Fred Rains in silent films "Gloves of Ptames" (1914) and "Bamboozled" (1919).
In the film "Gloves of Ptames," an English gent receives a pair of ancient Egyptian gloves by his archaeologist uncle. But when he puts them on, everything he touches disappears! The gloves pass from one unhappy owner to another, until they fall into the hands of a wily tramp (Claude Rains' father).
"Bamboozled" is silent slapstick comedy, produced by British company Swastika Films - years before the ancient symbol was appropriated by the Nazis. Director Fred Rains appears as a protective father who - for reasons not entirely clear - disguises himself as an automatic doll to keep an eye on his prospective son-in-law. Fred Rains was adept at physical comedy, and the bizarre sight of him being hauled around robotically in full drag is quite something.
4 янв 2020
