Ralph Richardson

Often called the first British horror film of the sound era, The Ghoul stars Boris Karloff as Professor Morlant, a dying Egyptologist who demands to be buried with a sacred jewel he believes will grant him eternal life. When the gem is stolen from his tomb, Morlant rises from the grave to reclaim it, stalking the heirs and hangers-on who have gathered at his gloomy estate. The cast is a remarkable roll of British talent: Cedric Hardwicke, Ernest Thesiger, Dorothy Hyson, and Ralph Richardson in his feature film debut. Produced by Michael Balcon for Gaumont-British and directed by T. Hayes Hunter, the film was considered lost for decades until a print surfaced in the 1980s. It is in the public domain in the United States.

Horror

A 1936 British science fiction film produced by Alexander Korda, directed by William Cameron Menzies, and written by H.G. Wells from his own novel The Shape of Things to Come. A landmark in production design, the film spans a century of future history: beginning on Christmas 1940 in Everytown as world war erupts, it follows decades of conflict, plague, and social collapse until a rationalist state rebuilds civilization and attempts space travel. Raymond Massey stars as the visionary John Cabal, with Ralph Richardson as "The Boss," a Mussolini-like warlord who seizes power in the post-apocalyptic ruins. England's first million-dollar picture, the film features groundbreaking special effects and monumental sets. Ralph Richardson modelled his character explicitly on Mussolini, who responded by banning the film in Italy.

Sci-Fi · Drama