Blu-ray Review The Rainmaker (1956) Blu ray Review (1 Viewer)

[Matt Hough]

Burt Lancaster and Katharine Hepburn cross paths and strike sparks in Joseph Anthony’s faithful 1956 adaptation of Richard Nash’s play The Rainmaker, an intricate character piece that’s both humorous and endearingly moving.



The Rainmaker (1956)



Released: 13 Dec 1956
Rated: Approved
Runtime: 121 min




Director: Joseph Anthony
Genre: Romance, Western



Cast: Burt Lancaster, Katharine Hepburn, Wendell Corey
Writer(s): N. Richard Nash



Plot: During the Depression, a con-man promises rain to a desperate drought-ridden Kansas town and marriage to a local desperate spinster.



IMDB rating: 6.9
MetaScore: N/A





Disc Information



Studio: Paramount
Distributed By: Kino Lorber
Video Resolution: 1080P/AVC...

Continue reading...

 

[Flashgear]

Thanks Matt for yet another fine and informative review! Great to hear that The Rainmaker looks as good as we would hope for, among the best HD presentations of a VistaVision film that we've had on home video. I can hardly wait to see the new Blu! The Rainmaker is a treasured artifact from the 1950s, and an essential in my book. One of the magnificent Kate's career best.

I can now order it with confidence, which is more than I can say about another KL Blu dropping the same day (which I'll buy regardless, hoping for the best), The Counterfeit Traitor.

Kino-Lorber continues to delight us. I have another order from them on the way right now!

 

[RICK BOND]

The Rainmaker Bluray review at 11:00..... Not Good news for fans of this movie.

 

[Robert Crawford]

The Rainmaker Bluray review at 11:00..... Not Good news for fans of this movie.

I trust Matt’s review!

 

[uncledougie]

Doesn’t sound like the film is to his taste, but that wouldn’t affect the description of the anomalies he noted. That said, unless it’s a faulty transfer that Kino would consider defective, which it doesn’t sound like this is, it’s the best this movie is going to get on home video. So that’s not going to be a factor other than the possibility of disappointment that the issues weren’t corrected before release. I didn’t detect other early reviews noting a problem, so hoping it won’t affect viewing pleasure. My take on the film is far more positive than the reviewer on YouTube.

 

[Justin Ray]

I’m not sure how credible this review is. He talks about dancing and musical numbers. What is he talking about here? The Rainmaker is NOT a musical. I should have my copy on Friday, so I’ll see for myself regarding the transfer.

 

[Justin Ray]

PS I, too, trust the fine work of Mr. Hough- always honest and thorough.

 

[uncledougie]

I’m not sure how credible this review is. He talks about dancing and musical numbers. What is he talking about here? The Rainmaker is NOT a musical. I should have my copy on Friday, so I’ll see for myself regarding the transfer.

I wasn’t clear on that point either. Of course, the story was musicalized as 110 in the Shade in 1963, but this isn’t that. Perhaps he was referring to Earl Holliman’s character, who is somewhat animated at times with his affection for Snookie. A scene with the two of them? Not remembering off the top of my head. But it didn’t ring a bell with me.

 

[bujaki]

Looking forward to this disc. Last time I saw this film was in a stunning 35mm VistaVision print, some 40-45 years ago.

 

[haineshisway]

The Rainmaker Bluray review at 11:00..... Not Good news for fans of this movie.

Why on earth would anyone post the YouTube amateur reviewing a disc? That's question one. Question two, is this 6K scan off the VistaVision negative (large format) or some 35mm internegative?

 

[Robin9]

Why on earth would anyone post the YouTube amateur reviewing a disc? That's question one. Question two, is this 6K scan off the VistaVision negative (large format) or some 35mm internegative?

YouTube is full of so-called reviews of everything from hi-fi equipment to packaged holidays posted by amateurs with large egos and slim knowledge. Why anyone watches them I don't understand.

 

[OliverK]

Why on earth would anyone post the YouTube amateur reviewing a disc? That's question one. Question two, is this 6K scan off the VistaVision negative (large format) or some 35mm internegative?

Maybe the youtube "review" was posted for our amusement

According to the Kino Lorber Insider The Rainmaker Blu-ray goes back to a 6K scan of the VV negative:

Kino-Lorber Insider Announcement Thread (Read Guidelines Post #3)

True enough. Six years later. We don't know if Criterion will or won't do the same. My point is that everyone makes mistakes, or at least questionable decisions, once in a while, and they may (or may not) correct those down the line. But we're straying from the topic, so I will say no more...

www.hometheaterforum.com

I just checked Park Circus but unlike To Catch a Thief and The Court Jester this version of The Rainmaker cannot be found on that site - would be interesting to know if they produced a 4K DCP.

 

[Thomas T]

Why on earth would anyone post the YouTube amateur reviewing a disc? That's question one.

Why indeed! Sorry but I'll take the opinion of a professional like Mr. Harris (who gave it a thumbs up) https://www.hometheaterforum.com/co...rds-about-tm-the-rainmaker-in-blu-ray.377111/ over that of an annoying amateur who seems clueless. That idiot gave me a headache just watching him! As to why it was posted, I suspect some people just enjoy negativity.

 

[Robert Crawford]

Continue reading...

Matt,

My Blu-ray arrived from Kino today and I have only about 45 minutes left in the movie and so far, your video presentation grade is dead on. It looks terrific!

 

[haineshisway]

If it's from the VistaVision negative, I'm most certainly there.

 

[Matt Hough]

Matt,

My Blu-ray arrived from Kino today and I have only about 45 minutes left in the movie and so far, your video presentation grade is dead on. It looks terrific!

I appreciate that. Thanks so much!

 

[Robert Crawford]

I appreciate that. Thanks so much!

Yup, a beautiful video presentation that I'm totally happy with after watching the entire movie. I then sampled Julie Kirgo's audio commentary, but I stopped because I started to watch "The Counterfeit Traitor" (1962) Blu-ray.

 

[uncledougie]

I had been holding this to show to my uncle visiting from California. He’s never been a movie goer, so we have introduced him to some of the great films (My Fair Lady) or shown him upgrades of classics (this visit The Wizard of Oz and Casablanca in 4K, both of which impressed him mightily). We watched this last night and I must say I’ve never seen it look nearly this good before; it was just splendid both visually and audibly. The performances may be at a theatrical pitch that modern audiences may find a little jarring, but they’re right on the money for the material and the Hepburn magic makes Lizzy enormously vulnerable and touching, and Lancaster hints at depths and his own vulnerabilities for the character of Starbuck, indeed a precursor of Elmer Gantry four years later. I’ve always had a soft spot for The Rainmaker, and it has been done full justice with this release. The quality upgrade is like seeing it for the first time.