Lionel Atwill

Born: 1885-02-27

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Lionel Atwill (1 March 1885 – 22 April 1946) was an English stage and film actor born in Croydon, London, England. He studied architecture before his stage debut at the Garrick Theatre, London in 1904. He become a star in Broadway theatre by 1918, and made his screen debut in 1919. He acted on the stage in Australia but was most famous for his U.S. horror roles in the 1930s. His two most memorable parts were as the crazed, disfigured sculptor in Mystery of the Wax Museum (Warner Brothers, 1933), and as Inspector Krogh in Son of Frankenstein (1939), memorably sent up by Kenneth Mars in Mel Brooks's Young Frankenstein (1974). When he was not cast in macabre roles, Atwill often appeared in the 1930s as righteous-minded authority figures. For example, in 1937's less memorable The Wrong Road for RKO, investigator Atwill persuades a young, bank-robbing ingenue played by Helen Mack and her boyfriend Richard Cromwell to return their ill-gotten $100,000 and give up a life of crime. Two of Atwill's other notable non-horror roles were opposite his contemporary Basil Rathbone in films featuring Arthur Conan Doyle's character Sherlock Holmes, including a role as Dr. James Mortimer in 20th Century Fox's 1939 film rendition of the Conan Doyle novel The Hound of the Baskervilles, and the 1943 Universal Studios film Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon, in which he played Holmes' archenemy and super-villain, Professor Moriarty. Atwill remained a stalwart of the Universal horror films until his career flagged in the 1940s because of a widely publicized sex scandal in 1941, during the investigation of which he was charged in 1942 with perjury at a trial in which Atwill had been accused of staging a sex orgy at his home. He died while working on the 1946 film serial Lost City of the Jungle. His ashes were once inurned in Chapel of the Pines Crematory. Description above from the Wikipedia article Lionel Atwill, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia


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Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man

as Mayor of Vasaria
Released: 1943-03-05

Grave robbers open the grave of the wolf man and awaken him. He doesn't like the idea of being...

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Son of Frankenstein

as Inspector Krogh
Released: 1939-01-13

One of the sons of late Dr. Henry Frankenstein finds his father's ghoulish creation in a coma...

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House of Frankenstein

as Inspector Arnz
Released: 1944-12-01

Deranged scientist, Gustav Niemann, escapes from prison and overtakes the director of a...

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The Ghost of Frankenstein

as Dr. Bohmer
Released: 1942-03-13

Frankenstein's unscrupulous colleague, Dr. Bohmer, plans to transplant Ygor's brain so he can...

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Captain Blood

as Colonel Bishop
Released: 1935-12-26

Dr. Peter Blood, unjustly convicted of treason and exiled from England, becomes a notorious pirate.

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The Hound of the Baskervilles

as Dr. James Mortimer
Released: 1939-03-24

On his uncle's death Sir Henry Baskerville returns from Canada to take charge of his ancestral...

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Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon

as Professor Moriarty
Released: 1942-12-25

In the midst of World War II, Sherlock Holmes rescues the Swiss inventor of a new bomb-sight...

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Mystery of the Wax Museum

as Ivan Eigor
Released: 1933-02-18

The disappearance of people and corpses leads a reporter to a wax museum and a sinister sculptor.

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Doctor X

as Dr. Jerry Xavier
Released: 1932-08-03

A wisecracking New York reporter intrudes on a research scientist's quest to unmask The Moon Killer.

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House of Dracula

as Police Inspector Holtz
Released: 1945-12-07

A scientist working on cures for rare afflictions, such as a bone softening agent made from...

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To Be or Not to Be

as Rawitch
Released: 1942-03-06

During the Nazi occupation of Poland, an acting troupe becomes embroiled in a Polish soldier's...

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Mark of the Vampire

as Inspector Neumann
Released: 1935-04-26

Sir Borotyn, a prominent Prague resident, is discovered murdered in his home, with all...

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Boom Town

as Harry Compton
Released: 1940-08-30

Two buddies who rise from fly-by-night wildcatters to oil tycoons over a twenty year period both...

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Lady in the Death House

as Charles Finch
Released: 1944-03-15

As a woman walks the "last mile" to her execution she remembers back to the incidents that got...

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The Vampire Bat

as Dr. Otto von Niemann
Released: 1933-01-21

A German village is stricken by a series of murders that appear to be the work of vampires.

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The Song of Songs

as Baron von Merzbach
Released: 1933-07-19

After her father dies, Lily moves to the city to live with her strict aunt. During the day Lily...

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Captain America

as Cyrus Maldor
Released: 1944-02-05

Superhero Captain America battles the evil forces of the archvillain called The Scarab, who...

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The Devil Is a Woman

as Capt. Don Pasqual 'Pasqualito' Costelar
Released: 1935-05-03

In the carnival in Spain in the beginning of the Twentieth Century, the exiled republican...

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Murders in the Zoo

as Eric Gorman
Released: 1933-03-31

Dr. Gorman is a millionaire adventurer, traveling the world in search of dangerous game. His...

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One More River

as Brough
Released: 1934-08-06

A young lady leaves her brutal husband and meets another man on board a ship.

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Pardon My Sarong

as Varnoff
Released: 1942-08-07

A pair of bus drivers accidentally steal their own bus. With the company issuing a warrant for...

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Crime, Inc.

as Pat Coyle
Released: 1945-04-15

A crime reporter writes book to expose names and methods of the criminal leaders. He is held on...

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Secret of the Blue Room

as Robert von Helldorf
Released: 1933-07-20

According to a legend, the mansion's "blue room" is cursed -- everyone who has ever spent the...

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The Strange Case of Doctor Rx

as Dr. Fish
Released: 1942-03-27

Private eye Jerry Church is hired by a criminal defense lawyer after five mobsters he has gotten...

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Three Comrades

as Breuer
Released: 1938-06-02

A love story centered on the lives of three young German soldiers in the years following World...

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Night Monster

as Dr. King
Released: 1942-10-20

Kurt Ingston, a rich recluse, invites the doctors who left him a hopeless cripple to his...

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The High Command

as Maj. Gen. Sir John Sangye
Released: 1937-08-23

A general must come to terms with a crime he commited years earlier.

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Man-Made Monster

as Dr. Paul Rigas
Released: 1941-03-28

Mad scientist turns a man into an electrically-controlled monster to do his bidding.

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Stamboul Quest

as Herr Von Sturm
Released: 1934-07-13

In 1915, German Counter-Intelligence Chief Von Sturm learns that someone is providing the...

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The Three Musketeers

as De Rochefort
Released: 1939-02-17

A parodic remake of the story of the young Gascon D'Artagnan, who arrives in Paris, his heart...

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The Gorilla

as Walter Stevens
Released: 1939-05-26

When an escaped circus gorilla appears to have gone on a murderous rampage, a threatened...

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The Last Train from Madrid

as Col. Vigo
Released: 1937-06-11

The story of seven people: their lives and love affairs in Madrid during the Civil War.

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The Murder Man

as Captain Cole
Released: 1935-07-12

Steve Grey, reporter for the Daily Star, has a habit of scooping all the other papers in town....

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Cairo

as Teutonic Gentleman
Released: 1942-08-17

Reporter Homer Smith accidently draws Marcia Warren into his mission to stop Nazis from bombing...

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Fog Island

as Alec Ritchfield
Released: 1945-02-15

Leo, a former convict, is living in seclusion on an island with his step-daughter, the daughter...

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Charlie Chan in Panama

as Cliveden Compton
Released: 1940-03-01

Charlie impersonates an employee of the U.S. government to foil an espionage plot which would...

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Johnny Apollo

as Jim McLaughlin
Released: 1940-04-19

Wall Street broker Robert Cain, Sr., is jailed for embezzling. His college graduate son Bob then...

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Mr. Moto Takes a Vacation

as Prof. Roger Chauncey Hildebrand
Released: 1939-07-07

Mr. Moto is in Egypt to thwart a criminal mastermind determined to steal the priceless crown of...

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The Sphinx

as Jerome Breen
Released: 1933-06-01

A man known to be a mute is suspected of committing a murder, as he was noticed at the scene....

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The Secret of Madame Blanche

as Aubrey St. John
Released: 1933-02-03

A murder trial reunites a former chorus girl and her son, a grandson of an English aristocrat.

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The Great Profile

as Dr. Bruce
Released: 1940-08-30

An alcoholic film star attempts a comeback. Director Walter Lang's 1940 comedy stars John...

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The Mad Doctor of Market Street

as Dr. Ralph Benson, posing as Graham
Released: 1942-02-27

A fugitive doctor tries to raise the dead for South Sea Islanders.

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Till We Meet Again

as Ludwig
Released: 1936-04-04

In London, August 1914, Austrian star Elsa Duranyi (Gertrude Michael) and English matinee idol...

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Charlie Chan's Murder Cruise

as Dr. Suderman
Released: 1940-05-02

On a cruise ship from Honolulu to San Francisco, the famous Chinese detective encounters four...

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The Solitaire Man

as Inspector Wallace
Released: 1933-09-22

An almost-retired jewel thief plans to marry Helen, his partner in crime. Their plans are...

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Absolute Quiet

as Gerald A. Axton
Released: 1936-04-24

Escaped convicts Jack and Judy stumble upon an airstrip on the Western ranch of arrogant...

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Rendezvous

as Maj. William Brennan
Released: 1935-10-25

A decoding expert tangles with enemy spies.

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The Age of Innocence

as Julius Beaufort
Released: 1934-09-14

An engaged attorney and a divorcee fall for each other in 1870s Manhattan.

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The Secret of Dr. Kildare

as Paul Messenger
Released: 1939-11-24

Intern Kildare heals a millionaire's daughter and tricks Dr. Gillespie into taking a vacation.

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The Great Waltz

as Count Anton 'Tony' Hohenfried
Released: 1938-11-04

Composer Johann Strauss risks his marriage over his infatuation with a beautiful singer.

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The Silent Witness

as Sir Austin Howard
Released: 1932-02-07

A London nobleman (Lionel Atwill) takes the blame and stands trial after his son strangles a...

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The Son of Frankenstein

as Police Official (archive footage)
Released: 1965-01-01

9 minute home-movie version of the 1939 feature film "Son of Frankenstein" from Castle Films.

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The Man Who Reclaimed His Head

as Henry Dumont
Released: 1934-12-24

A writer discovers he's being used as a pawn by greedy businessmen.

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Genius at Work

as Latimer Marsh / The Cobra
Released: 1946-10-20

Two actors who play detectives on the radio find themselves investigating a real crime...

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Vincent Price's Dracula

as Inspector Neumann - (archive footage)
Released: 1986-09-29

Vincent Price hosts this documentary exploring the historical myths surrounding vampires.

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The Horror Show

as (archive footage)
Released: 1979-02-06

A history of horror movies.

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Beggars in Ermine

as John 'Flint' Dawson aka John Daniels
Released: 1934-02-21

John Dawson loses control of his factory when he is crippled in an accident caused by a rival....

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The Great Garrick

as M. Beaumarchais
Released: 1937-10-30

A British actor insults a French acting group only to fall victim to a prank that might destroy...

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Secrets of Scotland Yard

as Waterlow
Released: 1944-07-26

Secrets of Scotland Yard is Republic's spin on a plotline first elucidated in the old E....

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The Horror of It All

as Dr. Otto von Niemann (archive footage)
Released: 1983-02-23

A collection of film clips from horror movies and interviews with the actors and directors who...

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Lost City of the Jungle

as Sir Eric Hazarias
Released: 1946-04-23

A movie serial in 13 chapters, and Lionel Atwill's final film: Following the end of WWII,...

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The Wrong Road

as Mike Roberts
Released: 1937-10-11

A young married couple whose plans for their life together haven't turned out as expected decide...

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Doom of Dracula

as Arntz, police officer
Released: 1966-01-01

An EIGHT minute excerpt from the 1944 feature, House of Frankenstein, released in the 1960's to...

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The Firebird

as John Pointer
Released: 1934-11-03

Herman Brandt, a handsome but overly conceited actor, lives in the same apartment building in...

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The Road Back

as Prosecutor
Released: 1937-06-01

After the First World War a group of German soldiers try to readjust to civilian life. A sequel...

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Raiders of Ghost City

as Erich von Rugen, alias Alex Morel
Released: 1944-07-25

During the latter stages of the Civil War, a gang of supposed Confederates, headed by Alex Morel...

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The Mad Empress

as General Bazaine
Released: 1939-12-16

The Mad Empress is a 1939 American historical drama film depicting the 3-year reign of...

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Nana

as Colonel André Muffat
Released: 1934-02-01

Young Parisian Nana wards off of a boozed-up military officer at a local restaurant, and fellow...

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Balalaika

as Professor Marakov
Released: 1939-12-15

A Russian prince disguised as a worker and a cafe singer secretly involved in revolutionary...

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Terror in the Pharaoh's Tomb

as Dr. Xavier (archive footage)
Released: 2007-03-10

Our intrepid adventurers Ace Zucco and Mike Flannigan from Terror in the Tropics return for...

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Girl in 313

as Russell aka Henry Woodruff
Released: 1940-05-31

A priceless necklace goes missing at a plush party. Police close in on the jewel thieves but is...

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Junior G-Men of the Air

as The Baron
Released: 1942-06-30

A group of street kids battle a terrorist gang led by a Japanese spy.

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In the Footsteps of Sherlock Holmes

as uncredited
Released: 1996-07-01

Actor Patrick Macnee leads the viewer through London in the footsteps of the genius private...

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Lancer Spy

as Col. Fenwick
Released: 1937-10-08

An Englishman impersonates an imprisoned German officer and "returns" to Germany to become a...

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The Sun Never Sets

as Hugo Zurof
Released: 1939-05-31

The Randolph family have a tradition of working in the British colonial service. Clive comes...

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The Highest Bidder

as Lester
Released: 1921-01-01

Society miss Sally Raeburn is left penniless and is helped out by an older woman. The woman...

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The Marriage Price

as Kenneth Gordon
Released: 1919-03-09

A tough fellow from out West falls for young woman who is being pursued by a smarmy high-society...

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Lady of Secrets

as Mr. Stephen Whittaker
Released: 1936-02-21

Because of a very unhappy affair she had earlier in her life, a woman shuts herself off from the...

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Eve's Daughter

as Courtenay Urquhart
Released: 1918-03-04

Eve's Daughter was the fourth and final screen teaming of Billie Burke and Thomas Meighan. This...

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