But get him into a conversation about acting, and he opened up with delightful anecdotes and fascinating stories about his long life as a thespian. When the householder opened the door, the Phantom threw open his cloak and the children, dressed as gremlins, jumped out, squealing "Trick or treat!". He had piercing dark eyes and a beautifully throaty voice, although he had, like Marlene Dietrich, some trouble with the letter 'R'. The handicap of a bad Read full review, Check out the new look and enjoy easier access to your favorite features, Reviews aren't verified, but Google checks for and removes fake content when it's identified. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. He was extremely attractive and needless to say, all the girls in my class were hopelessly in love with him. There were a couple of stories here that were fairly interesting, like how the early special effects were made and how Claude Rains was found. acting actor American appeared ART DIRECTOR Arthur asked ASSISTANT Basil Rathbone Bette Davis called career CAST character Charles Claude Rains contract COSTUMES daughter David Davis DIRECTOR. We talked about being the daughter of an actor/farmer. 2000 Ranked 2000's Ranked Documentaries Ranked William Claude Rains (10 November 1889 - 30 May 1967) was an English-born American stage and film actor whose career spanned 46 years. He stood at a mere 56, yet his enormous talent and immense stage presence made him a giant among his colleagues. Eventually I would learn of his other pictures and that he had come . British Actor Claude Rains was born William Claude Rains on 10th November, 1889 in Camberwell, London, England, UK and passed away on 30th May 1967 Laconia, New Hampshire, USA aged 77. He was known for many roles in Hollywood films, among them the title role in The Invisible Man (1933), a corrupt senator in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939), Mr. Dryden in Lawrence of Arabia (1962), and, perhaps his most notable performance, as Captain Renault in . [19] Rains followed it with Alfred Hitchcock's Notorious (1946) as a refugee Nazi agent opposite Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman. His public displays of dry wit and good humor masked inner demons that drove Rains to alcoholism and its devastating consequences. Frequently Asked Questions, Ethnographic Art: American Indian, Pre-Columbian & Tribal, Modern & Contemporary, Prints & Multiples, and Urban Art, Jewelry, Timepieces and Luxury Accessories, All Jewelry, Timepieces & Luxury Accessories. William Claude Rains (10 November 1889 - 30 May 1967) was an English stage and film actor whose career spanned 46 years. The fall colors were in full flourish. He knew everybody's part. He is from UK. Rains decided to come to America in 1913 and the New York theater, but with the outbreak of World War I the next year, he returned to serve with a Scottish regiment in Europe. And he had much to overcome -- poverty, cockney birth, indifferent parents, a dreadful accent. He was kept very busy through the remainder of the 1930s with a mix of benign and devious historical, literary, and contemporary characters always adapting a different nuance -- from murmur to growl -- of that voice to become the person. Jessica Rains Actress Age, Biography and Wiki Jessica Rains (Jennifer Rains) was born on 24 January, 1938 in Los Angeles, CA, is an Actress. Jessica Rains was born on January 24, 1938 in Los Angeles, California, USA as Jennifer Rains. During his early years, Rains taught at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA). In 1960, he married Rosemary Clark Schrode, to whom he was married until her death on 31 December 1964. So, how much is Claude Rains worth at the age of 78 years old? Rains was married six times and had one child (his daughter Jennifer, who worked as an actress under the name Jessica Rains in the '70s and '80s). About. Typing our address directly into a map search may misdirect you. Jessica Rains was born on January 24, 1938 in Los Angeles, California, USA as Jennifer Rains. [23] He acquired the 380-acre (1.5 km 2) Stock Grange Farm, built in 1747 in West Bradford Township, Pennsylvania (just outside Coatesville ), in 1941. The book covers his early family life, his Read full review, One of the great character stars of 1930s-40s American cinema and a distinguished stage actor for years prior, Claude Rains had much to overcome before he reached that pinnacle. He took the role by the ears, churning up a rasping malice and volume in his voice to achieve a bone chilling persona of the disembodied mad doctor. As Skal shows, numerous contradictions informed the life and career of Claude Rains. [6], She starred as the lead character Jenny Lee in the first three series of the BBC One drama Call the Midwife. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. We have estimated We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 10 November. In Hollywood he was a supporting actor who achieved A-list stardom. Claude Rains may have played the Invisible Man but he was anything but invisible in Hollywood. These roles include Dr. Gogol in Mad Love (1935), Dr. Pretorius in The Bride of Frankenstein (1935), Frollo or Qasimodo in The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939), Wolf von Frankenstein in Son of Frankenstein (1939), Professor Higgins in Pygmalion (1938), Mr. Doolittle in My Fair Lady (1964), Klaatu in Day the Earth Stood Still, The (1951), Duke de Lorca in Adventures of Don Juan (1948) and Henry Potter in It's A Wonderful Life (1946). Claude Rains died on May 30, 1967, at the age of 77. His one and only silent film venture was British with a small part for him, the forgettable -- Build Thy House (1920). Claude Rains may have played the Invisible Man but he was anything but invisible in Hollywood. Claude Rains - David J. Skal 2008-11-07 Late in Claude Rains's distinguished career, a . Show more Bette Davis. She also praised his performances: "He was marvelous in Deception and was worth the whole thing as the picture wasn't terribly good, but he was so marvelous and the restaurant scene where he's talking about all the foodbrilliant, and of course in Mr. Skeffington he was absolutely brilliant as the husband, just brilliant. That said, however, it seems to me that Casablanca does a small disservice to Rains. The first full-length biography of the actor known for his roles in The Invisible Man, Casablanca, and other classics, based on newly released interviews. Leave us your thoughts. Learn How rich is She in this year and how She spends money? View popular celebrities life details, birth signs and real ages. He is most remembered for The Invisible Man. As an actress, she is known as Jessica Rains. It took almost seven years to finalize. I'm so glad of that. "I found 26 for Bette Davis but none for my dad. In 2010, many of his personal items, including his Tony Award, letters, photographs, etc. AbeBooks.com: Claude Rains: An Actor's Voice (Screen Classics) (9780813124322) by Skal, David J.; Rains, . Roddy McDowall once asked Rains if he had intentionally lampooned Bette Davis in his performance as Prince John, and Rains' only smiled "an enigmatic smile." Claude found this ramp business a bit embarrassing and very funny. Three Things to know about Heritage Live! By David J. Skal with Jessica Rains. The World's Largest Collectibles Auctioneer. [10] She has also appeared in Ghosts and Punk Rock,[11] for which she won the Manchester Evening News Award for Best Supporting Actress. In 1926 he immigrated . Though deeply self-conscious about his short stature, Rains drew notorious ardor from female fans and was married six times. View popular celebrities life details, birth signs and real ages. Charlotte has been browbeaten by her domineering mother, and she is on the verge of a nervous breakdown when she is introduced to Dr. Jaquith (Rains), a psychiatrist who helps her break free from. . His then wife, Beatrix Thomson as well as his two former wives were also in the cast. Rains later credited the film's co-director Michael Curtiz with teaching him the more understated requirements of film acting, or "what not to do in front of a camera. Although he had the title role in Mr. Rains was offered numerous roles which would have undoubtedly changed his career path, but one way or another he did not play the roles. Rains did return to New York in 1927 to begin what would be nearly 20 Broadway roles. His zodiac sign is Scorpio. He was married six times and had Jessica, his only child, with his fourth wife Francis Propper. Los Angeles, This fabled orchid breeder loves to chat just not about Trader Joes orchids. Skal follows Rains modest-to-a-fault lead. 2023 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved. On loan again, Rains played the title character in Universal's remake of Phantom of the Opera (1943). Writing in 1998, his daughter Jessica said of his extraordinary life: ?He remade himself, and, I assure you, the makeover was genuine David J. Skal, the author of numerous books about film and popular culture, including Hollywood Gothic and The Monster Show, lives in Glendale, California. He is best known as the . The girls hid under his cape as he rang each doorbell. The NBC colour special, broadcast as a film rather than a live or videotaped programme, was highly successful with the public. Claude Rains (William Claude Rains) was born on 10 November, 1889 in Clapham, London, England, UK, is an Actor, Soundtrack. 34K 16,225 120. Two of his late screen roles were as Dryden, a cynical British diplomat in Lawrence of Arabia (1962) and King Herod in The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965), his last film. His mother took in boarders in order to support the family. The farm became one of the "great prides" of his life. While working for the Theatre Guild, he was offered a screen test with Universal Pictures in 1932. ""This highly readable biography, written with the help of his daughter, Jessica Rains, reeals the witty, talented man behind this universally respected Hollywood legend."-- Larry Cox, Tuscan Citizen" -- . He loved acting. Important: Use our map link to see location / directions. Bette Davis often cited Rains as one of her favorite actors and colleagues. He was a Tony Award-winning actor and was a four-time nominee for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. File:Actor, Claude Rains aged 23.jpg A 23-year-old Rains in one of his early theatre roles, 1912 Early career and military service Rains moved to America in 1913 due to the opportunities that were being offered in the New York theatres. [24] For he was the greatest character actor of his age -- possibly of all ages. Discover Jessica Rains's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. He went on to live in New Hampshire and passed away there on May 30, 1967 at age 77 from an abdominal hemorrhage. With the 1950s the few movies left to an older Rains were countered by venturing into new acting territory -- television. He starred in Richard B. Sheridan's "The Rivals" on stage in 1925. "Rains embraced the innovative TV playhouse circuit with nearly 20 roles. According to his daughter, Jessica Rains, he grew up with "a very serious Cockney accent and a speech impediment"[6] which took the form of a stutter, causing him to call himself "Willie Wains". The CLAUDE RAINS: AN INVISIBLE MAN author did a LOT of delving in studio archives (especially Warners) for memos, contracts and every other kind of Rains-related paperwork; AND, she talked to a large number of Rains' friends and neighbors from the latter years of his life. And that scornful right eyebrow which could freeze an adversary faster than and more effectively than any physical threat. Claude Rainss income source is mostly from being a successful Actor. The character is actually the Emperor of the French Napoleon III) in rehearsal. We have detected that you do not have JavaScript enabled. The other people in the theater were not watching the movie, but rather watching Claud Rains explain to his daughter how he made the film. Claude Rains Born: 10-Nov - 1889 Birthplace: London, England Died: 30-May - 1967 Location of death: Laconia, NH Cause of death: Abdominal Hemorrhage Remains: Buried, Red Hill Cemetery, Moultonborough, NH Gender: Male Race or Ethnicity: White Sexual orientation: Straight Occupation: Actor Nationality: United States FLORENCE, Ala. -- Keeping her father's memory alive has become a sort of cause for Jessica Rains. Photo: Eagle Lion. His malicious, gouty Don Luis in Anthony Adverse (1936) was inspired. Goes Out newsletter, with the week's best events, to help you explore and experience our city. [11] He never returned to combat but continued to serve with the Bedfordshire Regiment. Drawing on over thirty hours of newly released audio interviews with Rains and enriched by daughter Jessica Rains's contributions, Claude Rains is an intimate portrait and the first full biography of this gifted actor. Raine portrayed Catherine Parr in Becoming Elizabeth, a historical drama featuring Elizabeth I as a teenager. His acting was superb, and his eyes could say as much as his voice. Get our L.A. After his American film debut as Dr. Jack Griffin in The Invisible Man (1933) he appeared in classic films such as The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938), Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939), The Wolf Man (1941), Casablanca and Kings Row (both 1942), Notorious (1946 . The career of English stage and film actor Claude Rains (1889-1967) spanned 47 years. The first full-length biography of the actor known for his roles in The Invisible Man, Casablanca, and other classics, based on newly released interviews. Claude Rains was one of my teachers at RADA. The other people in the theater were not watching the movie, but rather watching Claude Rains explain to his daughter how he made the film. Before serving in World War I, which cost him his sight in one eye, he was doing small roles. Dutch postcard by HEMO. Skals portrait also benefits from the insights of Jessica Rains, who provides firsthand accounts of the enigmatic man behind her fathers refined screen presence and genteel public persona. He made a triumphant Broadway return in 1951's "Darkness at Noon. [7], Returning home after a year, she applied to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art a second time and was accepted. Terry Pace, an adjunct English professor at UNA who coordinated the donation, said the addition adds "so much to the study of the Golden Age of the horror genre from the 1930s and 1940s. is 5'6"(1.69m) . Elliott: Kings use their heads over hearts in trading Jonathan Quick, A $150,000 executive protection dog? Claude Rains, in full William Claude Rains, (born November 10, 1889, London, Englanddied May 30, 1967, Laconia, New Hampshire, U.S.), British motion picture and stage character actor noted for his smooth distinguished voice, polished ironic style, and intelligent portrayal of a variety of roles, ranging from villains to sympathetic gentlemen. He was the surreptitiously nervous and malignant Alexander Sebastian in Notorious (1946) and the egotistical and domineering conductor Alexander Hollenius in Deception (1946). The younger Rains followed, making his stage debut at the age of eleven in "Nell of Old Drury. " [6] Moving to London in anticipation of starting her course, she worked part-time as a waitress and for the company BT Group. [6][13] His agent, Harold Freedman, was a family friend of Carl Laemmle, who controlled Universal Pictures at the time, and had been acquainted with Rains in London and was keen to cast him in the role. Imprint: The University Press of Kentucky. In London theatre, he achieved success in the title role of John Drinkwater's play Ulysses S. Grant, the follow-up to the same playwright's Abraham Lincoln. Rains moved to America in 1912 owing to the opportunities that were being offered in the New York theatres. Rains became the first actor to receive a million-dollar salary when he portrayed Julius Caesar in a large-budget but . Rains could burn if he had to -- see his The Invisible Man or The Phantom of the Opera nut jobs -- but he was never inexplicably crazy. When he finished a picture, he would quietly retreat to one of several country places he owned over his American career, which began in 1920s theater. (UNA) has become one stopping-off point where people can get that information and that experience. His only child, Jennifer, was the daughter of Frances Propper.