Charles Arnt, born in 1906 in Michigan City, Indiana, carved out a notable career as a character actor in American cinema. He is best remembered for his role in The Boy with Green Hair (1948), where he contributes to the film's exploration of identity and societal norms. Arnt's extensive background in theater, including his time at Princeton University and on Broadway, laid the groundwork for his over 200 film appearances. After retiring from acting in 1962, he shifted focus to ranching in Washington, but his performances continue to resonate within the realm of cult cinema.
The Boy with Green Hair
Peter Frye, typical American boy, is orphaned when his parents are caught in the London Blitz. He is not told of their fate, but shuttled from one selfish relative to the next, ending with "Gramp," a kindly ex-vaudevillean. Peter and Gramp, both fond of "Irish bulls," get along fine; but the morning after Peter finally learns he's an orphan, his hair spontaneously turns green! The absurd over-reactions of stupid people overturn his life as the story becomes a parable.
