Claude Rains: An Actor’s Voice
Published by University Press of Kentucky, 2008. 290 pages.
By David J. Skal with Jessica Rains

Like most horror fans, I knew the name of Claude Rains because of his starring role in The Invisible Man (1933), as well his performances in The Wolf Man (1941), and Phantom of the Opera (1943). Eventually I would learn of his other pictures and that he had come from the world of the stage, starting out at a very young age, and even battling a speech impediment and strong cockney accent. I even wrote a retrospective on The Invisible Man for HorrorHound magazine, doing quite a bit of research, and thinking I had a good insight into the actor himself. But like most things in life, there is always room to learn more. And after reading Skal’s book, I realized how much more.

There are several biographies currently in publication on Rains that I had planned on adding to my library, but it was Skal’s book that I acquired first. While looking for the next book to read, this was still sitting off to the side, not yet put away in the bookshelf, I picked it up and started to read the introduction. The next thing I knew, I was already 50 pages deep into this wonderful story. I think that is where Skal excels here, in telling a very compelling story filling it in with bits of information here and there.

We learn early on that by the age of 12, young Claude had quit school and was working in the theater as a call boy, where most of his pay went back to his struggling parents. He would move up the ranks to stage manager, as well as other duties, learning all about the theater life and the stage, eventually becoming an actor himself. He made his stage debut in 1904, at the age of 15.

Now if you go into this expecting to read all sorts of stories and stuff about his horror career, you will be sadly disappointed. There are parts where those films are discussed, but mostly in passing. The same goes for most of his films and stage work. There are some great antidotes, personal interactions with different actors, directors, and such, as well. But the book is about Rains, not his work.

What you will find is the very interesting life of an incredible actor, one that knew his roles inside and out, and was the utmost consummate professional. Many times, even with the smallest of parts, could get more attention and praise than the ones leading the cast. Not intentional, mind you, but just because he was that good. His talent also could have been strengthened when he was a teacher at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, having students such as Laurence Olivier, John Gielgud, and Charles Laughton.

The last chunk of the book, close to 100 pages, lists his work on the stage, film, and radio and recorded programs. This alone shows the scope of his amazing career.

If you are a movie fan, especially of the early days of cinema, I think you’ll find yourself really enjoying this book. As a horror fan, you’re not going to learn too much about those films, but you will definitely learn more about the man behind a few of the classics.