Touches You

just watch it!

Captivating movie !

Not sure how, but this is easily one of the best movies all summer. Multiple levels of funny, never takes itself seriously, super colorful, and creative.

One weekend (it was raining), I watched 1939's "The Rains Came" and then the remake, 1955's "The Rains of Ranchipur"."The Rains Came" is a story of redemption. Tom Ransome (George Brent) is slowly dissipating in the pre-independence Indian kingdom of Ranchipur when his decline is interrupted by the arrival of a former lover, Edwina (Myrna Loy). Now married to the elderly Lord Esketh (Nigel Bruce) Edwina is restless and bored. She sets out to seduce Tom's friend, Indian doctor, Rama Safti (Tyrone Power), however she ends up falling in love with him. This disturbs the Maharani of Ranchipur who sees Safti as a future ruler of the kingdom, Then the rains come destroying much of Ranchipur and bringing out hidden depths of character in Tom and Edwina.The 1939 version is a moody, artistic looking film. Myrna Loy is photographed with luminous close-ups and lighting accentuating cheekbones and lips. There is none of that for Lana Turner as Edwina in the newer version. Instead the Cinemascope process delivered static, overlit scenes that distanced us from the actors.George Brent was always low-key, but it's what the role needed. Fred MacMurray played the same part in the later movie and his delivery suffered in comparison. Richard Burton wears Safti's turban in "The Rains of Ranchipur". However it's not a good fit; he projects somewhat of a neurotic edge; it's hard to believe the passion he arouses in Edwina. On the other hand, Tyrone Power's calm demeanour and serenity in "The Rains Came" only enhanced his charisma.Burton was not entirely to blame; he is required to spout volumes of sanctimonious drivel in his scenes with Turner. Things had changed in India and the script needed updating, however where a look said a lot in the "The Rains Came", the characters in "Ranchipur" say it. The only character enhanced in "Rains" Mk II is Michael Rennie's Lord Esketh. It's a more intelligent characterisation than Nigel Bruce's blustering stereotype. The remake features location footage but it's not enough to elevate it above bland interiors and unbelievable characters.Finally I was surprised at how good the first version is, but also surprised at how much the second one missed the mark.

Much of what I have to say about this film has already been said, so I will not repeat it. Here are some (I think) original thoughts.If this film were released a year before or a year after 1939 I am guessing it would have swept the Oscars. Being released the same year as "Gone With The Wind" kept that from happening. The one Oscar it won (for best special effects) was richly deserved. In fact, the effects in GWTW during the burning of Atlanta are no where near as good. Way ahead of it's time. In fact, I think the entire film was ahead of it's time by at least 20 years. The black and white cinematography made a major contribution to the overall emotional impact. Very creative use of lighting, and each frame is like a painting. It should have gotten the Oscar for that. The direction and the acting was subtle and very layered. I was especially impressed by the staging of the Myrna Loy's character's death. Most of the Hollywood death scenes at that time involve the character closing his eyes and turning his head. Very heavy handed and not very realistic. I will not spoil it for you but watch how understated it is. Occasionally the acting is over the top, but as a whole it is restrained and totally right for the material.Music is used sparingly unlike GWTW where it is wall to wall. Don't get me wrong, I love the music in that film and it is just right for it. But in The Rains Came a lighter touch is called for. And it gets it.It seemed that everyone involved in this was aware that it would be released the same year as GWTW and knew that this film had to be on a par with it. GWTW was pretty much of it's time but The Rains Came was a preview of how great films would be made in the 1950's and 1960's. The only thing that did not ring true for me was the casting of Tyrone Power as an Indian native. Even with the dark make-up he is just plain wrong. Add to that that he does not even attempt an accent! Everyone else seems just right. Newcomer Brenda Joyce is particularly good and stunningly beautiful as well.The idea of casting a love story (2 love stories really) against significant events in history was not original even in 1939, but I can think of only a few films that did it better. One of those was A Passage to India, a film that echos the style and setting of The Rains Came.I wish someone would do a remake of this. I think the material begs for it.A very unusual production for it's time and well worth a look. I could even see it as being made in say 1963. Very modern and polished.

Think of the year - 1939. It was 'THE' year for Hollywood with all the great movies that came out. But the utmost highest quality of the special effects in this movie had me spellbound. You must watch it and try to absorb the enormity of the effects required while still being pulled into the story line. The actual story showcases the messy relationships and personalities experienced in real life. You see, the really great movies do not need showings of sex, cursing, or intentional violence from man against man. The really great movies are eloquently written and offered without defilement - so different from most of the movies of today.Enjoy every minute! Myrna Loy - in a dramatic role so different from the Thin Man jovial series! With aloha ~ KonaRose

The Rains Came is one of several disaster movies that were made in the 1930's and I found this quite good.An aristocrat returns to India from America and he helps out some poor people in a village. He falls in love and then disaster strikes, first flooding after days of continuous heavy rain, an earthquake and then plague which kills many. He manages to survive all this though.The special effects are quite good for the time and one of the best sequences is the dam bursting.The cast includes Tyrone Power (The Mark of Zorro), George Brent (Dark Victory), Brenda Joyce (who went on to play Jane in some Tarzan movies), Myna Loy and a pre Dr Watson Nigel Bruce, who plays an ill tempered Lord.This movie is worth a look at if you get the chance.Rating: 3 stars out of 5.