Miss Sadie Thompson

Every actress of note has longed to play a prostitute on screen, considering such an ignoble part a real challenge, and no story delved more deeply or significantly into the sluttish heart than Maugham's "Rain." Jeanne Eagels made the role of Sadie legendary, as did Gloria Swanson and myriad others, not the least of whom was Joan Crawford in RAIN. Hayworth, who had specialized in vamps for decades--as Dona Sol in BLOOD AND SAND and in the title role of SALOME, to name two--made a memorable Miss Thompson. The tropical tramp shows up on a Pacific island just after WW II, to be greeted by salivating Marines, chiefly sergeant Ray who falls in love with Hayworth and pro...