It's Raining Claude!

Claude Rains came from across the pond--where most classically trained actors originate from--yet despite his English accent, he had the ability to twist and turn any look or action to fit the person he was portraying. Claude was a textbook supporting character actor and in addition to his talent, unlike any other from his time, I believe he had one of the most impressive resumes to ever come out of Hollywood. The people he worked with! Directors Frank Capra, Alfred Hitchcock, Micheal Curtiz and David Lean; and actors Cary Grant, Jimmy Stewart, Humphrey Bogart and Errol Flynn. But of course what would an actor be without his leading and supporting ladies? Well, Claude's were spectacular. Ingrid Bergman, Bette Davis, Jean Arthur, Vivien Leigh and Olivia de'Haviland--just to name a few. Even throughout his entire career of countless classics, the one role that defines Claude's work is without a doubt his portrayal of Alexander Sebastian in Alfred Hitchcock's 1946 suspense thriller masterpiece, Notorious.
Alexander was not over-the-top in hysterics or blatantly psychotic in any way. He was just a run of the mill Nazi trying to poison his wife. Yes, the character sounds outrageous, but what makes Claude's performance memorable is the sheer humanity he brought to the picture. Amidst all of the sympathy and empathy showered onto Ingrid Bergman and Cary Grant, the heroes, upon viewing Notorious, one finds himself giving their heart to Claude. The talent to make a very bad man who does very bad things seem not so bad at all is complicated, but Claude is effortless, and he gives most, if not all, along with the uncomprable script by Ben Hecht and theme of love, Notorious' power as one of the greatest films ever made.
I laugh with Claude as the ridiculously eccentric Prince John from The Adventures of Robin Hood (1936), I am terrified of him as Don Louis in Anthony Adverse (1936), I have contempt for him as Senator Joe Paine from Mr. Smith Goes To Washington (1939), I want to be best friends with him as Captain Renault in Casablanca (1942) and I am, even with Cary Grant filling the frame, head over heels in love with him as Alex in Notorious. He was only 5'6'' but Claude Rains was perhaps the biggest talent to ever grace the silver screen.

FILM TO WATCH---CLAUDE RAINS: Notorious (1946) Dir. Alfred Hitchcock.