Mister Cotton

Mister Cotton is a minor character featured in the Universal Monsters film series. He appeared in the 1940 movie The Invisible Man Returns where he was played by actor Ivan F. Simpson.

Biography
Mister Cotton, first name unknown, was a butler in the employ of the Radcliffe family in England. Presumably, he had been in the family's employ for many years. By 1940, he appeared to be a man in his mid-sixties. When his employer, Geoffrey Radcliffe, had been convicted of murdering his brother Michael, Mister Cotton was incredibly upset. He never believed that Geoffrey was guilty of the crime and stood by his conviction up until the eve of Radcliffe's execution date. Airing his woes to the rest of the servants at Radcliffe Manor, Mister Cotton received jeers from the family chauffeur. Cotton declared that he would rather be on the gallows pole himself than see Mister Radcliffe hang. He said that the Radcliffes were not murderers. The chauffeur told him that while he might be a good butler, it was certain the was not a psychiatrist. Cotton replied, "Its no good talking to a man with an apology for a brain".

Notes & Trivia



 * Mister Cotton is the first named character to appear on-screen. He is also the first character in the film with speaking lines.


 * Mister Cotton may also refer to Frank Cotton, who was a character from the 1987 horror film Hellraiser. In the film, the Asian dealer who sells him the puzzle box refers to him as Mister Cotton.


 * In the horror genre, actor Ivan F. Simpson is also known for playing Mister White in the 1933 film The Monkey's Paw, Anne's guard in 1939's Tower of London (which also starred Vincent Price), and Jan in 1935's Mark of the Vampire.


 * This is not the only "Invisible" film that Ivan F. Simpson has appeared in. In 1938, he played Michael in Invisible Enemy.