It stars merle oberon, george sanders, and laird cregar, features sir cedric hardwicke, and was directed by john brahm from a screenplay by barre lyndon. Laird cregar book chicago public library bibliocommons. This first biography of cregar tells the heartbreaking story of the. Apr 20, 2017 in 1944, laird cregar played jack the ripper in the lodger, giving one of the most haunting performances in hollywood history. Interesting actor, gay, died tragically young at age 31 apparently from complications of crashdieting. While the city panics in the wake of another murder of a showgirl by the knifewielding madman, a man who. The lodger 1944 textless trailer laird cregar plays the lodger 1944, who may or may not be jack the ripper, in the most successful sound version of the.
Laird cregar by gregory william mank overdrive rakuten. Laird cregar is the lodger 1944 kino lorber studio classics, bluray in the third screen adaptation of the thriller by marie belloc lowndes the most famous was the 1926 film directed by alfred hitchcock set in london during the reign of jack the ripper. Here you will find the most uptodate 42 success facts, information, and much more. Marie belloclowndes classic jack the ripper novel, and in many eyes it was the best even allowing for the excellence of the 1925 alfred hitchcock adaptation. By 1941, he had signed a film contract with 20th century fox. Gregory w mank in 1944, laird cregar played jack the ripper in the lodger, giving one of the most haunting performances in hollywood history. It was the climax of a strange celebrity that saw the young american actorwho stood 6 3 and weighed more than 300 poundsearn distinction as a. Samuel laird cregar july 28, 19 december 9, 1944 was an american stage and film actor. In 1944, laird cregar played jack the ripper in the lodger, giving. I just finished a fascinating book on one of my favorite character actors a hollywood tragedy laird cregar by gregory william mank mcfarland. Gregory william mank, a delta, pennsylvania, freelance writer, has acted in more than 100 stage productions. The screen fairly oozes sticky sweat every time hes on. This book is your ultimate resource for laird cregar. Its one of those books that i knew was in the works and i wondered how detailed it could possibly be, since most of.
The son of a prosperous philadelphian, laird cregar was educated at winchester academy in england, spending his summers as a page boy and bit player with the stratfordonavon theatrical troupe. True horror is achieved without makeup or special effects aside from one p. Laird cregar biography, movie highlights and photos. Other versions of the book are the obscure the lodgerthe phantom fiend 1932, a loose early sound variation of the story. It was the climax of a strange celebrity that saw the young american actorwho stood 6 3 and weighed more than 300 poundsearn distinction as a portrayer of psychopaths and villains. Cregars screen career began in 1940 working as an extra in films.
Upon completing his schooling, cregar won a scholarship at californias pasadena playhouse, supporting himself as a nightclub bouncer when funds ran out. With such deep and soulful eyes and soft voice, he gave the audience an incredible. Man in the attic 1953 starring jack palance in the laird cregar role, which was a direct remake of this film. It was the climax of a strange celebrity that saw the young american actorwho stood 6 3 and weighed more than 300 poundsearn distinction as a portrayer. Cregar was a fox contract star with a flair for the sinister and his own private demons. Calm celtic music for meditation, healing therapy, sleep, yoga duration. The casting of laird cregar as the titular lodger was the masterstroke. It is the fictional story of jack the ripper, the third film version adapted from the book by marie belloclowndes a remake of alfred hitchcocks 1925 film of the same name. Laird cregar 42 success facts everything you need to. Laird cregar biography, movie highlights and photos allmovie. Dec 19, 2016 great character actor that left us too soon. This strange tale is noted for its riveting performance by laird cregar as the strangler.
Seemingly suave, cultivated actor by nature, definitely huge in both talent and girth, and capable of playing much older than he was, hollywood of the early 40s tragically lost laird cregar before it could fully comprehend on how to best utilize his obvious gifts. In 1944, laird cregar played jack the ripper in the lodger, giving one of the most haunting performances in hollywood history. His crazed performance brings the lodger to a new level. Laird cregar celebrity profile check out the latest laird cregar photo gallery, biography, pics, pictures, interviews, news, forums and blogs at rotten tomatoes. The lodger and hangover square are thrillers, or maybe even lurid melodramas. It has been made into a movie a number of times, including the very first as a silent film by alfred hitchcock in 1926 and later made with sound in 1932. Laird cregar a hollywood tragedy book 2019 by gregory. Nothing supernatural, but laird cregar, who starred in both, could be a really scary lunatic. But even more powerful than his size, was his acting talent.
The final ten minutes of the lodger are remarkable. Laird cregar biography seemingly suave, cultivated actor by nature, definitely huge in both talent and girth, and capable of playing much older than he was, hollywood of the early 40s tragically lost laird cregar before it could fully comprehend on how to best utilize his obvious gifts. The lodger by john brahm john brahm, merle oberon, george. I was just amazed at not only how effective and well made. It was the climax of a strange celebrity that saw the young american actorwho stood 6 3 and weighed more than 300 poundsearn distinction as a portrayer of psychopaths and. I have been a fan of cregars since the very first time i watched the lodger 1944. Feb 21, 2015 laird cregar born july 28th, 19 died dec. Laird cregar a hollywood tragedy a strong acting presence who made a significant impact and later died as a young man of 31, laird cregar left an impact on such films as this gun for hire, the lodger and was carving something of a niche in creepy roles that had escalated to starring parts. In easy to read chapters, with extensive references and links to get you to know all there is to know about laird cregars early life, career and personal life right away. This first biography of cregar tells the heartbreaking story of the brilliant but doomed actor. Seemingly suave, cultivated actor by nature, definitely huge in both talent and girth, and capable of playing much older than he was.
See more ideas about actor, film and iconic movies. In 1944, laird cregar played jack the ripper in the lodger, giving one. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. It was the climax of a strange celebrity that saw the young american actorwho stood 6 3 and weighed more than 300 poundsearn. Laird cregar a hollywood tragedy a strong acting presence who made a significant impact and later died as a young man of 31, laird cregar left an impact on such films as this gun for hire, the lodger and was carving something of a. Laird cregar ebook by gregory william mank 9781476628448. In easy to read chapters, with extensive references and links to get you to know all there is to know about laird cregars early life.
Laird cregar and queenie leonard in the lodger 1944. Its one of those books that i knew was in the works and i wondered how detailed it could possibly be, since most of his costars are no longer among the living. He was born samuel laird cregar in a welltodo section of philadelphia, eventually. Film pairing the lodgers laird cregar, jack palance.
Laird cregar is the lodger 1944 kino lorber studio classics, bluray in the third screen adaptation of the thriller by marie belloc lowndes the most famous was the 1926 film directed by alfred hitchcock set in london during the reign of jack the ripper kino lorber studio classics. Laird cregar is the lodger on kino stream on demand. The lodger is a 1944 horror film about jack the ripper, based on the novel of the same name by marie belloc lowndes. Laird cregar was born samuel laird cregar on july 28, the year was either 19, 1914 or 1916 there are several sources saying different things most sources state 19 though and they all agree about that he was born in philadelphia, pennsylvania, usa. Laird cregar in 1944, laird cregar played jack the ripper in the lodger, giving one of the most haunting performances in hollywood history. The original 19 novel by marie belloc lowndes samples bits of the legendary case of jack the ripper into a then modernday london terrorized by the. Laird cregar 42 success facts everything you need to know. Film pairing the lodgers laird cregar, jack palance, simon baker marie belloc lowndes wrote a book in 19 about jack the ripper called the lodger. Cregar was an actor of amazing stature, but in physical size and talent. Laird cregar stars as the title character, a mysterious, secretive young man who rents a flat in the heart of londons whitechapel district. The lodger 1944 stars laird cregar and merle oberon youtube. Laird cregar i just watched him in the lodger1944and hangover square1945. Cregar s screen career began in 1940 working as an extra in films. The youngest of six sons sired by a professional cricket player, cregar was sent to england at an early age to be educated at winchester college, and it was there that he became involved with the theater, although he harbored a strong desire to act from early childhood.
429 1085 1287 1496 669 400 1000 909 1048 1364 381 160 1511 539 42 509 1488 1409 962 321 500 200 233 1179 1178 633 426 1497 1202 789 937 260 1466 666 424 515 300 67 1214 1242 1387 282 314