The Invisible Man (1933)

The Invisible Man (1933)

[8] Claude Rains (Casablanca, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington) stars as a scientist who makes himself invisible, but struggles to find a way to reverse his situation. As he toils, the experiment wears on his sanity, turning him into a…
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)

[8] Jimmy Stewart gives a career-defining performance in this Frank Capra classic about a celebrated boy scout leader (Stewart) who gets chosen to fill a deceased senator's seat in the U.S. congress. His party assumes Stewart will be a doting…
The Last Outpost (1935)

The Last Outpost (1935)

[6] Cary Grant and Claude Rains star as British officers whose paths cross time and again on the Eastern front of World War I. The two become friends after Rains saves Grant from Kurdish raiders. Grant then goes on to…
The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)

The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)

[7] Errol Flynn stars in his most enduring performance in this romantic action adventure that has captured audiences of all ages for more than three-quarters of a century. You know the story: In the absence of King Richard, Prince John…
Now, Voyager (1942)

Now, Voyager (1942)

[7] Bette Davis stars as Charlotte Vale, a nervous young woman whose emotionally abusive mother (Gladys Cooper) causes her to submit herself to a sanitarium. Under the care of her doctor (Claude Rains), Charlotte begins to gain the confidence to…
Anthony Adverse (1936)

Anthony Adverse (1936)

[6] In 18th century Italy, an orphan boy comes of age with the help of nuns and a kindly mentor, falls in love, gets embroiled in the slave trade, and fights for his inheritance in this adaptation of Hervey Allen's…
The Prince and the Pauper (1937)

The Prince and the Pauper (1937)

[7] Twins Billy and Bobby Mauch do very well as the title characters in this lavish production of Mark Twain's oft-told tale of mistaken identity. Claude Rains takes the role of villainy this time, playing an evil Earl who forces…
Here Comes Mr. Jordan (1941)

Here Comes Mr. Jordan (1941)

[5] Claude Rains is gold in all his scenes as the god-like Mr. Jordan, but I find the movie's playfully fatalistic view of love and self-purpose too saccharine to swallow. Robert Montgomery is also good as the deceased boxer who,…
The Sea Hawk (1940)

The Sea Hawk (1940)

[7] In this romantic, seafaring adventure from director Michael Curtiz (Casablanca), Errol Flynn swashbuckles as a pirate hired by Queen Elizabeth I to thwart the Spanish armada. The Sea Hawk rises above Saturday matinee standards by integrating a healthy dose…
Mr. Skeffington (1944)

Mr. Skeffington (1944)

[5] Bette Davis stars as a woman who marries a banker (Claude Rains) to protect her brother from embezzlement charges. Claude Rains' character knows full well that she's marrying him for his money, but hopes that in time she'll grow…