moonspinner55 W. Somerset Maugham's story "Miss Thompson", previously filmed in 1928 as "Sadie Thompson" with Gloria Swanson, and again as "Rain" with Joan Crawford in 1932, is altered for this brightly-colored 1953 version. Rita Hayworth gets the showy title role here, and she's erratic but serviceable as the wild party girl on the run from police who ends up on a tropical island along with two traveling couples, including a disapproving stuffed shirt who is determined to reform her. Sadie is a cabaret entertainer this time--and a maybe/maybe not prostitute--while her redeemer is no longer a missionary but an important figurehead who specializes in shutting down places of immorality. Aldo Ray livens things up as a smitten Marine sergeant stationed on the island who falls in love with Sadie, but dull, silver-haired Jose Ferrer never convinces as Mr. Davidson while the stereotypical natives act as if they just wandered over from the 1932 version! As for Miss Hayworth, she's quite fetching in the early half of the picture--flirtatious and fun-loving--but the seriousness of the second act defeats her, along with everyone else. The narrative, unsteady to begin with, completely breaks down in the final reel; Sadie gets her happy ending, but it's the audience who is left marooned. ** from ****

Martin Bradley This sanitized version of W Somerset Maugham's "Rain" is an entertaining vehicle for Rita Hayworth who is every inch the star, (that she can't act is immaterial). She's a 'good-time' girl stranded on a very picturesque Pacific island during the war and labeled a prostitute by sanctimonious preacher Jose Ferrer who is also stranded when their ship is quarantined. Of course, Ferrer desires Sadie for himself and sublimates his desire by persecuting her. But in this version none of this is allowed to detract from what is a good old-fashioned entertainment with numerous musical interludes, (that Hayworth was always dubbed never stopped the studio giving her plenty of songs). Ferrer is well cast as the starchy preacher; he always acted as if he had a board up his back, and Aldo Ray almost matches Hayworth for laid-back, sexy charm.

MarieGabrielle After reading other reviews- wow. It's not that bad. Yes, the story has been done, but Hayworth makes it well worth watching.And the theme underlying the story is still relevant. Sadie Thompson is a woman of questionable repute, living on a South Sea island trying to re-make her life.The Jose Ferrer character is effectively odious. A man hung up on projecting his moral issues on the nearest target. This happens to be Miss Sadie.I recall seeing this film on an TV afternoon movie festival, when I was very young. I enjoyed it. Maybe if we were less jaded we would find the story more enjoyable. This was made in 1953, and the morality issues then are still present today.The sets are beautiful. This was filmed on the sparsely populated Hawaiian island, Kuaui. Overall even if you are not a major Hayworth fan, the story has redeeming aspects. I will have to watch "Rain" again with Joan Crawford to compare, but it is so dated, this film is worth a look.8/10

mmeckel-1 Personally, I almost wish the Hayworth, Ferrer movie had never been filmed, as it allows no opportunities through scripting or direction for these talented actors to perform. I shall avoid any discussion of RAIN, the Summerset Maughm novel upon which this dismal, disappointing screen play was based. There is no legitimate justification for so doing.Ferrer performance seemed self-conscious, rigid and unbelievable. T here was no preparation for his transition from self-righteous clergyman to impassioned, sexual attacker.While I am well aware that MISS SADY THOMPSON was made back in the 1950s, I still find Rita Hayworth's costuming inappropriate and rather distracting. Red is definitely a useful and effective cultural symbol, suggesting far more than mere prostitution. Red also symbolizes anger, blood, and aggression, elements readily apparent within the actions and behavior of Hayworth's character.Having said this, Hayworth's continuous use of red clothing became stridently obvious and,therefore, rather silly and insipid. I would never identify this movie as the worst film I have ever seen. Nevertheless, I would not, under any circumstances, regard this failed effort as worthy of recommendation.