Ronald Howard

Son of British actor Leslie Howard, Ronald Howard chose to become a newspaper reporter upon graduation from England's Jesus College. But acting seemed a more glamorous and less demanding profession, so Ronald followed his father's career course: Regional theatre, London stage, films. He was pleasant but unremarkable in his first film, When the Sun Shines (1946); this assessment could well describe the rest of Howard's career. Boyishly handsome even in middle age and blessed with a mellow voice, Howard nevertheless seemed a bit too sedate to become a full-fledged star. While he made numerous film appearances, the latter-day reputation of Ronald Howard rests on his 39-week stint in 1954 as The Great Detective in the Franco-English TV series Sherlock Holmes. Basil Rathbone he wasn't, but Howard strove to please - and succeeded.

~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide