The beginning of this month marked the 125th anniversary of Charles Laughton’s birth. He was without question one of the finest British actors of his day, a natural who made his mark on the London stage while still in his twenties.
His timing was fortuitous, as soon after talking pictures were introduced and Hollywood started beckoning to stage-trained British actors who could deliver dialogue with mellifluous voices. Laughton fit the bill, though his homely appearance and rotund figure precluded romantic roles. Still his enormous talent would keep him busy.
He made his feature debut in the Anna May Wong film “Piccadilly” (1929), billed as “a continental visitor.” In 1932, Laughton hit paydirt with several well-received pictures, including the comedy “If I Had a Million,” where in one short peerless sequence directed by Ernst Lubitsch, he plays a meek clerk who receives a million dollars from an anonymous benefactor, and can finally tell off his boss.
The following year, he returned to Britain to film “The Private Life of Henry VIII” for producer Alexander Korda, and won the Best Actor Oscar for it, only the second British actor to take the prize (after silent veteran George Arliss). A string of hits followed.
After the Second War, there were fewer notable films, but Laughton did plenty of theatre work, and began directing as well. His most notable success came in 1954, when he directed Henry Fonda and Lloyd Nolan in the original Broadway production of “The Caine Mutiny Court Martial,” which would quickly be adapted into a film starring Humphrey Bogart.
Next Laughton wanted to try directing a film, and chose a very dark subject. “The Night of the Hunter”(1955) concerns one Harry Powell (Robert Mitchum), a cold-blooded killer posing as an itinerant preacher and looking to recover a cache of stolen money from a widow (Shelley Winters) with two small kids. Widely considered a classic today, unaccountably the movie was a box-office failure on release. Disillusioned, Laughton never directed another feature.
Married for over three decades to actress Elsa Lanchester (best remembered as 1935’s “Bride of Frankenstein”), the couple were clearly devoted, though it was no secret that Laughton was gay. She was with him when he died of cancer in 1962.
His best movies, listed above and below, live on. Happy 125th, Mr. Laughton.
Ruggles of Red Gap (1935)
In a Nutshell: Laughton is sublime as a staid English butler whose master, the Earl of Burnstead (Roland Young), loses him in a card game to an uncouth westerner (Charlie Ruggles). Ruggles experiences culture shock — and more — in the wild American West.
Did You Know: Leo McCarey’s “Ruggles” was Oscar-nominated for Best Picture but lost to “Bounty.” An American transplant, Laughton became highly emotional in the famous scene where Ruggles recites the Gettysburg Address, necessitating numerous retakes.
Mutiny on the Bounty (1935)
In a Nutshell: Laughton cemented his stardom as the sadistic Captain Bligh, whose cruelty leads his crew, led by first mate Fletcher Christian (Clark Gable) to mutiny. This is the first, and unquestionably the best, adaptation of the classic Nordhoff/Hall book.
Did You Know: Laughton won his second Oscar nod for this role, which Wallace Beery turned down due to his dislike of co-star Gable, who was also nominated, along with Franchot Tone. Reportedly, Laughton hated the ocean and was frequently seasick out on the water.
Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939)
In a Nutshell: Quasimodo (Laughton) is the grossly deformed bell-ringer at Notre Dame who forms an unlikely bond with the beautiful Esmerelda (Maureen O’Hara). Nominated for two Oscars, this elaborate remake of the 1923 Lon Chaney original soars to new heights.
Did You Know: This marked O’Hara’s screen debut, and Laughton was instrumental in getting her cast. He’d seen her perform on-stage and was dazzled by the young, fiery-maned beauty. Elsa Lanchester always distrusted O’Hara, thinking she charmed her husband just to get the part.
The Big Clock (1948)
In a Nutshell: Ingenious thriller from John Farrow, with Laughton a publishing tycoon who murders his mistress, then tries to implicate a mystery man she was seen with earlier. He happens to be George Stroud (Ray Milland), one of his own editors! Tense and twisty.
Did You Know: Cast and crew were a family affair, with Laughton joined by wife Lanchester in the cast, and female star Maureen O’Sullivan married to director Farrow. They in turn were parents to future star Mia Farrow. “Big Clock” was remade as “No Way Out” with Kevin Costner 1987.
Witness for the Prosecution (1957)
In a Nutshell: Ailing barrister Sir Wilfrid Robarts (Laughton) takes on a juicy murder case, defending Leonard Vole (Tyrone Power), who is accused of killing a rich widow. Then unexpectedly, Vole’s wife (Marlene Dietrich) decides to testify against him! Superb courtroom drama.
Did You Know: Laughton was thrilled to work with top director Billy Wilder, alongside Power and Dietrich. His scenes with Lanchester, who plays his nurse, are particularly memorable. This brought his third and final Best Actor nomination. It was also Power’s last completed film.
Advise and Consent (1962)
In a Nutshell: Seamy yet riveting political drama centers on conservative southern Senator Seabright Cooley (Laughton) who works to derail the nomination of liberal Robert Leffingwell (Henry Fonda) for Secretary of State. Laughton’s swan song, and he makes the most of it.
Did You Know: Director Otto Preminger took considerable risks, casting formerly blacklisted actors (Burgess Meredith and Will Geer) and including a subplot with a senator (Don Murray) accused of homosexuality. It’s the first American film to feature the interior of a gay bar.
More: A Tribute to the Underestimated Shelley Winters
