Amor profano

Joan Crawford went on loan out to United Artists from her home studio of MGM to make "Rain" in 1932. The story had been a Brodway success. Some may feel Joan was miscast as the famed Sadie Thompson. I disagree. The film is not perfect, but Joan and the other actors make it worth watching. Joan is matched in the acting by the great Walter Huston, playing the preacher who is determined to "redeem" Sadie. Joan is made up heavily - almost outrageously - in the first part of the film, then softer make up and lighting after her "transformation" by the preacher. The softer make up shows what a real beauty Crawford was. Rumor has it Crawford felt out of her league with some of the other theatrically trained actors, and had some problems with the director Lewis Milestone. But she holds her own in the film. The print of the film I recorded from TCM is not the best, with some static in the sound and the picture quality rather poor. This is a film begging to be restored. Yes, it was made in 1932, but other films from this time do not look this bad.