Claude Rains

Adam Lemp, the Dean of the Briarwood Music Foundation, has passed on his love of music to his four early adult daughters – Thea, Emma, Kay and Ann – who live with him and his sister, the girls’ Aunt Etta, in the long time family home. Of the four, Kay has the greatest promise as a musical performer, specifically as a singer. Theirs is a loving family, however much the girls exasperate their father with their love of popular music, since he loves only the classics, most specifically Beethoven. The girls support each other however they can, but each is an individual with her own distinct personality and wants, including the type of man each wants as a husband. Practical but deep in her heart romantic Emma has long been courted by their next door neighbor, unassuming florist Ernest Talbot, and clever Thea wants to be Mrs. Ben Crowley, he a wealthy up and coming banker with prospects. Only the youngest, the fun loving Ann, states that she doesn’t want to get married. Their collective … Written by HuggoRead More »

Errol Flynn duels into action in Warner Bros.’ spectacular, spirited film of Mark Twain’s classic novel. Amid 16th-century England’s pomp and poverty, two lookalike lads, one a beggar and one young Edward VI, exchange identities for a lark. But their switch backfires and it’s up to soldier of fortune Miles Hendon (Flynn) to turn the tables on a conspirator (Claude Rains) and return the correct lad to the throne. Flynn’s rakish persona, William Keighley’s brisk direction, Erich Wolfgang Korngold’s score and the spry performances of twins Billy and Bobby Mauch helped many a film fan form an enchanted view of olde England. That view is just as rousing today. The Prince and the Pauper is regal all-family entertainment.Read More »

Synopsis:
The White Tower, a Matterhorn-like mountain in the Swiss Alps, has never been climbed. Carla Alten’s father, a famous mountaineer, died in a long-ago attempt. Now, Carla, determined to fulfill her father’s dream, has assembled an unusual climbing party to tackle the nearly-impossible ascent.Read More »

Upon the death of his brother, Larry Talbot returns from America to his ancestral home in Wales. He visits a gypsy camp with village girl Jenny Williams, who is attacked by Bela, a gypsy who has turned into a werewolf. Larry kills the werewolf but is bitten during the fight. Bela’s mother tells him that this will cause him to become a werewolf at each full moon. Larry confesses his plight to his unbelieving father, Sir John, who then joins the villagers in a hunt for the wolf. Transformed by the full moon, Larry heads for the forest and a fateful meeting with both Sir John and Gwen Conliffe.Read More »

Quote:
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) is producer/director Frank Capra’s classic comedy-drama, and considered by many to be his greatest achievement in film (and reminiscent of his earlier film, Mr. Deeds Goes To Town (1936)). [In fact, the film project by Columbia was first announced as Mr. Deeds Goes to Washington starring Gary Cooper, in a role similar to his previous Longfellow Deeds character.]Read More »

Faith Domergue, the latest of Howard Hughes’ protegees, made her film debut in 1950’s Where Danger Lives. Domergue plays Margo Lannington the wife of Frederick Lannington (Claude Rains), an elderly millionaire possessed of a sadistic streak. Robert Mitchum co-stars as Jeff Cameron, a poor soul who falls in love with Margo without knowing that she’s married. During a violent confrontation with the jealous Frederick, Cameron knocks the older man out and stumbles out of the room. Upon his return, he discovers that Frederick is dead. Margo had smothered her husband during Cameron’s absence, but she insists that Cameron is the killer.Read More »

Brief Synopsis:
A woman tries to protect her refugee husband from her rich and powerful ex-lover.

Quote:
Deception is an operatic rehash of the 1929 film Jealousy. Music teacher Bette Davis–who evidently has a large student pool, judging by the size of her penthouse apartment–is reunited with her cellist lover Paul Henreid, whom she believed to have been killed in the war. Henreid wants to marry Davis, but he is unaware that she has, for the past several years, been the “protege” of composer Claude Rains. Read More »

Synopsis:
Pit violinist Claudin hopelessly loves rising operatic soprano Christine Dubois (as do baritone Anatole and police inspector Raoul) and secretly aids her career. But Claudin loses both his touch and his job, murders a rascally music publisher in a fit of madness, and has his face etched with acid. Soon, mysterious crimes plague the Paris Opera House, blamed on a legendary “phantom” whom none can find in the mazes and catacombs. But both of Christine’s lovers have plans to ferret him out.Read More »

Synopsis:
‘It’s postwar London and Mary Justin runs into Steve Stratton, a university lecturer and her first and truest love. Having opted for the security of marriage to a financier, the meeting reawakens memories of their passionate relationship. And matters reach their inevitable conclusion when they meet again in the Alps.’
– ScreenrushRead More »