Rain (1932) is a pre-Code drama that bravely explores the theme of hypocrisy, repression, and forbidden desire with free-spirited prostitute Sadie Thompson confronting a stern missionary on a rain-laden island in the South Pacific, a movie that makes Joan Crawford one of the most daring protagonists of her era. The scandalous Rain (1932) film has now become a free classic film and public domain with a rough view of Hollywood in the days before censorship got serious.
Rain (1932)
Rain (1932) is a pre-Code drama film by an American director Lewis Milestone, based on the famous short story of W. Somerset Maugham titled Miss Thompson and the adapted play. Directed by Joan Crawford and Walter Huston, the movie was filmed on location on part of the Santa Catalina Island, California, by Joseph M. Schenck as the producer of the motion picture on United Artists. It lasts 94 minutes and delves into the allegations of morality, hypocrisy and sexual repression in a way that would soon be swept away by the Production Code. The movie was released into the public in 1960, when the copyright was not renewed.
Movie Background
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Director | Lewis Milestone |
| Producer | Joseph M. Schenck |
| Screenplay | Maxwell Anderson (based on Maugham’s story) |
| Studio | United Artists / Feature Productions |
| Release Date | October 12, 1932 (USA) |
| Running Time | 94 minutes |
| Genre | Pre-Code drama |
| Locations | Santa Catalina Island, Crystal Cove (California) |
| Budget | ~$750,000 |
| Status | Public domain (copyright lapsed 1960) |
Crawford was loaned from MGM specifically for this challenging role, while the relentless rain effects were achieved through elaborate sprinkler systems.
Movie Cast Table
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Joan Crawford | Sadie Thompson |
| Walter Huston | Alfred Davidson (Reverend) |
| William Gargan | Sergeant Tim O’Hara (“Handsome”) |
| Beulah Bondi | Mrs. Alfred Davidson |
| Guy Kibbee | Joe Horn (hotel owner) |
| Matt Moore | Dr. Robert MacPhail |
| Kendall Lee | Mrs. Robert MacPhail |
| Walter Catlett | Quartermaster Bates |
| Fred Howard | Hodgson |
| Ben Hendricks Jr. | Griggs |
Crawford and Huston deliver career-defining performances as opposing moral forces locked in psychological combat.
Full Plot Summary
Rain (1932 film) starts with a ship on its way to Apia, Samoa, and the ship unexpectedly stops on Pago Pago after a cholera outbreak is believed to have caused the deaths of several passengers. Some of the stranded include Sadie Thompson, a promiscuous woman seeking refuge in her past as a prostitute and Reverend Alfred Davidson, a severe missionary and is accompanied by his responsible wife.
When awaiting clearance to proceed, the passengers remain in a humble hotel of Joe Horn. Sadie instantly stalks the U.S. Marines who have been stationed on the island and parties, dances, and drinks with them. She draws the attention of Sergeant Tim O’Hara who she refers to as Handsome and they create a romantic relationship.
And at the same time torrential rain starts falling,–interminable, tyrannical, whipping the island by day and night. The phenomenon of a rain is practically physical, even more tension and claustrophobia are enhanced.
Reverend Davidson is highly outraged at the way Sadie dresses, and looks. He regards her as a seducing force to the Marines and a moral hazard to the society. He challenges Sadie and asks her to change her sinful life and repent in order to be saved.
Sadie first takes his jab at his sanctimoniousness and Davidson mounts his attack on her. He finds out she has a wanted warrant in San Francisco due to an unspecified crime (which she says was a set-up) and gets his way with the island governor to have her deported to California where she will be arrested.
Sadie pleads with Davidson, desperate, only to get her a few more days so that she can get away, to Sydney, Australia. She intends to begin afresh in a place she will not be known or targeted. Davidson declines and she has to undergo justice and forgiveance of God.
Their conflicts are becoming more aggressive. There is one scene in which Sadie, who has been cornered, is about to physically assault Davidson, when she is pulled off. The reverend is indifferent, sure that he is doing a good deed.
Sadie eventually cracks under the constant pressure of Davidson and his emotional wearying. She is having what seems to be a religious conversion, crying at his verdict and consenting to go back to San Francisco in order to be imprisoned. Davidson is jubilant because he is certain that he has rescued her soul.
Sergeant O’Hara pleads one last time the night before Sadie is to leave. He suggests marriage and promises to conceal her until the vessel bound to Sydney comes and provides her with a clean start she desired. However, the now-repentant Sadie declines and thinks she should take her penalty.
The same night when native drums are beating rhythmically in the background and an uncontrolled dance is happening around, the subdued Davidson yields to his long repressed lust. He breaks into the room of Sadie where he rapes her. This scene is addressed with a pre-Code level of directness in the film, even though the actual assault is presented offscreen.
The following morning, the body of Davidson is found on the beach cut across the throat, a suicide. His hypocrisy and moral failure is exposed.
Devoid of hope and broke but freed by the death of Davidson and naked vulnerability, Sadie goes back to her rebellious and true to herself self. She is not interested in fake sanctity and she opts to leave Pago Pago with Sergeant OHara and she goes to Sydney to construct a decent life with someone who loves her as much as she does. The movie ends with Sadie and O’Hara ready to leave together even as the rain falls.
Genre and Key Themes
The Rain (1932 film) is a pre-Code psychological drama, which contains a strong moral criticism and character analysis. It is a story of the clash between righteousness and human sexuality in the hot South Seas.
Key themes include:
- Religious hypocrisy: Davidson is an evangelist who preaches the virtues yet has repressed desire inside him and ends up acting out of his lust and killing himself.
- Sexual repression: The movie dwells on the ability of strict codes of morality to distort human nature to violence and self destruction.
- Judgment vs. compassion Sadie is an honest sinner, Davidson is a self-righteous sadist, who is the moral one?
- Women independence: Sadie struggles to have her right to choose what she wants to do although the society do not applaud her.
- The nature as a metaphor The rainfall that never stops is a symbol of the cleansing and the psychological pressure that cannot be overcome.
These daring themes make Rain full movie a groundbreaking of the pre-Code era where the moviemaking industry was not afraid to address some of the contentious topics.
Rain (1932) Full Movie Watch and Download
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Inner Sanctum (1948) – A Suspenseful Noir Thriller
Movie Review
Rain (1932) is a compelling, discomposing drama which demonstrates the versatility of Crawford and the bravery of Pre-Code Hollywood to discuss adult issues.
- Performing: Joan Crawford gives one of the best early performances as Sadie, with her naturalness, vulnerability, and agitating rebellion. Her scenes of breakdown and rage are really touching. Walter Huston is no less impressive than Davidson, but he projects the element of strict righteousness and the repression of inner being at the same time. William Gargan will add some warmth and sincerity to Sergeant OHara.
- Direction: The atmosphere of oppression is produced in Lewis Milestone with the help of the incessant rain, cramped space and the heat of the tropics. His stride is sometimes slow, but the confrontation scenes are dynamic.
- Story and screenplay The adaptation of this story by Maxwell Anderson of the story of Maugham is not less psychologically complicated and morally ambiguous. The religious criticism is still very keen, but the treatment of the scene of attack has to be indirect.
- Production: The South Seas setting, which has been developed with the use of California shoots, as well as studio work, is authentic. Its effects of rain are persuasive and symbolically echoing.
- Reception:Modern audiences and critics were divided, with the unglamorous role appearing strange to Crawford as well as pacing being slow. It is bold and psychologically deep, which is appreciated by modern viewers.
As a free classic movie and public domain movie, Rain 1932 film offers essential viewing for understanding pre-Code cinema’s artistic freedom.
Movie Tags
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