Robert Donat

Donat gained instant, international fame for his role in Alexander Korda's "The Private Life of Henry VIII" (1933), moving Charles Laughton to dub him "the most graceful actor of our time." He made only one US film, "The Count of Monte Cristo" (1934); thereafter he shunned Hollywood, restricting his film roles to prestigious British productions which took advantage of his beautiful, highly expressive voice.

Donat gave superb performances in …