Glad to hear that you're almost done, Bree.
Before I spell out this actor's roles, would you please tell me if he was Captain of the Bounty?
Yes, he was -- you're too good! For bonus points, can you tell me what movie I would have been referring to if I had said he played a real-life emperor "one-and-a-half times"?
You've got me there. No bonus point, but I'll guess "I, Claudius." What movie is it?
Real-life King - Young Bess and The Private Life of Henry VIII
Real-life Emperor - Sign of the Cross (Nero)
Real-life artist - Rembrandt - (Saw that many years ago and really liked it.)
Real-life naval officer - Mutiny on the Bounty
"I, Claudius" is the movie I was thinking of as the "half an emperor" movie, because it was abandoned halfway through the filming and never released. According to IMDb, the official story about why it was abandoned was that Merle Oberon, who was in the cast, was hurt in a car accident, but the real reason may have been that Laughton just couldn't get the role right, and her accident made for a handy excuse.
And, of course, you got all the other movies right!
I have never seen I, Claudius. I saw "Sign of the Cross" when it was rerun and it scared the daylights out of me. How mild those movies would seem by today's standards. (lol)
Defense attorney
Real-life Emperor
Professor
Real-life writer
I'll think about your question overnight -- I'm logging off for now (and this time I mean it!).
Me, too. Sweet dreams everyone.
I was just reading about the actor in my question. He never won an Oscar, but he was nominated three times - once for Best Actor, twice for supporting roles. I was surprised at his career span - from 1936 to 1985.
My favourite film of all time is Night of the Hunter, directed by Charles Laughton (his only foray into directing). It's the only film thats ever physically affected me. I must have seen it as a child....I was haunted by nightmares for years re: the scene where Shelley Winters is under the water tied into the car with her hair floating.....chilling stuff, a fab film, considered a classic now. Just wanted to share that before I went to bed. I still read the thread by the way, I enjoy it a lot, just no good at it.......rather watch the experts in action! :wink:
Hi Sarah. Night of the Hunter is one of my all time favorites. The scene of the children drifting down the river on the raft and the almost fairy tale like frightening images of an owl, and spider webs and frogs and the eerie music - unforgettable. And Lillian Gish - what a role. I believe it was the only picture Charles Laughton directed.
I'll repeat since we're on a new page.
Defense attorney
Real-life Emperor
Professor
Real-life writer
I was just reading about the actor in my question. He never won an Oscar, but he was nominated three times - once for Best Actor, twice for supporting roles. I was surprised at his career span - from 1936 to 1985.
I saw Night of the Hunter years ago, and remember it as being one scary movie!
When I think of Charles Laughton, I think of a record (an LP, or maybe even a 78) my parents had when I was a child, on which he read from the Bible and scenes from Shakespeare. I think he had a one-man show, where he went around the country doing readings, and the record grew out of the show. I wonder where that record is now.
I got busy at work today, and haven't had a chance to think about Raggedy's question. Those hints will probably be helpful when I get back to it, maybe later this afternoon.
Maybe, a portion of that record is here:
Great Historical Shakespeare Recordings
(Audio Compact Disc - Unabridged)
by William Shakespeare; Various Artists
Published by Naxos Audiobooks Ltd., August 2000
ISBN: 9626342005
This unique and unusual compilation contains some of the greatest recordings from the beginning of the recording era. It includes a wide range of the works of Shakespeare, featuring Henry Irving, Ellen Tracy, Herbert Beerbohm Tree, John Barrymore, John Gielgud, Sybil Thorndike, Hugh Casson, Laurence Olivier and many more, with other memorable performances from Charles Laughton, Edith Evans, Laurel & Hardy, Bransby Williams, Dylan Thomas, Sarah Bernhardt, and others.
I'm wondering what Laurel and Hardy are doing there. (lol)
Late as usual! I have to weigh in on Night of the Hunter. I still think it is one of the scariest films made. Absolutely the scene with Shelley underwater (presaging her swim to glory in Poseiden Adventure? ok, no!), and the terrifying scene in the attic when he goes to murder her--all that stark triangle. wow.
It was his only foray into directing and I think that's a shame. The Simon Callow (himself a fab actor--the Rev. Beebe in Room w/ a View) bio. of Laughton is incredibly interesting! Check it out; I really enjoyed it.
Aggie, I'm praying that Laurel and Hardy are in there as the country yokels in one or another of the plays. Of course, everyone knows that Stan played the definitive Richard III--no one had ever done it so skillfully and with such physicality...esp. with that hump and all...lol.
ok, I'm going for Aggie's question. But I'm missing one, so I'll throw it out hoping it's close!
Gregory Peck
Defense Atty--To Kill a Mockingbird; Paradine Case;
Professor--Arabesque
Real Writer--Old Gringo (played Ambrose Bierce) and Beloved Infidel.
Can't get that emperor, although I see him in some Kubla Khan thing...ah well.
Good guess, Loislane, but not the actor I'm lookng for. I'm looking for an actor who was born in England.
I just read a short review of Callow's bio. It does indeed sound interesting.
Yes, Night of the Hunter was scary, but it had a certain poetic beauty to it too, don't you think? Almost a fairy-tale quality. It's been quite some time since I saw the movie, but I remember I was also impressed by the music - a haunting tune that played whenever the children were on screen. (Now, I want to see it again.)
I didn't know that Stan played Richard III.
Night of the Hunter was one of the "lushest" black and white movies made, I think. Laughton really used the depth of the black to focus your eyes, and the range of gray was awesome.
One of those poetic horror films, rather than some of the mindless nonesense of slasher flicks. Most slasher flichs have a Boo! quality or flat out grossness; this NotH is really a horror film! It is truly scary and beautiful. You don't see blood really, it's all about what your brain does in the blackouts!
Yea. I realized I had the Wrong Man when I saw his span of work. Hmmm.
I never would have gotten this one without those clues, and help from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences database.
James Mason (nominated for Oscars for best actor for A Star is Born, and best supporting actor for Georgy Girl and The Verdict):
Defense attorney - The Verdict
Real-life Emperor - Mayerling (as Franz Joseph)
Professor - Lolita
Real-life writer - Madame Bovary (as Flaubert)
(And, yes, I know the Kennedy Center Awards telecast is about to start in 15 minutes, so I don't expect a response right away!)
Yes to James Mason.
And I'm breathlessly waiting to see if the channel I have on is going to broadcast the Kennedy Honors. Our regular channel has a fund-raising program for Children's Hospital.
