MovieChat Forums > Joan of Paris (1942) Discussion > The Outstanding Actor, Laird Cregar !!!

The Outstanding Actor, Laird Cregar !!!

posted 17 years ago by HoferPM-1
6 replies | jump to latest

Must say a few things about the actor Laird Cregar. He dominated every scene he was ever in and in every movie. If there is an after life, I hope he knows what a superb actor he was and how much he was appreciated. If only someone had given him some guidance regarding weight and how he could have dieted safely and nutriously, but then it's too late to talk now. We can only see the few movies he was in and enjoy them. God Bless you Laird, I was a big fan and I was a child when I saw you in Hangover Square and never forgot you. As a child I saw the pain in your eyes !!!!!!!

[–] blondrbbt 16 years ago

Agree. Had he not died so tragically young, I believe he would be considered a legendary star among the general public today, not just among film buffs. Fortunately, his work survives as I"m watching JOAN OF PARIS as I type this. His suave yet very deadly menace adds much to the picture.

[–] pocomarc 16 years ago

I couldn't agree more, Hofer.

[–] MrEdnablackadder 10 years ago

Agreed!!!! One of my favourites of the period, he was basically the MVP of everything he starred in.
Loved Morgan, whom I thought looked much warmer than usual. Henreid is a classic leading man I never found particularly interesting, but he added some nice gravitas here. He and Michèle make for an unusual, but good match. Still, it's Laird's movie through and through, as he manages to steal the show with another unique creation.

Why did we lose him so soon? 

[–] bnwfilmbuff 9 years ago

IMO Laird Cregar's best acting performances were in his last 2 movies: The Lodger and Hangover Square. He was incredible in both of these movies. Unfortunately, I have always felt that the best was yet to come.

[–] DavidLanceRoten 8 years ago

Superb in The Lodger 😃

[–] malichi6 8 years ago

It's been a while since I had seen him in "The Lodger" and "Hangover Square," and I'd kind of forgotten what a powerful screen presence he could have. While watching him in "Joan of Paris," my first thought was, "This character is pretty scary!" I suppose if you combined Charles Laughton, Vincent Price, and maybe a sprinkle of Victor Buono, you'd get Laird Cragar. No doubt we all got short changed by his premature death -- there are so many great roles of villains and authoritative figures he could have so easily filled in several films that were made afterwards.