The Rainmaker **** (1956, Burt Lancaster, Katharine Hepburn, Wendell Corey, Lloyd Bridges, Earl Holliman) – Classic Movie Review 7175

Director Joseph Anthony’s 1956 Technicolor drama The Rainmaker provides an outstanding showcase for two great stars in Burt Lancaster and Katharine Hepburn in this conscientious, well-crafted and appealing film of N Richard Nash’s Broadway play. It was nominated for two Oscars: Hepburn for Best Actress in a Leading Role and composer Alex North for Best Music, Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture. Earl Holliman won the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor.

Just before World War One, a charming phony rainmaker called Bill Starbuck (Lancaster) arrives in a US South-West small town afflicted by drought. Though he is an itinerant con artist, he brings hope to the locals and warms the cockles of the heart of a spinster named Lizzie Curry (Hepburn).

Even if the film is theatrical and static, making little attempt to conceal its stage origins and be cinematic, the acting is first-rate: Lancaster impresses in one of his best performances as the poetic conman and Hepburn is extremely touching as the ageing farmer’s daughter. Wendell Corey as Deputy Sheriff J S File, Lloyd Bridges as Noah Curry and Earl Holliman as Jim Curry are notable in support.

Also in the cast are Cameron Prud’homme, Wallace Ford, Yvonne Lime and Dottie Bee Baker.

The Rainmaker is directed by Joseph Anthony, runs 120 minutes, is made by Hal Wallis Productions, is released by Paramount, is written by N Richard Nash, based on N Richard Nash’s play, is shot in Technicolor by Charles Lang Jr, is produced by Hal B Wallis, is scored by Alex North, and is designed by Hal Pereira and Walter Tyler.

Lancaster read in Hedda Hopper’s newspaper column that William Holden had backed out and phoned producer Wallis, who agreed to cast him if Lancaster would star in Gunfight at the OK Corral (1957). Ironically, of the two films, only Gunfight at the OK Corral is truly remembered.

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 7175

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