Role: Roulston (uncredited)
Film Presence: Small
Role Type: Recently blinded soldier. Extremely powerful performance.
Film Information and Summary: IMDb, TCM, Wikipedia
Release Date: September 5, 1935
Douglas Walton's role as Roulston
The scene opens up in a room full of soldiers who recently lost their sight during World War 1 and a pastor preached to the silent audience that being blind isn't necessarily the end of the world. In the rows behind Alan Trent (played by Fredric March), a disgruntled Roulston disrupted the sermon hysterically. Frustrated of what he went through, he rolled out his deepest sentiments and shouted about the things he will never see again. He especially broke down when he mentioned about his girlfriend. Alan shut him down immediately afterwards, yelling at him to "shut up." Roulston, now quiet but still vexed, realized that he went too far. He slowly sat down on the bench.
The next scene, everyone was ready to go to sleep. Alan was contemplating on his bed and Roulston, having a bed right next to his, calmly thanked him for stopping his outburst earlier. Roulston then softly said, "Goodnight," and went to sleep.
For a little uncredited role, this is a very powerful act made by Douglas Walton. The anger and anguish is sharply visible on his face and strongly audible through his voice. This is perhaps some of Walton's best performances that should not be missed. It's definitely worth the watch. According to a Times-Union newspaper article on October 3, 1935, film producer Sam Goldwyn received letters from all over the country regarding about the "unnamed actor" in this particular scene as they were impressed by his act. Because of this, Goldwyn signed Walton a long-term movie contract to his company (which definitely happened). He would've worked with Miriam Hopkins on the next Goldwyn picture "Navy Born"...which end up not happening.
Anyway, watch the clip below!
This is the second time Fredric March and Douglas Walton worked together in a film. The first was Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931). They also exchanged lines in "Mary of Scotland" (1936).
Release Date: September 5, 1935
Douglas Walton's role as Roulston
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| Douglas Walton as Roulston in “The Dark Angel” (1935) |
The scene opens up in a room full of soldiers who recently lost their sight during World War 1 and a pastor preached to the silent audience that being blind isn't necessarily the end of the world. In the rows behind Alan Trent (played by Fredric March), a disgruntled Roulston disrupted the sermon hysterically. Frustrated of what he went through, he rolled out his deepest sentiments and shouted about the things he will never see again. He especially broke down when he mentioned about his girlfriend. Alan shut him down immediately afterwards, yelling at him to "shut up." Roulston, now quiet but still vexed, realized that he went too far. He slowly sat down on the bench.
The next scene, everyone was ready to go to sleep. Alan was contemplating on his bed and Roulston, having a bed right next to his, calmly thanked him for stopping his outburst earlier. Roulston then softly said, "Goodnight," and went to sleep.
For a little uncredited role, this is a very powerful act made by Douglas Walton. The anger and anguish is sharply visible on his face and strongly audible through his voice. This is perhaps some of Walton's best performances that should not be missed. It's definitely worth the watch. According to a Times-Union newspaper article on October 3, 1935, film producer Sam Goldwyn received letters from all over the country regarding about the "unnamed actor" in this particular scene as they were impressed by his act. Because of this, Goldwyn signed Walton a long-term movie contract to his company (which definitely happened). He would've worked with Miriam Hopkins on the next Goldwyn picture "Navy Born"...which end up not happening.
Anyway, watch the clip below!
This is the second time Fredric March and Douglas Walton worked together in a film. The first was Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931). They also exchanged lines in "Mary of Scotland" (1936).
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