THE DAWN PATROL and CAPTAIN BLOOD for me. Especially the former, he's so atypically anxiety-ridden in that as the commanding officer. Not like most of his other roles where he's the picture of poise.

I think, for me, the role and performance that I think of first, and that especially makes an impression on me, is as Karenin in Anna Karenina. Then come various of his charmingly villainous type roles. For example in the films that have been mentioned above, or in 1937's Confession, or in 1942's Crossroads.

I forgot about ANNA KARENINA. He was suitably wicked in that role. I'm glad he didn't get too typecast, especially after the Sherlock pics (which I loved).

Mr. Rathbone falls in the elite special category of very greatest major Hollywood Golden Age supporting actors/actresses who sometimes starred, but who mainly remained in the supporting category - yet who feel entirely like they were major top stars in their own right, even from solely their supporting roles work. Mary Astor and Joan Blondell are two others I mentally group into that rarified elite category, of so major and great in support, and with such big and prominent, and plentiful, roles, including in some very prestigious and/or hugely classic films, that they don't at all feel like that they were other than huge stars themselves.

Being a REAR WINDOW fan (who isn't!), Thelma Ritter is the one that stands out for me. Nominated 7 times and never won the supporting actress Oscar. Was surprised to see that Rathbone was never nommed for any of his supporting roles.

@elliotthomas97 said:

Was surprised to see that Rathbone was never nommed for any of his supporting roles.

Rathbone was nominated for the Oscar twice - for Romeo and Juliet and If I Were King. He certainly should have been recognised for some of his other characterisations but I guess that he was largely associated with his action roles, not the type of character that tends to attract the Academy's attention.

He was originally slated to play the role of the father of Olivia de Havilland's character in The Heiress, the role eventually played so perfectly by Ralph Richardson. Rathbone had portrayed the character to great acclaim on stage but was unavailable for the film. I suspect that had he been able to play the role, that would have been his Oscar performance.

Wow, I didn't realise that. They were very early roles, no? That's a pity about THE HEIRESS, still a very well known film even today.

@genplant29 said:

Mr. Rathbone falls in the elite special category of very greatest major Hollywood Golden Age supporting actors/actresses who sometimes starred, but who mainly remained in the supporting category - yet who feel entirely like they were major top stars in their own right, even from solely their supporting roles work. Mary Astor and Joan Blondell are two others I mentally group into that rarified elite category, of so major and great in support, and with such big and prominent, and plentiful, roles, including in some very prestigious and/or hugely classic films, that they don't at all feel like that they were other than huge stars themselves.

Beautifully put! In the modern world it is so hard for such character actors to become marquee names in this manner - they may very well be respected, even get the odd plum role, but they are not STARS. Astor and Blondell are great examples, and I'd also add George Sanders, Charles Coburn, Peter Lorre, Gloria Grahame...

@elliotthomas97 said:

Wow, I didn't realise that. They were very early roles, no? That's a pity about THE HEIRESS, still a very well known film even today.

Yes, both from the 1930s - and I don't think either is considered top tier work for him.

Agree - while Richardson was magnificent in the role, the idea of Rathbone reprising the role that had recently won him a Tony is tantalising.

According to this very detailed and informative bio he was crushed when the part went to Richardson.

Incidentally this site also includes some fascinating pictures of Rathbone as a child - he is unmistakable! - during WW1 and with his favourite dog!

Very informative. Many thanks!

Wow, can't believe I didn't post anything in this discussion yet!

I never can resist talking about the amazing Mr. Basil Rathbone, as he's been one of my special favorites for a couple years now. I have always admired not only his excellent work as an actor, but also his respectable private life as a person.

My favorite Rathbone roles are, in no particular order:

The Comedy of Terrors because he was just so hilariously hammy in that. I always get a laugh out of his death scene. (All three [or four?] of them!)

Anna Karenina because his performance was brilliant in a somewhat thankless role.

The Sherlock Holmes films, of course, because that's how I was introduced to him.

His swashbuckling films, because I love a good sword fight. Though I do wish he could've lived to see the end of the movie, instead of being skewered as a nasty villain.

And, Son of Frankenstein. It's just a fun Universal horror pic, and very enjoyable with Basil in the lead role.

Incidentally, the films he was Oscar-nominated for are Romeo and Juliet (1936), as Tybalt; and If I Were King (1938) as King Louis XI opposite the wonderful Ronald Colman. Both times he lost the Oscar to Walter Brennan.

The Bazz is definitely one of my supreme all-time favourites. Watching anything that he's in would be perfect "comfort food" viewing during the concerning stuff everyone's living through of late and for however much longer to come. Watching a great old movie: Excellent escape! (That emoji is supposed to evoke Basil, portraying some dashing villain, fencing with whomever is the movie's hero!)

Couldn't agree more, gen! And I too hope this situation comes to an end before too much longer. Hope you're doing well.

I have been watching (and rewatching) a lot of old movies at night as a pleasant escape after another long day. I'm hoping to get around to rewatching some Bazz stuff, maybe tonight. Definitely sometime this week.

Love that emoji!!

Hoping you and yours will all remain safe and well, barry!

I've watched I think only one old movie during the last 4-6 or so weeks, so really need to try to make a point to do some making up for lost time. This new month (while everyone's staying put) would certainly be ideal time for doing some serious Classic Films bingeing!

Thank you, and the same to you!

Yes, hopefully things will begin to clear up by the time we see this month out, and in the meantime, enjoy your Classics binging!