Very moving programme. Elsa Lanchester was such an intelligent and sensitive person, so understanding. Through her we understand the tortured soul of Laughton.
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.
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.
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 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.
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!!!!
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.
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!
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
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 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.
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.
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 .
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!
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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,
My admiration for Isherwood just hit the stratosphere. What a wonderful valediction. As for Laughton - a genius both as actor and director. Great upload.,.
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.
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
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".
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.
What else can be said now that time hasn't shown us.....all we can ever do is accept people for what they are.....I wonder why someone who loves a rose never thinks of spending their life trying to change it...but say you love a human being...and then listen how their lives are spent arguing about how that love just wouldn't bend...be this or that....Elsa knew about love and Charles never understood that just being what you are...is enough......
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.
Laughton was very great. Lanchester was possibly even greater. Together they were The GREATEST. Her love for him - and I believe hi for her -- was one of the marvels of their age. Critics, analysts, commentators, wth their insufferable aura of lofty condescensi are, as usual, a PAIN in the ASS! Billy Wilder and Charles brother, of course, are notable exceptions.
Charles Laughton? Incredibly great actor!!!! Watch Hobsons Choice and Witness for the Prosecution and see a great actor in great roles!! Guaranteed!!!!
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.
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.
I enjoy the candor of the times. The narrator informs us that '' He was a practicing, one might almost say accomplished, homosexual.'' No nonsense about Laughton being gay or mirthful. Hands up others who also would enjoy seeing the return of candor?
Charles Laughton's Quasimodo in Hunchback Of Notre Dame has to be seen to be believed. Much copied but never equaled Laughton set the standard for the depiction of this pitiable creature. A giant among actors.
It is an amazing performance, all the more so considering how the right side of his face is covered with prosthetic appliances and he has only the one real eye visible to show expression with, along with the cast of his mouth and inclination of his head. In half of his screen time, Laughton is performing the role mute and has only half a face to convey his character's personality and reactions. The finest moments are in the scene when he is silently pleading with Esmerelda to give him water, and expressing tremendous gratitude for her kindness and mercy
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.
This is so much better than I thought it would be, and certainly much more blunt than I expected. Elsa Lanchester was certainly amazing and so understanding of Laughton; people will probably say much more than he deserved, but this is such a horribly and unfairly judgmental stand to take, and hypocritical, too….we none of _deserve_ to be loved! And no matter what is said, absolutely no one knows what goes on between a husband and wife, and it’s nobody’s business. Whatever Laughton did made him despise himself more, so he definitely suffered greatly. I love Laughton’s films, especially the ones with Lanchester, and just lately have watched “Hobson’s Choice” several times!
Yes. Charles to me, as an artist, he simply dispensed with himself. He appeared to both relish, as well as loathe the complete immersion within a characterization. I think that perhaps the poor chap's soul was virtually clawed to ribbons by way perfectionism. As an actor, he forever appeared tortured; some cruelty that would never allow him any satisfaction; certainly none due all the effort he gave to his art. In ~ 125 years of 'cinema', truly one of the finest preformest-artists I have ever seen. A true genius.
Night of the Hunter was an amazing film and it's a shame it was Laughton's only one. Mitchum was utterly chilling, the film was surrealistically beautiful and sinister. PS he also rocked as Bligh: "I've had enough of your insubordination Mr Christian!"
I would love to see more of his direction if Night of the Hunter was anything to go by. Hollywood didnt know what they had on their hands and we missed out
The critics at the time panned the movie. It was beyond their artistic comprehension. Laughton turned in a masterpiece of filmmaking with Night Of The Hunter, and Robert Mitchum cited it as one of his most favourite movies of his career. But Laughton was so sensitive to the negative reviews and poor box-office reception at the time that it scared him off of ever directing another movie.
Even the greatest actors like Guinness, Olivier, Tracy, Brando, De Niro are not in the same class as Laughton. He was the best of the best and has something that was beyond talent. He was the Beethoven or the Da Vinci of acting.
I agree. I thought Olivier was the greatest. He totally swept me away in his Hamlet and Wuthering Heights, which I saw as a late teenager. I wrote poems to him. But I have to say, I think maybe Laughton is even better.
I love your list, though I’m not sure I would include Olivier, whom I always found a bit stagey in his films. I love Guinness for his subtlety and understatement. Not sure Laughton was better than Brando, but Brando didn’t love acting and squandered his immense gifts, so maybe he was. To me, Bogart also belongs in the pantheon of all-time greats, if for no other reason for his roles in African Queen, Caine Mutiny and Treasure of Sierra Madre. What an excellent documentary (and fun discussion)!
Yes, yes, yes! And James Dean, the Rimbaud of acting. Greatest actress: Kim Stanley. And all of them proof that the great chain of the art form is permanently broken in the utter mediocrity of our current so-called greats.
![What's My Line? - Charles Laughton; Burgess Meredith [panel] (Nov 25, 1956)](/img/1.gif)
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!
A person who has ever watch Charles Laughton can only feel a reverence for a superlative actor.
Charles Laughton is a genius. I love him. One of my all time favorite Actors. rest in peace x
He could play any role and gave 10/10 in all his performances.
One of the best. Acting is not about looks, brilliant in Hobson’s choice and Spartacus, voice poise and majestic brilliance
Hobson's Choice is my fave film of Laughton's. Will never forget it.
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.
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
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 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,
"where he was unhappy as homely fat boys usually are at public school" hit like a knife in the heart
An actor of pure genius , thank you Mr Laughton
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.
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..
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.
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
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.
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!
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
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 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.
Superb, honest documentary. He was in so many wonderful films, and directed one of the greatest.
Elsa is wonderful in this. Her grimace when describing the feather in Henry VIII’s hat says it all! ❤️
A great actor,second to none!!!!!!!!😊🇬🇧
*Charles Laughton was the greatest actor of all time.*
\\][//
Wonderful documentary- thanks for posting. His wife comes across as a lovely and understanding woman
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.
I just watched him for the first time in ‘Witness for the prosecution’ what an incredible presence he gave to that role.
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.😃
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 .
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.
One of the greatest actors that ever lived;a quintessential English gentleman!
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!
I'm so grateful that I found this conversation. Time well spent. I have always loved the remarkable talent of Mr. Laughton. Thank you.
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.
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🙏
Night or the Hunter is one of the great American movies...
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.
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.
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 ?
Hobson's Choice was my favorite. He had a lot great movies that you want to watch again
A brilliant actor. Why should he enjoy authority or convention? That is what made him unique!
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.
R.I.P. CHARLES LAUGHTON . SUPER GREAT ACTOR. FROM, (2023).
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.
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!
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"...
The Golden age of hollywood made many, many fine actors, Charles Laughton was one.
Facinating, so much information about one of the best actors of the century ... thank you
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!!!
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.
Tortured or no...He gave us exquisite characters and a delight of fun and fear.
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.
His imperfections made him what he was a charismatic man.
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 came here after watching, JAMAICA INN.
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.
My Favorite Quasimodo Performance ever.
Excellent thank you, loved him for decades
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.
I loved his acting.
He WAS...an Icon, the mold and the pattern.❤
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!
"and if he was...what of it??...he was a marvelous man!"
He was wonderful, I saw many of his pictures and grew up watching this great actor.
Such a complexed man. Such an OUTSTANDING actor.
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".
There is such a thing as unconditional love; anyone who has experienced it understands Lanchester.
She's an amazing woman.
I always thought his performance in 'The Old Dark House' [1932] was outstanding! A truly wonderful actor!
Watching it now. Great actor.
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.
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?
" Hobson,s choice " is still my favourite film .
Brilliant documentary !
Thank you so much for uploading it.
What else can be said now that time hasn't shown us.....all we can ever do is accept people for what they are.....I wonder why someone who loves a rose never thinks of spending their life trying to change it...but say you love a human being...and then listen how their lives are spent arguing about how that love just wouldn't bend...be this or that....Elsa knew about love and Charles never understood that just being what you are...is enough......
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.
One ov the greatest actor to ever bless us with his presence God bless Michelle UK
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.
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…
Laughton was very great. Lanchester was possibly even greater. Together they were The GREATEST. Her love for him - and I believe hi for her -- was one of the marvels of their age.
Critics, analysts, commentators, wth their insufferable aura of lofty condescensi are, as usual, a PAIN in the ASS! Billy Wilder and Charles brother, of course, are notable exceptions.
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.
He was a great actor!
One of the UK finest film actors
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.
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
' Jamaica inn' he was fantastic
A great talent never to be found again.
My most favorite movie is witness for the prosecution, he was a great actor.
He had to be what he was ,to act as he did
Wonderfully .
I enjoy the candor of the times. The narrator informs us that '' He was a practicing, one might almost say accomplished, homosexual.'' No nonsense about Laughton being gay or mirthful. Hands up others who also would enjoy seeing the return of candor?
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.
Charles Laughton's Quasimodo in Hunchback Of Notre Dame has to be seen to be believed. Much copied but never equaled Laughton set the standard for the depiction of this pitiable creature. A giant among actors.
It is an amazing performance, all the more so considering how the right side of his face is covered with prosthetic appliances and he has only the one real eye visible to show expression with, along with the cast of his mouth and inclination of his head. In half of his screen time, Laughton is performing the role mute and has only half a face to convey his character's personality and reactions. The finest moments are in the scene when he is silently pleading with Esmerelda to give him water, and expressing tremendous gratitude for her kindness and mercy
I saw it again last year for the first time in many years. His portrayal can never be equaled.
What about ANTHONY QUINN as Quasimodo???
LITTLEMAMAMEMA Quinn& Mandy Patinkin were excellent but it was Laughton who created the template for others to follow
@@LITTLEMAMAMEMA I FIND LAUGHTON deeper
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.
This is so much better than I thought it would be, and certainly much more blunt than I expected. Elsa Lanchester was certainly amazing and so understanding of Laughton; people will probably say much more than he deserved, but this is such a horribly and unfairly judgmental stand to take, and hypocritical, too….we none of _deserve_ to be loved! And no matter what is said, absolutely no one knows what goes on between a husband and wife, and it’s nobody’s business. Whatever Laughton did made him despise himself more, so he definitely suffered greatly. I love Laughton’s films, especially the ones with Lanchester, and just lately have watched “Hobson’s Choice” several times!
Yes. Charles to me, as an artist, he simply dispensed with himself. He appeared to both relish, as well as loathe the complete immersion within a characterization. I think that perhaps the poor chap's soul was virtually clawed to ribbons by way perfectionism. As an actor, he forever appeared tortured; some cruelty that would never allow him any satisfaction; certainly none due all the effort he gave to his art.
In ~ 125 years of 'cinema',
truly one of the finest preformest-artists I have ever seen. A true genius.
Geniuses are often tortured or totally misunderstood. It goes with the territory. What the gods give with one hand, they take away with the other.
Awesome thanks for sharing
Night of the Hunter was an amazing film and it's a shame it was Laughton's only one. Mitchum was utterly chilling, the film was surrealistically beautiful and sinister. PS he also rocked as Bligh: "I've had enough of your insubordination Mr Christian!"
I would love to see more of his direction if Night of the Hunter was anything to go by. Hollywood didnt know what they had on their hands and we missed out
The critics at the time panned the movie. It was beyond their artistic comprehension. Laughton turned in a masterpiece of filmmaking with Night Of The Hunter, and Robert Mitchum cited it as one of his most favourite movies of his career. But Laughton was so sensitive to the negative reviews and poor box-office reception at the time that it scared him off of ever directing another movie.
That single film could rival the entire filmography of other directors.
@@LordZontar He could never find the funds to make another movie. How sad!
Even the greatest actors like Guinness, Olivier, Tracy, Brando, De Niro are not in the same class as Laughton. He was the best of the best and has something that was beyond talent. He was the Beethoven or the Da Vinci of acting.
I agree. I thought Olivier was the greatest. He totally swept me away in his Hamlet and Wuthering Heights, which I saw as a late teenager. I wrote poems to him. But I have to say, I think maybe Laughton is even better.
I love your list, though I’m not sure I would include Olivier, whom I always found a bit stagey in his films. I love Guinness for his subtlety and understatement. Not sure Laughton was better than Brando, but Brando didn’t love acting and squandered his immense gifts, so maybe he was. To me, Bogart also belongs in the pantheon of all-time greats, if for no other reason for his roles in African Queen, Caine Mutiny and Treasure of Sierra Madre.
What an excellent documentary (and fun discussion)!
Yes, yes, yes! And James Dean, the Rimbaud of acting. Greatest actress: Kim Stanley. And all of them proof that the great chain of the art form is permanently broken in the utter mediocrity of our current so-called greats.
The BBCs Film Programme presenter reviewer Barry Norman has succeeded in making the best documentary on the great Charles Laughton.