The Rainmaker (1956)
A charismatic drifter claiming he can end a drought arrives in a small Western town — and ends up changing one woman's life forever.
The Rainmaker - Movie Information
- Original Title: The Rainmaker
- Release Year: 1956
- Directed by: Joseph Anthony
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Romance, Western
- Runtime: 2h 1m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): December 13, 1956 (United States), April 19, 1957 (Germany)
- Alternative Titles: The Rainmaker (US), Il mago della pioggia (IT), Le faiseur de pluie (FR)
- Production Companies: Hal Wallis Productions, Paramount Pictures
- Production Countries: United States of America
The Rainmaker - Plot
Lizzie Curry is on the verge of becoming a hopeless old maid. Her wit and intelligence and skills as a homemaker can't make up for the fact that she's just plain plain! Even the town sheriff, File, for whom she harbors a secret yen, won't take a chance --- until the town suffers a drought and into the lives of Lizzie and her brothers and father comes one Bill Starbuck ... profession: Rainmaker!
The Rainmaker - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the sparks fly between Burt Lancaster and Katharine Hepburn:
It's about the magic that makes a woman beautiful when she's wanted by a man!
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The Rainmaker - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Joseph Anthony
Main Cast
- Burt Lancaster
- Katharine Hepburn
- Wendell Corey
- Lloyd Bridges
- Earl Holliman
- Cameron Prud'Homme
- Wallace Ford
- Yvonne Lime
- Jack Kenny
- Tex Driscoll
Writers
- N. Richard Nash
Producers
- Hal B. Wallis
The Rainmaker - FAQs
What is The Rainmaker (1956) about?
The Rainmaker follows Lizzie Curry, a sharp but self-doubting woman resigned to spinsterhood in a drought-stricken Western town. When the charismatic drifter Bill Starbuck rolls in claiming he can bring rain, he ends up doing something far more valuable — convincing Lizzie she's worth loving. It's a warm, witty romance with real emotional depth.
Did Katharine Hepburn receive an Oscar nomination for this film?
Yes! Katharine Hepburn earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress for her role as Lizzie Curry. It was one of her many Oscar nods throughout her legendary career, and critics praised her for bringing genuine warmth and vulnerability to a character who could easily have been played as mere comic relief.
Where can you stream The Rainmaker (1956)?
You can stream The Rainmaker on Amazon Prime Video or Amazon Prime Video with Ads. It's also available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home — plenty of options to catch this classic romance.
Is Bill Starbuck a genuine rainmaker or a con man?
Starbuck is very much a con man — a silver-tongued drifter who charges desperate farmers for rain he can't actually deliver. But the film plays beautifully with that ambiguity. His real gift isn't weather control; it's the ability to make people believe in themselves, especially Lizzie, who blossoms under his infectious confidence.
Who are the main actors in The Rainmaker?
The film is led by Burt Lancaster as the magnetic con man Bill Starbuck and Katharine Hepburn as the quietly longing Lizzie Curry. Wendell Corey plays the reserved Deputy Sheriff File, Lloyd Bridges is Lizzie's protective brother Noah, and Earl Holliman brings comic energy as the youngest Curry sibling, Jim.
Is The Rainmaker based on a play or original screenplay?
The film is adapted from N. Richard Nash's hit Broadway play of the same name, which ran in 1954 with Geraldine Page and Darren McGavin in the lead roles. Nash himself wrote the screenplay adaptation, keeping the story's theatrical warmth and sharp dialogue largely intact for the big screen.
Who composed the music for The Rainmaker?
The score was composed by Alex North, one of Hollywood's most celebrated film composers of the era. North was known for his emotionally expressive, jazz-influenced work, and his music for The Rainmaker perfectly complements the film's blend of romantic longing, dry-plains atmosphere, and the irresistible energy of Starbuck's arrival.
Is The Rainmaker (1956) worth watching today?
Absolutely. The chemistry between Burt Lancaster and Katharine Hepburn is electric, and the film holds up remarkably well as both a romantic drama and a character study. Hepburn's Oscar-nominated performance alone makes it essential viewing, and the story's themes of self-worth and the transformative power of belief feel timeless.
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