This John Colton and Clemence Randolph stage adaptation of W. Somerset Maugham's short story about an American prostitute, Sadie Thompson, languishing in exotic Pago Pago, was one of the great Broadway successes of the 1920s. It opened on 7 November 1922 at the Maxine Elliott Theatre, in a Sam H. Harris production, and ran for 648 performances. Rain made a star of Jeanne Eagels, whose performance as the gaudy, promiscuous Sadie impressed audiences and critics, even those who were shocked by the play's content. Rain is set in Trader Joe Horn's hotel, where Sadie encounters Rev. Davidson, whose desire is to reform both the natives and the faithless denizens of Horn's hotel. Davidson meets his match in Sadie, who calls his motives into question, and he must face his lustful feelings. Davidson commits suicide. Sadie, philosophically musing on the struggles between the spirit and the flesh, departs for Australia. Rain proved a sturdy vehicle for many young actresses and was frequently revived. It has also been the source for several motion pictures (1928, 1932, 1953) and a 1970 British television* movie. A musical adaptation, Sadie Thompson (1944), failed to find favor.
The Historical Dictionary of the American Theater. James Fisher.