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 (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

Director Joseph Anthony also directed the Broadway play.

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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

Featured in The Definitive Elvis: The Hollywood Years - Part I: 1956-1961 (2002)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

The drama of human emotion.

N. Richard Nash adapted his play for the silver screen. Directed by Joseph Anthony, this is a wonderful insight into the core of human emotion. A hard glimpse at the look of low self esteem.

Katherine Hepburn plays Lizzie Curry, a young woman that lives with her father and brothers in a dusty prairie town. She is led to believe she will become an old maid. She of course has more brains than beauty and her emotions tell her that she needs to become a "woman".

Enter Bill Starbuck, played aptly by Burt Lancaster; Starbuck is a con man constantly on the move bilking his way through life. He convinces the Curry family he can end the drought by making it rain. He ends up in the barn with Miss Lizzie. Now she feels a new world has opened up to her.

Deputy File is too shy to tell Lizzie of his interest in her; until he finds Starbuck with her and wants to arrest him for his previous bad deeds. Lizzie has to make a big decision between the side of law and order or a life chasing dreams with a wanderer.

This movie deserves to be called a classic. The deep human element and the diverse relationships within the characters makes for a very interesting movie. Scenery and language may seem at times a bit hokey; but the realism is there. Great movie.

Besides Hepburn and Lancaster, this cast was full of good acting. Wendell Corey, Lloyd Bridges and Earl Holliman turned in fine jobs. Holliman's innocence and fresh spirit was a real highlight. The always cute Yvonne Lime also has a small part.