Actor Charles Lawton: Filmography

Charles Luton is an actor known in the first half of the last century. In the history of cinematography, he entered as the first Englishman to receive an Oscar. On the account of Charles Lawton, a lot of characters played on theatrical stage and in the cinema from classical literary works and several historical figures. For one of these roles, he received a prestigious film award. The biography and the creative path of the actor is the topic of today's article.

Carier start

Charles Lawton was born in 1899 in the UK. At the age of twenty-six, he played his first role in the theatrical scene in a play based on Gogol's The Inspector-General. Two years later, his film debut took place. Charles Lawton starred in three short films. Then his filmography replenished with episodic roles in such films as "Old Dark House", "Piccadilly". The first of these is a Hollywood project. Although Charles Lawton played an insignificant role in this picture, it was he who brought him fame.

"The Old Dark House"

The plot is based on the mysterious history of the wanderers, who once found themselves in a rather strange house. The inhabitants of the mansion, in which darkness invariably reigns, people are mysterious and not devoid of weirdness that brings terror to the guests. Later it turns out that the most dangerous inhabitant of the house is at the top and suffers from pyromania, for which he has been imprisoned for several years. But at any moment he can be free.

Charles Lawton played a man who happened to be completely by chance in a dark old house - William Porterhouse. After the release of this picture on the actor drew attention in Hollywood.

It is worth saying that he never adhered to a certain type. The actor had an impressive figure, but was quite mobile at the same time. Charles Lawton was a comedic talent. But it was easy for him to give dramatic images. Theater critics noted his work in such productions as "The Cherry Orchard", "Galileo Galilei".

In 1933, he played a major role in the film "The Private Life of Henry VIII." It was for this work that Charles Lawton was awarded the Oscar.

Since 1940, the actor, having obtained American citizenship, lived in the United States. Here he took part in various Hollywood projects. In 1955, Charles Lawton debuted as a director, taking off the picture "Night of the Hunter". To his later works include films "Witnesses of the prosecution", "Councils of consent." For the performance of the main role in the latter actor was nominated posthumously for the British Academy Award. Below is a list of the most famous films with Charles Lawton.

Films

In 1939 a screen version of the great work "The Cathedral of the Notre Dame" was screened. Roman Hugo cinematographers transferred to the screen more than once. But the interpretation of William Dieterle is now considered by many critics the best. In the film "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" Lawton performed the main role. His partners on the set were Cedric Hardwicke, Maureen O'Hara, Alan Marshall. Quasimodo Charlie of Lawton is one of the most famous film images of the first half of the 20th century. Three years before the release of this film, the actor played the role of the famous Dutch painter in the film "Rembrandt." According to the version of the National Council of American Film Critics, the picture is one of the best film works of European filmmakers.

"The Hunchback of Notre Dame" and "Rembrandt" were created before the actor devoted himself entirely to work in Hollywood. " In the forties and fifties, Lawton played in the following films:

• "Eternity and one day" (played the role of butler).
• "Canterville Ghost" (played by the otherworldly creature).
• "Suspect".
• "Triumphal Arch".
• "The Case of Paradain."
• "Bribe".
• "Big clock".
• "Baby Bess".
• "Spartacus".

The screen version of the novel Remarque "The Arc de Triomphe" was released in 1948. The main roles were played by Ingrid Bergman and Charles Bouillier. Charles Lawton played a negative character - the Gestapo von Haake.

Personal life

With his future wife, Charles Lawton met on the set of a short film in 1928. He played in the film with Elsa Lanchester, known for his role in the film "The Bride of Frankenstein". They lived a long life together, but they did not have children. In the declining years, the actress published a book of memories, in which she explained this fact by her husband's homosexuality. Charles Lawton passed away in 1962 as a result of an oncological disease. He was buried in Hollywood.