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Stuck at home with a Cold, I wound up watching a YouTube video on the Late Great Basil Rathbone. In it I learned much about a man who I openly Admired as Hollywood's Greatest Villain and finest swordsman.
Born in south Africa. Political Tensions between the Boers and the English forced his family to flee back to England prior to the First Boer War. They had extended Family in England at the time so they were able to integrate seamlessly into British Society. Rathbone long and lean athlectic stature served him well in College where he eventually got the acting Bug! Luckily for him he had a Uncle who Ran and traveling Shakespearean Repertory Company. After doing a year's apprenticeship as a Clerk at an insurance firm, at his father's insistence" Rathbone was able to Join his uncle's troop AT The Bottom. Bit parts etc.
With gumption and drive Rathbone eventually became one the leading Shakespearean actros of his day. Playing everything from Romeo downward. At the outbreak of WWI Rathbone did not rush to serve Immediately as he had misgivings about the whole thing. Still pressure mounted on him to Serve in some Capacity. He Volunteered and applied for Officers Candidate School. Eventually he joined his younger brother in France. While Serving Rathbone Won British Army Fencing Championship two years running! Skills he would pass on in Hollywood years later, to both Errol Flynn and Tyrone Powers! Both of whom he could've easily killed, in a fair fight! But the scripts said otherwise!
Eventually his brother was Killed in action and this marked a turn in Rathbone's military career. He volunteered to do reconnaissance raids on German positions not only at Night But durring the day as well. The forner was bad enough the latter was considered suicidal. Still he carried on with this dangerous duty till the wars end. For this he was awarded the Military Cross, Second only to the V.C. at that time.
When mustered out Rathbone returned to the Stage. Lost his first wife to divorce, he'd changed too much. Within a few years he was the toast of Londan and Broadway. Hollywood soon came knocking and he did some silent films both in US and England. He seemlessy transitioned to Talkies deep resonate voice and piercing eyes marking him for notice. In future roles. In 1939 - 1940 Rathbone would be cast as lead villain in three of the greatest Swashbucklers ever filmed. In each was killed by men he'd taught to fence Erroll Flynn twice and Tyrone Power once. Still his grace, skill, charm and fierceness made him as notable as any hero.
It wasn't until "Dawn Patrol" that he was able to play someone other than an outright villain.
After this period He would land upon his greatest role one that would bring him universal recognition as well as typecasting for the rest of his career. Sherlock Holmes. He played the Great Detective in 14 films. To many he's considered The quintessential Holmes (no slights to Jeremy Brett) I watched his films as a boy usually on Channel 5 in NY City on Saturday Mornings. Great Stuff.
Still I had no Idea he was WW1 Vet, Much Less a Royal Army Fencing Champion. Sigh
Born in south Africa. Political Tensions between the Boers and the English forced his family to flee back to England prior to the First Boer War. They had extended Family in England at the time so they were able to integrate seamlessly into British Society. Rathbone long and lean athlectic stature served him well in College where he eventually got the acting Bug! Luckily for him he had a Uncle who Ran and traveling Shakespearean Repertory Company. After doing a year's apprenticeship as a Clerk at an insurance firm, at his father's insistence" Rathbone was able to Join his uncle's troop AT The Bottom. Bit parts etc.
With gumption and drive Rathbone eventually became one the leading Shakespearean actros of his day. Playing everything from Romeo downward. At the outbreak of WWI Rathbone did not rush to serve Immediately as he had misgivings about the whole thing. Still pressure mounted on him to Serve in some Capacity. He Volunteered and applied for Officers Candidate School. Eventually he joined his younger brother in France. While Serving Rathbone Won British Army Fencing Championship two years running! Skills he would pass on in Hollywood years later, to both Errol Flynn and Tyrone Powers! Both of whom he could've easily killed, in a fair fight! But the scripts said otherwise!
Eventually his brother was Killed in action and this marked a turn in Rathbone's military career. He volunteered to do reconnaissance raids on German positions not only at Night But durring the day as well. The forner was bad enough the latter was considered suicidal. Still he carried on with this dangerous duty till the wars end. For this he was awarded the Military Cross, Second only to the V.C. at that time.
When mustered out Rathbone returned to the Stage. Lost his first wife to divorce, he'd changed too much. Within a few years he was the toast of Londan and Broadway. Hollywood soon came knocking and he did some silent films both in US and England. He seemlessy transitioned to Talkies deep resonate voice and piercing eyes marking him for notice. In future roles. In 1939 - 1940 Rathbone would be cast as lead villain in three of the greatest Swashbucklers ever filmed. In each was killed by men he'd taught to fence Erroll Flynn twice and Tyrone Power once. Still his grace, skill, charm and fierceness made him as notable as any hero.
It wasn't until "Dawn Patrol" that he was able to play someone other than an outright villain.
After this period He would land upon his greatest role one that would bring him universal recognition as well as typecasting for the rest of his career. Sherlock Holmes. He played the Great Detective in 14 films. To many he's considered The quintessential Holmes (no slights to Jeremy Brett) I watched his films as a boy usually on Channel 5 in NY City on Saturday Mornings. Great Stuff.
Still I had no Idea he was WW1 Vet, Much Less a Royal Army Fencing Champion. Sigh
