The Rainmaker (1956 film)
- Burt Lancaster: Starbuck
- Katharine Hepburn: Lizzie Curry
- Wendell Corey: File
- Lloyd Bridges: Noah Curry
- Earl Holliman: Jim Curry
- Cameron Prud'Homme: H. C. Curry
The Rainmaker (Original Title: The Rainmaker ) is an American feature film made in 1956 based on the eponymous play by N. Richard Nash.
Action
Lizzie Curry, an aging spinster who lives with her father and her two brothers on a remote farm in Kansas, and leads them to the household. Returned from a visit with relatives, she opened her family that she would not marry the man with whom she wanted to marry off her. While the father of his daughter ascribes courage that the right thing would still find her older brother Noah has only allegations left for them, because he considers it to be precocious and besserwisserisch what she could hardly afford in their appearance; they should instead make something of their appearance, learn to flirt and otherwise keep their opinions to themselves. Lizzie is deeply hurt, but she believes Noah that they would never meet a man for life.
For months, there is drought over the Midwest. Billy Starbuck, a bursting with masculinity soldiers of fortune, arrives at the farm of curries and promises them for $ 100 rain. Lizzie and Noah want to reject his offer, but HC Curry, head of the family, would like to listen to once, what he 's up to. His children to warn him, but Starbucks witty charm and roguish wisdom like the old curry. Amid the exultation of Jim, the youngest of the family, Curry gives in and gets involved in the trade. To make matters worse File, the sheriff, whose great love is gone away a few years ago with another man still appears. On demand, he stated that he had not asked her to stay with him. He stays for dinner and witnesses a strange experiment with the Lizzie tries to bewitch him. It is not they themselves will act flighty and in love. File is distraught because of their behavior and drives off again.
Meanwhile, Starbuck begins - with all sorts of mumbo jumbo - Rain to "make". With keen insight he recognizes Lizzie needs and tries to convince them that dreams can come true if you only believe firmly in it. Likewise, he encourages Jim to not pay attention to the objections of his brother and the girl he loves to marry. Lizzie, touched at heart by Starbucks words trying to learn more from him. He manages to convince them through the night, finally, that they - like any woman - be nice if they just wanted to, and that he loved her.
Lizzie is no longer brittle, it now acts younger and more beautiful. The next morning when the sheriff arrives to Starbuck arrest for fraud, asks him the old Curry mercy for Starbuck, he has still managed that Lizzie feels as desirable woman. File can be cajoled and advises Starbuck, quickly disappearing. Starbuck asks Lizzie to come with him, to live their dreams. File gets up the courage and asks her not to go, but to stay - with him. Lizzie can not believe: two men vie for her - and she has to choose now ...
Background
For The Rainmaker N. Richard Nash wrote the screenplay based on his Broadway play, which was premiered in 1954. Geraldine Page played the role of Lizzie Curry herein. It was Katharine Hepburn's only film for Paramount. My opponent was Burt Lancaster in the title role. In the third film of his wives trilogy for Hal B. Wallis - was preceded by back flip, little Sheba and The Rose Tattoo - was given to Burt Lancaster again top notice. However, he did not - Ironically, the main character of each film was nominated for an Academy Award. The Rainmaker came to the U.S. distribution in December 1956. Later came the piece as a musical 110 degrees in the Shade again to Broadway.
For the producer Hal B. Wallis came for the presentation of Lizzie Curry only Katharine Hepburn in question: "When I saw N. Richards Nash's work for the first time, I immediately knew that this is a roll of film for Katharine. Certainly, it was similar to the role of dream of my life, but the difference is but the fact that it was a love story, our project, however, a comedy. I became so fixated on Katharine that I would have never produced the film with another actress. "
Joseph Anthony, the director had already performed the Broadway play directed and could compare the two leading ladies: " Again and again I urged " Gerry "(referring to Geraldine Page ), straight, open to play wistfully. But she preferred to roll their eyes and imitate ZaSu Pitts. Kath, however, did exactly what was expected of her. She was really professional. "
Katharine Hepburn and Burt Lancaster on the set came from less well. While they dominated in their text from the beginning, he was accustomed to learn just before turning. That's why he came on the first day of shooting too late; In addition, the crew had to wait until he was done moved, made up and coiffed. The Hepburn, always just out, introduced him to the whole team for the speech: "Mr. Lancaster, we were all already at 9 Clock 30 In this, except for you! Should you plan to do for the rest of the rotation time, it would be very nice of you to let us know this, so that we must not appear until 10 clock 25. Otherwise, I expect that you, like everyone else, are also on time! "-" Then Burt was always on time, "said Hal B. Wallis recalled, " from this day closed the collaboration between her and Burt something better. "
Lancaster praised retrospectively: " Kate was always very attentive and accommodating, even though I must confess that I am their efficiency and skill frightened something. "
German version
The German dubbed version came on April 19, 1957 in West German cinemas; synchronization was founded in 1957 at the Berliner Synchron AG under the direction of Volker Becker, who also verfertigte dialog book.
In the GDR, the film was shown for the first time in the second program of the television of the GDR on April 9, 1977; in the Federal Republic of Germany, the strip was to be seen on December 30, 1977 the ARD program. On video and DVD of the movie is so far only appeared in the original English version.
Reviews
Time Magazine: " actress Hepburn suggested not always the phases in Lizzie's life as it passes from the emotional larval stage too vividly imagined maturity, but she ties in scene to scene the audience's attention when she wild like an iridescent moth to one or the other love light flapping around. "
Encyclopedia of the International film: " Above average adaptation of the successful stage play by Richard Nash. [ ... ] The likeable film is the sentimental and poetic side of the drama as well just like the psychologically sensitive character comedy. High-class entertainment. "
Awards
While the audience towards the film was quite unmoved, but the film was appreciated by critics and film industry. As a sign of recognition, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences nominated the film for two Oscars: Katharine Hepburn received her seventh Academy Award nomination; the composer Alex North received for the film score his fifth nomination in this category. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association nominated the production as Best Film, Burt Lancaster and Katharine Hepburn as Best Actor and drew Earl Holliman for his performance as Lizzie slightly moronic brother Jim won a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.
Soundtrack
- Alex North: The Rainmaker - The Rainmaker. Original Motion Picture Soundtrack - Original film music. 1 CD. Tsunami 2000, Media -No. 0120 / UPN 4-001550-701207