DbcultAccessing Vault...
6.3/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 6.3/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. The Rainbow Man remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Okay, if you're thinking about digging up The Rainbow Man, know this: it's not for everyone. This is a real old-school kind of picture, sweet as pie but maybe a little too slow for anyone used to modern pacing. If you've got a soft spot for sentimental, kinda sappy tales about family found and lost, you might just find something to like here. But if you need high stakes or a twisty plot, you'll probably be bored stiff. 😴
The whole thing, it kicks off with Rainbow Ryan, played by Eddie Dowling, who’s this gentle, almost too good-hearted performer. He kinda just falls into adopting little Billy, a kid who instantly tugs at your heartstrings. Then comes Mary Lane, played by Marian Nixon, and, well, things get tangled.
Dowling as Rainbow is all in on the earnestness. He’s got this wistful quality, a real nice guy through and through, which makes his "Rainbow Man" moniker feel less like a stage name and more like a description of his whole vibe. He never once felt cynical. Which is something.
Dannie Mac Grant as Billy is just adorable, though the script doesn't give him a ton to do beyond being cute and, later, sad. The big moment, of course, is when Mary figures out Billy is her dead sister's kid. It’s one of those movie coincidences that you just gotta roll with, you know? It happens.
The way Mary finds this out feels a bit… really convenient. Like, the plot machinery practically groans. But Marian Nixon sells the shock pretty well. You believe she believes it.
So, Billy ends up with Mary, as you'd expect. There are these quiet scenes of him adjusting, and you catch glimpses of him looking out windows, almost like he’s waiting for something. It’s a nice touch, those little moments. You feel for the kid. 🥺
Naturally, Billy eventually runs off to find Rainbow. It’s the kind of thing you see in older films, the kid making a desperate trek. Mary, of course, follows, and that’s where the big reunion happens.
The ending is exactly what you'd expect: sweet, a little teary, and very tidy. Everyone gets what they want, and all the loose ends are tied up with a big, neat bow. It’s not exactly surprising, but it leaves you feeling warm inside, if that's what you're after. No big surprises here.
And hey, George 'Gabby' Hayes is in this! He doesn't have a huge role, but seeing his familiar face, even without the full 'Gabby' persona, is a nice little anchor. It’s like a blink-and-you-miss-it cameo for classic film buffs. 👀
This film, it’s a real timepiece. It’s not trying to reinvent the wheel, or even be a wheel, really. It’s just telling a straightforward story about human connection, and for its era, it does that well enough. No big speeches, no complex subplots. Just people trying to figure things out. Sometimes a simple thing is a good thing.
So yeah, The Rainbow Man isn't going to blow anyone's mind today. But for a quiet afternoon, if you're in the mood for something genuinely gentle and a little bit naive, it's got its charm. It’s a definite throwback. ✨
IMDb 5.5
1923
Community
Log in to comment.
