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The Rains Came

Play trailer Poster for The Rains Came 1939 1h 44m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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67% Tomatometer 6 Reviews 65% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
In 1938, Lady Edwina Esketh (Myrna Loy) is a British aristocrat living in India with her crude husband, Lord Esketh (Nigel Bruce). At a lavish party, Edwina is reunited with the womanizing Tom Ransome (George Brent), an old flame who tries to rekindle their relationship. Edwina, however, has her sights set on Major Rama Safti (Tyrone Power), a handsome Indian doctor committed to helping the poor. But after Rama falls for Edwina, a widespread plague threatens their relationship.
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The Rains Came

Critics Reviews

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Variety Staff Variety 10/18/2008
Liberties have been taken with [the] original novel, resulting in switching some of the original characterizations or intent, but under production code restrictions, and to conform with the mass market of film entertainment, it merges as a competent job. Go to Full Review Frank S. Nugent New York Times 03/25/2006
Louis Bromfield's novel of India, The Rains Came, appears to have defied translation to the screen. Go to Full Review Pare Lorentz McCall's 12/27/2023
Unfortunately there wasn't much time for either plot because of a storm, a flood, and a plague which came along in the middle of the story and which of all the floods, hurricanes and disasters I’ve ever seen on film, was without doubt the worst. Go to Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com 07/11/2011
C+
Tyrone Power is miscast, but by standards of the time, this was a prestige, lavish production, winning an Oscar for Special Effects (spectacular flood). Go to Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews 02/28/2009
B-
I could listen to the legendary Maria Ouspenskaya talk while dangling a cigarette on a long holder without ever tiring of her magical charm. Go to Full Review Ken Hanke Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC) 08/29/2006
4/5
Spectacular, entertaining Hollywood craftsmanship. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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12/28/2021 This movie has, for its time, amazing special effects for the flood scene. To let you know HOW amazing the effects were, in this category, THE RAINS CAME beat out GONE WITH THE WIND and its amazing burning of Atlanta! It was THAT good and worth seeing just for this segment. As for the rest of the story, it's okay--not great. It reminds me a lot of the movie JEZEBEL--completed just a year earlier. Both feature a female lead who is spoiled but who eventually prove themselves and both end up with similar fates. George Brent is excellent though it's odd to see Tyrone Power in the role of an Indian--with no trace of an Indian accent! Mr. Power does NOT do a whole lot to impress the audience with his acting range, but he looks nice in a suit. All in all, the story seems a tad familiar and pretty ordinary, but certainly not bad. See more 01/20/2020 Inspired acting by Myrna Loy and dazzling special effects lift this movie from the run-of-the-mill historical soap category to a captivating glance into British-controlled India. Unfortunately, this 1939 classic had to compete with all the other giants from the same year and can get lost in the comparisons. 20th Century Fox found the book, the actors and the effects, the movie reviewed well and was an instant hit with the public. But younger audiences need to be continually reminded of its existence just because it was released in Hollywood's most golden year. See more 02/22/2019 Myrna Loy, playing against type, shines through this Hollywood megamovie to make her part immortal. The special effects were stunning for the time, and it never hurt to have Tyrone Power in the cast. Another 1939 classic -- this one from the 20th Century Fox studio, who borrowed Loy and George Brent from MGM and Warner Brothers, respectively. See more 08/07/2018 Good movie until the ending, probably one you can only watch once because it truly broke my heart. Loved the earthquake/flood scenes and loved Tyrone Power. Not bad overall, but I'm not a fan of heartbreakers. See more 04/08/2018 Heartbreaking tale of finding your true self, and life's goals, through adversity in far away lands. See more Maria C 08/29/2017 this movie won the first Special Effects Oscar - the story is great and the effects sensational. See more Read all reviews
The Rains Came

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Cast & Crew

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Clarence Brown

Director

Myrna Loy

Lady Edwina Esketh

Tyrone Power

Maj. Rama Safti

George Brent

Tom Ransome

Brenda Joyce

Fern Simon

Nigel Bruce

Lord Albert Esketh

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The Rains Came

The Rains Came (1939) The Rains Came (1939) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In 1938, Lady Edwina Esketh (Myrna Loy) is a British aristocrat living in India with her crude husband, Lord Esketh (Nigel Bruce). At a lavish party, Edwina is reunited with the womanizing Tom Ransome (George Brent), an old flame who tries to rekindle their relationship. Edwina, however, has her sights set on Major Rama Safti (Tyrone Power), a handsome Indian doctor committed to helping the poor. But after Rama falls for Edwina, a widespread plague threatens their relationship.
Director
Clarence Brown
Producer
Darryl F Zanuck
Screenwriter
Philip Dunne, Julien Josephson
Production Co
Twentieth Century Fox
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 7, 1939, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 6, 2014
Runtime
1h 44m
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