Charles Laughton; a difficult actor – Simon Callow

Callow is a fine interpreter of other people’s performances, even if his criticisms of Laughton for occasional hamminess seem a bit rich, so I enjoyed much of the insight here. The biographical material is pretty interesting too.

It’s a shame that Laughton’s career is overshadowed by two sort-of failures: the uncompleted version of I, Claudius (the surviving footage is mesmerising), and the commercial disappointment of the brilliant Night of the Hunter prematurely ending his directorial career.

If anyone can tell me where to see footage of an aging Laughton guest hosting on the Johnny Carson Show and introducing the television debut of Elvis himself, I promise them a big soggy kiss on the lips.