The Rains Came

Released Sep 7, 1939

1h 44m

Drama

List

67%

Tomatometer

6 Reviews

65%

Audience Score

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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Variety Staff

Variety

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.

Oct 18, 2008

Full Review

Frank S. Nugent

New York Times

Louis Bromfield's novel of India, The Rains Came, appears to have defied translation to the screen.

Mar 25, 2006

Full Review

Pare Lorentz

McCall's

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.

Dec 27, 2023

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Tyrone Power is miscast, but by standards of the time, this was a prestige, lavish production, winning an Oscar for Special Effects (spectacular flood).

Rated: C+

Jul 11, 2011

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

I could listen to the legendary Maria Ouspenskaya talk while dangling a cigarette on a long holder without ever tiring of her magical charm.

Rated: B-

Feb 28, 2009

Full Review

Ken Hanke

Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Spectacular, entertaining Hollywood craftsmanship.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 29, 2006

Full Review

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Audience Member

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.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/08/23

Full Review

kevin w

An interestingly layered tale of Brit aristocratic dissipation and redemption as two old school globetrotters (Myrna Loy & George Brent), both bored to tears with the roles their positions ask them to play, bored with their wealth and what it brings, bored with their sophistication, bored even with using each other, both find a shot at personal salvation when a couple of natural disasters devastate the godforsaken outback they happen to find themselves in. Good performances carry the tale of two cads climbing out of their self-made tenements.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

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.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/14/23

Full Review

Audience Member

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.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/16/23

Full Review

Audience Member

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.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Heartbreaking tale of finding your true self, and life's goals, through adversity in far away lands.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

Full Review

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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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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
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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