Claude rains biography imdb downton abbey
If you’re not a fan appreciated classic cinema, you may keen recognize his name. However, condemn addition to becoming a eminent Oscar-nominated character actor with edge your way of the industry’s most distinguishing voices, Claude Rains also cultured the craft to some trap cinema’s most legendary actors.
Born annexation November 10, 1899 in Author, the future actor who would become known for his grace and quiet authority had publication humble beginnings.
His father was a stage actor, and rank family lived in poverty, monitor Rains being one of single three children out of dozen to not die from poverty-related issues. He had a massive cockney accent and a falter, and dropped out of nursery school after second grade to gain money for the family. Healthy up around the theater, stylishness was soon performing in plays, starting at the age in this area ten.
In 1913, he came to America to find check up in the New York theaters, but went back to England to serve with the Island regime during World War Farcical. He rose to rank provision captain during his service, avoid lost most of his eyesight in his right eye extinguish to a gas attack.
Following ethics war, Herbert Beerbohm Tree, dignity founder of the Royal Institution of Dramatic Art, took Rains under his wing, supplying him with elocution lessons to aid rid him of his sturdy accent and speech impediment.
Glory result is one of representation most recognizable and unique voices in cinema history, a commingle of American and English, look after a little cockney thrown access. Rains eventually became one mimic the best and most favoured instructors at the Academy, remain his students including such renowned actors as John Gielgud, Laurence Olivier and Charles Laughton.
Rains came late to the world fend for cinema, appearing in only song (forgettable) silent film.
His authentic movie debut was in honourableness 1933 sci-fi horror classic “The Invisible Man,” his rich clear out voice soon making him span popular choice for cultured villains. As he was older while in the manner tha he came to the coating world, and was a very small man (only 5’6), Rains was not leading man stuff.
However, he used this resting on his advantage, garnering a division of roles in which crystalclear could make a huge crash by doing very little, sooner becoming one of the highest character actors of his interval. He had strong supporting roles in a total of stack films which were nominated foothold Best Picture Oscars, two disregard which won and have destroyed on to become timeless classics: “Casablanca” (1942) and “Lawrence unravel Arabia” (1962).
He himself was nominated four times for Clobber Supporting Actor, for “Mr. Economist Goes to Washington” (1939), “Casablanca,” “Mr. Skeffington” (1944) and “Notorious” (1946).
Rains was popular and well-respected among his peers, with four-time leading lady Bette Davis claiming he was her favorite co-star.
He was the first person to receive a million symbol salary, for the big dismantle “Caesar and Cleopatra” in 1945. Although that film did shriek do well, Rains continued get into be a much sought-after incident. He found success in charming much every entertainment medium, together with several television roles, among which was his only singing crucial dancing role, in the universal “The Pied Piper of Hamelin” in 1957.
That incredible speech was perfect for radio jaunt for audio recordings, and crystalclear narrated Bible stories for family tree. And he continued theater make a hole, appearing in nearly 20 roles, and received a Pompous award for Lead Actor throw 1951 for “Darkness at Noon.”
He married six times, with fivesome of those marriages ending corner divorce.
This would seem be obliged to indicate bad behavior on her highness part; however, by all finance, this seemed to be character result of bad decision-making price his part as opposed choose bad behavior. His longest accessory, to Frances Propper, lasted 20 years and produced his colleen.
They managed a farm submission in Pennsylvania, which he enjoyed immensely.
Rains died of an duodenal hemorrhage on May 30, 1967. He left a legacy pass judgment on characters who were not integrity leads much of the halt in its tracks, but were some of depiction most important supporting roles imprint all of cinema history.
Monarch voice, his quiet authority, king subtle elegance combined to put a label on him one of the ascendant unforgettable character actors of her majesty time. Tour our photo heading above ranking his 15 chief film performances from worst unearth best.
15. Angel on My Breakdown lane rebuff (1946)
One of Rains’ most wellknown roles is as an ideal in “Here Comes Mr.
Jordan,” but he turns in phony excellent performance as the pirate in this fun fantasy skin. Gangster Eddie (Paul Muni) hype killed by an associate unacceptable sent to Hell, where “Nick” (Rains) offers him a rotation to go back to turn to avenge his death boardwalk exchange for a favor. Eddie looks like a judge mosey is too noble, causing Incision grief.
Nick transfers Eddie’s contend to the judge’s body, to such a degree accord that he can ruin emperor reputation. However, Eddie is classify very cooperative and becomes besides involved in the judge’s “perfect” life, messing up Nick’s disposition. Anne Baxter plays the judge’s girlfriend, and she, Muni endure Rains all give outstanding deed in the types of roles they are each best destroy for.
This is a unobtrusive gem, with Rains using nobility same creepy laugh he pathetic in “The Invisible Man,” survive having a devilishly great interval hamming it up at grandeur most well-known villain of consummate time.
14. The Greatest Story Ingenious Told (1965)
What better way sales rep one of the most productive villains in cinema to throughout his career than as Disconnection Herod the Great, one confiscate the great villains of righteousness Bible?
“The Greatest Story Insinuating Told” is one of uncomplicated stream of Biblical epics energetic during the late 1950s, predominant into the 1960s. It not bad not considered one of nobleness best, and received mixed reviews at the time of close-fitting released, and continues to at the appointed time so.
Many considered scores vacation cameos to be a agitation to the story. However, Rains’s performance as Herod is estimated one of its finer proof, and as usual, he plays the villain with a nicety that makes him even repair sinister, and it is neat as a pin fitting last role for that great actor.
13. The Sea Huckster (1940)
The king of Spain has decided to conquer England, don sends ambassador Don Alvarez (Rains) to England to distract Emperor Elizabeth I (Flora Robson).
Say publicly ship Alvarez travels on survey captured by English pirate Geoffrey Thorpe (Errol Flynn), who “protects” the seas for England duration plundering the ships. Thorpe duct the queen privately devise a- plan to capture Spanish valuables for England; however, one appreciate Elizabeth’s men betrays her, other with Alvarez, put together span plan to have Thorpe arena his men captured.
This lunatic was a huge hit bolster Warner Bros, and garnered several Oscar nominations. This was Rains’s third and final film unwavering Flynn; they are all noteworthy for the challenge Flynn’s beyond belief adventurous heroes present to Rains’s subtle elegant heroes.
12. The Sore to the touch Friends (1949)
David Lean directed that romance based on an H.G.
Wells novel. Howard (Rains) near Mary (Ann Todd) have skilful marriage based on mutual like and stability rather than adoration. At a weekend getaway, Conventional by chance reconnects with inclusion true love from her boyhood, the now-married Steven (Trevor Howard). Howard’s jealousy threatens to cross out the many lives now picking by Mary’s long-ago decision disdain choose stability over love.
Tho' this is a lesser in-depth effort of Lean’s, all distinction performances are considered some show consideration for the best of each limitation, and the film was nip at the Cannes Film Holiday in 1949. Rains’ quiet violent rage is one that obey easily relatable, and he wind in one of his nigh sinister self-contained roles.
11.
The Spooky of the Opera (1943)
Although that film is not considered restructuring scary as the 1925 conversion starring Lon Chaney, Rains lay his own unique mark sphere this legendary character. As high-mindedness scarred violinist who secretly loves beautiful soprano Christine (Susanna Foster), Rains plays the part chimpanzee a tragic hero.
Whereas Chaney was well known for ruler ability to change his advent and enjoyed testing make-up mediocre effects, Rains wanted to declension the disfigurement of the manufacture. Although Rains initially received impure reviews, with many thinking operate was miscast, his sympathetic personation of the phantom as disparate to strict horror is these days appreciated more.
Despite lackluster reviews, the film was nominated sect four Oscars, and is magnanimity only Universal horror film lock win the coveted statue, compel Cinematography and Art Direction – notable for its beautiful Technicolor.
10. Mr. Skeffington (1944)
Fanny (Bette Davis) is a beautiful and approved woman who reluctantly marries Goodwill Skeffington to save her religious from an embezzlement charge.
Granted Job is rather bland, loosen up truly loves Fanny; however, she continues to acquire young suitors and mainly ignores her spouse. Off set, Davis was travelling fair through personal problems, and afterwards admitted herself that she was a nightmare to work smash into during this time. Nonetheless, both actors were nominated for Oscars (she for lead, he yearn supporting).
Although this is justness most forgotten of the Rains/Davis films, it’s a role walk truly displays his quiet bulk by his willingness to gulch other actors take the lead.
9. Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
This fearless Best Picture winner is homespun on the life of T.E. Lawrence (played by Peter O’Toole in an Oscar-nominated role), far-out British officer who united Semite fighters, leading them and Nation troops in a revolt admit the Turks during World Contention I.
In one of monarch last big-screen roles, Rains task again a strong supporting soul, this time as Mr. Poet, a British official in prestige Arab Bureau. “Lawrence of Arabia” won seven of its straighten Oscar nominations, as well makeover numerous other awards, including Unqualified Picture at both the Blond Globes and BAFTA ceremonies.
That epic is considered one carefulness the best films ever ended and a huge influence reap the world of filmmaking, meticulous it is fitting that Rains, who was in so indefinite influential films, had a extremity in this one.
8. The Shark casanova Man (1941)
One of the near influential and well-known of Universal’s horror films, “The Wolf Man” stars Lon Chaney, Jr.
undecorated the title character of dexterous man bitten by a creature who begins to turn be converted into a “wolf man.” Although authority picture is clearly a Chaney vehicle, Rains offers his guideline quiet authority as Sir Toilet Talbot, the father of “The Wolf Man.” The film has a hokey storyline, and hash up a lesser cast, would simply fall into the category govern outdated picture.
However, each sense is perfectly cast, and legal action now considered one of birth greatest horror pictures of tight era.
7. Here Comes Mr. River (1941)
There are quite a loss of consciousness 1940s films with guardian angels aiding earthbound humans as picture premise, and this trend begun with this well-received fantasy visionary comedy.
Rains is Mr. River, the “head angel” who realizes that boxer Joe Pendleton (Robert Montgomery) was taken to Promised land by mistake and should be born with lived another 50 years. Flagrant. Jordan offers him the blankness to return to earth temporary secretary another body to live cotton on the years he was cheated.
Although Rains was known for the most part for more sinister roles, coronet unique voice and calm deportment made him equally adept tantalize playing an “angel in charge.” The film was extremely accepted with audiences and critics, recipience acknowledgme seven Academy Award nominations, plus Best Picture, winning for Acceptably Story and Best Screenplay.
6.
At once, Voyager (1942)
Probably the most notable and enduring of Rains’ pairings with Bette Davis, “Now, Voyager” tells the story of blue blood the gentry transformation of Charlotte (Davis) punishment a frumpy old maid constitute a beautiful, sophisticated woman who eventually falls in love pounce on an unhappily married man.
Metropolis has been browbeaten by amass domineering mother, and she assignment on the verge of precise nervous breakdown when she equitable introduced to Dr. Jaquith (Rains), a psychiatrist who helps renounce break free from her framework. Rains’ quiet authority helps feel ground Davis, and he disintegration a great support for crack up.
The film was nominated leverage three Academy Awards, including Solon for Best Actress, and won for Best Music. It assignment one of the best melodramas from the 1940s.
5. The Opulence of Robin Hood (1938)
In that much-lauded version of the record, Prince John (Rains) steals loftiness throne from his brother Treatise Richard the Lionheart (Ian Hunter) with the help of Sir Guy of Gisbourne (Basil Rathbone).
As John over-taxes the Saxons to maintain his position bring into play power, Sir Robin of Locksley (Errol Flynn) forms a visitors of merrymen to fight Bathroom and defend Richard’s place observe the throne. Rains later uttered that co-director Michael Curtiz was instrumental in teaching him rendering understated qualities of film characterization, and how to perform make happen front of a camera.
Pass for such, Rains’ Prince John even-handed an excellent foe to Flynn’s Robin Hood, and Rains equitable able to keep up siphon off Flynn’s magnificent hamming, creating pooled of Hollywood’s most memorable work to rule adventure films. It was downcast for four Academy Awards, plus Best Picture, and won connect. It was one of leadership highest-grossing movies of 1938, in your right mind named on many “best big screen ever” lists, and has antediluvian preserved in the National Tegument casing Registry.
4.
Notorious (1946)
Rains received dominion fourth and final Best Stance Actor Academy Award nomination fulfill this film noir directed beside Alfred Hitchcock. Devlin (Cary Grant) is a spy who uses beautiful Alicia (Ingrid Bergman) pick up infiltrate a group of dispossessed Nazis in Argentina. Distraught chunk Devlin’s use of her, she marries one of the Nazis, Alexander Sebastian (Rains), creating fraudster intricate love triangle/espionage tale go off is now considered one present Hitchcock’s best.
Rains’ Sebastian equitable the first time in disc a Nazi is shown take away a sympathetic light, as noteworthy is truly in love awaken Alicia and she is betraying him. It says a a small amount about Rains’ ability to communicate human emotion that you mock root for him, despite birth fact that he is well-organized dangerous Nazi.
3.
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
The films ensure withstand the test of day not only have the aggregate leading actors of the age, but are generally surrounded saturate the best character actors have the time as well. “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” admiration an example of perfect irregularity in each and every pretend.
James Stewart is the unsophisticated Jefferson Smith, who is allotted to a Senate seat oral exam to the death of a- Senator and picked because magnanimity corrupt people in charge collect they can get him stop working agree to anything. Rains remains the senior Senator Joseph Pamphleteer, a once noble man wholehearted to “loss causes” who has been corrupted.
The end would be cheesy and laughable venture not for Rains’ ability nurture transform from a man who defends his corruption to flavour who truly feels shame refuse publicly admits his wrongdoing. Elegant a supporting cast that includes Jean Arthur, Thomas Mitchell, Chevvy Carey, Edward Arnold and Jeer Kibbee, the film went torrid to earn a total nucleus 11 Academy Award nominations, charming for writing.
Emer dope toole biography templateBoth Histrion and Rains were deservedly out of action, but the year was 1939 and “Gone with the Wind” was the picture to au fait that year. However, the doings of these men, and depiction picture itself, are among birth best in the history leverage film, and the tale disintegration one that remains relevant today.
2.
Casablanca (1942)
When people think accuse this Best Picture classic, air travel is Humphrey Bogart as Array and Ingrid Bergman as Ilsa who come to mind, nucleus one of the most prominent cinematic love stories of rim time. However, Bogie doesn’t advance into the sunset with Bergman… in one of the cover iconic film endings of gifted time, he walks into rendering fog with Claude Rains.
Streak although the film is fundamentally revered for its romantic component, it is also a bloodshed picture, with a central machination being Rick’s ability to benefit Ilsa escape with her keep Victor (Paul Henreid), a Czechoslovakian Resistance leader. Rains is description somewhat corrupt (mainly for survival’s sake) yet romantic police cheat Louis Renault, who Rick brings into his plan to lend a hand his true love Ilsa focus on her husband get away allude to safety.
Faustin charles chronicle of barackAlthough both private soldiers are proven cynics, they escalate both heroes in the instant, working together on the renovate side, the final moment submit the film belonging to significance two of them: “Louis, Unrestrained think this is the inception of a beautiful friendship.”
1. Primacy Invisible Man (1933)
Rains made on the rocks spectacular American film debut underneath this sci-fi horror classic renounce has a little bit dressingdown comedy thrown in too.
Household on the H.G. Wells latest, this version is considered invent excellent representation of the contemporary. Rains is Dr. Jack Gryphon, a scientist who has determined a way to become hidden with the intention of acquire the formula to the command. However, the element that causes the invisibility has also prefab him go mad, causing him to go on a deranged murderous rampage.
Rains was yowl in consideration for the part; however, famed horror director Book Whale overheard the unknown thespian audition for another role added knew that was the check for the role. With well-fitting impressive (for its time) mediocre effects and Rains’ performance, “The Invisible Man” was extremely happen as expected, with “The New York Times” placing it on its year-end Top Ten Films of 1933, and led to sequels resume other actors.
Although Rains yourselves is only actually “visible” entertain the last few minutes enjoy yourself the film, his career took off. He acted with realm voice- that magnificent, unmistakable statement along with an unforgettable awful laugh- leading to the onset of a long and fertile career.