Elsa Lanchester: Movies, Awards & Box Office
- films
- 55
- on screen
- 1928–2014
- box office
- $440K
- award win
- 1
- Born
- October 28, 1902
- Birthplace
- Lewisham, London, England
- Full name
- Elsa Sullivan Lanchester
- Citizenship
- British, American
- Occupations
- Actress
- Years active
- 1925-1983
- Spouses
- Charles Laughton
The Best Elsa Lanchester Movies
The films of Elsa Lanchester that made the most at the worldwide box office, biggest first: Les Miserables (1952) leads with $281K. The full ranking adds the most awarded films and the newest releases.
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Worldwide box office: $281K Les Miserables 1952 · Adventure -
Worldwide box office: $99.2K Lassie Come Home 1943 · Adventure -
Worldwide box office: $38.2K Murder by Death 1976 · Mystery -
Worldwide box office: $11.5K The Bride of Frankenstein 1935 · Drama -
Worldwide box office: $7.9K Witness for the Prosecution 1958 · Drama -
Worldwide box office: $2.49K Bell, Book and Candle 1958 · Romance
Elsa Lanchester's Career in Numbers
Elsa Lanchester's films in numbers — as an actor, not counting appearances as themselves: when they were made, the genres Elsa Lanchester works in most and the milestones along the way. The filmography runs from Blue Bottles (1928) to Monster Madness: The Golden Age of the Horror Film (2014), and the 1940s were the busiest decade.
Elsa Lanchester Movies by Decade
- 1920s 2
- 1930s 5
- 1940s 14
- 1950s 12
- 1960s 8
- 1970s 4
- 1980s 1
- 1990s 3
- 2010s 1
The 1940s were Elsa Lanchester's busiest decade, with 14 films.
Elsa Lanchester Movies by Genre
- Comedy 10
- Drama 8
- Romance 5
- Music 3
- Mystery 3
- Family 3
- Thriller 3
- Adventure 3
- Documentary 2
- Horror 2
Comedy is the genre Elsa Lanchester has worked in most, with 10 films, ahead of drama (8).
Elsa Lanchester Career Milestones
- First film
- Blue Bottles 1928
- Biggest box office hit
- Les Miserables $281K worldwide
- Newest film
- Monster Madness: The Golden Age of the Horror Film 2014
Elsa Lanchester Filmography: Every Movie
Every film Elsa Lanchester is credited on, newest first, with the role, the box office and the Movie Echo Score. Re-order the list to see the best-rated films or the biggest hits first.
Elsa Lanchester Movies as an Actor
50- 2014
Monster Madness: The Golden Age of the Horror Film as Mary Shelley / The Monster's Mate (archive footage) · Documentary - 1998
Universal Horror as (archive footage) · Tv movie - 1992
Commercial Entertainment Product as The Monster's Bride · Music - 1991
Frankenstein: A Cinematic Scrapbook as Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley / The Monster's Mate · Documentary - 1980
Die Laughing as Sophie · Music - 1976
Murder by Death Mystery Worldwide box office: $38.2K - 1973
Arnold as Hester · Mystery - 1973
Terror in the Wax Museum as Julia Hawthorn · Horror - 1971
Willard Sci-Fi - 1969
My Dog, the Thief as Mrs. Formby · Family - 1969
Me, Natalie as Miss Dennison · Comedy - 1969
Rascal as Mrs. Satterfield · Family - 1968
Blackbeard's Ghost Fantasy - 1967
Easy Come, Easy Go as Madame Neherina · Comedy - 1965
That Darn Cat! Thriller - 1964
Pajama Party as Aunt Wendy · Sci-Fi - 1964
Honeymoon Hotel as Chambermaid · Comedy - 1958
Bell, Book and Candle as Aunt Queenie Holroyd · Romance Worldwide box office: $2.49K - 1958
Witness for the Prosecution Drama Worldwide box office: $7.9K - 1955
The Glass Slipper as Widow Sonder · Romance - 1954
3 Ring Circus as The Bearded Lady · Comedy - 1954
Hell’s Half Acre as Lida O'Reilly · Mystery - 1953
The Girls of Pleasure Island as Thelma · Comedy - 1952
Les Miserables as Madame Magloire · Adventure Worldwide box office: $281K - 1952
Dreamboat as Mathilda Coffey · Comedy - 1950
Frenchie as Countess · Western - 1950
The Petty Girl as Dr. Crutcher · Comedy - 1950
Mystery Street as Mrs. Smerrling · Thriller - 1950
Buccaneer’s Girl as Madame Brizar · Comedy - 1949
The Inspector General as Maria · Romance - 1949
Come to the Stable as Amelia Potts · Comedy - 1949
The Secret Garden as Martha · Family - 1948
The Big Clock as Louise Patterson · Crime - 1948
The Bishop's Wife Drama Worldwide box office: $44 - 1947
Northwest Outpost as Princess 'Tanya' Tatiana · Action - 1946
The Razor’s Edge as Miss Keith · Drama - 1946
The Spiral Staircase as Mrs. Oates · Horror - 1944
Passport to Destiny as Ella Muggins · Comedy - 1943
Lassie Come Home Adventure Worldwide box office: $99.2K - 1943
Forever and a Day as Mamie · Drama - 1942
Tales of Manhattan as Elsa (Mrs Charles) Smith · Drama - 1942
Son of Fury: The Story of Benjamin Blake as Bristol Isabel · Adventure - 1941
Ladies in Retirement as Emily Creed · Thriller - 1938
Vessel of Wrath as Martha Jones · Romance - 1936
Rembrandt as Hendrickje Stoffels · Drama - 1935
The Bride of Frankenstein Drama Worldwide box office: $11.5K - 1935
Naughty Marietta as Madame d'Annard · Music - 1933
The Private Life of Henry VIII as Anne of Cleves · Drama - 1928
Blue Bottles as Elsa - 1928
The Constant Nymph as Lady · Romance
Elsa Lanchester in Documentaries & Specials
5- 2009
Cinema’s Exiles: From Hitler to Hollywood as Self (archive footage) · Tv movie - 2007
Famous Monster: Forrest J Ackerman as Self (archive footage) · Documentary - 2000
The American Nightmare as Self · Documentary - 1983
Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage as Self (archive footage) (uncredited) · Comedy - 1940
Cavalcade of the Academy Awards as Self · Documentary
Elsa Lanchester: Awards & Nominations
1 win from 2 nominations across 2 award bodies, from 1958 to 1958. Every ceremony is listed newest first, with the category and the film.
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Golden Globes 1 win from 1 nomination -
Oscars 1 nomination
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The 30th Academy Awards- Elsa Lanchester: Nominated Best Supporting Actress Witness for the Prosecution
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15th Golden Globe Awards- Elsa Lanchester: Win Best Supporting Actress Witness for the Prosecution
Who Is Elsa Lanchester?
Elsa Lanchester was born in Lewisham, London, England in 1902. Credited on films since 1928, as an actor. The background, training and the roles that shaped the career.
Elsa Sullivan Lanchester, born on 28 October 1902, was a notable British actress known for her extensive work in theatre, film, and television. Lanchester's journey into the arts began with studying dance as a child. Post World War I, she started performing in theatre and cabaret, establishing her career over the subsequent decade. In 1927, she met renowned actor Charles Laughton, whom she married in 1929. She began with small roles in British films, including the portrayal of Anne of Cleves alongside Laughton in 'The Private Life of Henry VIII' (1933).
Her breakout came with the iconic role in 'Bride of Frankenstein' (1935). Lanchaster's career featured lead roles like 'Passport to Destiny' (1944) and numerous supporting roles throughout the 1940s and 1950s. She earned Academy Award nominations for 'Come to the Stable' (1949) and 'Witness for the Prosecution' (1957). After Laughton's demise in 1962, Lanchester continued her career in films like 'Mary Poppins' (1964), 'That Darn Cat!' (1965), and 'Blackbeard's Ghost' (1968). One of her final roles was in 'Murder by Death' (1976). She passed away on 26 December 1986 in Los Angeles, California.
Who Elsa Lanchester Makes Movies With
The actors and directors Elsa Lanchester shares the most films with. Boris Karloff comes first, with 6 films together, followed by Lon Chaney Jr. (5).
Elsa Lanchester: Questions & Answers
How many movies Elsa Lanchester has made, the biggest hit, the best-rated film, the award record and more, answered from the filmography above.
How many movies has Elsa Lanchester been in?
Elsa Lanchester is credited on 55 films, from 1928 to 2014. The filmography on this page lists every one of them, newest first, with the role and the Movie Echo Score.
What is Elsa Lanchester's highest-grossing movie?
Les Miserables (1952) is Elsa Lanchester's biggest box office hit, with $281K worldwide, ahead of Lassie Come Home (1943) ($99.2K). Across every film with box office figures, Elsa Lanchester's movies have made $440K.
Elsa Lanchester's biggest hits Has Elsa Lanchester won an Oscar?
Elsa Lanchester has been nominated for an Oscar but has not won one yet. Across every ceremony in the awards database, Elsa Lanchester has 1 win from 2 nominations.
What is Elsa Lanchester's newest movie?
The most recent film on Elsa Lanchester's filmography is Monster Madness: The Golden Age of the Horror Film (2014), in the role of Mary Shelley / The Monster's Mate (archive footage).
Who does Elsa Lanchester work with most often?
Elsa Lanchester shares the most films with Boris Karloff (6 films), Lon Chaney Jr. (5 films) and Roddy McDowall (4 films).
The Best Elsa Lanchester Movies, Ranked
Top rated, most awarded and biggest box office hits from 55 credits.
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