Claude Rains: A Comprehensive Illustrated Reference to His Work in Film, Stage, Radio, Television and Recordings

by John T. Soister, JoAnna Wioskowski

Overview

The career of Claude Rains is often, and unfairly, overshadowed by the careers of the ever-popular Karloff, Lugosi, Chaney and Rathbone, but few can dispute that he was truly one of the world's foremost character actors. The Invisible Man, ironically, made him quite the visible star. In his own inimitable way, Rains later became John Jasper (in Mystery of Edwin Drood), Louis Renault (Casablanca), Julius Caesar (Caesar and Cleopatra), and Mr. Dryden (Lawrence of Arabia).

While concentrating on Rains' more than fifty films, this book also comprehensively examines his work in other media: the stage, radio, television and recordings. His only child, Jessica, in the foreword, provides a brief biography of her father. There are many rare photographs.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780786428557
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers
Publication date:	07/28/2006
Edition description:	Illustrate
Pages:	278
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.56(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

John T. Soister is a teacher of modern and classical languages, and lives in Denver, Colorado. JoAnna Wioskowski is a teacher in Baltimore, Maryland, and has published articles and art in Big Reel and other magazines.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments     
Foreword by Jessica Rains     
Introduction     
Biography     

Build Thy House (1920)     
The Invisible Man (1933)     
Crime Without Passion (1934)     
The Man Who Reclaimed His Head (1934)     
Mystery of Edwin Drood (1935)     
The Clairvoyant (1935)     
The Last Outpost (1935)     
Hearts Divided (1936)     
Anthony Adverse (1936)     
Stolen Holiday (1937)     
The Prince and the Pauper (1937)     
They Won’t Forget (1937)     
Gold Is Where You Find It (1938)     
The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)     
White Banners (1938)     
Four Daughters (1938)     
They Made Me a Criminal (1939)     
Sons of Liberty (1939)     
Juarez (1939)     
Daughters Courageous (1939)     
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)     
Four Wives (1939)     
Saturday’s Children (1940)     
The Sea Hawk (1940)     
Lady with Red Hair (1940)     
Four Mothers (1941)     
Here Comes Mr. Jordan (1941)     
The Wolf Man (1941)     
King’s Row (1942)     
Moontide (1942)     
Now, Voyager (1942)     
Casablanca (1943)     
Forever and a Day (1943)     
Phantom of the Opera (1943)     
Passage to Marseilles (1944)     
Mr. Skeffington (1944)     
Strange Holiday (1945)     
This Love of Ours (1945)     
Caesar and Cleopatra (1946)     
Notorious (1946)     
Angel on My Shoulder (1946)     
Deception (1946)     
The Unsuspected (1947)     
The Passionate Friends (U.S.: One Woman’s Story) (1949)     
Rope of Sand (1949)     
Song of Surrender (1949)     
The White Tower (1950)     
Where Danger Lives (1950)     
Sealed Cargo (1951)     
The Man Who Watched Trains Go By (U.S.: The Paris Express) (1953)     
Lisbon (1956)     
This Earth Is Mine (1959)     
The Lost World (1960)     
Battle of the Worlds (Italy: Il Pianeta degli Uomini Spenti) (1960/63)     
Lawrence of Arabia (1962)     
Twilight of Honor (1963)     
The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965)     
Theater and Concerts     
Radio     
Television     
Recordings     
Afterthoughts     
End Notes     
Bibliography     
Index     

Editorial Reviews

the only book about the fascinating, scene-stealing actor...informative...Soister presents his views rationally and perceptively...an intelligent book”—Classic Images; “lavishly illustrated with many ultra-rare stills...a loving, well-written, and well-deserved tribute...one of the best film books of the year...essential reading”—Video Watchdog; “comprehensive...eighty rare photographs...the definitive guide to Claude Rains’ complete body of work as one of the most talented and called upon actors of his day”—Midwest Book Review; “valuable...extremely readable”—Public Library Quarterly; “a superior portrait...of the debonair actor’s stage and film career”—Film Review; “fascinating...wonderfully researched, incredible photos of the films and Rain’s life. Rare treat”—Little Shoppe of Horrors; “very thorough...a fine biography”—Monsters from the Vault; “recommend[ed]”—The Other Side of Show Business; “the first and only book about one of the most successful and admired character actors in movie history. [The author] tracked down everything about Rains he could find. ...an enjoyable and informative study of a great performer”—Rapport; “illustrations include rare behind the scenes shots and movie posters...a very complete seeming look at his stage, radio, record and TV work”—Psychotronic; “concentrat[es] on Rains’ more than fifty films...also comprehensively examines his work in other media: the stage, radio, television and recordings”—New Books in the Communications Library; “successfully endeavors to set the record straight by examining the 57 films Rains made between 1933 and 1965. In addition to films, there’s a complete listing of his work in other media”—Kettering-Oakwood Times; “an intelligent book”—The Slide Area; “comprehensive...well researched and illustrated biography...written in an informed but pleasantly readable style...a welcome source of reference...a fine source of information”—Talking Pictures Magazine; “a guide to the actor’s work in film, stage, radio, television and recordings”—The Intelligencer Record.

From the Publisher

comprehensive...eighty rare photographs...the definitive guide to Claude Rains' complete body of work as one of the most talented and called upon actors of his day

Midwest Book Review

lavishly illustrated with many ultra-rare stills...a loving, well-written, and well-deserved tribute...one of the best film books of the year...essential reading

Video Watchdog

Concentrates on Rains' (1889-1967) more than 50 films, but also examines his work in the other media listed. Starts with the 1920 then jumps to in 1933, which was the break that pulled him out of the shadow of other horror stars. His last role was Herod the Great in , which some critics think of the scariest movie of them all. His daughter contributes a foreword. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

valuable...extremely readable

Public Library Quarterly

wonderfully researched, incredible photos of the films and Rain's life. Rare treat

Little Shoppe of Horrors

the only book about the fascinating, scene-stealing actor...informative...Soister presents his views rationally and perceptively...an intelligent book

Classic Images