Rain or Shine (1930)

After her father's death, Mary Rainey takes over the Rainey Circus (which operates twice daily, rain or shine) but runs into financial troubles. In one bit reminiscent of the Marx Brothers,... See full summary »

Director:

Frank Capra

Writers:

Jo Swerling (dialogue and continuity), Dorothy Howell (dialogue and continuity),

Stars:

Joe Cook, Louise Fazenda, Joan Peers

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Joe Cook	...	Smiley Johnson
Louise Fazenda	...	Frankie - 'The Princess'
Joan Peers	...	Mary Rainey
William Collier Jr.	...	Bud Conway
Tom Howard	...	Amos K. Shrewsberry
Dave Chasen	...	Dave
Alan Roscoe	...	Dalton - the Ringmaster
Adolph Milar	...	Foltz - the Lion Tamer
Clarence Muse	...	Nero
Nella Walker	...	Mrs. Conway
Edward Martindel	...	Mr. Conway (as Edward Martindale)
Nora Lane	...	Grace Conway
Tyrell Davis	...	Lord Hugo Gwynne (as Tyrrell Davis)

Storyline

After her father's death, Mary Rainey takes over the Rainey Circus (which operates twice daily, rain or shine) but runs into financial troubles. In one bit reminiscent of the Marx Brothers, the circus performers are up to some ridiculous antics at a dinner party with the family of Bud Conway, Mary's beau. As times become worse and the performers go on strike, Mary must try to save the circus from rioting patrons.

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Plot Keywords:

circus | performer | strike | gambling | scheme | 

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Taglines:

The Laugh Sensation of the Season! (original one-sheet poster)

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Music | Romance

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Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 August 1930 (USA)

Also Known As:

Luci del circo

Filming Locations:

Burbank, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

86 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.20 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

(1928). Stage Play: Rain or Shine. Musical. Music by Milton Ager and Owen Murphy. Book by James Gleason and Maurice Marks. Lyrics by Jack Yellen. Music orchestrated by William Still and Arthur Schutt. Orchestra under the direction of Don Voorhees. Dances directed by Russell Markert. Dances Directed by Tom Nip. Scenic Design by Clark Robinson. Costume Design by Charles Le Maire. George M. Cohan's Theatre: 9 Feb 1928- 15 Dec 1928 (356 performances). Cast: Paul Brack, Walter Bremer, Dave Chasen (as "Simley's Protege/The Head Waiter"), Joe Cook (as "Smiley Johnson"), Ben Cutler, Vance Elliott, Rita Garcia, Edgar Gardner, James Gregory, Marion Herson, Tom Howard, Warren Hull, Vernon Jacobson, Ernest Lambart, Helen Lynd, Joe Lyons, Alex McKee, Rosie Moran, Ethel Norris, Walter Pharr, William V. Powers, Dimples Riede, Janet Velie, Nancy Welford, Devah Worrell. Produced by A.L. Jones and Morris Green. Note: Produced by Columbia Pictures as Rain or Shine, directed by Frank Capra and starring Joe Cook. Although the stage version was a musical comedy, the musical numbers were deleted from the film version due to the public's distaste of the genre from 1930- early 1933 (until successfully revived by Warner Bros). The film is one of the least seen Capra films and is generally regarded as giving us a mere approximation of the extent of Joe Cook's talent which was far more effectively conveyed on stage (a situation somewhat comparable to Al Jolson's film career). Dave Chasen, later a world-renown restaurateur, and Tom Howard reprised their stage roles for the film. None of the songs in the original musical were used in the film except as background music.

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Soundtracks

"It Ain't Gonna Rain No Mo'"
(1923) (uncredited)
Music and Lyrics by Wendell Hall
Sung a cappella by Joe Cook often

User Reviews

When the Lead is a ASS, 24/7!!!

Think of THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH (1952) done on the cheap and a small scale, very small scale. RAIN OR SHINE (1930) is based upon lead actor Joe Cook's Broadway Show of 1928. In which Mr. Cook single handedly performs as if he was the entire Circus. That is recreated in this Capra film along with all the clichés of the Genre. Bankrupt Circus, Sheriff at the door and the inevitable Fight and Fire. Plenty of stereotypical characters, so if you are P.C. thin skinned you had better skip this one.

Joe Cook as SMILEY JOHNSON saves the Circus for Louise Fazenda as FRANKIE, 'The Princess' only too see it go up in smoke in the last reel. Cook's style was that of VAUDEVILLE, where a rather overbearing character is the center of attraction and supposedly well liked. Cook is unremitting in hammering the audience with his act which does not let up for the entire picture. In fact he probably acted this way 24/7 which makes me feel sad for his significant other.

By 1930 VAUDEVILLE was on its last legs. Beginning in Circa 1880 it was a popular live entertainment particularly for the 'middle class'. By 1920 though Silent Pictures had been established as a major threat. Then mid-decade came Radio, home entertainment provided for free which many Vaudevillians took advantage of, transferring their talents too the new medium. The Great Depression and by 1930 the perfection of the Sound Film, created the death blow. The theaters that supported VAUDEVILLE either closed or converted to movies, those who could cut it either moved too film or radio. As for live performance, you were either on Broadway or you did not count at all. Cook continued with success on Broadway where his style of acting could be tolerated. Film definitely was not his medium.