Sadie Thompson (film)

Sadie Thompson is the title of several film adaptations of W. Somerset Maugham's 1921 short story "Miss Thompson" (also known as "Rain"). The story centers around a charismatic but troubled woman named Sadie Thompson who arrives in Pago Pago, American Samoa, and clashes with a self-righteous missionary, Alfred Davidson. Their conflict explores themes of morality, hypocrisy, and redemption.

The most notable adaptations include:

• Sadie Thompson (1928): A silent film starring Gloria Swanson, directed by Raoul Walsh. This version is considered a significant film of the silent era, though it is partially lost. Swanson received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. Due to censorship constraints, the film only hinted at the nature of Sadie's past and Davidson's actions.

• Rain (1932): A Pre-Code sound film starring Joan Crawford as Sadie Thompson and Walter Huston as Alfred Davidson. This version was more explicit than the 1928 film due to the less restrictive production code at the time.

• Miss Sadie Thompson (1953): A Technicolor film starring Rita Hayworth as Sadie Thompson and José Ferrer as Alfred Davidson. This version was also heavily censored, sanitizing some of the story's more controversial elements. It is a musical adaptation with songs performed by Hayworth.

All three films explore the complex relationship between Sadie and Davidson and the impact they have on each other and the small island community. The story has been interpreted as a critique of religious fanaticism and a celebration of individual freedom. Each adaptation reflects the social and censorship constraints of its respective era.