Cat. #001342122: MAURICE EVANS

Scarce vintage 8x10-inch black and white publicity portrait with a studio snipe on the verso, announcing his performance in The War Lord (1965), boldly signed and inscribed in blue ballpoint pen in the 1970s. In fine condition, with mild handling bends and the ink just a hint light against the dark background of the image. Acclaimed British stage actor Maurice Evans, remembered for his lyrical speaking voice and grand, robust performances of Shakespeare and Shaw, entered films in 1930, where his talents were badly squandered by Hollywood. In the 1960s, he found regular work in horror, science-fiction and fantasy films and television programs, so memorably playing the Puzzler on "Batman" (1966), the deliciously morbid Hutch in Rosemary's Baby (1968), Dr. Zaius in Planet of the Apes (1968) and Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970), and Samantha's warlock father on "Bewitched" (1969-1971). Other work in those genres included Scrooge (1935), The Body Stealers (1969) and Terror in the Wax Museum (1973).