Name: Rain (1929) Director: Raoul Walsh Studio: United Artists Starring: Joan Crawford, Walter Huston, Matt Moore, William Gargan, and Guy Kibbee Release Date: November 10, 1929 Runtime: 94 minutes Format: Black and White, Sound-on-film (Movietone system) Country: United States Language: English Genres: | Drama | Romance | Psychological | --- Summary: Set on a steamy South Pacific island, Rain follows the moral and emotional conflict between Sadie Thompson, a defiant prostitute seeking a new life, and Reverend Davidson, a rigid missionary determined to “save” her soul. As relentless tropical rain beats down on the island and tensions rise, their clash of passion, repression, and faith spirals toward a shocking conclusion. --- Background: Based on W. Somerset Maugham’s short story “Miss Thompson,” Rain (1929) was one of the earliest sound adaptations of the tale, following the 1928 silent version *Sadie Thompson* starring Gloria Swanson. Directed by Raoul Walsh and produced by United Artists, this early talkie version attempted to merge pre-Code sensuality with the new realism that synchronized sound brought to Hollywood storytelling. Joan Crawford’s portrayal of Sadie Thompson added a more modern and emotionally layered interpretation to the character. Unfortunately, the 1929 film is now considered lost, with no known surviving prints. --- Trivia: * Rain (1929) was one of the first sound remakes of a silent film made just a year prior. * The movie is often confused with the later and better-known 1932 version starring Joan Crawford; however, Crawford’s version is actually the remake, as the 1929 film starred a different cast. * The production was noted for its storm effects, achieved through practical water tanks and sound innovation. * The story of “Miss Thompson” was so controversial that it was frequently censored or banned for its sexual and moral themes. * No known copies of the 1929 film are believed to survive, making it one of the many early sound-era “lost films.” --- Hashtags: #Rain1929 #LostFilm #EarlyTalkies #RaoulWalsh #PreCodeHollywood #UnitedArtists #FilmHistory #ClassicDrama #WsomersetMaugham #OldHollywood