HENRY DANIELL in Horror Film Stars Forum

0 Points

Forum Jump

HENRY DANIELL

Author	Comment
Unregistered(d)	HENRY DANIELL	Lead	[-]
Jul 1 05 5:55 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	It might just be wishful thinking, but Henry Daniell was one of those rock-solid character actors who somehow "missed" becoming a major horror star. Sort of like the love child of Karloff and Whit Bissell, he seemed tailor-made for mad scientist roles of the Zucco or Atwill stripe, as evidenced by (what is probably his most prominent genre performance in) THE FOUR SKULLS OF JONATHAN DRAKE. What put the notion over the top for me was watching Daniell's numerous performances in the THRILLER TV series, particularly his LONDON AFTER MIDNIGHT-inspired Squire Moloch in "Well of Doom," one of the most atmospheric hours of horror TV every produced. Virtually everyone who knows and champions the reputation of "Pigeons from Hell" (and I'm one of them) goes all quizzical when "Well of Doom" is mentioned, but except for a letdown ending, the latter is just as grimly-drenched. So, I put it to you: Henry Daniell, one of the best horror stars É who never was an actual horror star. He died on Hallowe'en, 1963.
	Remove this ad
Dave Sindelar	Re: HENRY DANIELL	#1	[-]
Jul 1 05 9:59 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Actually, I would say his most prominent genre performance is in THE BODY SNATCHER, with Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi. ***************** "I sleep now!"
davlghry	Re:HENRY DANIELL	#2	[-]
Jul 1 05 10:59 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	<< It might just be wishful thinking, but Henry Daniell was one of those rock-solid character actors who somehow "missed" becoming a major horror star. Daniell was probably too useful in A pictures to be groomed as a horror star. I love his THRILLER appearances, too, particularly "Well Of Doom."
Gord Shriver	Horror Film Stars	#3	[-]
Jul 1 05 2:38 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I third (since it was already seconded) that emotion on the THRILLER shows Daniell did. The period stories were almost always more interesting than the present-day ones (Karloff's being notable exceptions). Daniell was notable in other pix like THE SUSPECT, WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION and THE PRIVATE LIVES OF ELIZABETH AND ESSEX opposite guys like Charles Laughton, Basil Rathbone, and Vincent Price. And was just as good as they were. I thought he was a great Moriarty, and it's too bad his role in MY FAIR LADY is so brief.
kochillt		#4	[-]
Nov 22 11 4:42 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Henry Daniell's 5 appearances on THRILLER made up for the fact that Basil Rathbone refused to do any. Starring in THE BODY SNATCHER and THE FOUR SKULLS OF JONATHAN DRAKE, was Prof. Moriarty in THE WOMAN IN GREEN, and nearly stole THE GREAT DICTATOR from an irate Chaplin, who felt that Daniell, as a character named 'Garbitsch,' was funnier than he was (he may have been right, and cut down the part considerably). Last year, TCM aired a rare Daniell feature, 1937's UNDER COVER OF NIGHT, in which he played the murderer, his wife the unfortunate victim. It wasn't a whodunit, but how the killer tries to cover up his crime. Although he made far fewer genre films than Atwill or Zucco, I feel Henry Daniell deserves to be listed in the same valued character player rankings.
telegonus		#5	[-]
Nov 22 11 7:23 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I agree on Daniell deserving a higher rating (such as these things can be regarded as significant), as he was certainly as good an actor as Atwill, Zucco and (dare I say it..?) Rathbone.
Helrunar		#6	[-]
Nov 22 11 9:56 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Henry Daniell was definitely in "the gallery" of players we associated with the classic horror genre when I was a kid in the Sixties. I found a nice tribute to him when he died in an early issue of Castle of Frankenstein last year, so clearly the readership was aware of his artistry and the very distinguished calibre of his contributions, even if some of the roles may have been deemed peripheral to the genre. Presumably his work in Thriller helped make him better known to audiences of the early Sixies. His voice, his presence, his silky air of debonair deviltry and well-heeled malice, made him unforgettable to those of us who love the films of the 1930s and beyond. Unquestionably, Henry Daniell was one of the immortals. He and Rathbone had great onscreen chemistry together in that Holmes film, too. H.
kochillt		#7	[-]
Nov 22 11 11:13 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	That was as fine a tribute as I've ever read. Overall, I own 18 of his titles, which includes all 5 THRILLERs.
Shadow Chaser		#8	[-]
Nov 23 11 12:02 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	May I echo the sentiments expressed in previous posts. Wonderful character actor that was not quite the horror star but should have been. Saw this pic somewhere else on the board and someone in the ad industry at that time must have agreed.
Helrunar		#9	[-]
Nov 23 11 12:12 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	That's a fabulous painting, Shadow chaser. I presume it was done as an advertisement for some popular label of "name your poison" back in the day? Thanks for sharing the scan. Stunning. H.
kochillt		#10	[-]
Nov 23 11 12:53 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Looks to be an up to date portrait from Hell. Some people have all the luck.
	Remove this ad
Shadow Chaser		#11	[-]
Nov 24 11 1:17 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	By the way, caught a wonderful episode of The Alfred Hitchcock Hour tonight with Dan O'Herlihy. Now there's another impressive guest of the genre who had the potential to be a horror star. Could start a thread but don't think it would go as far as this one. Seems better tacked on here.
kochillt		#12	[-]
Nov 24 11 2:42 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Mention Dan O'Herlihy and I'm sure most people would immediately think HALLOWEEN III:SEASON OF THE WITCH.
Monsterpal		#13	[-]
Nov 24 11 12:43 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I think of Robinson Crusoe.
Mora		#14	[-]
Nov 24 11 1:03 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I think more than any other actor of Hollywood's Golden Age I would LOVE to see a biography on Henry Daniell. Fascinating actor about whom so little seems to be known personally. Now for something that may seem weird. Many years ago on the old Spiderman cartoon series there was an episode about a wax museum. The evil proprietor (whose name I can't recall) bore a striking resemblance to Henry Daniell. I wonder if anyone else recalls this 60s episode and if so, if he/she also noticed the likeness.
Rick		#15	[-]
Nov 24 11 2:04 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Dan O'Herlihy? I think first of FAIL SAFE. Then ROBINSON CRUSOE and ROBOCOP and HALLOWEEN III. Terrific actor.
horrorfilmx		#16	[-]
Nov 24 11 7:55 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	The first thing I think of is The Travels of Jamie McPheeters.
kochillt		#17	[-]
Nov 24 11 8:28 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	There was someone trying to put together a biography on Daniell, but was scared off by homosexual rumors. That's all I've heard. Eventually, I figure we'll get something, if only on a smaller scale, like Lionel Atwill or Colin Clive.
Helrunar		#18	[-]
Nov 25 11 12:19 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Oh REALLY darling. In 20-whatever, scared off by homosexual rumors? I hope this would-be author/ess went back to nursery school and made sure Nanny gave her a good scrubbing behind the ears after being made to listen to such FILTH. rolls eyes I would love to know the correct pronunciation of Daniell's surname. One usually hears it pronounced like the woman's name Danielle, but in one Thriller intro, Karloff (who had obviously worked with HD on a number of occasions) pronounced it "Daniel." Rather maddeningly, in another intro it came out like the more familiar pronunciation. I have not yet seen all five THRILLER episodes in which HD performed. A new goal in life! H.
kochillt		#19	[-]
Nov 25 11 4:58 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I would have to agree. Would Henry Daniell's private life, which certainly remained private during his lifetime, actually been as 'shocking' as Lionel Atwill's Yuletime orgy? Atwill decided to "lie like a gentleman to protect friends," and all because of consensual sex. He paid a heavy price publicly due to some despicable blackmailers who seem to have gotten off scott free. Hollywood's greatest villains were often victimized.
TomWeaver999		#20	[-]
Nov 25 11 7:30 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	<< I would love to know the correct pronunciation of Daniell's surname. << Karloff was right, it was pronounced Henry DANIEL (like Daniel Boone). I know his daughter.
	Remove this ad

<< Previous Topic Next Topic >>

Add Reply

Yuku free message boards

HENRY DANIELL

HENRY DANIELL