Black Rainbow (1989) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A journalist's search for Martha connects her public mediumship, family tensions, and disappearance to an unresolved threat.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

The Search for Martha

Gary arrives in a rural area seeking Martha, who has not spoken since arriving there. He asks about the night Walter was murdered, then the story follows Martha and Walter's earlier public life.

Key Events

• Gospel Service Opens — A gospel service opens the story. Location: Gospel service
• Complaint About Kudzu — A traveler complains about kudzu spreading across the South. Location: The South
• Gary Seeks Martha — Gary arrives looking for Martha, whom he interviewed with Walter before she disappeared. Characters: Gary Wallace, Martha Travis Location: Rural area
• Martha Has Not Spoken — A shopkeeper directs Gary to Martha, who has not spoken since arriving there. Characters: Gary Wallace, Martha Travis Location: Rural area
• Gary Asks About Walter — Gary says he has searched for ten years and asks about the night Walter was murdered. Characters: Gary Wallace, Martha Travis Location: Rural area

Visions and Resistance

Martha's apparent visions bring attention to her and Walter. Gary warns Walter about police interest, but Walter defends Martha's mediumship and resists the reporter.

Key Events

• Martha's Visions Draw Attention — Martha's apparent psychic visions bring public attention to her and Walter. Characters: Martha Travis, Walter Travis Location: Touring performances
• Warning on the Train — Gary warns Walter that police are waiting to question Martha after a prediction. Characters: Gary Wallace, Walter Travis, Martha Travis Location: Train
• Walter Defends Martha — Walter calls Martha a respected medium, not a fortune teller, and resists Gary's involvement. Characters: Walter Travis, Martha Travis, Gary Wallace Location: Train
• Gary Assigned to Ironsboro — An editor sends Gary to cover Martha's work in Ironsboro. Characters: Gary Wallace, Editor, Jay Chatwin Location: Newsroom

A Public Session Unravels

In Ironsboro, Gary witnesses Martha deliver messages at a public gathering. Audience members challenge some of her statements, and Martha ends the session when the voices seem to stop.

Key Events

• Messages at the Gathering — Gary witnesses Martha deliver messages about people who have died. Characters: Martha Travis, Gary Wallace Location: Public gathering in Ironsboro
• Audience Challenges Names — Some audience members object that people Martha names are still alive. Characters: Martha Travis, Gary Wallace Location: Public gathering in Ironsboro
• Session Ends — When the voices seem to stop, Martha ends the session and offers free admission the next day. Characters: Martha Travis Location: Public gathering in Ironsboro

Loss and Unresolved Danger

Walter angrily demands to know where Martha is, and a grieving man confronts her after a fatal incident. Martha later goes missing, while Weinberg hears that a killer connected to the Kuron case is in town and warns of another possible murder.

Key Events

• Walter Demands Answers — Walter angrily accuses someone of abusing his trust and demands to know where Martha is. Characters: Walter Travis, Martha Travis Location: Unspecified
• Grieving Man Confronts Martha — After a fatal incident, a grieving man blames Martha for predicting it and asks about his son. Characters: Martha Travis Location: Unspecified
• Martha Offers Sympathy — Martha responds with sympathy, but the grieving man orders her away. Characters: Martha Travis Location: Unspecified
• Martha Goes Missing — Martha is missing, and Weinberg is told she has not been seen since earlier that day. Characters: Martha Travis, Lieutenant Irving Weinberg Location: Unspecified
• Claimed Brother Arrives — A man claiming to be Martha's brother arrives looking for her. Characters: Martha Travis, Lieutenant Irving Weinberg Location: Unspecified
• Warning of Another Murder — Weinberg learns a killer connected to the Kuron case is in town and warns another murder may occur. Characters: Lieutenant Irving Weinberg Location: Unspecified

Story Breakdown

• Gary's Rural Search — Gary finds Martha after years of searching and asks about Walter's murder.
  • Shopkeeper's Direction — A shopkeeper directs Gary to Martha in a rural area.
  • Unanswered Questions — Gary tells Martha he has searched for ten years and asks what happened on the night Walter was murdered.
• Martha's Visions — Martha's apparent psychic experiences draw public attention while bringing distress.
  • Public Attention — Martha and Walter become known through her apparent visions.
  • Predictions and Police — Gary warns Walter that police are waiting to question Martha after a prediction.
• Walter's Protection — Walter defends Martha's identity as a medium and resists Gary's involvement.
  • Medium Not Fortune Teller — Walter insists Martha is a respected medium, not a fortune teller.
  • Demand for Martha — Walter angrily demands to know where Martha is.
• Gary's Ironsboro Assignment — An editor sends Gary to cover Martha's work, bringing him to her public gathering.
  • Reporting Assignment — Gary is assigned to cover Martha in Ironsboro.
  • Skeptical Observation — Gary witnesses Martha deliver messages at a public gathering.
• Disputed Messages — Martha's session becomes unsettled when audience members dispute what she says.
  • Living People Named — Some audience members object that people Martha names are still alive.
  • Session Concludes — When the voices seem to stop, Martha ends the session and offers free admission the next day.
• Grief After Fatality — A grieving man confronts Martha after a fatal incident and rejects her response.
  • Blame for Prediction — The man blames Martha for predicting what happened and asks about his son.
  • Sympathy Rejected — Martha offers sympathy, but he orders her away.
• Disappearance and Threat — Martha's whereabouts remain unknown as Weinberg receives warnings of further danger.
  • Claimed Brother Arrives — A man claiming to be Martha's brother arrives looking for her.
  • Kuron Case Warning — Weinberg learns a killer connected to the Kuron case is in town and warns another murder may occur.

Directed by

Mike Hodges

Key Cast

• Rosanna Arquette — Martha Travis
• Jason Robards — Walter Travis
• Tom Hulce — Gary Wallace
• Mark Joy — Lloyd Harley
• Ron Rosenthal — Lieutenant Irving Weinberg