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

Soister, John T.; Wioskowski, JoAnna

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0786428554 ISBN 13: 9780786428557

Publisher: McFarland & Co, 2006

Synopsis

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.

About this title

Review

"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.

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.

About this edition

• Publisher: McFarland & Co
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 0786428554
• ISBN 13: 9780786428557
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 280