MovieChat Forums > Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) Discussion > Claude Rains is brilliant in this film!

Claude Rains is brilliant in this film!

posted 17 years ago by cryofry
23 replies | jump to latest

I think Claude Rains did a fantastic job in this film. He was great in expressing his emotions, without using words. You could tell what he was thinking just by looking at him.

In the scene where Jeff storms out of the room upon hearing Paine’s lies, Paine simply looks down glumly and ashamed, covering his face with his hand. It’s subtle, but brilliant. There are many more scenes scattered throughout the film, but to me that one stands out.

"Revenge is a dish best served cold"

[–] victorlaslow 17 years ago

Claude Rains is brilliant in everything.

Semper Ubi Sub Ubi

[–] thepods 17 years ago

I agree completely, he is one of the all time great supporting players. Just see this, Notorious and Casablanca for more evidence.

[–] giverny98 11 years ago

Hubby and I just watched Casablanca (again) last night. I've seen it many times and I try to focus on one actor's performance per viewing. Last night it was Claude Raines turn. He really is so expressive and judicious in the use of words. Love him.

[–] Moon_and_New_York_City 10 years ago

one of the all time great character actors, never gave a bad performance, and makes every film worth watching

the best that you can do is fall in love

[–] doug7347 17 years ago

Claude Rains made his stage debut at 11, and in his 30's was the drama professor who taught Laurence Olivier and John Gielgud how to act. Claude Rains was a brilliant and masterful actor.

[–] rick03 17 years ago

In my opinion, Claude Rains was the best supporting actor of all time. Louis Renault will forever be his best performance but this is certainly right up there.

[–] hafabee 17 years ago

I haven't seen a movie with Claude Rains that I didn't like him in, or thought that his performance was sub-par, he's an amazing actor one of the very best.

[–] BethOrr 17 years ago

Claude Rains is the greatest character actor in movie history. He was brilliant in everything. Watch him in Deception, 1946, with Bette Davis. That is brilliant!

[–] Withnail_fan 16 years ago

I did really enjoy his acting I have to say!

"To days to come. All my love to long ago"

[–] ragusa11 16 years ago

He was the best Prince John. See Errol Flynn's Robin Hood.

Casablanca was one of the best scene stealing performances of all time.

The range of emotion in this movie was an amazing performance.

[–] thehair100 16 years ago

Also, catch Claude at his VERY best in "Kings Row," one of my Top Ten Films. He is totally CHILLING in that one, yet brilliant and somewhat sympathetic. He excelled at playing seemingly classy, yet psycho characters. In "Kings" he kills himself... and his mentally ill daughter. A phenominal performance in a film FILLED with them, Claude still stood out.

[–] rick03 16 years ago

absolutely correct. "Scene stealing" is the perfect way to put it.

[–] Mr_McLaurel 16 years ago

Agreed. I had to rewind the DVD and watch his final speech twice because it was so awesome - listen to how his voice cracks when he says "corruption." Brilliant.

What's the Spanish for drunken bum?

[–] MarilynGraceBogart 16 years ago

He truly was! I didn't even recognize him, I guess I've watched Casablanca too many times. The white hair really threw me =]

"You're cute."
"I'm getting cuter every minute."
Humphrey Bogart

[–] BlondeVixen 16 years ago

They don't make 'em like that anymore. He had a great speaking voice as well.

[–] Junie87 16 years ago

agreed Blonde Vixen, he was something special alright!

[–] gbromberg 15 years ago

Yeah, Claude Rains is terrific in this film.

It was a great role, too, in that he had to somehow convey that he was a geniunely good guy in spite of the fact that he sides with the antagonists. I liked him as a person in the movie and I couldn't wait for him to eventually concede to Jefferson Smith.

[–] bradford-1 13 years ago

One of the great film voices. He obviously carries THE INVISIBLE MAN, and you never see his face until the final eight seconds!

"May I bone your kipper, Mademoiselle?"

[–] Danusha_Goska 12 years ago

It's great reading these salutes to Claude Rains.

Don't miss "Mr. Skeffington." He plays the (very) romantic lead in that one.

And he is *perfect* cast opposite Bette Davis. He does not allow her to get anything out of him that he does not want to give. So different from Henry Fonda in "jezebel," who just flounders across from Bette. Or George Brent who was good, but allowed himself to be overshadowed.

http://www.amazon.com/Save-Send-Delete-Danusha-Goska/dp/1846949866

[–] maria6419 11 years ago

He is hella sexy!

[–] mxzt 10 years ago

Indeed, excellent performance by him. I love how his voice resonates.

[–] Maddyclassicfilms 9 years ago

Agreed. He does so much and yet so little, his performance is all in his eyes and is very subtle but powerful. He is the most interesting character in this too because he realises he can be his own man and should be honest and doesn't have to work with the corrupt and greedy politicians anymore.

Go to bed Frank or this is going to get ugly .