Rain or Shine is a 1930 American pre-Code film directed by Frank Capra and starring Joe Cook and Louise Fazenda. The film was adapted from a hit Broadway musical of the same name and was originally planned as a full-scale musical. Due to the public backlash against musical films (beginning in the latter part of the summer of 1930), all musical numbers were discarded before release. This move proved to be prudent as the film was a box office success, continuing the streak of hits Capra directed for the young Columbia Pictures studio.[1]

Rain or Shine
Directed byFrank Capra
Written byJames Gleason (book of musical play)
Maurice Marks (book of musical play)
Jo Swerling
Dorothy Howell
Produced byHarry Cohn
StarringJoe Cook
Louise Fazenda
CinematographyJoe Walker
Edited byMaurice Wright
Music byMilton Ager
Jack Yellen
Production
companies
Columbia Pictures
Frank R. Capra Production
Distributed byColumbia Pictures
Release date
  • August 15, 1930 (1930-08-15)
Running time
90 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Plot

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A woman inherits her father's struggling travelling circus, and looks to the circus's manager, Smiley, to save the day when the performers conspire to strike during a performance.

Cast

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Production

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Cook, Howard and Chasen reprised their roles from the musical.[1]

Part of the film was filmed at the Burbank, California ranch of boxer James J. Jeffries, who also appeared in the film.[1]

Although the musical's songs were not performed, "Rain or Shine" is heard in the background.[1]

Preservation

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The film survives intact and has been broadcast on television and cable. The International Sound Version of this film also survives. Both versions have been released on DVD.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Rain or Shine". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
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