Hollywood actors of yesterday Tracy, Gable, Hepburn, Davis etc are still heralded to this day.
They were considered stars of the Thirties and Forties.
I have tried to concentrate on the supporting actors of the era who hardly ever got a mention, telling little known facts about them to add to the interest.
Ian Wolfe appeared in such classics as the Barretts of Wimpole Street (1933) and Clive of India (1935).
Slightly thin with a gaunt appearance, he was born to play real meanies, which he did with great distinction. He achieved great success on the Broadway stage before going to Hollywood to play, in the main, roles that were completely devoid of humour.
He was still acting 50 years on and actually played a major role in his 93rd year. He often played cameos right up to his death.
Hard, mean, with in-built rigid opinions, these were the roles he played. Another supporting actor I can't really remember smiling much, he was once sarcastically called "Laughing Boy" by Harry Cohn of Columbia Studios.
Ian Wolfe died in 1992 aged 96.
- Gordon Dean, Lancing
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