In Brilliant Technicolor

Claude Rains, Phantom of the Opera (1943)

October 2024 - 3

Claude Rains (The Adventures of Robin Hood, The Invisible Man, Mr. Skeffington, Now Voyager)—Is Claude maybe a bit too classy to be considered scrungly? Maybe, but I don't care! He's Claude Rains and he deserves to win at something. :) While he could be very smooth and suave (and sometimes deliciously evil), every once in a while, he could be pretty adorable, too! And the movie Now Voyager gave him the line: "roasting weenies??" And there are so many moments in Phantom of the Opera or Mr. Skeffington where I just want to give him a hug!

Sid James (Hell Drivers, Carry On Camping, Carry On Doctor, Three Hats for Lisa, Bless This House)—Sid James has the kind of scrungly face that looks like a guy has spent his youth boxing but now breeds canaries. Yes, he became legendary as the kind of bloke who is always happy to eye up the ladies and pull a fast one on the system, but he could also do terrifying gangster and comforting dad who might grumble a bit but will always be there for his family.

This is round 1 of the contest. All other polls in this bracket can be found here. If you're confused on what a scrungle is, or any of the rules of the contest, click here.

[additional submitted propaganda + scrungly videos under the cut]

@hotvintagepoll he's such a wet cat of a man! LOOK at that GLISTEN in his eyes. the HEARTBREAK. the EMOTION. he just wants to be loved :(((

Claude Rains and Susanna Foster in the 1943 Universal remake.

This version was the first to be shot in full color.  In fact, one of the advertising taglines was “In flaming Technicolor!”  

Out of the several black and white publicity photos we have found, this is one of the few that has been colored, likely to market the film’s color usage. 

Claude Rains in the 1943 film.

El Fantasma de la Opera, 1943

Universal Studios 1943 remake.

— Erique Claudin (Claude Rains) in the 1943 Universal Studios Phantom of the Opera.

Issue 47 of Famous Monster of Filmland featuring a story on Claude Rains, who had recently passed away prior to this issue.

Artist? 

Publicity photograph from the 1943 Universal Studios film starring Claude Rains. Digitally colored by ‘MrSlausen’ for a Worth1000 monster photo contest.

Claude Rains in imminent danger of getting a face full of acid in the Universal Studios remake. 

Believe it or not it’s the lady who douses him.  She looks so upset, doesn’t she?

Claude Rains and Jane Farrar in the 1943 Universal Studios film.

Claude Rains and Susanna Foster in the 1943 Universal Studios film.

Claude Rains and Susanna Foster in the 1943 Universal Studios film.

Claude Rains and Susanna Foster from the 1943 Universal Studios remake of The Phantom of the Opera.

Vintage poster for the 1943 Universal Studios remake of The Phantom of the Opera, starring Claude Rains and Susanna Foster.

Claude Rains sawing away at the Opera’s chandelier in the 1943 Universal Studios remake of The Phantom of the Opera.

Great photograph of Claude Rains’ acid-scarred disfigurement makeup from the 1943 Universal Studios remake of The Phantom of the Opera.