A Hatful of Rain (1957)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Director:

Fred Zinnemann

Writers (WGA):

Michael V. Gazzo (play)
Michael V. Gazzo (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

9 September 1957 (Sweden)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

A Korean War veteran's morphine addiction wreaks havoc upon his family. |

Plot Keywords:

Korean War Veteran | Morphine | Veteran | Drug Dealer | Bouncer

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 4 wins & 6 nominations

Cast

Don Murray	...	Johnny Pope
Eva Marie Saint	...	Celia Pope
Anthony Franciosa	...	Polo Pope
Lloyd Nolan	...	John Pope, Sr
Henry Silva	...	Mother
Gerald S. O'Loughlin	...	Chuch
William Hickey	...	Apples
Paul Kruger	...	Bartender
Ralph Montgomery	...	Spectator
Michael Vale	...	Cab Driver
Art Fleming	...	Mounted Cop

Runtime:

USA:109 min | 104 min (FMC Library Print)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (optical prints) | 4-Track Stereo (Westrex Recording System) (magnetic prints)

Certification:

Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation

Trivia:

Anthony Franciosa was nominated for a Tony Award for his performance as Polo in the original Broadway production. He was nominated for an Academy Award for reprising the role in this film.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? (1957)

Soundtrack:

Chattanooga Choo Choo

a game of horse

A Korean war veteran (Don Murray) has developed a raging heroin habit which he hides from his pregnant wife (Eva Marie Saint)and his father (Lloyd Nolan). He has those classic "I've got a monkey on my back" mannerisms which the audience can appreciate, while the wife and father wonder why he seems nervous all the time. His dealer, a character known as Mother, played by Henry Silva, and Mother's sidekick, a beatnik type known as Chuch, played by Gerald S. O Laughlin, are memorable characters. Murray is great as his desperation grows, in debt to Mother, trying to keep his problem a secret, pushed to the extreme. The powerhouse drama features an utterly fantastic role, played by Anthony Franciosa, as Murray's heavy drinking brother, who protects Murray but is in love with his wife at the same time. It could have all been too stagey, but thanks to director Fred Zinneman, there's action to spare in this gritty New York drama.