A HATFUL OF RAIN (1957) SATURDAY @ 10:30 PM (ET)
Some serious drama on TCM tonight. A Hatful of Rain is the first Hollywood movie dealing seriously with drug addiction to be released under the Hollywood production code. Ah! But what about The Man With the Golden Arm, released in 1955, you ask. In fact the earlier film was released without the seal of approval from the Production Code Administration, gatekeepers of America’s chastity. The controversy led to the 1956 revisions to the code, which allowed for the topic, but within tight parameters: can not “tend in any manner to encourage, stimulate, or justify the use of such drugs.” And tonight’s film certainly does not. It is a hard-hitting look at the black vortex created by an addict, sucking in anyone who cares. Twelve years earlier The Lost Weekend broke new ground with Ray Milland’s drunkard, who totally dominated his brother’s and his girlfriend’s lives, bringing nothing but pain and disappointment.
This time it’s narcotics (the particular drug is not made explicit, but it’s presumed to be heroin.) Tonight’s TCM Star Eva Marie Saint is Celia Pope, the long-suffering wife of Johnny (Don Murray), a Korean War vet whose harrowing war time experiences left him suffering PTSD. His recovery, such as it is, left him addicted to drugs They share an apartment with Johnnie’s brother Polo (best actor
nominee Anthony Franciosa). The film starts with the arrival of their father “Pop” (Lloyd Nolan) who’s arrived from Florida. Polo has promised Pop $2,500, which he now needs for an investment. But the money is “gone.” Polo is evasive about where it actually went. Pop flies into a rage; apparently it’s a familiar theme: Johnny is the hero, Polo the bum. It quickly becomes clear, to the viewer, if not to Celia and Pop, that it’s gone up Johnny’s arm. In fact, Celia is convinced that another woman is the reason Johnny keeps slipping out at night. Johnny’s growing allegiance to his habit has resulted in what’s called “alienation of affections” in divorce court. Celia begins to think she’s falling in love with Polo.
Complicating matters is “Mother,” (Henry Silva) the less than maternal dope dealer who has come around to collect Johnnie’s outstanding debt. With a deadline looming, Polo is frantic to come up with $500.
This is one those films that can spark a heated debate over whether “it is or is not considered film-noir.” Much of it is shot at night, outdoors on location in some of the shadier parts of the city. The rain-slicked streets reflecting the street lights, the gritty urban landscape and the subject matter definitely, say noir to me.
A Hatful of Rain was adapted for the screen by Michael V. Gazzo and Alfred Hayes from Gazzo’s original stage play. Michael V. Gazzo is certainly better known to classic film fans as an actor. He portrayed the ill-fated Frank Pentangeli in The Godfather: Part II (1974).
