The 40+ Best Charles Laughton Movies
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1Charles Laughton, Maureen O'Hara, Cedric HardwickeIn 15th-century France, the evil archdeacon of Notre Dame is Claude Frollo (Sir Cedric Hardwicke). Under his command is a deformed hunchback, Quasimodo (Charles Laughton), who is instructed to capture the Gypsy Esmeralda (Maureen O'Hara), the object of Frollo's unrequited lust. Phoebus (Alan Marshal), the man Esmeralda loves, rescues her Phoebus (Alan Marshal), but she is framed for his murder, setting the stage for a gripping confrontation between Frollo and Quasimodo.
2Tyrone Power, Marlene Dietrich, Charles LaughtonThe affable Leonard Vole (Tyrone Power) is being tried for the murder of a wealthy woman, and legendary lawyer Sir Wilfrid Robarts (Charles Laughton) has chosen to represent him. Unfortunately, Leonard's alibi depends on the testimony of his callous wife, Christine (Marlene Dietrich) -- who, after the discovery of a legal loophole, makes the shocking decision to appear in court against him. To Sir Wilfrid's surprise, this is only the first in a series of puzzling revelations and reversals.
3Charles Laughton, John Mills, Brenda De BanzieHenry Hobson (Charles Laughton), a British widower, is the overbearing owner of a shoe shop. His three daughters -- Alice, Vicky and Maggie (Brenda De Banzie) -- work for him and all are eager to get out from under his thumb. When the headstrong Maggie announces she intends to marry Henry's best employee, Will (John Mills), father and daughter engage in an intense showdown. As Maggie works on launching a competing business, she also helps her sisters free themselves of their domineering father.
4Charles Laughton, Clark Gable, Franchot ToneAs the cruel captain of the HMS Bounty, a ship bound for Tahiti, William Bligh (Charles Laughton) wins few friends. When the crew members finally tire of his abuse, Fletcher Christian (Clark Gable) leads a mutiny, resulting in Bligh's unceremonious removal from the ship. While Christian and the remaining crew sail on to Tahiti, Bligh becomes intent on exacting revenge, and he targets Roger Byam (Franchot Tone), a sailor who had actually tried to stop the mutiny.More Mutiny on the Bounty
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5Kirk Douglas, Laurence Olivier, Jean SimmonsSpartacus (Kirk Douglas), a Thracian slave, leads a violent revolt against the decadent Roman Republic. His rebellion, fuelled by the brutalities he and his fellow slaves suffer, sets in motion one of history's most legendary uprisings. The film, directed by Stanley Kubrick, is an epic historical drama that showcases the struggle for freedom against tyranny. Spartacus's love interest, Varinia (Jean Simmons), adds a touching human element to the tale. The movie won four Academy Awards and is renowned for its stunning cinematography and powerful performances.More Spartacus- #61 of 264 onThe 200+ Best War Movies Of All Time
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6Frank Sinatra, Betty White, Henry FondaAdvise & Consent is a 1962 American motion picture based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name by Allen Drury, published in 1959. The movie was adapted for the screen by Wendell Mayes and was directed by Otto Preminger. The ensemble cast features Henry Fonda, Charles Laughton, Don Murray, Walter Pidgeon, Peter Lawford, Gene Tierney, Franchot Tone, Lew Ayres, Burgess Meredith, Eddie Hodges, Paul Ford, George Grizzard, Inga Swenson, Betty White and others. The title derives from the United States Constitution's Article II, Sec. 2, cl. 2, which provides that the President of the United States "shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the Supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States". The film, set in Washington, D.C., follows the consequences of a Presidential nomination for Secretary of State of a man with a hidden past who commits perjury in the course of confirmation proceedings.
7Charles Laughton, Elsa Lanchester, Binnie BarnesRenowned for his excess, King Henry VIII (Charles Laughton) goes through a series of wives during his rule. With Anne Boleyn (Merle Oberon), his second wife, executed on charges of treason, King Henry weds maid Jane Seymour (Wendy Barrie), but that marriage also ends in tragedy. Not one to be single for long, the king picks German-born Anne of Cleves (Elsa Lanchester) as his bride, but their union lasts only months before an annulment is granted, and King Henry continues his string of spouses.
8Ray Milland, Charles Laughton, Maureen O'SullivanAnticipating a much-needed vacation from Earl Janoth (Charles Laughton), his abusive boss, magazine editor George Stroud (Ray Milland) finally reaches a breaking point when Janoth insists he skip his honeymoon and go out of town on assignment. Stroud resigns and finds solace over multiple drinks with his boss' unhappy mistress, Pauline York (Rita Johnson), at a local bar. Together they come up with a half-inebriated plot to embarrass Janoth -- but the plan takes an unexpected turn toward murder.
9Charles Laughton, Maureen O'Hara, George SandersIn a Nazi-occupied European nation, Albert Lory (Charles Laughton) is a meek schoolmaster who is dominated by both his students and his elderly mother, Emma (Una O'Connor). Though Albert is initially wary of efforts to oppose the invading soldiers, he changes his tune after he's falsely accused of murder. He begins to make rousing speeches against the Nazis and their collaborators, prompting Maj. Erich von Keller (Walter Slezak) to offer Albert a pardon if he aids the Nazi cause.
10Charles Laughton, Mary Boland, Charlie RugglesIn Paris at the dawn of the 20th century, the Earl of Burnstead (Roland Young) accidentally loses his faithful valet, Ruggles (Charles Laughton), to gauche American rancher Egbert Floud (Charlie Ruggles) in a drunken late-night poker game. Resettled in the Wild West town of Red Gap, Washington, Ruggles' proper bearing leads him to become mistaken for a British aristocrat and military hero, to the potential embarrassment of Egbert's snobbish wife, Effie (Mary Boland).
11Fredric March, Charles Laughton, Cedric HardwickeThis acclaimed version of the classic Victor Hugo tale follows the life of Jean Valjean (Fredric March), a former convict who was imprisoned for stealing bread for his sister's family. After years in jail, Valjean attempts to readjust to life as a free man, but he finds that many are not forgiving of his past, particularly the obsessive Inspector Javert (Charles Laughton). Perpetually on the run, Valjean finds comfort in the chaos by caring for the young peasant girl Cosette (Rochelle Hudson).
12Charles Laughton, Elsa Lanchester, Gertrude LawrenceSeventeenth-century painter Rembrandt van Rijn (Charles Laughton) suffers the loss of his wife. After an affair with the housekeeper, he finds lasting companionship with his housemaid (Elsa Lanchester), causing widespread scandal. Rembrandt's unwillingness to shill his paintings for commercial gain leads to financial difficulty. He navigates between the world of kings and queens and that of lowly beggars, finding his place as an artist. The death of his second wife devastates the painter.
13Fredric March, Claudette Colbert, Charles LaughtonAfter Emperor Nero (Charles Laughton) blames the Christians for burning Rome, he orders that they be sent to the Colosseum. While rounding them up, military leader Marcus Superbus (Fredric March) meets pretty young Mercia (Elissa Landi), who begs him to free her stepfather, Titus (Arthur Hohl). Marcus does so with the hope of seducing her but is unsuccessful. Empress Poppaea (Claudette Colbert), who has her eye on Marcus, soon learns of Mercia and, out of jealousy, orders her fed to the lions.
14Charles Laughton, Robert Young, Margaret O'BrienWhen Sir Simon de Canterville (Charles Laughton) flees a joust in fear and retreats to the family castle, his father traps Simon and curses him to haunt the estate until a descendent restores the family honor with an act of bravery. Hundreds of years later, Cuffy Williams (Robert Young), an American soldier stationed at the castle, discovers from young Lady Jessica (Margaret O'Brien) that he is a relative. Cuffy hopes to free Simon from his curse by displaying courage when under duress.- #20 of 48 onThe Funniest Movies About Ghosts
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15Charles Laughton, Maureen O'Hara, Leslie BanksAfter the death of her mother, young Mary (Maureen O'Hara) travels to the Cornish coast seeking her Aunt Patience (Marie Ney). Stranded on a windswept, isolated road, Mary meets Humphrey Pengallan (Charles Laughton), who kindly escorts her to the Jamaica Inn. There, Mary meets her aunt and bullying uncle, Merlyn Joss (Leslie Banks) -- who secretly leads a band of pirates that pilfers the goods from wrecked ships. Suspicious, Mary turns to Pengallan for help, only to discover another dark secret.
16Boris Karloff, Melvyn Douglas, Charles LaughtonDriving through a brutal thunderstorm in Wales, three travelers take refuge in an eerie house owned by the Femm family. Reluctantly admitted by Horace Femm (Ernest Thesiger), the three sit down to a strange dinner. Horace is neurotic; mute butler Morgan (Boris Karloff) is an alcoholic; and Horace's sister, Rebecca (Eva Moore), raves about chastity. When the storm brings in an industrialist and chorus girl Gladys DuCane Perkins (Lilian Bond), Morgan's lust and Rebecca's ire are ignited.More The Old Dark House- #367 of 396 onThe Best Horror Movies Of All Time
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17Charles Laughton, Bela Lugosi, Richard ArlenIn this adaptation of H.G. Wells' novel "The Island of Doctor Moreau," Edward Parker (Richard Arlen) is shipwrecked on a remote island presided over by the mysterious Dr. Moreau (Charles Laughton). Edward discovers his host is conducting genetic experiments, and presiding over a race of half-human, half-animal hybrids, including the alluring Panther Woman and the sage Sayer of the Law (Bela Lugosi). The island has become its own society, with Moreau as its god.
18Charles Laughton, Norma Shearer, Fredric MarchThe Barretts of Wimpole Street is a 1934 American film depicting the real-life romance between poets Elizabeth Barrett and Robert Browning, despite the opposition of her father Edward Moulton-Barrett. The film was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture and Shearer was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress. It was written by Ernest Vajda, Claudine West and Donald Ogden Stewart, from the play by Rudolf Besier. The film was directed by Sidney Franklin. This film was based upon the famous 1930 play, The Barretts of Wimpole Street, starring Katharine Cornell.
19Charles Laughton, Ella Raines, Dean HarensGenial shopkeeper Philip (Charles Laughton) has to endure the constant nagging of a shrewish wife (Rosalind Ivan) while he secretly yearns for a pretty young stenographer (Ella Raines). When the henpecking gets to be too much, Philip murders his wife and manages to make her death look like an accident. A ruthless blackmailer (Henry Daniell) and a low-key detective (Stanley Ridges) both discover Philip's secret, and he has to decide which of them poses the more dangerous threat.
20Robert Taylor, Ava Gardner, Charles LaughtonFederal agent Rigby (Robert Taylor) travels to a Central American island to investigate stolen war surplus. Suspicion falls on veteran Tugwell Hintten (John Hodiak) and his alluring singer wife, Elizabeth (Ava Gardner). But Rigby's situation gets more complicated when he starts an affair with Elizabeth. The brains of the scam -- J.J. Bealer (Charles Laughton) and Carwood (Vincent Price) -- offer the lawman a bribe. When he refuses it, both lovers' lives are jeopardized.
21Charles Laughton, Randolph Scott, Barbara BrittonBritish pirate William Kidd (Charles Laughton) captures Adm. Blayne's (Randolph Scott) treasure ship and hides the bounty in a cave. Three years later, Kidd, posing as a sea captain, offers his services to the king as an escort ship. Seeking a social position, Kidd also negotiates for Blayne's title and lands, if he can prove Blayne was associated with piracy. On his mission, Kidd is unaware that Blayne's son, Adam (also Scott), is among the crew, determined to clear his father's name.
22Gregory Peck, Alida Valli, Charles LaughtonAttorney Anthony Keane (Gregory Peck) agrees to represent Londonite Mrs. Paradine (Alida Valli), who has been fingered in her husband's murder. From the start, the married lawyer is drawn to the enigmatic beauty, and he begins to cast about for a way to exonerate his client. Keane puts Andre Latour (Louis Jourdan), the Paradine household servant, on the stand, suggesting he is the killer. But Keane soon loses his way in the courtroom, and his half-baked plan sets off a stunning chain of events.
23Fred Allen, Anne Baxter, Charles LaughtonSoapy (Charles Laughton) believes that getting arrested and thrown into a warm jail cell is the best solution to being homeless in cold weather. Fugitives Sam (Fred Allen) and Bill kidnap a child to raise $2,000 for a new scam, and Della and Jim seek to buy each other Christmas gifts on a tight budget. This anthology of five short stories by author O. Henry includes "The Cop and the Anthem," "The Clarion Call," "The Last Leaf," "The Ransom of Red Chief" and "The Gift of the Magi."
24Charles Laughton, Vivien Leigh, Rex HarrisonStreet performer Charles Staggers (Charles Laughton) befriends orphan and would-be dancer Libby (Vivien Leigh) and adds her to his act. When the group meets songwriter Harley Prentiss (Rex Harrison), Libby ambitiously pursues him. A quarrel with Charles over the matter leads to Libby dropping him from a show arranged by Prentiss. Soon after, Libby takes up with Prentiss, and his songs make her famous all over London. Charles takes Libby's rejection hard and allows it to nearly ruin his career.
25Charles Laughton, Maureen O'Sullivan, Neil HamiltonBank employee William Marble (Charles Laughton) risks losing his job if he can't pay off his massive debts. When William's wealthy nephew, James, visits, William repeatedly attempts to borrow money. After James turns him down every time, William poisons him. He then invests James' money and becomes rich enough to retire, but the guilt of his actions weighs on him. Sending his wife (Maureen O'Sullivan) and daughter away on vacation does not help, as he begins an affair that further traps him.
26Carol Lombard, Charles Laughton, William GarganImmigrant Tony Patucci (Charles Laughton) may be the successful owner of a vineyard in California, but he's self-conscious about his poor English and lacks social grace. So when he spies fetching waitress Amy (Carole Lombard), he decides to pursue her by letter and tosses in a photo of his handsome foreman Joe (William Gargan) for good measure. When Amy comes to visit, she's furious at the deception. Tony eventually wins her over, but she can't ignore her growing feelings for Joe.
27Charles Laughton, Merle Oberon, Flora RobsonI, Claudius is an unfinished 1937 film of the book I, Claudius. The abandoned project was being produced by Alexander Korda, directed by Josef von Sternberg and starring Charles Laughton, Emlyn Williams, Flora Robson, and Merle Oberon, but it was dogged by ill circumstances, culminating in a car accident involving Oberon, which caused filming to be ended before completion. A further attempt to rescue the footage by incorporating it into The Denham Studio Mystery, a proposed sequel to The Arsenal Stadium Mystery also fell through. Laughton based his interpretation of Claudius on King Edward VIII and his abdication speech. Other speaking parts included Claudius's servant Narcissus, Claudius's doctor, Senators Sentius and Asiaticus, and soldiers Cassius and Lupus. The BBC used the existing footage in a 70-minute documentary The Epic That Never Was, hosted by Dirk Bogarde and featuring the opening of Thus Spoke Zarathustra. The documentary is included in the DVD box set of the BBC series I, Claudius, and includes about 25 minutes of original footage from the uncompleted film. Also in the cast were Allan Aynesworth and John Clements.
28Jean Simmons, Stewart Granger, Charles LaughtonWhen Anne Boleyn (Elaine Stewart) is executed for infidelity, her daughter Elizabeth (Jean Simmons) is sent into exile by King Henry VIII (Charles Laughton). Elizabeth grows into a spirited young woman. Eventually, she is summoned back to London to meet Henry's latest bride, Catherine Parr (Deborah Kerr). She also meets Admiral Thomas Seymour (Stewart Granger) and becomes instantly enamored. Unfortunately for her, the machinations of politics prove far more potent than love.More Young Bess- #20 of 25 onGreat Movies About Real Female Rulers
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29Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Charles LaughtonWhile working as waiters at a tavern, Rocky (Bud Abbott) and Puddin' Head (Lou Costello) get mixed up in the exploits of their pirate patrons -- the infamous Capt. Kidd (Charles Laughton) and his adversary, Capt. Bonney (Hillary Brooke). Joining the two buccaneers on a hunt for buried treasure, Rocky and Puddin' Head wind up in dangerous waters when Kidd decides that he wants the interlopers dead. When the hapless duo uncover Kidd's devious plan, they try to turn the tables on him.
30Charles Laughton, Franchot Tone, Burgess MeredithWhen the aunt of Edna Wallace (Jean Wallace) is murdered, Inspector Jules Maigret (Charles Laughton) is brought into the case. Initial suspicion is thrown on a knife sharpener (Burgess Meredith), but Maigret soon takes notice of a student, Johann Radek (Franchot Tone), who keeps goading the police. Unfortunately, there is no evidence against Radek. The psychological games between Maigret and Radek escalate as the police narrow in on the killer, leading to a harrowing chase across Paris.
