
mgushulak 3 years ago
still can't get it right, WERE Fred and Steve Allen.
bitterchew 3 years ago 3
sorry to abuse the Queen's English; WAS Fred and Steve Allen.
bitterchew 3 years ago
I'm hooked on these old WML clips, but have to admit that the regulars on the panel(Serf, Kilgallen and Francis)always maintained a sort of arrogance toward anyone they perceived to be not in their "league" as well as a kind of bewildered inability to figure out how to react to those far above it, although sometimes Arlene was down to Earth. John Daley was ok, but my favorites is Fred and Steve Allen.
bitterchew 3 years ago 2
I always liked Arlene Francis on the show despite backstage stories. Ms. Kilgallen however, always seemed quite dry and humourless...
bjnevin 3 years ago
-Don't pay too much attention to backstage stories; usually they are created by inadequate pests who have too much time on their hands, or need to sell their shabby tabloids.
bfyau 2 years ago 7