Claude Rains

[nmartin]

Posted: 2/9/08 at 10:06am

Does anyone else just adore this great character actor. I just saw a segment on TCM about him. John Gielgud was speaking about him in the most glowing terms. I was such a strange child and loved movies from the 30's and 40's. I first discovered him during my love affair with Universal horror movies, The Invisible Man and The Wolf Man. Casablanca, Mr. Skeffington, Notorious etc followed. He was great!

[Glebb]

Posted: 2/9/08 at 10:17am

I likes him.

[nmartin]

Posted: 2/9/08 at 10:25am

I knew I could count on Glebb to chime in with some love for this grand old actor.

[Glebb]

Posted: 2/9/08 at 10:32am

[nmartin]

Posted: 2/9/08 at 10:37am

Glebb, what is that from? I'm ashamed to say I don't know.

[Glebb]

Posted: 2/9/08 at 10:39am

[nmartin]

Posted: 2/9/08 at 10:45am

Thanks, Glebb. I should have known. I just remembered he was also in Lawrence of Arabia.

[Mamie]

Posted: 2/9/08 at 11:26am

His Phantom of the Opera preferred the violin to the organ:



A beautiful friendship

---

www.thebreastcancersite.com
A click for life.
mamie4 5/14/03

[nmartin]

Posted: 2/9/08 at 11:49am

Love that picture from Casablanca. He was so wonderful in that. "Round up the usual suspects."

[best12bars]

Posted: 2/9/08 at 11:51am

I love Claude Rains!

Favorites: Mr. Skeffington (and he was Oscar-nominated for it!) and The Invisible Man.

[JohnBoy2]

Posted: 2/9/08 at 2:50pm

He's my favorite Phantom. A superb actor.

[South Fl Marc]

Posted: 2/9/08 at 2:52pm

He was one of the best character actors of the time - simply amazing in every role.

On top of the roles already mentioned - he was excellent in Now, Voyager and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 2/9/08 at 3:09pm

Oooooh... The INVISIBLE MAN!

[fabala4077]

Posted: 2/10/08 at 11:37am

I think the world needs more actors like him. He's always been my favorite in Casablanca! I also loved him in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and Lawrence of Arabia of course. I must go rent his Phantom... that looks good.

[nmartin]

Posted: 2/10/08 at 11:40am

I started this thread and want to reiterate I love this man!

[broadway86]

Posted: 2/10/08 at 11:49am

He was always incredible, but my favorite performance of his was "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington".

[Mamie]

Posted: 2/10/08 at 12:20pm

fabala - The Raines version of the Phantom was changed a lot from the original story. In this one he plays a shy violinist in the orchestra of the Paris opera who is in love with the young singer, Christine. He has been using his earnings to secretly pay for music lessons for Christine. To get more money, he's composed a concerto that he's trying to sell. He hears his music being played in a publishers office and he assumes he's been robbed. He attacks the publsher and a secretary throws a tray of etching acid in his face. (Thus the mask). The rest of the story loosely follows the original.

[Roscoe]

Posted: 2/10/08 at 3:53pm

One of the best actors in movies. Love me some Claude Rains. He could really do just about anything.

[sondheimboy2]

Posted: 2/12/08 at 1:40am

I've always felt that there should be a statue of him somewhere either here or in England, he was that good.

[fflagg]

Posted: 2/12/08 at 12:57pm

From "Now, Voyager". . .

"What are you thinking of, Dr. Owl?"

Had fine chemistry with Bogart and Davis. She thought he was great.

I wonder if he did Shakespeare?

[Roscoe]

Posted: 2/12/08 at 12:59pm

He did Shaw. TCM is running CAESAR AND CLEOPATRA tonight, well worth a look.

[lildogs]

Posted: 2/12/08 at 1:02pm

He shoulda won Oscars for NOTORIOUS and CASABLANCA...he's also very good in ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD.

He always seemed to play his roles with such intelligence and a sly sense of humor.

[justme2]

Posted: 2/12/08 at 9:47pm

If you can find it (it is on DVD), see Claude in a little movie called "Angel on my Shoulder". He plays the devil and no one could have delivered the following line any better:

"What in the name of my domain in going on here!!!??"

He owns the movie.

[Mamie]

Posted: 2/12/08 at 10:02pm

I remember that movie! It was really terrific. I haven't seen it in years though.

Updated On: 2/13/08 at 10:02 PM

[Mamie]

Posted: 2/13/08 at 7:10am

I found this lovely little surprise while looking for clips. Raines looked like he was having a blast while making it. (Bette Davis repeated often how much she loved Claude Raines. She described him as being 'absolutely beautiful')

http://youtube.com/watch?v=4ZEbKRdLUec