The Rains Came – 1939 (WINNER)
The special effects for this film were incredible. There was a reason why this one was recognized as the best. Most of the movie was a schmaltzy romance. What film from that time wasn’t? But its main complication came in the form of a monsoon rain in Ranchipur, India, followed by an earthquake, a broken dam, and a violent flood. The romances were played out against this natural tragedy.
It’s true that even the start of the rain was a visual effect, as was the flooded streets after the destruction of the city. But it was the quake and the flooding in the three minute and forty-five second sequence that was the film’s real money shot. First, let me say that there were clearly a lot of different images being composited together to create the scenes of terrible destruction. But they were blended together so seamlessly that it was hard to tell where one image ended and another began. Masterfully done!
Everything was calm. Sure, the heavy rain was ever-present, but two of the lovers were still having their romantic moment out on a balcony. Then the set unexpectedly shook and the chandelier in the adjacent room began to swing back and forth. Everyone had a little fright and thought nothing of it. But after a few seconds, the room shook so badly, the chandelier crashed to the floor. The lights went out, and the screaming started! Buildings began crumbling and the thunder and lightning became deafening!
Outside, we are shown a shot of the dam as it begins to crack! A giant crevice opens up in the ground, just before the dam shatters and is carried away in pieces before the flood! We see buildings collapse and bury people in rubble. Again, these had to be perfectly created composite shots as the actors would have died if the effect had been done for real. It was amazingly put together!
There was one shot in particular that I loved. The harsh Lord Esketh, played by Nigel Bruce, and his manservant are trapped on a landing at the top of the stairs, the ground-floor level being filled with water. There is a brief exchange between the two men, and suddenly, the window crashes in! Water floods the landing as the tall wooden window blinds crush Esketh to the floor! Then the entire wall explodes in an unbelievable onslaught of floodwater and debris, killing the poor servant.
The effects in the rest of the movie were excellently done. More rain, more flooding, but nothing to compare with those few minutes of brilliant spectacle. I was properly impressed. The big effects scene was brief, but flawless. And for me, it overshadowed the rest of the more simple effects in the movie. It was all good though, and I can understand why effects artist Fred Sersen took home the Academy Award for Best Special Effects for 1939.