Comments on: Everybody talks about Rondo but nobody does anything about him

By: Alan K. Rode

Alan K. Rode — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 19:50:53 +0000

“…what I wouldn’t do for a picture of Rondo Hatton mowing his lawn. With one of those old fashioned push mowers, too.”

You and me both. My Grandmother sat next to Karloff at a dinner party once. She remembered distinctly that he was deeply tanned, and discussed his passion for gardening at length.She specifically recalled being startled by his extreme bowleggedness. Like many others, GM thought of Boris Karloff in terms of the towering screen image of FRANKENSTEIN, not the cultured British gentleman that she was delighted to mee.

Wish I had THAT picture.

By: Richard Harland Smith

Richard Harland Smith — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 07:16:18 +0000

I have a small collection of Hollywood horror stars gardening – Boris Karloff picking an orange, Peter Lorre watering something – all of them publicity fodder but what I wouldn’t do for a picture of Rondo Hatton mowing his lawn. With one of those old fashioned push mowers, too.

By: Alan K. Rode

Alan K. Rode — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 05:32:39 +0000

When my Mother used to live on Cloverdale off of Wilshire, she remembered walking down a nearby street and seeing Rondo Hattan mowing his lawn- this was in the late 30’s- early 1940’s- he lived nearby. Poor guy. He was paid next to nothing for his film appearances in THE PEARL OF DEATH and THE BRUTE MAN on top of all of the endured tragedy.

By: Cardcraft Science Fiction Rubber Stamps

Cardcraft Science Fiction Rubber Stamps — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 07:59:35 +0000

[...] TCM’s Classic [...]

By: Suzi Doll

Suzi Doll — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 17:36:19 +0000

I did a sidebar on Rondo Hattan in my book FLORIDA ON FILM. He got his start in a small part in a wonderful early sound film shot on location (very rare) called HELL HARBOR, which I will write a post about in the future.

Digging into the background of Hattan’s life was very sad. He had been a handsome hometown athlete-hero before serving his country in WWI. He bitterly blamed the gas he inhaled during combat for his disfigurment, though there is no proof that there was a connection. And, when his disease began to manifest itself, it was very difficult for him. Ironically, the horror-film community embraces Hattan for his “monstrous” physical appearance, but in real life, it caused him great physical and psychological pain. Let’s not forget that Hattan was not a horror actor who could take his makeup off at the end of the day.

By: Al Lowe

Al Lowe — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 16:33:33 +0000

I was watching the VHS tape In Old Chicago last night.
The stars are Tyrone Power and Alice Faye.
The villain is the wonderful Brian Donlevy, for whom worse days lie ahead (See SuziDoll’s post on The Fat Spy).
His sidekick in the 1938 period Fox film is Rondo Hatton.
He plays a character named Rondo.

Good luck!

By: medusamorlock

medusamorlock — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 12:10:49 +0000

Thanks for the heads up on the Rondos and our chance to vote! This is my kind of stuff and I’m so happy you always keep us up on the monsters, RHS!

By: Joe aka Mongo

Joe aka Mongo — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 03:49:38 +0000

Good blog regarding genuine gent and favorite Rondo Hatton.
For your information I was happy to feature a profile with images of Rondo Hatton on my thread “In the Spotlight” last year at both TCM and SSO. There was an encouraging response to the article as we remembered actor Rondo Hatton.

I’ll be voting.