Rain (1932)

Freewheeling passion collides with hypocritical self-righteousness on a primitive South Seas island to the rhythms of hot jazz records and the steady beat of the falling rain. Based on Somerset Maugham's short story about a puritanical missionary determined to convert a wanton woman, "Rain" is a fascinating film, far ahead of its time in its honest depiction of human frailties. Academy Award-winners Joan Crawford and Walter Huston star in two of the strongest performances of their careers in this exceptional film directed by Oscar-winner Lewis Milestone (All Quiet on the Western Front).

Cinema Fans

A must see not only for Crawford fans but for the student of film making.
That constant rain fall is brilliant. I doubt that the 'new sound' audience of the 1930s were prepared. November 7, 2008

A poor cinematic rendering of a classic Maugham story

Rain

When people say, "The book is better," they must be talking about Rain (1932). William Somerset Maugham's long short story, "Rain," takes place after World War I on a South Pacific island. The story pits a free-spirited woman against a tyrannical missionary; all the while, a doctor observes everything, assisting when he is needed and standing aside when he's not. The writing is magnificent, because Maugham is incredibly patient with his storytelling. He lets things take their course (much like the doctor in the story).

The film Rain, however, is a horrid mess. There's far too much melodramatic music, recycled scenes and images, and unnecessary soft-focus close-ups. There's such a complete breakdown in the acting that the film is nearly unwatchable. Joan Crawford is given nothing to do whatsoever, so she decides to play the role of Sadie like a femme fatale and vamp. Such an interpretation of the character might have worked if the rest of the movie had any consistent film noir qualities.

The movie looks and sounds like a bad play rather than creating a cinematic experience. It's hard to believe that Rain was directed by the same man who filmed Of Mice and Men (1939). The script used to film Rain was based on the successful stage play adaptation, and then on a further screenplay adaptation. It's likely that much of the essence of Maugham's story escaped after such processing. I do not recommend this film, but rather I point you to Maugham's short story. Sit outside, have a beer, and read one of Maugham's best stories as he wanted you to experience it. June 1, 2007

I haven't recieved this item yet

I ordered this item several months ago and its yet to arrive! March 27, 2007

South Sea drama wrought with hypocrisy

Lewis Milestone's 1932 version of "Rain" is actually a remake of the 1928 flick "Sadie Thompson" which starred Gloria Swanson in the title role. A jewel bedecked, heavily made up Joan Crawford plays prostitute Sadie Thompson in this version. She arrives in Pago Pago after having fled Honolulu's red light district. She along with other passengers on the arriving ship are quarantined there due to a cholera outbreak. Walter Huston playing fanatic reverend Alfred Davidson, his wife and daughter are also stranded.

There are all put up in the general store by kindly shopkeep Joe Horn played by Guy Kibbee. Crawford begins to become friendly with the military men stationed there with special attention paid to Sgt. O'Hara played by William Gargan. The naive O'Hara professes his love for Sadie and wishes to marry her. Huston, egged on by his devoutly religious family, becomes enraged with Crawford's lusty behavior. His mission becomes her salvation from wickedness. He gradually wears her resistance down comvincing the governor of the island to deport her back to San Francisco. With O'Hara sent to the brig for a week Huston turns Crawford into a repentant and brainwashed shell of what she once was.

The night before Crawford was to depart Huston succumbs to her charms and rapes her. The hypocritical Huston eschews his beliefs and commits suicide. The overwrought episode restores Crawford back to normalcy, for her, and she intends to run off with O'Hara.

Director Lewis Milestone is to be commended for some really fantastic camera work. The opening scene showing the onset of the rainy season in Pago Pago was cinematically stunning. His introduction of Crawford's character by showing her braceleted wrists and high heels coming out from behind a door before we see her speaks volumes as to her demeanor. Huston's demise is heralded by a shot of his shoes as his body is snared in a fishing net. May 15, 2005

No Mildred, but certainly no Trog, either...

'Rain' appeared at a point in Crawford's career where she'd have done anything, played anyone - even Wally Beerey's grandmother, or so the saying goes - for a good part. And along comes Sadie Thompson, Prostitute of the South Seas, the Original Good Time Had By All, and off Joan went, to revel in a meaty role made famous by contemporary theatrical actress Tallulah Bankhead.

Panned by an unimaginative set of critics, and reviled by a public used to seeing La Carwford as the Ingenue shopgirl in such fluff as 'Our Dancing Daughters' and 'West Point', it's really a testament to the fickleness of the moviegoing public that this, a movie of really sterling performances and interesting, almost experimental direction, could have been so overlooked.

Joan plays Sadie, a hooker on the run, who is forced into an island-wide quarantine after her connecting boat ride is infected with cholera. Among the other passengers so stuck is Rev. Davidson (Walter Huston), who, upon discovering Sadie's sluttish past, becomes hell-bent on 'saving' her soul.

Joan gives an honest and raw performance here, and does not try to glamorise or romanticise the heroine. Hers is a bitter and hard-edged Sadie, full of bile towards men and the establishment, yet tender and vulnerable when the role demands. Her range as an actress is showcased here in the excellent exchanges with Rev. Devine, and Walter Huston responds in kind with a terrific rendition of the sanctimonious, dictatorial Man of the Cloth.

Direction by Lewis Milestone is highly remarkable for the period, the stacatto rainfall and panoramic camera sweeps contrast beautifully with the enclosed, claustrophobic interiors of the General Store, and the poverty and primitive status of the isalnd community shines through, lending a feeling of wilderness to the piece.

All in all, this is an excellent picture, and one of Crawford's finest performances. It's no Mildred Pierce, but where that movie falls down in terms of unbelievable glamour, this one excels - the realism is relatively palpable.

Thoroughly recommended. January 14, 2005

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