But his tact, delicacy and intelligence were unsurpassed. [1], In sixth form she studied theatre at A-Level and a BTEC in photography at Hereford College of Arts[6] and studied drama and cultural studies at the University of the West of England, Bristol. Family (3) Trivia (14) Daughter of Claude Rains, granddaughter of Fred Rains. [4] He lived in the slums of London, and, in his own words, on "the wrong side of the River Thames". William Claude Rains, the first film actor to earn a million dollars for a part, was born on November 10, 1889, in London, England, to Frederick and Emily Eliza Cox Rains and was referred to by his family as "Willie." During Rains' youth, his father transitioned from one temporary job to the . But by the time I first met him in the 1920s he was already much in demand as a character actor in London. Late in Claude Rains's distinguished career, a reverent film journalist wrote that Rains "was as much a cinematic institution as the medium itself." In Claude Rains: An Actor's Voice, noted Hollywood historian David J. Skal draws on more than thirty hours of newly-released Rains interviews to create the first full-length biography of the actor nominated multiple times for an Academy Award for . He possessed an air of nobility and became an emblem of sophistication, but he never shed the insecurities that traced back to his upbringing in an abusive and poverty-stricken family. Claude Rains starred in numerous . The first time Jessica ever saw her father in a film was in 1950. Raine portrayed Catherine Parr in Becoming Elizabeth, a historical drama featuring Elizabeth I as a teenager. Other memorabilia include photographs with Claude Rains from the sets of some of his films, DVDs of his works and the recent biography on Rains' life written by David Skal. [25] Rains spent his final years in Sandwich, New Hampshire.[26]. He came to the United States in 1913 but returned to England during. There are currently no items available for purchase in this Department. Though I've been a member of discussion groups devoted to Claude Rains, read both John Soister's bio-bibliography, and Claude Rains: An Actor's Voice by David Skal and Jessica Rains (the actor's daughter), the man remains somewhat unknowable. Jessica allowed me to be the first to get to be able to see them, and that's what I built my book around.". Imprint: The University Press of Kentucky. He also did not go to see the rushes of the day's filming "because he told me, every time he went he was horrified by his huge face on the huge screen, that he just never went back again.". His zodiac sign is Scorpio. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Rains' personal life was as dramatic as his work on stage: to end his second marriage while masking his wife's alcoholism, he staged an episode of infidelity, though the ensuing scandal made it difficult for him to find work. By David J. Skal with Jessica Rains. Jessica Rains on Claude Rains - (TCM Original) Jessica Rains in a TCM "Word of Mouth" remembering her father Claude Rains and his friend and colleague Bette Davis. As his film career began to flourish, he found less time to perform in the theatre in both England and America. The NBC colour special, broadcast as a film rather than a live or videotaped programme, was highly successful with the public. Skal follows Rains modest-to-a-fault lead. Given his childhood speech impediments and his origins in a destitute London neighborhood, the ascent of Claude Rains to the stage and screen was remarkable. [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. . "[17] This was seen as a very different role to her Call the Midwife character.[18]. 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." He designed his own tombstone which reads "All things once, Are things forever, Soul, once living, lives forever". This was acting as it should be: flexible, self-effacing, yet so often, at the movies end, enigmatic in ways that abide in memory. He knew everybody's part. Good easy-to-read bio of Warner Brothers steadfast actor Claude Rains who began his life in poverty in England and began work in the theatre as a youngster. Search our Auction Archives below to find item values. One day on the set I mentioned to him that Notorious was one of my favorite films, and Claude related with amusement the filming of a particular scene with Ingrid Bergman. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). Jessica Rainss income source is mostly from being a successful Actress. In 2010, many of his personal items, including his Tony Award, letters, photographs, etc. 2009 June Signature Music & Entertainment Memorabilia Auction #7006, 2009 June Signature Music & Entertainment Memorabilia Auction, View Recent Offers on SoldItems in this category. Many actors, blessed with such vocal facility, rely too heavily on their voices musicality (it was often Gielguds problem) to capture (overawe) our attention but give the impression that theyre acting in a movie all their own, not fully relating to fellow players. By never fully explaining himself, he commanded our wondering attention long after the film was over. It was a great, singular career that has long deserved a thoughtful biography, which David J. Skal, working with Rains' daughter, Jessica, doesn't quite provide in "Claude Rains: An. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. (UNA) has become one stopping-off point where people can get that information and that experience. Smallness was his limiting destiny, which no amount of hard work could overcome. In Hollywood he was a supporting actor who achieved A-list stardom. The majority of the items were used to help David J. Skal write his book on Rains, An Actor's Voice. The World's Largest Collectibles Auctioneer. Rains had a unique and solid British voice-deep, slightly rasping -- but richly dynamic. is 5'6"(1.69m) . It was 'his' voice, nobody else spoke like that, half American, half English and a little Cockney thrown in. After the war ended, Rains remained in England and continued to develop his acting talents. Jessica Rains was born on January 24, 1938 in Los Angeles, California, USA as Jennifer Rains. That's okay, I suppose, because a viewer learns just about everything about various aspects of his . In the meantime, Rains was in demand as acting teacher as well, and he taught at the Royal Academy. ""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" -- . Rains was the very man. After graduating, she was turned down by every drama school she applied to, so went to Thailand and taught English as a second language. The younger Rains followed, making his stage debut at the age of eleven in "Nell of Old Drury. " As soon as you hear that marvelous, unmistakable voice of honey mixed with gravel, he becomes instantly recognizable. 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). "Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)" cover by Celine Dion. [6], She starred as the lead character Jenny Lee in the first three series of the BBC One drama Call the Midwife. Rains died of an abdominal hemorrhage . Skeffington, Rains Oscar nomination was for supporting actor -- a category that Hollywood generally votes for bombast, cuteness or, curiously, non-actors. 2023 Turner Classic Movies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. I'm so glad of that. He remained in England, honing his acting talents, bolstered with instruction patronized by the founder of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, Herbert Beerbohm Tree. His daughter Jessica, when describing her father's voice, said, "The interesting thing to me was that he became a different person. Late in Claude Rains's distinguished career, a reverent film journalist wrote that Rains "was as much a cinematic institution as the medium itself." Given his childhood speech impediments and his origins in a destitute London neighborhood, the ascent of Claude Rains (1889-1967) to the stage and screen is remarkable. At age 29, he played the role of Clarkis in his only silent film, the British film Build Thy House (1920). She is from CA. Claude Rainss income source is mostly from being a successful Actor. Rains had an early acting career in film, appearing in such titles as the comedic drama "Kotch" (1971) with Walter Matthau, the comedy "Stand Up and Be Counted" (1972) with Jacqueline Bisset and the Richard Benjamin dramedy "Portnoy's Complaint" (1972). We have estimated [19] Rains followed it with Alfred Hitchcock's Notorious (1946) as a refugee Nazi agent opposite Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman. "[12] Soon after changing his accent, he became recognised as one of the leading stage actors in London. Suggest an alternative Share your comments about this record William Claude Rains (10 November 1889 - 30 May 1967) was an English film and stage actor whose career spanned several decades. Learn How rich is He in this year and how He spends money? On 9 March 2014, it was announced that Raine was leaving the show at the end of series 3 to pursue a career in film in the United States.[13]. 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". Born into the English working class, Claude Rains (1889-1967) overcame a severe speech impediment to become a fixture of the London theater scene. Click the image to load the highest resolution version. William Claude Rains (10 November 1889 - 30 May 1967) was an English-born American stage and film actor whose career spanned 46 years. In 2012 Raine starred in Beyond Ballets Russes at the London Coliseum. In 2009, Chamberlain recorded a tribute to the actor when Rains was featured as Turner Classic Movies' Star of the Month: [21]. Mailing Address: This highly readable biography, written with the help of his daughter, Jessica Rains, reveals the witty, talented man behind this universally respected Hollywood legend. Tucson Citizen, Good easy-to-read bio of Warner Brothers steadfast actor Claude Rains who began his life in poverty in England and began work in the theatre as a youngster. I've seen the location given as the Vimy Ridge and also have a recollection that Messines might be an alternative. He was married six times and had Jessica, his only child, with his fourth wife Francis Propper. Though deeply self-conscious about his short stature, Rains drew notorious ardor from female fans and was married six times. With this in mind, Tree paid for the elocution books and lessons that Rains needed to help him change his voice. He is best known as the . He was driven round the bend by the sudden failures of reason. Claude Rains has to be considered one of the finest actors of the 20th century. Learn About Selling & Valuing Your Collection. However, at the outbreak of World War I in 1914, he returned to England to serve in the London Scottish Regiment,[9] alongside fellow actors Basil Rathbone, Ronald Colman, Herbert Marshall and Cedric Hardwicke. 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. 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. 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. We talked her interesting run in with Joan Crawford at Christinas Birthday Party. Gielgud said that he once wrote that "The London stage suffered a great loss when Claude Rains deserted it for motion pictures," and that he later added, "but when I see him now on the screen and remember him, I must admit that the London stage's loss was the cinema's gain. Rains eventually shed his accent and speech impediment after practising every day. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. 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. 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. Her mother is Frances Propper. Discover Jessica Rains's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. He is most remembered for The Invisible Man. Given his childhood speech impediments and his origins in a destitute London neighborhood, the . Resolutely unaddled by romantic posturings, political and sexual, that preoccupy the rest in the movie, he is the audiences perfect surrogate. ", Rains became a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1939. [27] A chronic alcoholic, Rains died from cirrhosis of the liver,[28] having an abdominal hemorrhage in Laconia on 30May 1967, aged 77. Show more Bette Davis. woodlands juvenile justice centre; how are snoop dogg and brandy cousins. She is an actress and producer, known for Sleeper (1973), Honky Tonk Freeway (1981) and Kotch (1971). Born January 24, 1938 Showcase yourself on IMDbPro Add to list More at IMDbPro Contact info Agent info Photos Known for Sleeper 7.1 Woman in the Mirror 1973 Jessica Rains, the only child of Claude Rains, is a producer and actress who lives in Venice, CA. [6] Moving to London in anticipation of starting her course, she worked part-time as a waitress and for the company BT Group. William Claude Rains, born in the Clapham area of London, was the son of the British stage actor Frederick Rains. People did talk about his height; he was only 5 feet 6, often wore elevator shoes, generally combed his hair in a pompadour that added another inch to his height and frequently stood on boxes when performing with statuesque actresses like Bergman. Given his childhood speech impediments and his origins in a destitute London neighborhood, the ascent of Claude Rains to the stage and screen was remarkable. Before serving in World War I, which cost him his sight in one eye, he was doing small roles. 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. Claude Rains was in an on-screen matchup with Vivien Leigh in Caesar and Cleopatra (1945). Rains invested these roles with a slight but palpable air of mystery. 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. About. His fourth wife, Frances Propper, was born around 1909. [10] She has also appeared in Ghosts and Punk Rock,[11] for which she won the Manchester Evening News Award for Best Supporting Actress. I don't think many people did that. Of course in the finished film he played the scene flawlessly, as he always did. He was known for many roles in Hollywood films, including the title role in The Invisible Man (1933), scientists, corrupt kings,and senators in The Wolf Man (1941),The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939), Mr. Dryden in . Other than that it was fairly dry and basically a summation of various early Invisible Man flicks. Published by: The University Press of Kentucky. Got something to say? [8] She played Tamsin Greig's 16-year-old daughter in David Hare's Gethsemane. His name was Claude Rains. (Frances) churning the butter, their daughter collecting the eggs, with Rains himself ploughing the fields and . 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Claude Rains died from an abdominal haemorrhage in Laconia on the 30th May, 1967, aged 77. Rains did not want his daughter to have a Pennsylvanian accent. And that scornful right eyebrow which could freeze an adversary faster than and more effectively than any physical threat. He was the firm but thoroughly sympathetic Dr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939). William Claude Rains was born on 10 November 1889 at 26 Tregothnan Road in Clapham, London. His daughter Jennifer was born on January 24, 1938. FLORENCE, Ala. -- Keeping her father's memory alive has become a sort of cause for Jessica Rains. In this Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009 photo, Jessica Rains, left, daughter of author Claude Rains talks at Bibb Graves Hall on the University of North Alabama campus, while author David Skal autographs his book about Rains' actor father, in Florence Ala. Three movie scripts, including one from Casablanca which starred Claude Rains with Humphrey Bogart, are being donated to the university. AbeBooks.com: Claude Rains: An Actor's Voice (Screen Classics) (9780813124322) by Skal, David J.; Rains, . She is an actress and producer, known for Sleeper (1973), Kotch (1971) and Islands in the Stream (1977). Rains became the first actor to receive a million-dollar salary when he portrayed Julius Caesar in a large-budget but . "Claude Rains: An Actor's Voice" by David J. Skal and Jessica Rains was published in 2008. In 1926 he immigrated . Claude Rains An Actor's Voice Screen Classics. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. 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. As an actress, she is known as Jessica Rains. On 30 May 1967, he died due to an abdominal hemorrhage, at the age of 77. Growing up in the world of theater, he saw not only acting up close but the down-to-earth business end as well, progressing from a page boy to a stage manager during his well-rounded learning experience. In 2019, Raine played Genevieve Taylor, a British liaison officer for Europol in the Netherlands, in the BBC One drama series Baptiste. 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). As an actress, she is known as Jessica Rains. He is most remembered for The Invisible Man. He married six times and was divorced from the first five of his wives: Isabel Jeans (married 19131915); Marie Hemingway (to whom Rains was married for less than a year in 1920); Beatrix Thomson (19248 April 1935); Frances Propper (9 April 1935 1956); and the classical pianist Agi Jambor (4 November 1959 1960). He was buried at the Red Hill Cemetery in Moultonborough, New Hampshire. That was outrageous to me. He went on to live in New Hampshire and passed away there on May 30, 1967 at age 77 from an abdominal hemorrhage. To view this content, please use one of the following compatible browsers: Jessica Rains in a TCM "Word of Mouth" remembering her father Claude Rains and his friend and colleague Bette Davis. And finally he paused and said with a sheepish look "Alibi Ike, good old Alibi Ike" ("Alibi Ike" being an expression based on a 1935 film of the same name, in which the lead character has a penchant for making up excuses). Claude Rains (William Claude Rains) was born on 10 November, 1889 in Clapham, London, England, UK, is an Actor, Soundtrack. "He grew up in the slums of London," his daughter Jessica told the audience at a special screening of one of his films in 2012. Rains's difficulties in his formative years provided reserves of gravitas and . (Northwest corner of W. Airport Freeway [HWY-183] & Valley View Lane). His acting was superb, and his eyes could say as much as his voice. "[29] He was buried at the Red Hill Cemetery in Moultonborough, New Hampshire. 4.15. Eventually I would learn of his other pictures and that he had come . He sang in the Farm Street Church choir, which also brought him a few pence to take home. Jessica has performed the role Marina of 'Visions', Technician of 'Murder by Natural Causes', and Secretary of 'Wonder Woman'. ", Rains' debut speaking role in the theatre, This supporting role marked Rains' return to the stage after being wounded in WWI. What are my Entertainment & Multimedia Worth? The fall colors were in full flourish. Also included in the auction were many volumes of his private leather-bound scrapbooks which contained many of his press cuttings and reviews from the beginning of his career. Discover today's celebrity birthdays and explore famous people who share your birthday. And he had much to overcome -- poverty, cockney birth, indifferent parents, a dreadful accent. In fact he was one of the best and most popular teachers there. Claude Rains Salary Detail. Rains' only child, Jennifer Rains, an actress, was born in January 1938 to Frances Propper. "In the case of 'An Actor's Voice: Claude Rains,' there were 30 hours of taped never-before-seen interviews (Rains) had recorded before his death for a biography he wanted to do himself. We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 24 January. Photo: Eagle Lion. His fifth wife, Agi, was a widow who had lost her husband in 1949. [2] During his lengthy career, he was greatly admired by many of his acting colleagues, such as Bette Davis, Vincent Sherman, Ronald Neame, Albert Dekker, Peter O'Toole, John Gielgud, Charles Laughton and Richard Chamberlain. He is a member of famous Actor with the age 78 years old group. Given his childhood speech impediments and his origins in a destitute London neighborhood, the ascent of Claude Rains to the stage and screen was remarkable. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. He starred in Richard B. Sheridan's "The Rivals" on stage in 1925. It was a beautiful weekend! His insouciantly cynical but ultimately redeemable Captain Renault in Casablanca has many of the films best lines, delivered with insinuating ease. I don't know whatever happened to him. In radio, she has played Felice in the Murray Gold play Kafka the Musical, broadcast in April 2011 on BBC Radio 3. In February 2014, Raine joined the cast of the BBC Two police drama Line of Duty for series 2 as Detective Constable Georgia Trotman working for the AC12 anti corruption unit. On the way up, we stopped in Concord for lunch then proceeded to the small, country cemetery . [1] Dia dikenal karena telah banyak memerankan film-film Hollywood seperti The Invisible Man (1933), pernah berperan juga sebagai ilmuwan, raja yang korup, dan senator di . Sold into syndication after its first telecast, it was repeated annually by many local US TV stations. She was a pianist-composer and Bach expert who taught music at Bryn Mawr. Three Things to know about Heritage Live! User Review - Not Available - Book Verdict. He was married six times and had Jessica, his only child, with his fourth wife Francis Propper. Generally he had no problem remembering his lines despite getting along in years. Jaquith in Now, Voyager (1942) and the smoothly sardonic but engaging Capt. login . I think he failed, and had to go to America. 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. Raine began a relationship with fellow actor Tom Goodman-Hill in 2010 after they met while appearing in the play Earthquakes in London. His longest marriage, to Frances Propper, lasted 20 years and produced his daughter. He could also throw out a high-pitched maniac laugh that would make you leave the lights on before going to bed. The handicap of a bad Bloody Idiots Who Couldnt Learn Their Lines, MacGuffins Deceptions Domestic Recriminations, Biography & Autobiography / Entertainment & Performing Arts, Performing Arts / Film / History & Criticism. What did Disney actually lose from its Florida battle with DeSantis? His screen test for A Bill of Divorcement (1932) for a New York representative of RKO was a failure but, according to some accounts, led to his being cast in the title role of James Whale's The Invisible Man (1933) after his screen test and unique voice were inadvertently overheard from the next room. 290 pages. The farm became one of the "great prides" of his life. Street Address: During his early years, Rains taught at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA). It joins another Oscar-winning film in UNA's archives, "Marty," which came to campus compliments of actor Ernest Borgnine. "I remember going to my local libraries to see if there was anything written about my dad," she said of her father, Hollywood legend Claude Rains. He was the surreptitiously nervous and malignant Alexander Sebastian in Notorious (1946) and the egotistical and domineering conductor Alexander Hollenius in Deception (1946). His only singing and dancing role was in a 1957 television musical version of Robert Browning's The Pied Piper of Hamelin, with Van Johnson as the Piper. In 1960, he married Rosemary Clark Schrode, to whom he was married until her death on 31 December 1964. He played opposite the challenging Bette Davis in three movies through the decade and came out her equal in acting virtuosity. Be sure to watch/record Svengoolie's big broadcast of "The Invisible Man" (1933) with Claude Rains, this Sat. Jessica Rains was born on January 24, 1938 in Los Angeles, California, USA as Jennifer Rains. Rains, so I thought he hated me. With his smooth distinguished voice he could portray a wide variety of roles, ranging from villains to sympathetic gentlemen. He is from UK. Claude Rains and Frances . on Me-TV! by David J. Skal and Jessica Rains. By 1936, he was at Warner Bros. with its ambitious laundry list of literary epics in full swing. [23], He acquired the 380-acre (1.5km2) Stock Grange Farm, built in 1747 in West Bradford Township, Pennsylvania (just outside Coatesville), in 1941.