Rain (1932)

Writers:

John Colton (play) and
Clemence Randolph (play) ...

Release Date:

12 October 1932 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

A prostitute finds redemption in some Hawaiian isle thanks to a hard missionary man.

Plot Keywords:

Missionary | Cholera | Soldier | Porch | Bible

Cast

Fred Howard	...	Hodgson (as Frederic Howard)
Ben Hendricks Jr.	...	Griggs (as Ben Hendricks)
William Gargan	...	Sergeant Tim O'Hara
Mary Shaw	...	Ameena
Guy Kibbee	...	Joe Horn
Kendall Lee	...	Mrs. Robert MacPhail
Beulah Bondi	...	Mrs. Alfred Davidson
Matt Moore	...	Dr. Robert MacPhail
Walter Huston	...	Alfred Davidson
Walter Catlett	...	Quartermaster Bates
Joan Crawford	...	Sadie Thompson

Runtime:

94 min (Turner library print)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Wide Range Noiseless Recording)

Certification:

Canada:G (Ontario) | USA:Approved (PCA #1318-R, 29 August 1935 for re-release) | USA:Passed (National Board of Review) | USA:TV-PG (TV rating)

Filming Locations:

Santa Catalina Island, Channel Islands, California, USA

Company:

Feature Productions

Trivia:

The characters of "Sadie Thompson" and the preacher were spoofed several times by Sonny and Cher on their TV series "The Sonny And Cher Comedy Hour" (1971-1974) in a recurring skit called "The Vamps."

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: Camera's shadow falls across the backs of the missionaries as they sit around the table in the general store.

Quotes:

Mrs. Davidson: I'm sorry for him and I'm sorry for you
Sadie Thompson: And I'm sorry for the whole world, I guess.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Chris & Don. A Love Story (2007)

Soundtrack:

St. Louis Blues

A Fine Film and Performance - Crawford Was Wrong!

For reasons that likely have much to do with her self-perceptions, insecurities, and desires for her screen image, Joan Crawford never liked her performance in this fine film. I do not know why; she was never better. The first talkie of the classic Jeanne Eagels' play "Rain", it was effective in every way even though it uses many old-time editing cuts and inserts. They actually worked, and I liked the direction very much, too. Huston was fine as the sanctimonious but sincere preacher trying to convert the "loose woman" Sadie Thompson - but in the end loses the battle, something I wish was shown, but then it wasn't in the play or book so I shouldn't expect it. A fine film, and the antique-type music adds to the effect. See the IMDb review of the serviceble Rita Hayworth version, "Sadie Thompson", and the horrid movie on the life of the actress, "Jeanne Eagels" which contains scenes with Kim Novak trying to recreate the stage play.