What's interesting is Claude Rains was very soft-spoken and had an almost weak and wimpy voice until he inhaled some dangerous gas during World War I, which affected his lungs and made his voice more gravelly and growly, hence the unique sound his voice has in this movie, amongst others.

If not for Claude Rains being cast as The Invisible Man, this film would have been very forgettable. And instead of being revered as a classic alongside the other Universal films, it would have been lost to obscurity. When he's on screen (okay, he's invisible but you know what I mean) there is never a dull moment. He keeps the film exciting and hurries the pace along. He MADE this film work. That and the amazing practical, special effects.

He was great in this. I can't imagine anyone else pulling this off other than Rains. I even think he should have been nominated for an Oscar.
Poorly Lived and Poorly Died, Poorly Buried and No One Cried

This message has been deleted.

That's why he was chosen. His stage background and distinctive voice. They wanted someone easily understood. One of many great actors not win an Oscar.

agree completely with you, every thing that came out of his mouth was gold
so many movies, so little time

I agree he had a great screen presence.
When I became a man I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness.

I have to admit there were a few times in the movie where he sounded like Boris Karloff.
Green Goblin is great!