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Post by ricksrealreellife on Nov 12, 2022 1:01:02 GMT
Claude Rains, one of my favorite star character actors, was born Nov. 10. In one of several teamings, Claude starred with Bette Davis in 1944's grand soap opera, "Mr. Skeffington." Rains was Bette's favorite co-star and he's great here as Job Skeffington, the patient husband of Davis' shallow beauty Fanny. Here's my look at this WB war-time favorite: ricksrealreel.blogspot.com/2017/11/mr-skeffington-1944.html
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Post by Isapop on Nov 12, 2022 1:27:58 GMT
Ah well, I'd chat about Claude Rains all night, given the chance. My favorite pairing of him with Bette Davis is, no contest, Deception. When they were done filming, Davis shouted at Rains (with affection) "You sonuvabitch, you stole the picture!"
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Post by ricksrealreellife on Nov 12, 2022 10:37:20 GMT
Bette adored Claude, didn't she?
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Post by politicidal on Nov 12, 2022 12:38:58 GMT
Claude Rains is one of my favorite actors. He's great in Mr. Skeffington.
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Post by teleadm on Nov 12, 2022 16:41:02 GMT
In Mr Skeffington he did both drama and comedy. My favorite with him was as Prince John in The Adventures of Robin Hood 1938, calculating and hungry for power, but don't want to get his hands dirty, Basil Rathbone and Melville Cooper had to do the dirty work.
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Post by timshelboy on Nov 12, 2022 17:51:54 GMT
Hard call to pick a favourite so I;ll call it a 3 way tie between NOW VOYAGER, CASABLANCA and KING'S ROW
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Post by marshamae on Nov 12, 2022 18:26:00 GMT
Claude Rains is a marvelous actor who always fills the part, even when he is badly miscast , as in They Made Me A Criminal. I am sure that Bette, ever the perfectionist , enjoyed playing against someone who gave her a strong performance to push against. It’s like playing tennis or chess with someone who plays at your level.
But I have read many times that her favorite leading man was George Brent. He was not as strong as Rains but was a very good actor, more flexible than you would think. The first time I saw Jezebel I did not recognize him , his portrayal of a Louisiana dandy was so good.
Davis had odd memory tricks long before old age set in. She had been a very close friend of Orry Kelly who had designed the clothes for many of her films . in the 50’s she walked past him in Chasen’s without a nod or a word. There could be many reasons for this behavior. I use it only to say she could be variable, and it might be that she called both Rains and Brent her favorite.
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Post by claudius on Nov 12, 2022 19:38:55 GMT
According to David J Skal, for ROBIN HOOD Claude Rains is playing Bette Davis playing Prince John.
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Post by timshelboy on Nov 12, 2022 23:06:34 GMT
Claude Rains is a marvelous actor who always fills the part, even when he is badly miscast , as in They Made Me A Criminal. I am sure that Bette, ever the perfectionist , enjoyed playing against someone who gave her a strong performance to push against. It’s like playing tennis or chess with someone who plays at your level. But I have read many times that her favorite leading man was George Brent. He was not as strong as Rains but was a very good actor, more flexible than you would think. The first time I saw Jezebel I did not recognize him , his portrayal of a Louisiana dandy was so good. Davis had odd memory tricks long before old age set in. She had been a very close friend of Orry Kelly who had designed the clothes for many of her films . in the 50’s she walked past him in Chasen’s without a nod or a word. There could be many reasons for this behavior. I use it only to say she could be variable, and it might be that she called both Rains and Brent her favorite. Mary Astor said something like "Bette was rare among leading actresses in that she knew she looked better when the supporting cast were at the top of their game" (and she "handed me THE GREAT LIE on a platter")
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Post by petrolino on Nov 13, 2022 2:30:02 GMT
Claude Rains is wonderful in Maurice Elvey's 'The Clairvoyant' (1935). Easily my favourite Elvey movie of those I've seen. I bought the dvd it's so good.
Claude Rains & Fay Wray in 'The Clairvoyant'
Last Claude Rains movie watched : Arch Oboler's 'Strange Holiday' (1945), a stark warning against the global rise of fascism.
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