Rain (1932)
Director: Lewis Milestone
Starring: Joan Crawford, Walter Huston, William Gargan
Synopsis:
While stranded on a Pacific isle, a stern missionary pushes a loose woman to repent of her sinful ways.
Impressions:
I'll be honest with you. I was starting to misunderstand the authorial intent here and it was inclining my ratings in the negative direction until thing got turned around in the finale. Now, I'm all for turning around dissolute lives and such, but I found the character of Mr. Davidson to be an insufferably sanctimonious Pharisee and I almost thought his approach was being championed until it became clear that the feeling of unease around him was entirely intentional. Props to Walter Huston, by the way, for playing the character so effectively. Joan Crawford was also enjoyable as the brassy Sadie Thompson. It can be a little hard to watch, as whatever scuffs there are on Sadie's soul, the holier-than-thou crowd don't come off much better. Because all of this is by design and not the product of values dissonance, I have to give this one its due. Give it a watch.
Watch It