The Rainmaker (1956)

 'The Rainmaker' a 1956 feature film adaption of the hit 1954 N. Richard Nash play of the same name doesn't work for several reasons. One is it feels way too stage bound, hardly opened up at all. Perhaps this is because N. Richard Nash adapted his own work for the screen, and also because the films director Joseph Anthony comes from the world of the stage not film. The story is extremely dated, set in the 30's it's very 50's, and this tale of a spinsters late in life yet rather quick (within a matter of hours) acquisitions of two potential suiters, well it doesn't convincingly transcend the 20th Century. Also Katharine Hepburn is way to old for this part, 49 at the time of release she should really be 35ish at the most, judging by the ages of her supposed siblings. Burt Lancaster foreshadows some of his later 'Elmer Gantry' schtick as a con man, but it's paltry compensation for two hours. *1/2