The Rainmaker (1956)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Director:

Joseph Anthony

Writers:

N. Richard Nash (screenplay)
N. Richard Nash (play)

Release Date:

13 December 1956 (USA)

Genre:

Romance | Thriller | Western | Comedy

Tagline:

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

Plot:

Lizzie Curry is on the verge of becoming a hopeless old maid. Her wit and intelligence and skills as...

Plot Keywords:

Rainmaker | Drought | Rain | Spinster | Con Artist

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 1 win & 5 nominations

Cast

Burt Lancaster	...	Bill Starbuck, aka Bill Smith, Bill Harley, Tornado Johnson
Katharine Hepburn	...	Lizzie Curry
Wendell Corey	...	Deputy Sheriff J.S. File, Three Point Texas
Lloyd Bridges	...	Noah Curry
Earl Holliman	...	Jim Curry
Cameron Prud'Homme	...	H.C. Curry
Wallace Ford	...	Sheriff Howard Thomas (Three Point, Texas)
Yvonne Fedderson	...	Snookie Maguire, Jim's Girl (as Yvonne Lime)

Runtime:

121 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Norway:12 | West Germany:12 (f) | USA:Approved (PCA #18257) | Argentina:Atp | Australia:G | Finland:S

Filming Locations:

Kanab, Utah, USA

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

Elvis Presley took his first screen test for this movie, and he stated in a March 1956 interview that this would be his big screen debut. In an interview two months later, he stated that although he was offered a role in this film, he felt he could not do the character justice, and Paramount was working on another script for him. At the time, the new film was untitled, but this was soon released as Love Me Tender (1956)

Goofs:

Continuity: 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.

Quotes:

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

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Evolution: The Evolutionary Arms Race (#1.4)" (2002)

A Classic

I'll say it like it is. This is a classic. Nash's play comes to live on the silver screen with veteran actors Cameron Prud'homme, Wallace Ford, Katie Hepburn and Earl Holliman. Wendell Corey, who few of us remember beyond his breaking a Ming Vase in Mildred Pierce, is great as the stiff deputy. Sweet little Yvonne Lime is on but for a few moments but the cast is great and the story comes together just wonderfully. The commenter who was bothered by Katie's New England English and the implausibility of the storyline needed to let go of such a rigid standard. Nothing is ever perfect. Lancaster is great as the fast-talking Starbuck and one can see flashes of his former role as the Italian buffoon in The Rose Tattoo and what will come in the later Elmer Gantry. This is a wonderful story and sensitively done by a fine cast. Check it out. It is a classic.