The Rains Came (1939)
The Making of a Great Picture
Darryl F. Zanuck, Vice-President in Charge of Production at 20th Century-Fox, makes his production plans for The Rains Came.
Author Louis Bromfield approves the screen treatment and casting of his best-seller.
When Darryl F. Zanuck out-bid all competitors to secure Louis Bromfield's best-selling The Rains Came for 20th Century -Fox he determined to screen the book with utmost fidelity.
Important step was to bring author Bromfield to Movietone City for a series of conferences with ace director Clarence Brown, associate producer Harry Joe Brown.
Hollywood's talent was fine-combed for the one player best suited for each role, down to the smallest bit parts. Some of the choices: Myrna Loy as Lady Esketh, Tyrone Power as Major Safti, George Brent as Tom Ransome. For the important role of Fern, 58 girls were tested. Tentatively chosen, Brenda Joyce, a newcomer, was given 15 additional tests before a final decision was reached. Witnesses of her work in the picture predict Miss Joyce will make an instantaneous hit, reach the heights of stardom.
Rare among Hollywood writing men is praise such as the following, with which author Bromfield greeted the completed picture:
Director Clarence Brown, associate producer Harry Joe Brown, author Bromfield, Darryl F. Zanuck iron out final details.
This is my story and these are my characters. As a novelist I am grateful for the privilege of seeing this book come completely to life. In my opinion, "The Rains Came" is a great picture. I should like to express my gratitude to Darryl F. Zanuck and all those at 20th Century-Fox who helped recreate it with such astounding fidelity.
Louis Bromfield
Collection: Motion Picture Herald, September 1939
Rest of cast:
Eddie Abdo | Sonia Charsky | Zebedy Colt | Guy D’Ennery | Jack Deery | Dominie Duval | Fern Emmett | Rosina Galli | Sam Harris | Jamiel Hasson | Leyland Hodgson | Adele Labanset | Frank Lackteen | Connie Leon | Lal Chand Mehra | Rita Page | George Regas | Pedro Regas