Rain (1932)

Rain is a 1932 American pre-Code drama directed by Lewis Milestone and based on the 1921 short story Miss Thompson by W. Somerset Maugham, later adapted into the 1922 play Rain by John Colton and Clemence Randolph. Released by United Artists on October 12, 1932, the film stars Joan Crawford and Walter Huston, and is set on the remote island of Pago Pago during a torrential quarantine lockdown.

Plot Summary

As a cholera outbreak forces a group of travelers to disembark and remain stranded on a South Pacific island, tensions rise between the flamboyant Sadie Thompson (Joan Crawford), a brash and defiant prostitute, and Alfred Davidson (Walter Huston), a rigid, self-righteous missionary. Davidson becomes obsessed with redeeming Sadie’s soul, pressuring her into repentance and spiritual rebirth. But his moral crusade masks deeper psychological turmoil, leading to a shocking and tragic climax.

The film unfolds almost entirely within the confines of a boarding house, where the oppressive rain mirrors the emotional and moral claustrophobia of its characters. Sadie’s transformation—from defiant sensuality to broken submission and back to defiant independence—forms the emotional core of the narrative.

Cast

• Joan Crawford as Sadie Thompson
• Walter Huston as Alfred Davidson
• Matt Moore as Dr. Angus McPhail
• William Gargan as Sgt. Tim O’Hara
• Beulah Bondi as Mrs. Davidson
• Guy Kibbee as Joe Horn
• Kendall Lee, Walter Catlett, and Arnold Lucy in supporting roles

Production Notes and Context

• This was the second sound adaptation of Maugham’s story, following the 1928 Gloria Swanson silent version. A third version, Miss Sadie Thompson (1953), starred Rita Hayworth
• Directed by Lewis Milestone, who was uncredited due to disputes with producer Joseph Schenck
• Filming took place on Santa Catalina Island and at Crystal Cove State Park, standing in for the South Seas
• The film’s pre-Code status allowed for frank depictions of sexuality, religious hypocrisy, and psychological breakdowns that would be censored just a few years later
• Joan Crawford’s performance was a departure from her usual glamorous roles, showcasing her range and intensity in a raw, emotionally charged portrayal
• The film’s budget was approximately $591,000, and it grossed around $704,000, making it a modest financial success
• The screenplay was adapted by Maxwell Anderson, who retained much of the original play’s dialogue and structure