A prim and proper missionary, Sadie Thompson, arrives on the island of Pago Pago in American Samoa with her ailing daughter. Her presence clashes with the hedonistic lifestyle of the colonial residents, particularly the dissolute Surgeon McCrae and the corrupt Police Sergeant O'Hara. As a powerful storm rages, Sadie finds herself trapped in her hotel room with Mr. Davidson, a married businessman whose lust for her escalates, forcing her to confront her own repressed desires and the hypocrisy of her faith.

Upon its release, 'Rain' was met with significant controversy for its perceived morality and frank depiction of sensuality. Despite some censorship concerns, critics generally lauded Joan Crawford's performance as Sadie Thompson and Lewis Milestone's direction for its atmospheric tension. The film was considered a bold and mature production for its time, exploring themes of religious hypocrisy and repressed sexuality.

• Joan Crawford delivers a career-defining performance, showcasing a remarkable range of emotion.
• The film's atmospheric direction and intense psychological drama were highly praised.
• Controversial for its time, 'Rain' was noted for its mature exploration of sexuality and hypocrisy.

Google audience: While specific Google user ratings for 'Rain' (1929) are not readily available, contemporary reviews highlighted its daring subject matter and powerful performances, suggesting it resonated with audiences who appreciated its boldness.

None notable, but critically acclaimed for its performances and direction during its release.

Despite the film's success and Joan Crawford's acclaimed performance, the original stage play of 'Rain' was considered so controversial that some actresses, like Gloria Swanson, refused to play the role of Sadie Thompson on screen.