AMUSEMENTS

Opotiki News, Volume III, Issue 319, 4 October 1940, Page 1

AMUSEMENTS

“THE RAINS CAME” The heaviest downpour on record in Hollywood's' movie history fell during the filming of Darryl F. Zanuck’s production of “The Rains Came”, Louis Bromfield’s sensationally successful novel, which 20th. Century-Fox is currently presenting at the Regent Theatre, with Myrna Loy, Tyrone Power and George Brent sharing Stellar honours. It was estimated that 10,000 gallons of water fell each shooting minute, approximately 40 inches of rainfall each day—more than most parts of the United States have in a year. Since the Los Angeles mains did not carrry enough water, the studio built a reservoir holding 100,000 gallons. The rain fell in great torrents foi 47 days out of a shooting schedule of three months. Experts perfected 17 types of rainfall to match those of India, the locale of the story. And rain was not the only catastrophe the stars had to face, for the picture also faithfully reproduces the flood, the dam break that adds to its havoc and wrecks the mythical city of Ranchipur, the earthquake and the fire, which highlight Bromfield’s story. The stars took plenty of punishment during the filming of these catastrophes, which Director Clarence Brown predicts will be more breath-taking than any of the great screen spectacles of the past. Despite every precaution, almost every important member of the cast was forced out of the picture for a few days at one time or another duo to colds contracted or injuries sustained. Also showing, an excellent variety of shorts.