Main Cast: Eva Marie Saint, Don Murray, Anthony Franciosa, Lloyd Nolan, Henry Silva
Release Year: 1957
Country: US
Run Time: 109 minutes
Plot
A Hatful of Rain, based on the stage play by Michael V. Gazzo, is the story of a drug addict's debilitating effect on his family. Don Murray has managed to keep his addiction secret from his pregnant wife Eva Marie Saint and his boorish father Lloyd Nolan, but Murray's brother Anthony Franciosa knows the truth. Murray hits up Franciosa for money to support his habit, but even this is not enough as the addiction deepens and Murray finds himself beholden to a vicious pusher (Henry Silva). Murray is unable to cope with his private hell until he confesses to his wife and father that he's a junkie and needs help. Considered the last word in realism in 1957, A Hatful of Rain seems slightly antiquated in the light of the drug-abuse excesses of the 1990s. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Review
A Hatful of Rain is an unusually stark look at the effects of drug addiction. Based on the stage play by future Godfather Part II actor Michael V. Gazzo, Rain contains some of the most intense family dynamics of any 1950s film. The performances are uniformly first-rate, particularly Don Murray as the junkie husband and Oscar-nominated Anthony Franciosa as his brother. Decidedly downbeat -- even for the often somber director Fred Zinnemann -- the film makes an effective statement against drug addiction, without succumbing to the simple-minded propaganda that often plagues stories of this type. If Rain has a weakness, it's that it occasionally looks set-bound, though cinematographer Joe MacDonald does his best to establish mood and prevent the film from becoming static. ~ Richard Gilliam, All Movie Guide
Hatful of Rain, A (1955), a drama by Michael V. Gazzo. [ Lyceum Theatre, 398 perf.] Johnny Pope (Ben Gazzara), who had picked up a drug habit in the hospital and had overcome it, suffers a relapse. He hides his problem from his wife, Celia (Shelley Winters), and his father, John Sr. (Frank Silvera). Celia suspects his sometimes peculiar behavior means there is another woman; his father is also alienated by his actions. Only his brother, Polo (Anthony Franciosa), understands him and supplies the money he needs. Johnny finally confesses to his wife, and they agree to work through the hell of withdrawal. One of the earliest plays after World War II to deal openly with a growing problem, it was faulted by many critics for failing to explore many aspects of the personal relationships it brought up, such as the interaction of father and son, but was nevertheless seen as a powerful piece of theatre.
The movie was adapted by Michael V. Gazzo, Alfred Hayes and Carl Foreman from the play by Gazzo. It was directed by Fred Zinnemann and features a strong musical score by Bernard Herrmann. Diego was asked by Fox to rescore his prelude for the film as the original was considered "too terrifying".
The movie was a rarity for its time in its frank depiction of the impact of drug addiction. The setting is a housing project apartment. Johnny Pope is a soldier who returns from the Korean war, where a stay in a military hospital has left him secretly addicted to morphine. His emotional distance (and his tendency to stay out all night) alienate him from the apartment's other residents: Johnny's pregnant wife Celia, and his brother Polo. Celia is convinced that Johnny is having an affair, but of course the truth is far worse. Johnny and Polo's father John Sr. arrives in town and stays with them in the small apartment, further complicating a tense situation and leading to a dynamic and dramatic climax.
Carl Foreman was blacklisted at the time of the film's release. The Writer's Guild of America added his name to the film's credits in 1998—14 years after his death.
Menschen am Sonntag •Redes •Friend Indeed •They Live Again •Tracking the Sleeping Death •That Mothers Might Live •The Story of Doctor Carver •Weather Wizards •While America Sleeps •Help Wanted •One Against the World •The Ash Can Fleet •Forgotten Victory
