I think Henry Hull had to be one of the worst actors in Hollywood...no subtlety, just a lot of bad stage mannerisms that look awful on the movie screen
shareBut, boy, he sure could dance and always wore bicycle clips while mowing the lawn.
Nothing is more beautiful than nothing.
Are you objecting to Henry Hull, or to Prudent?
§« The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters. »§
I'm fine with Henry Hull. Prudent was *beep* but not much of *beep* as Philip Evans. Now that guy I hated in the movie. A real prick. But, if their acting was convincing enough for you to hate their characters, then they did a good job.
Agreed about Philip Evans. To me, David Frankham has always played dislikeable roles; I guess I remember him best as mad Lawrence Marvick in Star Trek's Is There In Truth No Beauty?
§« The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters. »§
I agree that Henry Hull was a laughable caricature in this film. I didn't think anyone would point this out, but apparently he really was that much of a ham.
shareAre you kidding? I thought he was hilarious!
"I mean, really, how many times will you look under Jabba's manboobs?"
Hull excelled in Hitchcock's Lifeboat and played a convincing small role in the classic Portrait of Jennie as an old Northeastern fisherman/boat keeper.
shareAnother thread idle for 2 years, think I'll resurrect it as well.
Mr. Hull's role in this film was around his 108th screen credit (give or take). He was very well known for his style and delivery of dialogue. A good example would be the character of Major Rufus Cobb in "Jesse James" with Tyrone Power and Henry Fonda. Another is his Wagon Train episode, The Kitty Angel Story. Both of these examples are basically the same kind of character as Prudent.
In casting Mr. Hull in MOTW the director/producers knew *exactly* what kind of performance he'd turn in, it was a character he was known to play frequently.
Personally I think he was perfectly suited to the role, and I loved how he chewed the scenery with gusto.
To each his own I suppose, but I think his style fit the character well.