As a 55 year old man, only in the past 3-4 years have I come to realise what a giant of acting he was, at a time when most actors over-acted. In particualr, I love Witness For The Prosecution,
I am nearly the same age as Charles Laughton i did not know he died so young ,he was a great actor ,i love watching his films , sad he was a tortured ul soul RIP XX
Saw many of his films before I was in my teens, back when old movies were a staple of UK telly. I still love Hobson's Choice even though I haven't seen it again in probably five decades. That kind of performance doesn't fade in the memory.
Dr. Moreau was one of his best roles and performances. He chewed a lot of scenery in some of his more famous roles. His shining accomplishment may've been as a director, as per NIGHT OF THE HUNTER.
Very moving programme. Elsa Lanchester was such an intelligent and sensitive person, so understanding. Through her we understand the tortured soul of Laughton.
I enjoy his and Elsa's films so much and have watched them many times over the years. God Bless them both. Actors like this don't come around often. Thank you for sharing,
Thinking about Laughton's very different characters and how incredibly well he created them, you wouldn't think that they were the same person; That's how amazing he was.
I met Charles Laughton once at a fun fair of all places. He was absolutely charming and attentive. Chatted to him for about five minutes. Didn't ask for an autograph as I thought that would have spoiled such a special moment I felt I had shared with him. But in later life though I started to regret not asking him for an autograph. Would probably be worth a lot of money now which could help supplement my meagre pension.
Happy Happy 120th Birthday to one of the greatest actors who ever lived! You never gave a bad performance Charles Laughton! Never!!!! I love all your films!!!!
Jum , I agree with your comment , amazing woman who. ...unlike myself. ..was kind and gracious . After giving birth to three children I found my ex husband in bed with a man ...my bed . Bucket of cold water and my delicate size four boot carefully aimed at their little sausages . I did allow reasonable access to our children and eventually we became friends .
Tempus fugit so sorry to hear that, your excellent sense of humor reassures me that you have overcome the episode 🙂 wish u all the best with ur new life
he should have got an oscar for everything he appeared in, the wankers who get oscars today are a joke, but then so is hollywood itself, they should all watch videos of the likes of laughton burton otoole, hopkins, burton, olivier guiness harris, and see waht acting is all about, not the scumbag de queero, are you looking at me are you looking at me are you looking at me what a cunt
Excellent documentary and it reminds me that in times past the BBC were still making excellent programmes of a type you just dont see today. I hope they igitise their vast archive to protect it because the research and interviews will never be repeated, since many people have passed away.
IMHO, one of the greatest and most underrated roles Charles Laughton ever played was Sir Wilfrid Roberts in Billy Wilder's "Witness for the Prosecution". That's a great Laughton!
Nov. 22th 2017 I saw the documentary of the live and work of the great Sir Charles Laughton. His live wasn' t easy and he had to overcome all kind if problems and difficulties at home as well in public, and he succeed in many a way. I was moved by the opinion of his wife, brother and friends like A. Hitchcock. I understand the pain of C. Laughton that he still have to do a lot of work, but nature did his job and Sir Charles Laughton passed away, but was and is never forgotten, at least not by me. Thanks for this documantery!
He was and remains one my all time favourite actors to watch . My first film I met him through was the Hunchback of Norte Dame . He scared me , he fascinated me he had me feel . As one who has struggled all my years with my own love / hate affair my unusual looks as a teen and being private gay , he had me . His brilliance , his characters he put on celluloid I thank him . Grateful to have many in my collection today still ,vhs . The well known characters and the more obscure .
Indeed it is. I, as non native speaker, notice that very much. It is the young English people I often have problems understanding well. They often mumble words and speak too fast. Charles Laughton himself was a great example of an extremely well spoken actor. One can realise that for example in Witness for the Prosecution.
Happy Birthday Charles Laughton! A wonderful and talented actor you were! A terrific director who should have made more films. Thank you for the treasure trove of films you left behind.
He was a fine actor and yet plagued by great doubt. How strange in American politics it is not difficult to find a man who is the complete opposite. Thank you for this.
Witness for the Prosecution is one of my favorite films because of Charles Laughton's and Elsa Lanchester's pitch-perfect performances plus a stunning performance from Marlene Dietrich.
Thank you very much for this upload. Such a wonderful and incisive documentary about one of Great Britain's greatest actors. Appropriately fitting to hear his wive Elsa recount with such honesty their personal and working life together. Mutiny on the Bounty, Hobsons Choice and Night of the Hunter are outstanding movies and still stand the test of time.
People forget how brilliant an actor he was. He could give Marlon Brando a run for his money. He had his demons but everyone has. I watch his movies today, and I cannot take my eyes off him.
Confusing. Why does he, and so many people around him, say how unattractive Charles Laughton was? Loved this Documentary, especially when Christopher Isherwood showed up! Thank you so much for posting!
I was thinking the same thing. In all the movies I saw him in I never once thought of him as ugly. Even the Hunchback was played with such grace that it surpassed the outer self and brought into the inner self of the character that made you feel pity and pain but not revulsion.
@@geezitshuge I agree. He was homely, not ugly. And such an actor, you couldn't resist being captivated by him. While some beautiful pple are just boring.
6 лет назад+6
He was wonderful, I saw many of his pictures and grew up watching this great actor.
One of the greatest for sure. He wasn't ugly, he was a unique and wonderfully talented creature created by God to enrich our world. I hope that he finally knows that.
@@maureendevries1904 good choice! My favorite was the hunchback. That was such a bittersweet tale that reflects his own insecurities as he really poured out his craft like no other. Wonderful actor he was.
Charles Laughton is one of the finest British actors that Britain ever produced. He was equally at ease in both the theatre and in film. Charles Laughton could steal whole films from the leads and not everyone could achieve that.
Yes. Admirable the way she accepted him as he was. Not many women could have done that. But then she was married to one of the greatest actors who ever lived.
All ten of the great Charles Laughton's appearances on the SUSPNSE radio series are in one playlist on my Suspense & Escape channel, with restored and digitally remastered audio.
My admiration for Isherwood just hit the stratosphere. What a wonderful valediction. As for Laughton - a genius both as actor and director. Great upload.,.
Wow! What an honest exploration of one of the most interesting 20th century cinematic personas, I'm glad I invested the time to view. Thank you for uploading.
I'm so sorry I, Claudius wasn't finished. I was so moved by his performance of the lame, stuttering Claudius. Especially his speech to the Senate. It's so powerful and topical. Btw Claudius was a real person, an emperor of Rome. Fascinating story.
We are fortunate that this documentary was made when people who really knew him were still alive. I wish he had lived long enough to see the esteem in which "The Night of the Hunter" is now held", and quite deservedly.
As always in these matter's, it's a question of personal choice. There's over, and under statement, in strong leading parts. My choice as Bligh, is Trevor Howard. His range was more subtle, but distinctive.
Charles Laughton? Incredibly great actor!!!! Watch Hobsons Choice and Witness for the Prosecution and see a great actor in great roles!! Guaranteed!!!!
The loss of a great man who was a funny guy who played as a moon, but passed away now he must have been about 63 when he died 1899-1962 became a young actor way before my time. Rest in piece.
lana o I'd say belittling the opinion of someone who can do what the critic can't makes the critic look entirely small& insignificant by their critique. The old saying--"Those who can, do...those who can't, teach...those who can do neither, criticize".
one of my all time favorite actors...charles laughton..may have been the greatest actor of all time....he could play any part...but was very insecure..... and for the record...i DO NOT think laughton was an ugly man and i consider he played 5 roles worthy of the academy award
Elsa Lancaster is a beautiful complete person , and much admired a wonderful person to watch perform in any of her movie roles, she enchanted me as bride of Frankenstein, here she is remarkable again in her candid memory of a long term partner Charles , who as the documentary subject is a wonder also , he a most spell binding Quasimodo performance who remains a emotive memory of film . a fitting obit of them both as actors who gave to everything to the craft.
Watch the Hunchback, Laughton was swinging on ropes and jumping on bells. Not only was there no stuntman the things he was doing were insanely dangerous. Maureen O'Hara was so young and enthusiastic she went along with it.
This was really good. Thanks. I didn't really know much about Charles Laughton.. I only knew about Elsa and that she was the bride of Frankenstein. But I liked this because it focused on what a truly nice man Charles was.
![Gunna - HIM ALL ALONG [Official Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/w7Wf0h1Q8a4/mqdefault.jpg)
He could play any role and gave 10/10 in all his performances.
Hobson's Choice is my fave film of Laughton's. Will never forget it.
As a 55 year old man, only in the past 3-4 years have I come to realise what a giant of acting he was, at a time when most actors over-acted. In particualr, I love Witness For The Prosecution,
I am nearly the same age as Charles Laughton i did not know he died so young ,he was a great actor ,i love watching his films , sad he was a tortured ul soul RIP XX
He was not that young when he died ... 63 years old ..
Yep, too young🙏
Saw many of his films before I was in my teens, back when old movies were a staple of UK telly. I still love Hobson's Choice even though I haven't seen it again in probably five decades. That kind of performance doesn't fade in the memory.
one of my all time favourite films is Hobsons Choice.
I saw Hobson's Choice years ago on tv. Couldnt believe i enjoyed an old black and white film so much. Its remained one of my favourite movies.
Charles Laughton made a bug impression on me as a child. He used to do these readings in TV that were so vivid and exciting.
Dr. Moreau was one of his best roles and performances. He chewed a lot of scenery in some of his more famous roles. His shining accomplishment may've been as a director, as per NIGHT OF THE HUNTER.
I love the directness and unpolitically correct way of speaking. No malice, just direct.
If you mean Barry Norman then you are not paying attention!
@@Omnicient. I don't.
@@Omnicient.Literally everyone being interviewed
R.I.P. CHARLES LAUGHTON . SUPER GREAT ACTOR. FROM, (2023).
Very moving programme. Elsa Lanchester was such an intelligent and sensitive person, so understanding. Through her we understand the tortured soul of Laughton.
I'm sure he knew, perhaps it was obvious to him that she was wonderful. She was also strikingly beautiful!
I enjoy his and Elsa's films so much and have watched them many times over the years. God Bless them both. Actors like this don't come around often. Thank you for sharing,
A person who has ever watch Charles Laughton can only feel a reverence for a superlative actor.
Thinking about Laughton's very different characters and how incredibly well he created them, you wouldn't think that they were the same person;
That's how amazing he was.
So different from the other stars, like Cary Grant, Jimmy Stewart, Humphrey Bogart, who were good actors, but they were always pretty much the same.
A great actor,second to none!!!!!!!!😊🇬🇧
Wonderful documentary- thanks for posting. His wife comes across as a lovely and understanding woman
I met Charles Laughton once at a fun fair of all places. He was absolutely charming and attentive. Chatted to him for about five minutes. Didn't ask for an autograph as I thought that would have spoiled such a special moment I felt I had shared with him. But in later life though I started to regret not asking him for an autograph. Would probably be worth a lot of money now which could help supplement my meagre pension.
No, those are not worth a lot of money. I have a bunch of them. They're worth sth to me.
I'll give you £20 for one!@@elizabethcsicsery-ronay1633
Would you mind if I asked how old you are?
I'm 87.@@OniLordMiki
S¹@@OniLordMiki😊 30:07 30:08
Charles Laughton is a genius. I love him. One of my all time favorite Actors. rest in peace x
Happy Happy 120th Birthday to one of the greatest actors who ever lived! You never gave a bad performance Charles Laughton! Never!!!! I love all your films!!!!
@WinGate Mose What a wonderful actor he was! Never gave a bad performance. God Bless Him!
You are so right!
Magnificent! I miss performances like this and I wish Charles Laughton was still alive. In fact, he is immortal.
He would have been over 120 years old! Let’s just enjoy his genius in his own time..
Elsa Lanchester is the true revelation of this documentary. Such humanity and compassion towards Laughton.
Jum , I agree with your comment , amazing woman who. ...unlike myself. ..was kind and gracious . After giving birth to three children I found my ex husband in bed with a man ...my bed . Bucket of cold water and my delicate size four boot carefully aimed at their little sausages . I did allow reasonable access to our children and eventually we became friends .
Tempus fugit so sorry to hear that, your excellent sense of humor reassures me that you have overcome the episode 🙂 wish u all the best with ur new life
One of the best. Acting is not about looks, brilliant in Hobson’s choice and Spartacus, voice poise and majestic brilliance
I'm so grateful that I found this conversation. Time well spent. I have always loved the remarkable talent of Mr. Laughton. Thank you.
Should have gotten the Oscar for the hunchback, a beautiful movie. (Wonderful acting by all)
he should have got an oscar for everything he appeared in, the wankers who get oscars today are a joke, but then so is hollywood itself, they should all watch videos of the likes of laughton burton otoole, hopkins, burton, olivier guiness harris, and see waht acting is all about, not the scumbag de queero, are you looking at me are you looking at me are you looking at me what a cunt
An actor of pure genius , thank you Mr Laughton
Superb, honest documentary. He was in so many wonderful films, and directed one of the greatest.
Night or the Hunter is one of the great American movies...
Excellent documentary and it reminds me that in times past the BBC were still making excellent programmes of a type you just dont see today. I hope they igitise their vast archive to protect it because the research and interviews will never be repeated, since many people have passed away.
My parents always loved his movies and taught me to love him. I love the way he looked, he stood out from the crowd and his talent was incredible.
IMHO, one of the greatest and most underrated roles Charles Laughton ever played was
Sir Wilfrid Roberts in Billy Wilder's "Witness for the Prosecution". That's a great Laughton!
Exactly. Fogret Bligh.
When he explodes at Marlene Dietrich on cross-examination, “Isn’t it true that you are a consummate LIAR!!!? The power of that speech, so great!
Hobson's Choice was my favorite. He had a lot great movies that you want to watch again
Nov. 22th 2017 I saw the documentary of the live and work of the great Sir Charles Laughton. His live wasn' t easy and he had to overcome all kind if problems and difficulties at home as well in public, and he succeed in many a way. I was moved by the opinion of his wife, brother and friends like A. Hitchcock. I understand the pain of C. Laughton that he still have to do a lot of work, but nature did his job and Sir Charles Laughton passed away, but was and is never forgotten, at least not by me. Thanks for this documantery!
He was and remains one my all time favourite actors to watch . My first film I met him through was the Hunchback of Norte Dame . He scared me , he fascinated me he had me feel . As one who has struggled all my years with my own love / hate affair my unusual looks as a teen and being private gay , he had me . His brilliance , his characters he put on celluloid I thank him . Grateful to have many in my collection today still ,vhs . The well known characters and the more obscure .
Elsa is wonderful in this. Her grimace when describing the feather in Henry VIII’s hat says it all! ❤️
I'm astounded by the command of the English language that all these contributors have.
This is sadly lacking today.
Indeed, old boy. Such fluency of expression, such grammatical rigor is much to be admired. I wish I could speak with such admirable exactitude. :)
All the above plus an astounding clarity of mind and depth of thought
Indeed it is. I, as non native speaker, notice that very much. It is the young English people I often have problems understanding well. They often mumble words and speak too fast.
Charles Laughton himself was a great example of an extremely well spoken actor. One can realise that for example in Witness for the Prosecution.
Away, you starvelling, you elf-skin, you dried neat's-tongue, bull's-pizzle, you stock-fish!
@John Osman Exactly what I was going say!
A star is a star is a star
Happy Birthday Charles Laughton! A wonderful and talented actor you were! A terrific director who should have made more films. Thank you for the treasure trove of films you left behind.
He was a fine actor and yet plagued by great doubt. How strange in American politics it is not difficult to find a man who is the complete opposite. Thank you for this.
AMEN!!!
The Night of the Hunter is haunting...it recently came on my retro TV.... eerie, rich with mood and wonderful with good winning the day.
RIP Barry Norman and Charles Laughton of course.
Witness for the Prosecution is one of my favorite films because of Charles Laughton's and Elsa Lanchester's pitch-perfect performances plus a stunning performance from Marlene Dietrich.
Thank you very much for this upload. Such a wonderful and incisive documentary about one of Great Britain's greatest actors. Appropriately fitting to hear his wive Elsa recount with such honesty their personal and working life together. Mutiny on the Bounty, Hobsons Choice and Night of the Hunter are outstanding movies and still stand the test of time.
People forget how brilliant an actor he was. He could give Marlon Brando a run for his money. He had his demons but everyone has. I watch his movies today, and I cannot take my eyes off him.
Same here.
I prefer him to Brando.
He WAS...an Icon, the mold and the pattern.❤
Facinating, so much information about one of the best actors of the century ... thank you
Excellent thank you, loved him for decades
"where he was unhappy as homely fat boys usually are at public school" hit like a knife in the heart
I just watched him for the first time in ‘Witness for the prosecution’ what an incredible presence he gave to that role.
*Charles Laughton was the greatest actor of all time.*
\\][//
I think he was lovely. It s his eyes. God bless him.
Richard Burton , John Hurt , Trevor Howard, Anthony Hopkins, Laurence Olivier, Charles Laughton. My list of The Greatest of the Great Actors
dont forgot peter otoole
Excellent list of actors
Not one 'Murican ?
One of the greatest actors that ever lived;a quintessential English gentleman!
Witness for the Prosecution (1957) my favourite Laughton movie
"I've never had so much insubordination from a patient since I was a nurse in the war."
"And which war would that be? The Crimean War, no doubt."
Bermuda shorts a brilliant actor
I just watched it yesterday on You Tube. Always enjoyed it.😃
Confusing. Why does he, and so many people around him, say how unattractive Charles Laughton was? Loved this Documentary, especially when Christopher Isherwood showed up! Thank you so much for posting!
I was thinking the same thing. In all the movies I saw him in I never once thought of him as ugly. Even the Hunchback was played with such grace that it surpassed the outer self and brought into the inner self of the character that made you feel pity and pain but not revulsion.
@@geezitshuge I agree. He was homely, not ugly. And such an actor, you couldn't resist being captivated by him. While some beautiful pple are just boring.
He was wonderful, I saw many of his pictures and grew up watching this great actor.
One of the greatest for sure.
He wasn't ugly, he was a unique and wonderfully talented creature created by God to enrich our world.
I hope that he finally knows that.
I wish he was around to read that touching compliment.
I loved him in Hobson's Choice with John Mills.
@@maureendevries1904 good choice!
My favorite was the hunchback. That was such a bittersweet tale that reflects his own insecurities as he really poured out his craft like no other.
Wonderful actor he was.
@@ricardocantoral7672 thank you.
A brilliant actor. Why should he enjoy authority or convention? That is what made him unique!
What a great actor he was, most impressive. I loved him in Witness for the Prosecution the most.
And I really love the way Elsa Lanchester spoke…
Charles Laughton is one of the finest British actors that Britain ever produced. He was equally at ease in both the theatre and in film. Charles Laughton could steal whole films from the leads and not everyone could achieve that.
The Golden age of hollywood made many, many fine actors, Charles Laughton was one.
Awesome thanks for sharing
I loved his acting.
What comes out of this is Elsa’s extraordinary strength of character.
Yes. Admirable the way she accepted him as he was. Not many women could have done that. But then she was married to one of the greatest actors who ever lived.
Always admired Laughton in Witness for the Prosecution. He really shines there.
Fascinating.
All ten of the great Charles Laughton's appearances on the SUSPNSE radio series are in one playlist on my Suspense & Escape channel, with restored and digitally remastered audio.
My admiration for Isherwood just hit the stratosphere. What a wonderful valediction. As for Laughton - a genius both as actor and director. Great upload.,.
Great writer too.
His imperfections made him what he was a charismatic man.
Brilliant documentary !
Thank you so much for uploading it.
Films like Rembrandt and Hunchback of Notre Dame are such incredible pieces of cinema and I suppose rarely seen by anyone today.
Wow! What an honest exploration of one of the most interesting 20th century cinematic personas, I'm glad I invested the time to view. Thank you for uploading.
One of the first performances I was spellbound by was the Hunchback....it was so incredibly done...one of my favorites....
I'm so sorry I, Claudius wasn't finished. I was so moved by his performance of the lame, stuttering Claudius. Especially his speech to the Senate. It's so powerful and topical. Btw Claudius was a real person, an emperor of Rome. Fascinating story.
We are fortunate that this documentary was made when people who really knew him were still alive. I wish he had lived long enough to see the esteem in which "The Night of the Hunter" is now held", and quite deservedly.
Tortured or no...He gave us exquisite characters and a delight of fun and fear.
There are no actors like the Hollywood greats - sadly
There's a great deal of talent but they look so small compared to the greats.
For sheer range of acting ability there's never been anyone like Sir Charles! Who else could play the Hunchback and Captain Bligh?
As always in these matter's, it's a question of personal choice. There's over, and under statement, in strong leading parts. My choice as Bligh, is Trevor Howard. His range was more subtle, but distinctive.
Charles Laughton? Incredibly great actor!!!! Watch Hobsons Choice and Witness for the Prosecution and see a great actor in great roles!! Guaranteed!!!!
One of the great tragedies of his career was only directing one great movie.
@@robertdore9592 It flopped at first. Later became a classic. But it put paid to Laughton's career as director. So sad.
My most favorite movie is witness for the prosecution, he was a great actor.
" Hobson,s choice " is still my favourite film .
The loss of a great man who was a funny guy who played as a moon, but passed away now he must have been about 63 when he died 1899-1962 became a young actor way before my time. Rest in piece.
peace
Daniel Day Lewis mentions Laughton as being the all-time greatest actor...quite a compliment, coming from that fellow.
Charles Laughton getting compliments from Daniel Day Lewis it's a bit like
Paul McCartney complimenting Beethoven.
Paul Chick
Wow ‘really’ ? Daniel Day Lewis himself ? 😂Can’t believe some people say things like that
vova47
Well said!
@@vova47 Day Lewis was being kind, complimentary, and respectful. You coukd cut him some slack.
lana o I'd say belittling the opinion of someone who can do what the critic can't makes the critic look entirely small& insignificant by their critique. The old saying--"Those who can, do...those who can't, teach...those who can do neither, criticize".
Fascinating documentary. Thanks for uploading it, so that all the world can see one of the screen's greatest actors.
adam28xx q
I'm related to him
@@charlienselby6945 How?
BTW..elsa lanchester was a great actress and as you can see here a very intelligent woman..very witty down to earth...funny etc etc
She was the iconic "Bride of Frankenstein"...
There is such a thing as unconditional love; anyone who has experienced it understands Lanchester.
She's an amazing woman.
one of my all time favorite actors...charles laughton..may have been the
greatest actor of all time....he could play any part...but was very
insecure.....
and for the record...i DO NOT think laughton was an ugly man
and i consider he played 5 roles worthy of the academy award
A 'heavyweight of acting' Genius, privilge to watch. This man got hold of roles and devoured them all in one go.
Fantastic actor!
One of the UK finest film actors
The BBCs Film Programme presenter reviewer Barry Norman has succeeded in making the best documentary on the great Charles Laughton.
He was a great actor!
I always thought his performance in 'The Old Dark House' [1932] was outstanding! A truly wonderful actor!
Watching it now. Great actor.
My Favorite Quasimodo Performance ever.
A great talent never to be found again.
"and if he was...what of it??...he was a marvelous man!"
One ov the greatest actor to ever bless us with his presence God bless Michelle UK
OFF THE CHAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!THANKS 100MILL UPLOADER.
Elsa Lancaster is a beautiful complete person , and much admired a wonderful person to watch perform in any of her movie roles, she enchanted me as bride of Frankenstein, here she is remarkable again in her candid memory of a long term partner Charles , who as the documentary subject is a wonder also , he a most spell binding Quasimodo performance who remains a emotive memory of film . a fitting obit of them both as actors who gave to everything to the craft.
Watch the Hunchback, Laughton was swinging on ropes and jumping on bells. Not only was there no stuntman the things he was doing were insanely dangerous. Maureen O'Hara was so young and enthusiastic she went along with it.
Laughton had at least two stuntmen in Hunchback.
Maureen O Hara career got a boost from Charles Laughton who would open many doors for her. They were great friends for years and years
This was really good. Thanks. I didn't really know much about Charles Laughton.. I only knew about Elsa and that she was the bride of Frankenstein. But I liked this because it focused on what a truly nice man Charles was.
Awesome actor!