Basil Rathbone

Written by Cliff Aliperti and originally published on Immortal Ephemera

Basil Rathbone (1892-1967)

South African born British actor made his stage debut for cousin Frank Benson's company in 1911. Made his American debut in 1912; London in 1914, often performing Shakespeare. Rathbone distinguished himself during the Great War and was awarded a Military Cross in 1918. Resuming his stage career, Rathbone also began appearing in the occasional film in 1921. He scored a Broadway success in The Swan...