Edward Chapman

Burly British stage actor (and ex-bank clerk) Edward Chapman was brought to films by Alfred Hitchcock, who cast Chapman prominently in Juno and the Paycock (1929), Murder (1930) and The Skin Game (1931). Sci-fi aficionados will remember Chapman for his portrayal of two generations of the Passworthy family in Things to Come (1936) and the pompous Major Grigsby in The Man Who Could Work Miracles (1937). Chapman put his career on hold for World War II service with the RAF, then returned to character roles as stern politicians, baleful bank presidents, unfeeling factory owners and the like; he was also a useful starched-shirt aristocrat, vide his performance as the vengeful Queensbury in Oscar Wilde (1960). Edward Chapman's final screen appearance was in 1970's The Man Who Haunted Himself. - Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide