The Rainmakers

1935
Approved
1h 18m

IMDb RATING

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Dorothy Lee, Bert Wheeler, and Robert Woolsey in The Rainmakers (1935)

Roscoe the Rainmaker is invited to California (with sidekick "Billy") to relieve a terrible dry spell and to save the community from an unscrupulous businessman who stands to profit from the... Read allRoscoe the Rainmaker is invited to California (with sidekick "Billy") to relieve a terrible dry spell and to save the community from an unscrupulous businessman who stands to profit from the drought.Roscoe the Rainmaker is invited to California (with sidekick "Billy") to relieve a terrible dry spell and to save the community from an unscrupulous businessman who stands to profit from the drought.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

5.9/10

142

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

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Top cast38

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Bert Wheeler

Billy

Robert Woolsey

Roscoe the Rainmaker

Dorothy Lee

Margie Spencer

Berton Churchill

Simon Parker

George Meeker

Orville Parker

Frederick Roland

Henry Spencer
(as Frederic Roland)

Edgar Dearing

Kelly

Harry Bernard

Fireman
(uncredited)

Billy Bletcher

Townsman
(uncredited)

Eddie Borden

Hobo
(uncredited)

Harry Bowen

Switchman
(uncredited)

Ed Brady

Farmer
(uncredited)

Don Brodie

Townsman
(uncredited)

Jack Curtis

Railroad Man
(uncredited)

Billy Dooley

Switchman
(uncredited)

Eddie Dunn

Dispatcher
(uncredited)

Billy Engle

Townsman
(uncredited)

Robert Graves

Townsman
(uncredited)

Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
When Mr. Spencer shows Margie the article about a machine that makes rain, the magazine cover shown is a real one, the August 1935 issue of Popular Mechanics Magazine.

Quotes
[Roscoe and his assistant Billy are detailing the specifications of his rainmaking machine]
Roscoe Horne: Are there any questions?
Farmer: [angrily] Aw, we can see through you!
Roscoe Horne: [to Billy] When you get the machine started, drown him first, will you?

Crazy credits
Video of pouring rain is shown in between the opening credit screens of names.

Connections
References King Kong (1933)

Soundtracks
Isn't Love the Grandest Thing?
(1935) (uncredited)
Lyrics by Jack Scholl
Music by Louis Alter
Played during the opening credits
Performed by Bert Wheeler and Dorothy Lee

User reviews8

Review

Featured review

10/10

Another Enjoyable Comedy From Mr. Wheeler & Mr. Woolsey

The farming community of Lima Junction, California, is in big trouble. A devastating drought is threatening to destroy the livelihood of many of the local small farmers. A crooked landowner schemes to find a way to profit from the others' misery, but before he can implement his nefarious schemes, an honest banker sends for THE RAINMAKERS...

This is a very enjoyable comedy from the always reliable team of Wheeler & Woolsey (Bert Wheeler is the little curly-headed one; Robert Woolsey is the guy with the cigar & spectacles.) The Boys are at the top of their form here; it's a shame that these very funny fellows are almost forgotten today.

Berton Churchill makes a fine, blustery villain - from his first encounter with the Boys he begins to get exactly the comeuppance he deserves. Kewpie-doll-cute Dorothy Lee, a frequent co-star of W & W, teams with Wheeler in one of their most whimsical duets - `Isn't Love The Grandest Thing?'

Movie mavens will recognize old Clarence Wilson, in an uncredited role, as the railroad manager. The climax, featuring two runaway, dynamite-laden trains, is very comical.