The Rainmaker
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Movie Reviews of The Rainmaker
Movie Review: "Water! I recommend it"
Summary: 5 Stars
Bill Starbuck (Burt Lancaster) is a charlatan selling multi-flavored hopes of fulfilled dreams. Take your pick: early-warning tornado devices or cumulous nimbus over drought stricken cattle. It requires more than animated gestures and wild stories to satisfy the matrimonial desires of aging Lizzie Curry (Katherine Hepburn). Their paths cross in the Southwest as THE RAINMAKER promises thunder to the Curry family of hopefuls and hopeless.
At 49 - just six years older than Lancaster, Hepburn appears old enough to be mother to her theatrical siblings - a mistaken assumption expressed by daffy brother Jim (Earl Holliman) when he remarks how wonderful it would be for her to conceive a child so he could have a little brother. Nevertheless, the vigorous passion of this Old Maid desiring change without changing well compliments the undesputed Star - buck. From the moment he enters a scene, Lancaster steals the show with prolific lines of what Hepburn shamelessly labels "bunk."
The smile that overcomes me when the film begins is frequently interrupted by tears of joy and thunderous outbursts of laughter. I love it when a DVD investment pays off this well. Put your faith in THE RAINMAKER.
Movie quote: "Rain is rain, brother. It comes from the sky. It's a wetness known as water - 'aqua pura.' Mammals drink it. Fish swim in it. Little boys wade in it. And the birds flap their wings and sing like sunrise. Water! I recommend it."
Movie Review: Burt & Kate
Summary: 5 Stars
N. Richard Nash adapted his own work for this perfect screen version of his hit Broadway play, later a musical (110 IN THE SHADE).
Directed by Joseph Anthony, the 1956 film tells the story of a ranching family in the drought-stricken American Southwest of the 1930s, and how their lives are changed one night when a travelling con-man comes knocking on their door, offering to bring them rain for one hundred dollars.
Burt Lancaster, in what is certainly a warm-up for his Oscar-winning performance in ELMER GANTRY, is superb as the fast-talking con-man who wants nothing more from life than to produce "one little miracle," and Katharine Hepburn is absolutely brilliant as the "plain" spinster daughter of the ranching family who does not trust Lancaster, but is, ultimately, won over by his charms.
Lloyd Bridges and Earl Holliman play Hepburn's brothers, Cameron Prud'homme is the patriarch of the family and Wendell Corey is cast as the town's deputy sheriff who is smitten with Hepburn, but too frightened to do anything about it.
This is a truly charming romantic comedy that has lost none of its luster over the years.
© Michael B. Druxman
Movie Review: "He's a Dream"
Summary: 5 Stars
Katherine Hepburn really plays it up as an old maid trying to repel the the jesting, jabbing, goading of her male family members in an effort to get her to find a man and marry. A part of her is content to remain the way she is--that is until she tastes the magic of the Rainmaker, played by Burt Lancaster. His very presence on the scene awakens pent up longings. Burt is perfect in his part, and they are perfect together. The family has paid the traveling rainmaker to produce rain for their crops and livestock. He chants and raves spouting beautiful oratory in order to conjure up the rain. When they start to believe that he is just another traveling con man, the thunder starts to roll as his rainmaker wagon is rolling off their ranch. He earns the money for the rain he promised them, and our old maid will never be the same again. The rainmaker has taught her something about taking risks during his stay. He has taught her to dare to dream, to believe in miracles. This is a great movie. Mainly to watch the Rainmaker weave his spell through the beautiful, emotional voice of Burt Lancaster.Movie Review: Classic Romance
Summary: 5 Stars
I first saw this film when I was 10, and fell instantly in love with Burt Lancaster. His enthusiasm, amazing smile and sheer energy make this story a joy to watch. Katherine Hepburn always struck me as a little too old for the part, but she is so good that you can't imagine anyone else playing Lizzie. When I saw Burt Lancaster later in Elmer Gantry, I was stuck by the likeness to his character Starbuck in The Rainmaker; Starbuck is a sweeter, less manipulative charater than Gantry. The Rainmaker is set in a western town suffering from a drought; into the town comes Starbuck, a seller of hope in the form of a promise to make it rain. He meets Lizzie, an "old maid" who longs for a man to love her, and the promise of children and security this brings. This is a very sweet story; while I could not understand Lizzie's final choice when I was younger, now I can see what she wanted and why she made the decision she did. This is a charming film, and it is lovely to see it looking to clear and bright on DVD.Movie Review: Spunky Kate Versus Bert. Who is the winner ?
Summary: 5 Stars
In the 1950s Kate Hepburn did 2 movies where she plays a "spunky spinster". The 2 movies are "The Rainmaker" and "Summertime". Kate gives a strong performance in both films. However, in "The Rainmaker" she has to best the stage presence of Burt Lancaster. Just like he does in "Elmer Gantry" Lancaster is a dominating force. When Burt talks... everybody listens. Katherine Hepburn is up to the challenge. As the middle aged unmarried daughter of the land owner who hires the raimaker, Kate is excellent. ( Kate was nominated for an Oscar for her performance.)
Sit back and enjoy Hepburn and Lancaster in a fun film from the 1950s.
Note: The play, "The Rainmaker" was made into a Broadway musical, "110 in the Shade". The real change to the Hepburn part is very noticeable. In the most recent revival, Audra McDonald plays Kate's part. Audra McDonald is 20 years younger than Hepburn.