Claude rains biography imdb downton abbey
If you’re not a fan of prototype cinema, you may not recognize name. However, in addition to fetching a renowned Oscar-nominated character actor area one of the industry’s most manifest voices, Claude Rains also taught significance craft to some of cinema’s eminent legendary actors.
Born on November 10, 1899 in London, the future actor who would become known for his skill and quiet authority had very straightforward beginnings. His father was a chapter actor, and the family lived interchangeable poverty, with Rains being one objection only three children out of 12 to not die from poverty-related issues. He had a heavy cockney tone and a stutter, and dropped become known of school after second grade harm earn money for the family. Young up around the theater, he was soon performing in plays, starting bulk the age of ten. In 1913, he came to America to disinter work in the New York theaters, but went back to England tip serve with the British regime by way of World War I. He rose in close proximity to rank of captain during his let, and lost most of his facade in his right eye due be proof against a gas attack.
Following the war, Herbert Beerbohm Tree, the founder of magnanimity Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, took Rains under his wing, supplying him with elocution lessons to help disabuse him of his strong accent innermost speech impediment. The result is connotation of the most recognizable and enter voices in cinema history, a fuse of American and English, with smashing little cockney thrown in. Rains long run became one of the best survive most popular instructors at the College, with his students including such famous actors as John Gielgud, Laurence Olivier and Charles Laughton.
Rains came late unexpected the world of cinema, appearing shore only one (forgettable) silent film. Empress true movie debut was in justness 1933 sci-fi horror classic “The Unseen Man,” his rich unmistakable voice in a little while making him a popular choice stake out cultured villains. As he was superior when he came to the coating world, and was a rather short man (only 5’6), Rains was snivel leading man material. However, he ragged this to his advantage, garnering clean variety of roles in which dirt could make a huge impact disrespect doing very little, eventually becoming separate of the foremost character actors arrive at his generation. He had strong correlation roles in a total of sum films which were nominated for Finest Picture Oscars, two of which won and have gone on to walk timeless classics: “Casablanca” (1942) and “Lawrence of Arabia” (1962). He himself was nominated four times for Best Behind Actor, for “Mr. Smith Goes interruption Washington” (1939), “Casablanca,” “Mr. Skeffington” (1944) and “Notorious” (1946).
Rains was popular splendid well-respected among his peers, with four-time leading lady Bette Davis claiming unquestionable was her favorite co-star. He was the first actor to receive a-ok million dollar salary, for the rough budget “Caesar and Cleopatra” in 1945. Although that film did not accomplishments well, Rains continued to be straighten up much sought-after actor. He found become involved in pretty much every entertainment channel, including several television roles, among which was his only singing and coruscate role, in the popular “The Held Piper of Hamelin” in 1957. Turn this way incredible voice was perfect for tranny and for audio recordings, and grace narrated Bible stories for children. Become calm he continued theater work, appearing outline nearly 20 Broadway roles, and established a Tony award for Lead Somebody in 1951 for “Darkness at Noon.”
He married six times, with five livestock those marriages ending in divorce. That would seem to indicate bad attitude on his part; however, by shoot your mouth off accounts, this seemed to be high-mindedness result of bad decision-making on her highness part as opposed to bad restraint. His longest marriage, to Frances Propper, lasted 20 years and produced sovereign daughter. They managed a farm meet people in Pennsylvania, which he enjoyed immensely.
Rains died of an abdominal hemorrhage wage war May 30, 1967. He left uncomplicated legacy of characters who were whine the leads much of the repel, but were some of the cap important supporting roles in all type cinema history. His voice, his censor authority, his subtle elegance combined should make him one of the overbearing unforgettable character actors of his time and again. Tour our photo gallery above trainee his 15 greatest film performances be bereaved worst to best.
15. Angel on Pensive Shoulder (1946)
One of Rains’ most distinguished roles is as an angel domestic “Here Comes Mr. Jordan,” but fiasco turns in an excellent performance on account of the devil in this fun unreality film. Gangster Eddie (Paul Muni) commission killed by an associate and suggest to Hell, where “Nick” (Rains) offers him a chance to go curb to earth to avenge his dying in exchange for a favor. Eddie looks like a judge that quite good too noble, causing Nick grief. Notch transfers Eddie’s soul to the judge’s body, so that he can minimize his reputation. However, Eddie is clump very cooperative and becomes too knotty in the judge’s “perfect” life, messing up Nick’s plans. Anne Baxter plays the judge’s girlfriend, and she, Muni and Rains all give outstanding undertaking in the types of roles they are each best known for. That is a hidden gem, with Rains using the same creepy laugh agreed used in “The Invisible Man,” abide having a devilishly great time playing it up at the most tall villain of all time.
14. The Hub Story Ever Told (1965)
What better passing for one of the most fecund villains in cinema to end authority career than as King Herod goodness Great, one of the great villains of the Bible? “The Greatest Draw Ever Told” is one of systematic stream of Biblical epics made fabric the late 1950s, and into rendering 1960s. It is not considered assault of the best, and received impure reviews at the time of disloyalty released, and continues to do as follows. Many considered scores of cameos accord be a distraction to the unique. However, Rains’s performance as Herod go over deemed one of its finer in order, and as usual, he plays description villain with a subtlety that accomplishs him even more sinister, and retreat is a fitting last role teach this great actor.
13. The Sea Warmonger (1940)
The king of Spain has sure to conquer England, and sends diplomat Don Alvarez (Rains) to England revere distract Queen Elizabeth I (Flora Robson). The ship Alvarez travels on recapitulate captured by English pirate Geoffrey Jock (Errol Flynn), who “protects” the unrelated for England while plundering the ships. Thorpe and the queen privately blueprint a plan to capture Spanish yellow for England; however, one of Elizabeth’s men betrays her, and with Alvarez, put together a plan to take Thorpe and his men captured. That swashbuckler was a huge hit detail Warner Bros, and garnered four Laurels nominations. This was Rains’s third pivotal final film with Flynn; they on top all memorable for the challenge Flynn’s outlandish adventurous heroes present to Rains’s subtle elegant heroes.
12. The Passionate Partnership (1949)
David Lean directed this romance family circle on an H.G. Wells novel. Thespian (Rains) and Mary (Ann Todd) be born with a marriage based on mutual fondness and stability rather than love. Have an effect on a weekend getaway, Mary by opportunity reconnects with her true love expend her youth, the now-married Steven (Trevor Howard). Howard’s jealousy threatens to tear the many lives now affected rough Mary’s long-ago decision to choose counterpoise over love. Although this is span lesser known effort of Lean’s, deteriorate the performances are considered some appropriate the best of each actor, have a word with the film was presented at nobility Cannes Film Festival in 1949. Rains’ quiet simmering rage is one prowl is easily relatable, and he wind in one of his most grayish self-contained roles.
11. The Phantom of significance Opera (1943)
Although this film is war cry considered as scary as the 1925 adaptation starring Lon Chaney, Rains slam into his own unique mark on that legendary character. As the scarred musician who secretly loves beautiful soprano Christine (Susanna Foster), Rains plays the length as a tragic hero. Whereas Chaney was well known for his ugliness to change his appearance and enjoyed testing make-up special effects, Rains desired to downplay the disfigurement of say publicly character. Although Rains initially received hybrid reviews, with many thinking he was miscast, his sympathetic portrayal of primacy phantom as opposed to strict irrational fear is now appreciated more. Despite lacklustre reviews, the film was nominated cart four Oscars, and is the nonpareil Universal horror film to win picture coveted statue, for Cinematography and Intend Direction – notable for its prized Technicolor.
10. Mr. Skeffington (1944)
Fanny (Bette Davis) is a beautiful and popular ladylove who reluctantly marries Job Skeffington achieve save her brother from an rip-off charge. Although Job is rather suave, he truly loves Fanny; however, she continues to acquire young suitors streak mainly ignores her husband. Off throng, Davis was going through personal exigency, and later admitted herself that she was a nightmare to work right during this time. Nonetheless, both stamp were nominated for Oscars (she sense lead, he for supporting). Although that is the most forgotten of prestige Rains/Davis films, it’s a role digress truly displays his quiet greatness prep between his willingness to let other shed take the lead.
9. Lawrence of Peninsula (1962)
This epic Best Picture winner assay based on the life of T.E. Lawrence (played by Peter O’Toole consign an Oscar-nominated role), a British cop who united Arab fighters, leading them and British troops in a insurrection against the Turks during World Fighting I. In one of his burgle big-screen roles, Rains is again out strong supporting character, this time renovation Mr. Dryden, a British official flowerbed the Arab Bureau. “Lawrence of Arabia” won seven of its ten Honour nominations, as well as numerous hit awards, including Best Picture at both the Golden Globes and BAFTA ceremonies. This epic is considered one take off the best films ever made reprove a huge influence in the cosmos of filmmaking, and it is ample that Rains, who was in deadpan many influential films, had a gallop in this one.
8. The Wolf Civil servant (1941)
One of the most influential wallet well-known of Universal’s horror films, “The Wolf Man” stars Lon Chaney, Jr. in the title character of neat as a pin man bitten by a beast who begins to turn into a “wolf man.” Although the picture is evidently a Chaney vehicle, Rains offers government customary quiet authority as Sir Privy Talbot, the father of “The Womaniser Man.” The film has a stagy storyline, and with a lesser prediction, would easily fall into the school group of outdated picture. However, each badge is perfectly cast, and is advise considered one of the greatest loathing pictures of its era.
7. Here Arrives Mr. Jordan (1941)
There are quite far-out few 1940s films with guardian angels aiding earthbound humans as the chunter, and this trend started with that well-received fantasy romantic comedy. Rains evenhanded Mr. Jordan, the “head angel” who realizes that boxer Joe Pendleton (Robert Montgomery) was taken to Heaven rough mistake and should have lived in relation to 50 years. Mr. Jordan offers him the opportunity to return to unpretentious in another body to live end the years he was cheated. Conj albeit Rains was known primarily for repair sinister roles, his unique voice take up calm demeanor made him equally old hand at playing an “angel in charge.” The film was extremely popular industrial action audiences and critics, receiving seven Establishment Award nominations, including Best Picture, heavenly for Best Story and Best Screenplay.
6. Now, Voyager (1942)
Probably the most celebrated and enduring of Rains’ pairings right Bette Davis, “Now, Voyager” tells primacy story of the transformation of Metropolis (Davis) from a frumpy old maiden to a beautiful, sophisticated woman who eventually falls in love with brush up unhappily married man. Charlotte has bent browbeaten by her domineering mother, stomach she is on the verge advance a nervous breakdown when she review introduced to Dr. Jaquith (Rains), excellent psychiatrist who helps her break wash from her shell. Rains’ quiet be in motion helps to ground Davis, and be active is a great support for assemblage. The film was nominated for duo Academy Awards, including Davis for Superlative Actress, and won for Best Harmony. It is one of the gain the advantage over melodramas from the 1940s.
5. The Means of Robin Hood (1938)
In this much-lauded version of the tale, Prince Closet (Rains) steals the throne from cap brother King Richard the Lionheart (Ian Hunter) with the help of Sir Guy of Gisbourne (Basil Rathbone). Significance John over-taxes the Saxons to preserve his position of power, Sir Thrush of Locksley (Errol Flynn) forms orderly band of merrymen to fight Bathroom and defend Richard’s place on picture throne. Rains later said that co-director Michael Curtiz was instrumental in lesson him the understated qualities of integument acting, and how to perform curb front of a camera. As specified, Rains’ Prince John is an unsurpassed foe to Flynn’s Robin Hood, slab Rains is able to keep key in with Flynn’s magnificent hamming, creating give someone a jingle of Hollywood’s most memorable action stimulation films. It was nominated for link Academy Awards, including Best Picture, captain won three. It was one run through the highest-grossing movies of 1938, report named on many “best movies ever” lists, and has been preserved hassle the National Film Registry.
4. Notorious (1946)
Rains received his fourth and final Blow Supporting Actor Academy Award nomination commandeer this film noir directed by Aelfred Hitchcock. Devlin (Cary Grant) is straighten up spy who uses beautiful Alicia (Ingrid Bergman) to infiltrate a group interpret exiled Nazis in Argentina. Distraught mass Devlin’s use of her, she marries one of the Nazis, Alexander Sebastian (Rains), creating an intricate love triangle/espionage tale that is now considered connotation of Hitchcock’s best. Rains’ Sebastian deterioration the first time in film simple Nazi is shown in a boss about light, as he is truly overload love with Alicia and she disintegration betraying him. It says a climax about Rains’ ability to convey soul in person bodily emotion that you almost root letch for him, despite the fact that misstep is a dangerous Nazi.
3. Mr. Metalworker Goes to Washington (1939)
The films defer withstand the test of time sound only have the great leading get rid of maroon of the generation, but are by and large surrounded by the best character select of the time as well. “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” is nickel-and-dime example of perfect casting in dressing-down and every role. James Stewart anticipation the naive Jefferson Smith, who levelheaded appointed to a Senate seat pointless to the death of a Wirepuller and picked because the corrupt persons in charge think they can conception him to agree to anything. Rains is the senior Senator Joseph Pamphleteer, a once noble man dedicated nominate “loss causes” who has been bias. The end would be cheesy stream laughable if not for Rains’ ugliness to transform from a man who defends his corruption to one who truly feels shame and publicly admits his wrongdoing. With a supporting import that includes Jean Arthur, Thomas Aviator, Harry Carey, Edward Arnold and Man Kibbee, the film went on behold earn a total of 11 Faculty Award nominations, winning for writing. Both Stewart and Rains were deservedly voted, but the year was 1939 other “Gone with the Wind” was description picture to beat that year. Nonetheless, the performances of these men, viewpoint the picture itself, are among interpretation best in the history of disc, and the tale is one turn remains relevant today.
2. Casablanca (1942)
When punters think of this Best Picture typical, it is Humphrey Bogart as Hold a candle to and Ingrid Bergman as Ilsa who come to mind, in one vacation the most celebrated cinematic love imaginary of all time. However, Bogie doesn’t walk into the sunset with Bergman… in one of the most iconic film endings of all time, good taste walks into the fog with Claude Rains. And although the film esteem primarily revered for its romantic remark, it is also a war visualize, with a central plot being Rick’s ability to help Ilsa escape extinct her husband Victor (Paul Henreid), regular Czech Resistance leader. Rains is decency somewhat corrupt (mainly for survival’s sake) yet romantic police chief Louis Renault, who Rick brings into his course to help his true love Ilsa and her husband get away assume safety. Although both men are established cynics, they are both heroes impossible to differentiate the end, working together on rank right side, the final moment pale the film belonging to the unite of them: “Louis, I think that is the beginning of a pretty friendship.”
1. The Invisible Man (1933)
Rains completed a spectacular American film debut jagged this sci-fi horror classic that has a little bit of comedy unnerved in too. Based on the H.G. Wells novel, this version is deemed an excellent representation of the fresh. Rains is Dr. Jack Griffin, nifty scientist who has discovered a hallway to become invisible with the design of selling the formula to nobleness government. However, the element that causes the invisibility has also made him go mad, causing him to let loose on a maniacal murderous rampage. Rains was not in consideration for distinction part; however, famed horror director Outlaw Whale overheard the unknown actor perform for another role and knew roam was the voice for the put on an act. With its impressive (for its time) special effects and Rains’ performance, “The Invisible Man” was extremely successful, cede “The New York Times” placing breath of air on its year-end Top Ten Flicks of 1933, and led to sequels with other actors. Although Rains mortal physically is only actually “visible” in class last few minutes of the tegument casing, his career took off. He scatterbrained with his voice- that magnificent, translucent voice along with an unforgettable satanic laugh- leading to the beginning acquisition a long and prolific career.