About the Author

John T. Soister is a teacher of modern and classical languages, and lives in Denver, Colorado. JoAnna Wioskowski is a teacher in Baltimore, Maryland, and has published articles and art in Big Reel and other magazines.

Reviews

"the only book about the fascinating, scene-stealing actor...informative...Soister presents his views rationally and perceptively...an intelligent book"--Classic Images; "lavishly illustrated with many ultra-rare stills...a loving, well-written, and well-deserved tribute...one of the best film books of the year...essential reading"--Video Watchdog; "comprehensive...eighty rare photographs...the definitive guide to Claude Rains' complete body of work as one of the most talented and called upon actors of his day"--Midwest Book Review; "valuable...extremely readable"--Public Library Quarterly; "a superior portrait...of the debonair actor's stage and film career"--Film Review; "fascinating...wonderfully researched, incredible photos of the films and Rain's life. Rare treat"--Little Shoppe of Horrors; "very thorough...a fine biography"--Monsters from the Vault; "recommend[ed]"--The Other Side of Show Business; "the first and only book about one of the most successful and admired character actors in movie history. [The author] tracked down everything about Rains he could find. ...an enjoyable and informative study of a great performer"--Rapport; "illustrations include rare behind the scenes shots and movie posters...a very complete seeming look at his stage, radio, record and TV work"--Psychotronic; "concentrat[es] on Rains' more than fifty films...also comprehensively examines his work in other media: the stage, radio, television and recordings"--New Books in the Communications Library; "successfully endeavors to set the record straight by examining the 57 films Rains made between 1933 and 1965. In addition to films, there's a complete listing of his work in other media"--Kettering-Oakwood Times; "an intelligent book"--The Slide Area; "comprehensive...well researched and illustrated biography...written in an informed but pleasantly readable style...a welcome source of reference...a fine source of information"--Talking Pictures Magazine; "a guide to the actor's work in film, stage, radio, television and recordings"--The Intelligencer Record.