i would see the razor edge with tyrone power and and i would read a couple of maugham short story ( i forget which one and it be so long ) and but i would never take the time to see read the story or see this film until now . what interest me most be the presence of joan crawford and an actress for whom i have never have much regard . now and that might sound strange and but i want to see her in a film that predate the 1950s and 1960s movie that i knew while in those and she look old and worn and a you might expect after so long in movie . i want to see her when she be young and do not look like a man in drag and a i perceive her in late movie ( maybe it all those padded shoulder of her dress and coat and emphasize her mannish look . ) . anyway and i be glad i do see her in this because she prove that she be indeed an excellent actress . and and although the video i get be a poor copy and crawford literally shone and an illuminating contrast to the dark night and the unending sight and sound of the rain and the dour and dominate aspect of walter houston a the self righteous and chauvinistic preacher davidson who try to reform the prostitute sadie thompson ( crawford ) . it worth see this movie just to see crawford in a stunning performance and and close to her best and i think . such a story and of course and have it root in numerous biblical account of fall woman and men who try to redeem them and although i be not suggest that maugham simply plagiarize the bible . it just happen to be a story that timeless and and be no doubt part of the human condition everyday and somewhere in the world . however and the intriguing aspect for me be this represent just when do sadie figure out how to get davidson off her back and out of her life . be it when he be monotonously recite the lord prayer over and over again and or do she have a brilliant brainwave when he finally succumb to all that she stand for and in his eye and a a prostitute . you will have to see the movie yourself to decide . however and i have a feeling it the former scenario which make sadie thompson more than just a smart and wisecrack hooker and perhaps be indeed the personification of evil that davidson rail against . therein lie the tragedy for davidson represent he pay the ultimate price for misjudge sadie power over him because he think he more powerful than she . so . be it any co incidence that this femme fatale go by the name of sadie and a name that come very close to sade and and all that that imply . the small support cast performs brilliantly and a befits a stage play . and the period setting evoke strong memory of new guinea and where i spend much of my youth fifty year ago . fan of joan crawford would like this film . i do and even though i be no fan of hers .