BASIL RATHBONE
BIRTH: June 13, 1892 in South Africa
DEATH: July 21, 1967
AGED: 75 years
DIED FROM: Heart Attack
REAL NAME: Philip St. John Basil Rathbone
MARRIED: Twice 2nd to Ouida Bergere from 1926 to his death. She was an actress and writer and later, his manager.
CHILDREN: 1 son with first wife. Had a daughter in 1928 with his 2nd wife but she died in infancy. Adopted a daughter in 1939.
OSCAR NOMINATIONS: Twice- “ Romeo and Juliet” - 1936 and “ If I Were King”-1938
TALENT: an expert swordsman who helped train Errol Flynn and Tyrone Power in the films they made together.
KNOWN FOR: His diction in the English language; 14 films he made as Sherlock Holmes and the very famous parties he and his wife gave.
I always liked this character actor that made many films better because he was in it. He often played the bad guy done in by the likes of Errol Flynn, Tyrone Power and Danny Kaye but he was also known as the greatest detective, Sherlock Holmes, in 14 films with Nigel Bruce as Dr. Watson. I felt he often did his roles a bit tongue and cheek especially, later on, when he made movies like “The Girl In the Invisible Bikini” (a favourite of mine) to “Hillbillies in a Haunted House”. He was happy to be a good guy when he made the Sherlock Holmes movies only to be happy to be done with it by appearing on the New York stage in, “The Heiress” for which he won a Tony Award. Later, he often mimicked his Holmes character in TV Commercials.
He was in WW1, under the London Scottish Regiment and was given the Military Cross for his daring venture of scouting out enemy lines in broad daylight under disguise( a white outfit with leaves and benches attached). He was also very angry when his younger brother died in battle in 1918.
He got his acting chops playing Shakespeare notably, Romeo before he went to Hollywood. He was known as a genial man who gave some of the best parties with his wife, Ouida who really knew how to be the best hostess. I would have loved to have gone to one of their parties which were so famous Bob Hope made a quip about them in one of his movies.
He was a professional in his field and more and had fun with it later on in his life. One of the best character actors to grace the screen.
FILMS
1. David Copperfield-1935
2. Anna Karenina-1935
3. A Tale of Two Cities-1935
4. Captain Blood-1935
5. Tovarich-1937
6. The Adventures of Robin Hood-1938
7. The Dawn Patrol-1938
8. The Hound of the Baskervilles-1939
9. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes-1939
10. The Mark of Zorro- 1940
More…
11. Crossroads-1942
12. The Woman in Green- 1945
13. The Court Jester-1955
14. Tales of Terror-1962
15. The Comedy of Terrors -1963
Great sword fight between Rathbone and Tyrone Power
As Sherlock Holmes…
I feel like that version of David Copperfield is what we watched in school, otherwise I'm not well versed on this guy at all.
ReplyDeleteHe’s pretty interesting and worth checking out more in films..it’s Birgit
DeleteHe has the same birthday as my niece. Seems like a great guy. I'm pretty sure I've seen some of his work.
ReplyDeleteIt’s Birgit..I am certain you have seen him more than you realize
DeleteWGN in Chicago used to run the Sherlock Holmes movies alternating with the Charlie Chan movies on Sundays during the baseball offseason. I think everybody watched them; it was kind of a Chicago tradition. A fond memory of my childhood...
ReplyDeleteYes, here too we watched Holmes and Chan. I loved their movies
DeleteWonderful information on a wonderful actor. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteSandra sandracox.blogspot.com
It’s Birgit…yes he is a great actor
DeleteHi Birgit!
ReplyDeleteA tremendous pick of a very talented actor….and I’m glad to say one who shares my birthday! He’s one of the good ones along with Mary Wickes, Paul Lynde, Chris Evans and Malcolm McDowell unfortunately I also share with the Olsen twins ☹
Anyway, he was one of those performers because of being highly skilled and highly trained who could adjust their persona to be on the side of good or, especially as the years wore on for Basil, in pursuit of nefarious purposes.
I do think his main identification before taking up the mantel of Sherlock was that of a first-class villain, so it was a surprising choice that he was cast but it fit him like a glove. Plenty of actors have played the role but he’s the gold standard.
His dignified stance, silky somewhat snide diction and particularly his ability with a sword made him ideal for the blackheart role in the multitude of costume pix being made during his prime.
He was rarely the romantic lead, he did a few in his younger years but he was a character actor at heart. In that capacity he was a vital part of so many great films.
My top 10 faves of his films:
The Court Jester (he’s a great part of the ensemble but everybody in that movie is firing on all cylinders!)
The Adventures of Robin Hood
We’re No Angels
A Tale of Two Cities
Tovarich
Kind Lady
The Mark of Zorro
Casanova’s Big Night
The Last Days of Pompeii
And the Sherlock Holmes movies as a group
Hi fellow Gemini! Gemini know their movies:)) you have the Olsen Twins which suck but I have The Marquis De Sade. I'm glad you like my pick of Basil and, yes, he was a great villain. He jumped at the chance to do Sherlock to cast off some of the villain roles. You have seen plenty of his movies. I have seen most of his Sherlock films and his evil roles but need to see some others. I loved him in The Court Jester and Danny seemed to match him in sword play.
DeleteI would have loved to go to one of his parties that he and his wife gave. Apparently, he was a sweet man with devilish diction
I've heard his name, but never saw any of his films. Thanks for showcasing him. He sounds like someone you would want to know.
ReplyDelete