In praise of Claude Rains

Posted on February 22, 2007 by sheila

I love the “5 for the day” series on House Next Door – and today the focus is on Claude Rains – one of my favorite actors ever.

With an entire career of great performances – my favorite has to be Notorious – merely because it’s so … psychosexual and bizarre … and subtle … and … messed UP. Seriously. Sebastien is a fascinating villain – with strange Oedipal overtones – and Rains is absolutely BRILLIANT in that part.

Anyway, go over and enjoy. It’s hard to choose “5 for the day” because he had such an incredible career – but that’s part of the fun of the “5 for the day” series. It’s a great jumping-off point for conversation.

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4 Responses to In praise of Claude Rains

  1. Alex says:
    February 22, 2007 at 2:19 pm

    Dear God.

    The understanding, patient and yet sexually charged doctor in “Now Voyager”?

    Please.

    Please.

    Brilliant, brilliant mostly forgotten actor.

  2. red says:
    February 22, 2007 at 2:26 pm

    yeah, seriously. As far as I’m concerned, Claude Rains is pretty much as good as it gets.

  3. James Steerforth says:
    February 22, 2007 at 6:45 pm

    “Notorious” is one hell of a movie, and Claude Rains’ role is quite subtle. Not exactly your blatant villain at all.

  4. Hank says:
    February 23, 2007 at 10:27 am

    Agreed James.
    I actually found myself feeling sorry for him
    at the end of Notorious when they would not let him into the car to escape and he turned and started walking back into the house.

    I definitely have to check out more movies of his.

    Regards.

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