Films

The Rains of Ranchipur (on loan out from MGM to 20th Century Fox 1955)

Lana tells Richard Burton a thing or two in "The Rains of Ranchipur" (1955). Lou Valentino Collection

Production Dates: August 15, 1955-Mid September, 1955

Release Date: December 14, 1955.

Credited Cast and Crew:

Lana Turner, Richard Burton, Fred MacMurray, Joan Caulfield

Directed by: Jean Negulesco

Writing Credits: Louis Bromfield (novel), Merle Miller

Produced by: Frank Ross

Original Music by: Hugo Friedhofer

Cinematography by: Milton R. Krasner

Synopsis: Lana as an unfaithful wife who falls into the arms of Richard Burton in this remake of 1939's The Rains Came.

My Review: Despite the fact that Lana and Richard Burton didn't exactly hit it off in real life (she found him hopelessly unattractive), they have amazing chemistry together on screen. When the reigning queen of MGM and the Shakespearian actor want to convey the feeling of a passion that can't be consummated (because there is always an obstacle in their way) you can FEEL it. Lana's acting is subtle here and she doesn't eat up the scenery like she sometimes did in the last half of career, probably due to the fact that her character is so desperately disillusioned and unhappy. The subplot of an alcoholic Fred MacMurray and a young(er) Joan Caulfield having a romance seems pretty unnecessary to the story and tends to slow the film down except of course for the fact that MacMurray gets to play the hero at the end of the picture.

The ending goes in a direction that the viewer doesn't expect it to go and will either surprise or disappoint you, depending on how you look at it. If you like 1950's style, old time films with all of the implied sexuality than this one is for you.

Highlights and Trivia

*Based on the book The Rains Came by Louis Bromfield.

Your Review: What are YOUR thoughts on this film? Contact me at Liza@lanaturneronline.com

 

Photo Gallery

Fred MacMurray tends to Lana in 1955's "The Rains of Ranchipur". Lou Valentino Collection    Lana and Richard Burton get ready for their closeup in "The Rains of Ranchipur", 1955.    Lana and Richard Burton in an unretouched color photo for "The Rains of Ranchipur" (1955).    The cast of "The Rains of Ranchipur" forgets to smile for the cameras, 1955.    Richard Burton and Lana sharing a moment (though Lana looks as if she'd rather be playing canasta) in 1955's "The Rains of Ranchipur".    The cast of "The Rains of Ranchipur" look to Richard Burton for guidance. 1955

 

 

 

 

 

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