UNA English Club helps salute acting legend
Claude Rains of "The Invisible Man" and "Casablanca" to be honored
Issue date: 11/19/09 Section: News
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Rains, who died in 1967 at the age of 77, earned Academy Award nominations for his unforgettable roles in "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington," "Casablanca," "Mr. Skeffington" and "Notorious." At the age of 62, he captured the coveted Tony Award as Best Actor of 1951 for his gripping performance in the politically charged Broadway drama "Darkness at Noon."
This week's special tribute to Rains will include two public events - a screening of "The Invisible Man" and a live performance of "Darkness at Noon" - celebrating the actor's contributions to theater, film and television.
The free screening of James Whale's 1933 film version of "The Invisible Man" - based on the classic science-fiction novel by H.G. Wells - will take place at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18, in the Performance Center at UNA's Guillot University Center.
The screening will be followed by a panel discussion featuring Rains' daughter, actress Jessica Rains (whose films include "Kotch," "The Sting and Sleeper"), author, film historian and previous Pillar of Fire guest David J. Skal (Hollywood Gothic," "The Monster Show") and actor and author Richard Seff (who appeared on stage with Rains in the original Broadway production of "Darkness at Noon").
"Jessica and David collaborated on an exceptional biography of Jessica's father called "Claude Rains: An Actor's Voice," noted Pillar of Fire co-founder Terry Pace, who also teaches English at UNA. "Their book provides a vivid, affectionate and remarkably revealing portrait of one of the most beloved actors of all time. When that biography was released late last year, it provided Pillar of Fire and the UNA English Club with the inspiration to stage this tribute to Claude Rains' acting achievements as well as his enduring influence. His films will live forever."
Health and schedules permitting, legendary "Fahrenheit 451" author and Pillar of Fire co-founder Ray Bradbury and veteran actor, director and producer Norman Lloyd will offer their recollections and insights by phone during the panel discussion at UNA.
"Ray and I formed Pillar of Fire to showcase and celebrate the finest works in the genres most closely associated with Ray's work - science fiction, fantasy and the macabre," said Pace. "With that in mind, our repertoire of film screenings, dramatic readings and stage productions primarily focuses on Ray's work, but we also perform and present works by authors or filmmakers who inspired Ray as well as works by talents who have been inspired by Ray.
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