Big News
Rain
Dec
VCI PLANS NEW 4K RESTORATION OF RAIN (1932)
This will be the original, uncut, pre-code version.
VCI Entertainment in conjunction with the Mary Pickford Foundation and the Library of Congress Film Archive, will be undertaking a new restoration of Lewis Milestone’s version of W. Somerset Maugham’s famed story. This is arguably the best known, and seldom seen versions (the second of three versions filmed) with Joan Crawford giving one of her finest performances as Sadie Thompson, a bad girl who soon becomes the object of a missionary’s almost fanatic attentions which eventually leads to his destruction and Sadie’s apparent reformation. A film that caused controversy when first released, RAIN is one of the classic drams that has its own place in film history. Walter Huston, Guy Kibbee, Beulah Bondi and William Gargan also star.
When VCI decided to give RAIN the 4K treatment, it was soon realized that their 35mm fine grain was of the 1950’s re-issue, which had been severely cut to pass the stricter moral standards of the “Hays Code”. Pre-Code Hollywood was the brief era in the American film industry between the widespread adoption of sound in pictures in 1929 and the enforcement of the Motion Picture Production Code censorship guidelines, popularly known as the “Hays Code”, in mid-1934. Although the Code was adopted in 1930, oversight was poor, and it did not become rigorously enforced until July 1, 1934, with the establishment of the Production Code Administration.
Once it became known that VCI was dealing with a cut source, a search began for more film material. First stop was to the Library of Congress, where George Willeman, head of the film archive, let them know that they indeed have a 35mm film negative and fine grain on the uncut film, however it was owned by the Mary Pickford Foundation, who would have to give permission to access the film. VCI was led to contact Elaina Friedrichsen, director of the Mary Pickford Foundation, who graciously and enthusiastically granted permission.
The restoration process will start by making a state-of-the-art scan of all the 35mm film elements in 4K resolution. A new scan master will then be created by editing the best and most complete film footage, to create a complete uncut version of the movie. Then the uncut master will be digitally restored frame-by-frame to repair any defects, scratches and dirt. The soundtrack will also go through a thorough digital restoration to remove all pops, crackle and hiss. The whole process should restore this important film classic to all its glory.
Look for RAIN to be available on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital, sometime in mid-2020.
Wonderful news – thank you for doing this!
Hi any news on Rain (1932) and its restoration? Any idea when the blu ray will be released? Thanks so much for restoring this important film.
Mark
Sorry for the delay in responding. The RAIN project has been on hold due to the Library of Congress closing because of the Covid-19 pandemic. They officially opened last week and we should be able to start working on that project again and hope to have it available early in 2021.
That’s great news that you are continuing the restoration of “Rain” (1932). It’s an important pre-code film with one of Joan Crawford’s greatest performances. Thank you
Actually the project was on hold because the Library of Congress had been closed due to the pandemic, however it just opened back up and we are making arrangements to access the nitrate negative that they have stored in their vault. So, the project should start moving forward again, real soon. If there are no further problems, then it could be available in the first half of 2021.
To all fans of RAIN, we should be resuming our restoration very soon, now that the Library of Congress is open again. We would like to have it out before Christmas, so wish us some luck, and stay tuned for more updates!
Any chance this restoration is still happening?
Hello! This restoration is definitely going to happen! Just this week I heard from the Library of Congress who is preparing the 35mm reels of original negative to deliver to our video house to be scanned in 4K. They should be delivered soon, which should allow us to release the film on Blu-ray, perhaps as early as this August or September. Stay tuned!
That’s great news and a perfect Christmas gift to myself. Thanks for the update!
Mark
Waaaaaaagh. It’s Christmas 2021. But no “Rain” (just sleet.) Any updates? Saw a sample of a restoration on YouTube — looked am-aaa-zing,
Here’s the clip I reference above: https://www.facebook.com/CinePostATL/videos/413692125953113/
Great news. Thanks for the update. Will definitely purchase.
At this point why not a 4K release of this?
Amazing to have his unique film given the love it’s needed for decades!! I can’t wait!! This and the Phantom Creeps I hope will be another feather in your collective hats!! Bravo!!!