The Rainmaker (1956)

Lizzie Curry is on the verge of becoming a hopeless old maid. Her wit and intelligence and skills as a homemaker can't make up for the fact that she's just plain plain! Even the town ... See full summary »

Director:

Joseph Anthony

Writers:

N. Richard Nash (screenplay), N. Richard Nash (based on his play)

Stars:

Burt Lancaster, Katharine Hepburn, Wendell Corey

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 1 win & 5 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Burt Lancaster	...	Bill Starbuck
Katharine Hepburn	...	Lizzie Curry
Wendell Corey	...	Deputy Sheriff J.S. File
Lloyd Bridges	...	Noah Curry
Earl Holliman	...	Jim Curry
Cameron Prud'Homme	...	H.C. Curry
Wallace Ford	...	Sheriff Howard Thomas
Yvonne Fedderson	...	Snookie Maguire (as Yvonne Lime)

Storyline

Lizzie Curry is on the verge of becoming a hopeless old maid. Her wit and intelligence and skills as a homemaker can't make up for the fact that she's just plain plain! Even the town sheriff, File, for whom she harbors a secrect yen, won't take a chance --- until the town suffers a drought and into the lives of Lizzie and her brothers and father comes one Bill Starbuck ... profession: Rainmaker!

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Plot Keywords:

rainmaker | drought | rain | spinster | con artist | 

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Taglines:

It's about the magic that makes a woman beautiful when she's wanted by a man!

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Genres:

Romance | Thriller | Western | Comedy

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 December 1956 (USA)

Also Known As:

Der Regenmacher

Filming Locations:

Kanab, Utah, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hal Wallis Productions, Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

121 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Bing Crosby wanted the role of Starbuck.

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Goofs

After Starbuck shows up at the Currys' house, H.C. and Noah are playing a game of checkers. They start the game with H.C. playing red and make a few moves, then the phone rings. After the call, the game has reset to the beginning, and H.C. is playing black.

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Quotes

Noah Curry: We don't believe in rainmakers.
Bill Starbuck: What DO you believe in mistah? Dyin' cattle?

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Connections

Version of The Rainmaker (1966)

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Soundtracks

"She'll Be Coming 'Round the Mountain"
(uncredited)
Traditional
Sung a cappella by Burt Lancaster

User Reviews

It's called acting.

Much has been made of the fact that nearly all of the actors were too old to comfortably inhabit their roles, which I think is crap. I don't think Hepburn's character felt anything other than genuine nor did it seem as if she were playing a character younger than her years. For one, she was a pretty well-preserved 49 - but that's almost beside the point. The point, I think being, is that no matter what your age or station, dreams will infuse you with beauty and purpose, so never abandon them. Sure, there were show-boaty moments (the final scene of the Rainmaker riding off springs to mind) - but this was made in 1956, after all, and gestures tended to be a little more expansive. Context, people, context.