Tod Slaughter
Acting
Biography
Tod Slaughter took to the stage in 1905 and made a name for himself as the star villain of numerous Victorian melodramas which he toured around England. Many of these were filmed cheaply in the 30s and 40s by quota-quickie tzar George King. His ham performances are perfectly suited to the material and the best of his films give the impression that if the Victorians could have made features they would have looked like this
Born: March 19, 1885
Place of Birth: Newcastle Upon Tyne, England, UK
Known For
Crimes at the Dark House
In this lurid melodrama, Tod Slaughter plays a villain who murders the wealthy Sir Percival Glyde in the gold fields of Australia and assumes his identity in order to inherit Glyde's estate in England. On arriving in England, "Sir Percival" schemes to marry an heiress for her money, and, with the connivance of the cunning Dr. Isidor Fosco, embarks on a killing spree of all who suspect him to be an imposter and would get in the way of his plans to stay Lord of the Manor.
Murder at the Grange
A former police detective turned private investigator is approached by two elderly sisters, who say that someone is terrorising them, but it turns out that the man they believe is responsible is long since dead.
It's Never Too Late to Mend
An evil prison administrator cruelly abuses the inmates at his prison, until one day the tables are turned.
Sexton Blake and the Hooded Terror
Sexton Blake and Tinker foil criminal plot connected with the Tongs, and master-minded by "famous stamp collector" and millionaire.
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
It is England in the 1830s. London's dockside is teeming with ships and sailors who have made their fortune in foreign lands. Sweeney Todd, a Fleet Street barber, awaits the arrival of men whose first port of call is for a good, close shave. For most it will be the last time they are seen alive. Using a specially designed barber's chair, Sweeney Todd despatches his victims to the cellar below, where he robs them of their new found fortunes and chops their remains into small pieces. Meanwhile, Mrs Lovett is enjoying a roaring trade for her popular penny meat pies.
The Face at the Window
In 1880, the criminal called The Wolf is responsible for a murderous rampage in France. When the Brisson Bank is robbed in Paris and the employee Michelle is murdered, the wealthy Chevalier Lucio del Gardo is the only chance to save the bank. Chevalier proposes to the owner M. de Brisson to deposit a large amount of gold, but in return he would like to marry his daughter Cecile. However, Cecile is in love with the efficient clerk Lucien Cortier that belongs to the lower classes and refuses the engagement. In order to get rid off the rival, Chevalier uses evidences to incriminate Lucien, manipulating the incompetent Parisian chief of police.
The Ticket of Leave Man
A man is accused of a series of murders that were actually committed by a crazed killer called "The Tiger." He must prove his innocence and catch the murderer.
Maria Marten, or The Murder in the Red Barn
In 1820s rural England, a young girl is tricked by tales of marriage from a villainous Squire. When she becomes pregnant and disappears, a gipsy lad is blamed.
The Crimes of Stephen Hawke
The film begins in a BBC studio with the 100th edition of "In Town Tonight". Flotsam and Jetsom open with a "topical number". Then there is an interview with a distinguished actor, which dissolves into a performance of one of his famous melodramas about a wicked moneylender etc.
The Curse of the Wraydons
Tod Slaughter goes about the countryside strangling everybody. His evil scheme is to destroy the family who wronged him. He has a secret lab complete with a torture chamber, featured in the films climax. Probably the most maniacal portrayal Tod ever gave.
Filmography
as Sweeney Todd
as Caretaker
as William Hart
as Philip Wraydon
as The Chief
as Sweeney Todd
as The False Sir Percival Glyde
as Chevalier Lucio del Gardo
as Michael Larron
as Tod Slaughter
as The Tiger
as Squire John Meadows
as Mr. Templeton
as Tod Slaughter
as Stephen Hawke
as Sweeney Todd
as Squire William Corder