- The Rainmaker movie 1956 is a classic MGM drama starring Burt Lancaster and Katharine Hepburn.
- Different property: It shares nothing with John Grisham's 1995 novel or the USA Network legal series.
- Source material: Based on N. Richard Nash's Broadway play about a con man promising rain to a drought-stricken ranch.
- Awards note: Katharine Hepburn earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress.
- Best starting point: Watch the film on classic-movie streaming services before comparing adaptations.
What Is The Rainmaker Movie 1956?
The 1956 film The Rainmaker is a romantic drama directed by Joseph Anthony and released by MGM. It is an adaptation of N. Richard Nash's hit 1954 Broadway play of the same name, which Nash himself adapted for the screen. The story takes place on a drought-parched Western ranch during the Great Depression, where a charismatic drifter named Bill Starbuck arrives promising to bring rain in exchange for a hundred dollars.
The film centers on the Curry family, particularly Lizzie Curry, a sharp but insecure woman who feels destined for spinsterhood. Starbuck's arrival transforms the household, challenging each family member to believe in something beyond their circumstances.
The 1956 film is not connected to John Grisham's 1995 legal novel The Rainmaker, the 1997 Matt Damon film adaptation, or the USA Network legal drama series. They are entirely separate works that happen to share a title.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Release year | 1956 |
| Director | Joseph Anthony |
| Studio | MGM |
| Source | N. Richard Nash's 1954 Broadway play |
| Genre | Romantic drama |
| Setting | Depression-era drought-stricken Western ranch |
The word "rainmaker" carries double meaning: in the 1956 film it is literal (a man who claims to summon rain), while in legal fiction it describes a lawyer who attracts lucrative clients. This explains why the name appears across unrelated stories.
Cast and Characters
The film rests on the chemistry between its two leads, supported by a strong character-actor ensemble.
Bill Starbuck (Burt Lancaster)
- Charismatic con man selling rain to desperate farmers
- Big, theatrical performance full of swagger
- Brings hope and self-belief to the Curry family
Lizzie Curry (Katharine Hepburn)
- Intelligent, vulnerable unmarried woman
- Torn between security and passion
- Earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress
H.C. Curry (Wendell Corey)
- Patriarch of the Curry ranch
- Loves his children but struggles to help Lizzie
- Wants to see her happily settled
Noah Curry (Earl Holliman)
- Practical, skeptical brother
- Opposes paying Starbuck for rain
- Won the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor
| Actor | Role | Recognition |
|---|---|---|
| Burt Lancaster | Bill Starbuck | Iconic career-defining bravura role |
| Katharine Hepburn | Lizzie Curry | Oscar nomination, Best Actress |
| Earl Holliman | Noah Curry | Golden Globe win, Best Supporting Actor |
| Wendell Corey | H.C. Curry | Key supporting turn |
| Lloyd Bridges | Jim Curry | Younger Curry brother |
N. Richard Nash's play was a genuine Broadway hit before reaching the screen, and he later adapted his own story into the 1963 musical 110 in the Shade, extending the property across stage and film formats.
Plot Summary and Themes
The plot unfolds over a few tension-filled days as the Curry family copes with drought and Lizzie's romantic despair.
Drought and Desperation
The Curry ranch is dying. Lizzie returns from a visit to relatives, convinced she will never marry, while her brothers and father worry about her future and the failing land.
Starbuck Arrives
Bill Starbuck, a fast-talking rainmaker, offers to conjure a storm for one hundred dollars. Noah calls him a fraud, but H.C. and younger brother Jim are willing to believe.
The Transformation
Starbuck turns his charm on Lizzie, convincing her that she is beautiful and desirable. In the film's emotional core, he awakens her confidence — whether or not his rainmaking is real.
Resolution and Rain
Lizzie must choose between the dependable local sheriff File and the volatile Starbuck. The ending delivers both a romantic decision and the literal rain the family prayed for, blurring the line between trickery and faith.
| Theme | How the Film Explores It |
|---|---|
| Belief vs. skepticism | Noah's rationalism clashes with Starbuck's salesmanship of hope |
| Self-worth | Lizzie learns to see herself as lovable before anyone else does |
| Truth and illusion | Starbuck's con produces genuine emotional results |
| Loneliness | Multiple characters mask isolation behind routine or cynicism |
Pay attention to how the film stages heat and dryness through lighting and set design. The oppressive atmosphere makes the final rainfall one of the more satisfying climaxes of 1950s studio drama.
1956 Film vs. Grisham's The Rainmaker
Because both properties circulate online under the same name, viewers frequently mix them up. Use this comparison to keep them straight.
| Category | 1956 Film | Grisham Adaptations (1997 Film / USA Series) |
|---|---|---|
| Source | N. Richard Nash play | John Grisham 1995 novel |
| Genre | Romantic frontier drama | Legal drama |
| Lead | Burt Lancaster as con man Starbuck | Rudy Baylor, young lawyer |
| Central conflict | Drought, loneliness, self-belief | Insurance bad-faith lawsuit |
| Setting | Depression-era ranch | Modern Memphis courtroom |
| Connection | None — separate works sharing a title | — |
The 1956 film typically appears on classic-film streaming services and physical media, while the USA Network legal series streams on Peacock. Check your regional listings in 2026, as catalog availability changes frequently.
Before You Watch the 1956 Classic:
- Confirm the listing credits Burt Lancaster and Katharine Hepburn
- Note the 1956 release year on the platform page
- Expect a stage-derived talky drama, not a legal thriller
- Watch for Earl Holliman's Golden Globe-winning supporting role
- Listen for the famous 'Lizzie' transformation scene
FAQ
Q: Is The Rainmaker movie 1956 related to John Grisham's The Rainmaker?
No. The 1956 film adapts N. Richard Nash's Broadway play about a rainmaking con man, while Grisham's novel, the 1997 film, and the USA Network series are legal dramas. They share only the title.
Q: Who stars in The Rainmaker movie 1956?
Burt Lancaster plays Bill Starbuck and Katharine Hepburn plays Lizzie Curry, supported by Wendell Corey, Earl Holliman, and Lloyd Bridges as the Curry family.
Q: Did The Rainmaker 1956 win any awards?
Katharine Hepburn received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress, and Earl Holliman won the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor.
Q: What does the title The Rainmaker mean?
In the 1956 film it is literal — a drifter who claims he can summon rain. In legal fiction, a 'rainmaker' is a lawyer who attracts wealthy clients, which is the meaning behind the Grisham works.