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The Rainmaker

Play trailer Poster for The Rainmaker 1956 2h 1m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
80% Tomatometer 5 Reviews 66% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
During the Great Depression, a drought is wreaking havoc on a small, destitute Kansas town. Bill Starbuck (Burt Lancaster), a slick grifter, arrives in town, promising he can make it rain in exchange for $100. His offer is accepted by H. C. Curry (Cameron Prudhomme), a rancher whose spinster daughter, Lizzie (Katharine Hepburn), is desperate for a suitor. Lizzie finally finds confidence when Starbuck, ever the smooth talker, convinces her she's beautiful.
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The Rainmaker

Critics Reviews

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Christopher Lloyd The Film Yap Dec 27, 2022
3/5
Burt Lancaster (sort of) headlines this Western romance-dramedy whose main dynamic is asking whether or not Katharine Hepburn is pretty. Go to Full Review Clyde Gilmour Maclean's Magazine Oct 11, 2019
Hammy and stagey in spots though it is, this is an enjoyable rural comedy-drama. Go to Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Aug 22, 2008
C+
Playing yet another spinster, Katharine Hepburn is too old for the part of the tomboy in Joseph Andrew's film, which suffers from its theatrical sensibility. Go to Full Review Steve Crum Video-Reviewmaster.com Apr 23, 2007
4/5
Drama, love story, and often comedic Lancaster-Hepburn teaming. Go to Full Review Scott Weinberg DVDTalk.com Jul 21, 2005
3/5
Pretty entertaining for the most part -- even if you'll be laughing at the movie as much as you are with it. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Robert P @Superbad Oct 7, 2026 The Rainmaker is a *3.5* star Movie!!! See more Henry D @Henry_Domke Mar 19, 2026 We usually don't enjoy stage-bound films that lack subtlety, but this one won us over. The strength of the cast and the quality production worked. Katharine Hepburn, 49 at the time of filming, may initially seem older than expected for the role, yet she brings depth and conviction that make it work. See more Bob V. @bvail Jan 24, 2026 Beautiful story and the acting was breathtaking. Made me tear up. See more Nadeen H @RT52575408 Oct 26, 2024 Incredibly perfect performances from the cast. Burt Lancaster was living as Starbuck. I love him. And Katherine Hepburn, she was priceless as the beloved sister enduring her family’s attempts at matchmaking. Lloyd Bridges and Earl Holliman was a gem. Great script and you will have goosebumps and a smile at the final scene. Perfection! See more Jared D @RT74006010 Aug 22, 2021 While stagey in places, this is a fabulous story of a spinster desperate for love and finding all kinds of temptations in a traveling salesman. The cast is outstanding -- and the story ultimately quite inspiring! See more Jun 20, 2021 It's an enjoyable romp that carries you along. Hepburn and Lancaster are the powerhouses but it's a strong supporting cast. See more Read all reviews
The Rainmaker

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Cast & Crew

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Joseph Anthony

Director

Burt Lancaster

Bill Starbuck

Katharine Hepburn

Lizzie Curry

Wendell Corey

Deputy Sheriff J.S. File

Lloyd Bridges

Noah Curry

Earl Holliman

Jim Curry

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The Rainmaker

The Rainmaker (1956) The Rainmaker (1956) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis During the Great Depression, a drought is wreaking havoc on a small, destitute Kansas town. Bill Starbuck (Burt Lancaster), a slick grifter, arrives in town, promising he can make it rain in exchange for $100. His offer is accepted by H. C. Curry (Cameron Prudhomme), a rancher whose spinster daughter, Lizzie (Katharine Hepburn), is desperate for a suitor. Lizzie finally finds confidence when Starbuck, ever the smooth talker, convinces her she's beautiful.
Director
Joseph Anthony
Producer
Hal B. Wallis
Screenwriter
N. Richard Nash
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
Production Co
Hal Wallis Productions
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 13, 1956, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 1, 2013
Runtime
2h 1m
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