This is the fullest biography yet on the actor who brought to life such characters as the Hunchback of Notre Dame, Henry VIII and Captain Bligh and whose career spanned 50 films and 40 stage roles. Callow is himself a much admired actor and author.

Oscar-winning actor, translator of Bertolt Brecht's Galileo, and director of the iconoclastic The Night of the Hunter, Charles Laughton's name alone commanded box office and theatre acclaim. This book is the first to offer an intimate examination of his 54 films produced in Britain and Hollywood from 1928 to 1962. Each has technical credits and cast lists, as well as publicity taglines, a plot synopsis, selected dialogue, Oscars won or nominated, and production commentaries. Also provided are listings of Laughton's miscellaneous shorts and feature films, abandoned film projects, amateur and professional stage appearances, select radio broadcasts, television broadcasts, and audio recordings. Appendices detail the studios, performers and cinematographers of the Laughton films.

"Being known as "The Bride of Frankenstein" is an unusual form of fame, but for Elsa Lanchester the unusual came naturally. Born to radical socialist parents, Elsa attended an all-boys school and later "studied" in Paris with dance pioneer Isadora Duncan. At 17, she opened her own theater, which was frequented by writers such as H. G. Wells, Aldous Huxley, and Evelyn Waugh. She began performing with and then fell in love with a brilliant young actor named Charles Laughton. Soon after their marriage he revealed his homosexuality. Though it made their union shaky at times, it did not overshadow their common love of art, music, and nature, and their marriage endured for 36 years until Laughton's death. Elsa Lanchester, Herself presents the story of a woman ahead of her time: independent, iconoclastic, liberated. It is the chronicle of a life filled with famous people (from Bertolt Brecht to Henry Fonda), and of a career that spanned almost seven decades. It is also a warm, truthful account of a very special marriage. Witty and wise, Elsa Lanchester's account of her life and times is a delight."--Provided by publisher.

This book chronicles the radio appearances of all prominent classic horror movie stars--Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi, Peter Lorre, Vincent Price, and two dozen more, including "scream queens" like Fay Wray. It contains script excerpts from radio shows as well as material from narrated albums and music singles. Each star's appearances are listed by show and air date, with descriptions of the subject matter.

This work covers Bronson's entire output in film and on television, and includes many film stills and photographs. Alphabetical entries list film or episode, complete cast and credits, and year of release. Accompanying each entry's plot synopsis and discussion is a survey of the critical responses to the work. The great Charles Laughton once said Bronson "has the strongest face in the business, and he is also one of its best actors." Pretty high praise for an actor who, though loved by fans worldwide, has been consistently underestimated by critics. Bronson's career has spanned five decades, from such television appearances in The Fugitive, Rawhide, Bonanza and Have Gun, Will Travel as well as the telemovie A Family of Cops (1995) and its two sequels. He will long be remembered for his role as urban vigilante Paul Kersey in the Death Wish films. Bronson is one of the most enigmatic, and also most recognizable, of all film stars.