Synopsis
Born into the English working class, Claude Rains (1889-1967) overcame a severe speech impediment to become a fixture of the London theater scene. 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. In 1926 he immigrated to America where, despite what Rains described as 'the worst screen test of all time', he was hired by director James Whale to play the title role in an adaptation of H. G. Wells' "The Invisible Man", a tour-de-force depending completely on his vocal skills. In "Claude Rains: An Actor's Voice", noted author David J. Skal illustrates how Rains' talents were well suited to Hollywood's studio system, allowing him to become one of cinema's best known character actors. He lent his commanding presence to such landmark films as "Casablanca", "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington", "Notorious", and "Lawrence of Arabia" and was nominated for four Academy Awards. Bette Davis considered him her favorite acting partner. Drawing on over thirty hours of newly released audio interviews with Rains and enriched by daughter Jessica Rains' contributions, "Claude Rains" is an intimate portrait and the first full biography of this gifted actor.
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About the Author
David J. Skal is the author of numerous books about film and popular culture, including Hollywood Gothic and The Monster Show. He is a frequent lecturer and talk-show guest and has produced several documentaries about Hollywood history, including documentaries about Claude Rains's The Invisible Man and Phantom of the Opera. Jessica Rains, the only child of Claude Rains, is a producer and actress whose performance credits include The Sting, Pete and Tillie, Islands in the Stream, and Portnoy's Complaint.
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Claude Rains: An Actor's Voice (Screen Classics)
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Claude Rains: An Actor's Voice (Screen Classics)
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Claude Rains: An Actor's Voice (Screen Classics)
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ISBN 10: 0813124328
ISBN 13: 9780813124322
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Claude Rains; An Actor's Voice
Published by
The University Press of Kentucky, 2008
ISBN 10: 0813124328
ISBN 13: 9780813124322
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Claude Rains: an Actor's Voice (Screen Classics)
Published by
The University Press Of Kentucky, 2008
ISBN 10: 0813124328
ISBN 13: 9780813124322
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First Edition
Seller: Old Book Shop of Bordentown (ABAA, ILAB), Bordentown, NJ, U.S.A.
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Hardcover. Condition: Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: fine. First edition. Fine in fine dust jacket. First printing. Hardcover. x+ 290 pp. with bibliography, index. Illustrated with photographs. Quite scarce. The first full-length biography of actor Claude Rains (1889-1967). Rains was born into poverty in a destitute London neighborhood and suffered from a speech impediment as a child. He wwnt on to become one of the most recognizable and respected actors in Hollywood in the 1930s and beyond. Among his acclaimed performances were roles in "The Invisible Man", "Mr. Smith Goes To Washington", "Notorious", "The Phantom of the Opera" and as Captain Renault in the iconic "Casablanca". Rains' daughter Jessica adds firsthand insights and account of the enigmatic man behind her father's refined screen presence and genteel public persona. Seller Inventory # E24951x
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Claude Rains: An Actor's Voice (Screen Classics)
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Hardcover. Condition: Fair. Dust Jacket Condition: Fair. 2nd Edition. UK delivery usually in 1-3 working days. 2008. Tight, firm copy. Unclipped jacket has light wear & some crinkles from dampness. Boards clean but slightly splayed at ends & have probably been damp affected along bottom. The pages mostly have been very gently used so are in excellent condition being crisp, clean & inscription/annotation/crease free & not damp affected. However p.129-133 have been affected by small burn mark/hole, this affect a few words but still readable (please see pictures). A decent copy but can only be a low rating. If you have any queries please contact us. We endeavour to send orders as quickly as possible & in most cases are sent by first available post 6 days a week. Seller Inventory # 001998
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