Henry Hull

Henry Hull was a film, television, and stage actor best known for his portrayal of Dr. Glendon's post-full moon incarnation, "Werewolf of London," in 1935. Virtually born into the business-his father was a Louisville drama critic-Hull began his career and had his greatest success on Broadway; notably, he was credited for originating the character of Jeeter Lester from the hillbilly cultural milestone, "Tobacco Road." Alas, when it came time to cast the '41 film, director John Ford went with Charley Grapewin, with whom Ford had previously collaborated. The '30s and '40s were Hull's most productive decades, from his lead role, along with Jane Wyatt, in the adaptation of Dickens' "Great Expectations" in 1934, to his portrayal of Henry Cameron, one of Howard Roark's (Gary Cooper) employers in the Ayn Rand-written and screen-adapted pitch for individualism, "The Fountainhead." Hull's desirable voice kept him busy in Hollywood despite his overly theater-based mannerisms, making him an ideal choice as the wealthy Rittenhouse in the '44 Hitchcock thriller, "Lifeboat," and as Dan Cody in 1949's film version of "The Great Gatsby." On television, Hull was predictably found in various theater productions in the late '40s and early '50s but also on such westerns as "Bonanza" and "Wagon Train" in the early '60s, albeit in supporting parts. Hull's wide career span enabled him to work with Spencer Tracy ("Boys Town") in '38, and with his final role in the epic 1966 drama "The Chase," he acted alongside Marlon Brando, Jane Fonda, and Robert Redford.