Rain [90th Anniversary] [Blu-ray]

Overview

The pleasures of the flesh confront the discipline of the Lord's teachings in this screen adaptation of W. Somerset Maugham's story Miss Sadie Thompson. Sadie Thompson (Joan Crawford) is a sassy streetwalker who lands in Pago Pago in the South Pacific after an epidemic grounds the ship on which she's booked passage. Sadie's shapely legs, free spirit, and quick wit soon attract the attention of a group of American soldiers stationed on the island; while most are motivated by simple lust, the naive Sgt. O'Hara (William Gargan) falls head over heels for Sadie, thoroughly unaware of her checkered past and shameful profession. Rev. Alfred Davidson (Walter Huston), a fire-and-brimstone preacher bent on bringing salvation to the soldiers, is fully aware of Sadie's occupation and moral code, and is determined to convince her to change her ways. Sadie slowly but surely is softened by Davidson's conviction, but the preacher soon finds himself affected by her sensual presence; O'Hara also learns the truth about Sadie, but hatches his own plan to reform her -- marriage. While a box office failure in 1932, Rain has gone on to become a cult favorite, thanks to Crawford's vivid performance as Sadie and director Lewis Milestone's adventurous visual style.

Product Details

Release Date:	09/27/2022
UPC:	0089859909023
Original Release:	1932
Source:	Vci Entertainment
Language:	English
Time:	1:34:00
Sales rank:	20,878

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Joan Crawford	Sadie Thompson
Walter Huston	Rev. Alfred Davidson
Guy Kibbee	Joe Horn
William Gargan	Sgt. O'Hara
Walter Catlett	Quartermaster Bates
Beulah Bondi	Mrs. Davidson
Matt Moore	Dr. MacPhail
Kendall Lee	Mrs. MacPhail
Ben Hendricks Jr.	Griggs
Fred Howard	Hodgson
Mary Shaw	Ameena
Alfred Newman	Composer

Technical Credits

Maxwell Anderson

John Colton

Lewis Milestone	Director,Producer
Maxwell Anderson	Screenwriter
Joseph M. Schenck	Producer
John Colton	Screenwriter

Editorial Reviews

In the first sound film adaptation of W. Somerset Maugham's play, young MGM "flapper" star Joan Crawford's turn as Miss Sadie Thompson revealed that she could play more than just a spirited modern girl. As the South Seas prostitute reformed and then violated by Walter Huston's fire-and-brimstone preacher, Crawford matches Huston's intensity and reveals the depth of emotions behind Sadie's slatternly, free-wheeling façade. The lush, nocturnal tropical setting with its copious precipitation and Polynesian drum music enhances the sensuality of the conflict between spirit and carnality, while director Lewis Milestone's mobile camera and telling visual touches (like Sadie's choice of shoes) offset the potential staginess of a theatrical adaptation. A flop in 1932, Rain has since recovered its artistic reputation, particularly for Crawford's then-shocking "realism" as Sadie. The play was first adapted as Sadie Thompson in 1928 with Gloria Swanson, then re-made again in 1953 as Miss Sadie Thompson with Rita Hayworth.

All Movie Guide - Lucia Bozzola