The Rains of Ranchipur (C or 2/4 stars)
'The Rains of Ranchipur' (directed by Jean Negulesco) stars beautiful Lana Turner as Lady Edwina Esketh, the spoiled, self-indulgent wife of stuffy Lord Esketh (Michael Rennie), a British royal. Planning to purchase some prized stallions, Lady & Lord Esketh travel from England to the exotic Indian city of Ranchipur, where Edwina meets & tries to seduce Dr. Rama Safti (young Richard Burton), a handsome Hindu doctor & the Maharani's (Eugene Leontovitch) heir.
While in faraway Ranchipur, Edwina also meets an old acquaintance in Tom Ransome (Fred MacMurray), who has become the city drunk & subsequent laughing stock. Drunk or not, he's still very interested in Edwina. But is she interested in him? Whether she is or not, Tom holds some secrets of Edwina's past. And Edwina would also have to deal with scandal among her elite set. None of that matters much when Dr. Safti finally succumbs to Edwina's charms; leading to quite the torrid, if forbidden affair. Further drama ensues; culminating in a series of catastrophic earthquakes & enormous floods that steal the show from the actors.
Speaking of the actors, none of them particularly wowed me. In fact, most seemed either miscast or unmotivated (perhaps that was the director's fault). Lana Turner seemed a bit hapless in this role. Richard Burton showcases nice acting chops but ... an Indian he is not. Fred MacMurray? Meh. None of the performances got my blood pumping. From a script standpoint, this film disappoints, as well. There just isn't enough substance in the story (as depicted, here). Also, for as potentially lush as this film should have been ... I wasn't bowled over by the visuals. They're pretty, but not epic enough in scope; given the locales.
'The Rains of Ranchipur' is based on a well-received romantic novel & also from a successful film version (The Rains Came) in 1939. I have a sneaky suspicion that said novel & the 1st film were far more involving, intelligent, & overall successful than this mediocre venture. See this film for some great Oscar-nominated special effects. See it if you're intrigued by Lana Turner's performance or Richard Burton as an Indian. But don't go in expecting too much more.
While in faraway Ranchipur, Edwina also meets an old acquaintance in Tom Ransome (Fred MacMurray), who has become the city drunk & subsequent laughing stock. Drunk or not, he's still very interested in Edwina. But is she interested in him? Whether she is or not, Tom holds some secrets of Edwina's past. And Edwina would also have to deal with scandal among her elite set. None of that matters much when Dr. Safti finally succumbs to Edwina's charms; leading to quite the torrid, if forbidden affair. Further drama ensues; culminating in a series of catastrophic earthquakes & enormous floods that steal the show from the actors.
Speaking of the actors, none of them particularly wowed me. In fact, most seemed either miscast or unmotivated (perhaps that was the director's fault). Lana Turner seemed a bit hapless in this role. Richard Burton showcases nice acting chops but ... an Indian he is not. Fred MacMurray? Meh. None of the performances got my blood pumping. From a script standpoint, this film disappoints, as well. There just isn't enough substance in the story (as depicted, here). Also, for as potentially lush as this film should have been ... I wasn't bowled over by the visuals. They're pretty, but not epic enough in scope; given the locales.
'The Rains of Ranchipur' is based on a well-received romantic novel & also from a successful film version (The Rains Came) in 1939. I have a sneaky suspicion that said novel & the 1st film were far more involving, intelligent, & overall successful than this mediocre venture. See this film for some great Oscar-nominated special effects. See it if you're intrigued by Lana Turner's performance or Richard Burton as an Indian. But don't go in expecting too much more.