A brief biography of Lennox Pawle, best remembered as Mr. Dick in MGM’s 1935 adaptation of Charles Dickens’ David Copperfield. A stage actor of some prominence in London and New York, Pawle only appeared in 12 movies, including Copperfield.
Popular Posts
Movie Star Biographies
David Landau, the Pre-Code Era’s Own Bitter Man
A biography of gruff character actor David Landau including his background, stage career and brief movie career as Hollywood’s bitter man of the pre-code era.
Helen Twelvetrees – Biography of a Tragic Pre-Code Beauty & Talent
A biography of movie star Helen Twelvetrees, 1907-1958. Star of films such as Her Man (1930), Millie (1931), Young Bride, State’s Attorney (both 1932), and Unmarried (1939). Settle in for a 5,000-word biography before clicking over to the separate “Films of Helen Twelvetrees” post.
Norman Kerry, Chaney’s co-star in The Hunchback of Notre Dame and The Phantom of the Opera
A brief biography of Norman Kerry, a silent film star you probably remember better than you think. Co-starred with Lon Chaney in The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Phantom of the Opera and The Unknown.
Paul Cavanagh – Case No. 9840 Fills in Actor’s Early Biography
Paul Cavanagh was an actor from 1926 until 1960 including time as a Hollywood featured player from 1930 onward. But who was he before 1926? U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Case No. 9840 fills in those details.
Edward Everett Horton – Biography of the Beloved Character Actor
A brief biography of character actor Edward Everett Horton, star of stage, screen and television. Famed as Fred Astaire’s sidekick in several Astaire and Ginger Rogers musicals and later the voice of Fractured Fairy Tales on the Rocky & Bullwinkle Show.
Movie Reviews & Articles
Sweepings (1933) and Mamie’s Christmas Counter Freak-Out
Lester Cohen adapted his own novel Sweepings for RKO in 1933. It was remade as Three Sons in 1939. The story is about a retail king and his family, but the focus of this article turns to Helen Mack’s explosive Christmas Eve scene with additional details about her character filled in from Cohen’s novel.
The Razor’s Edge (1946) Starring Tyrone Power, A Success Story
A long article about a personal favorite attempts to tell the story of The Razor’s Edge from Somerset Maugham’s novel to Darryl F. Zanuck’s on-screen vision with a focus on both the adaptation and Tyrone Power as Larry Darrell.
The Doorway to Hell (1930) Starring Lew Ayres and James Cagney
A deep look at the early gangster movie The Doorway to Hell (1930) with focus on stars Lew Ayres, James Cagney and Dorothy Mathews. Warner Brothers precursor to Little Caesar and The Public Enemy.
The Mind Reader (1933) Starring Warren William
Warren William stars as a Depression-era hustler who turns carnival psychic until the love of a good woman tames him. He can’t pay the bills selling brushes though so his old partner lures him back into the mind reading racket. Warren William stars in The Mind Reader (1933) with Constance Cummings, Allen Jenkins, and Clarence Muse. Directed by Roy Del Ruth.
Majestic’s The Sin of Nora Moran (1933) Starring Zita Johann
The Sin of Nora Moran may have come from Poverty Row but it is years ahead of its time. The 1933 film makes heavy use of flashback to enhance several twists in this life and death story of a female prisoner on Death Row. Starring Zita Johann of The Mummy and directed by Phil Goldstone. Don’t be put off by the lack of big names or major studio logo, The Sin of Nora Moran lives up to the high standards set by its acclaimed promotional poster.
Stablemates (1938) – MGM Rides Seabiscuit to Hit with Beery and Rooney
MGM’s horse racing weepie Stablemates starring Wallace Beery and Mickey Rooney released just three weeks before Seabiscuit’s match race vs. War Admiral. A look at time, circumstances and film.