Frank Lawton In Titanic and "The Invisible Ray" Movies

This evening, I was beginning to watch A Night To Remember (1958) the story of the Titanic sinking in 1912. 

As the opening credits rolled, I noticed for the first time the name of Frank Lawton. He played the chairman and managing director of the White Star Line, J. Bruce Ismay, called by some newspapers the "Coward of the Titanic" or "J. Brute Ismay" for getting on board a lifeboat when women and children had first priority.

Above. Frank Lawton as J. Bruce Ismay.

The reason Frank Lawton's name caught my attention was that he played Ronald Drake, who fell in love with and married Diana Rukh (Frances Drake), thought to have been widowed by the supposed death of Janos Rukh (Boris Karloff) in The Invisible Ray (1936).

Above, Frank Lawton as Ronald Drake.

Until, now, I had no idea that it was the same actor in both movies until I spotted his name in the opening credits and looked up the character he played. 

Lawton died in London in 1969.

110 Years Ago: R.M.S. Titanic Departs Southampton

110 years ago today, the R.M.S. Titanic left Southampton in southern England for its ill-fated maiden voyage to New York.

Two nights later, in the calm waters of the north Atlantic Ocean, the Titanic collided with an iceburg and sank two hours later, killing over 1,500 passengers and crew. 

Above, the R.M.S. Titanic departing Southampton, England on April 10, 1912.

5 Titanic Myths Spread By Hollywood

An interesting article on 5 myths perpetuated by the movies on the sinking of the Titanic 100 years ago has been posted on the BBC's website.

The article starts with:

It is the tragic story that everybody knows the end to - the doomed Titanic sinks. Its final hours have become the stuff of myth - but how much have the various film versions of the story helped to create and reinforce these legends? 

One hundred years ago RMS Titanic raced into an iceberg at almost full speed. Two-and-a-half hours later, it sank to the bottom of the Atlantic with the loss of over 1,500 men, women and children. 

It has inspired a host of films, documentaries and conspiracy theories. 

The re-release of James Cameron's 1997 blockbuster in 3D is a reminder that many people's knowledge of the events of 14 April 1912 comes not from historical fact, but the silver screen.

 To read the full article, go here.