1943 – Claude Rains
Casablanca
My goodness! Was there a movie in that era of old Hollywood that didn’t feature Claude Rains? He was in everything! And he was always good! And Casablanca is no exception. He did a fantastic job of playing a true supporting role. He was charming, charismatic, and handsome, easily keeping up with the film’s leading man, Humphrey Bogart. He looked the part and acted the hell out of it.
As Captain Renault of the French Police in the city of Casablanca, he was wonderful and memorable. He was as corrupt as he could be, and completely unapologetic about it, almost wore it as a badge of honor. He gladly served the Nazi officers in search of Victor Lazlo, even to the point of betraying his friend Rick to the bad guys in the film’s climax, and then ended up betraying them when the opportunity presented itself. He created such a despicable, and yet likeable character.
I loved how Rains completely understood the character, how he was happily subservient to the Nazi occupiers, took bribes and money from Rick’s gambling tables in fixed games, and having all the alcohol he wanted while never paying for any of it. But strangely enough, he also seemed to be good at his job, catching the murderous criminal, Signor Ugarte to show off for Major Strasser of the Third Reich. As an actor, Rains had the confidence and charisma to show that Renault was intelligent and absolutely amoral in his dealings with friends and enemies alike.
The scene in which Rains stood out to me was fantastic. When Strasser is embarrassed because the French citizens started singing their own National Anthem, La Marseillaise, over the German’s in the Café, who were singing Die Wacht am Rhein, the Nazi orders Renault to close the café. He protests once, but when the order is reiterated, he immediately blows his whistle and closes the establishment. Rains was great in that scene. When Rick asks why his business is being closed by the police, Renault answers, “I’m shocked! Shocked to find that gambling is going on in here.” Someone gives him money, saying, “Your winnings, sir.” Then he finishes up with, “Oh, thank you very much. Everybody out at once!” Rains was perfect, and I loved his performance.