The Strange Love of Martha Ivers

Barbara Stanwyck stars as the wealthiest and most powerful woman in a Midwestern factory town. However, she shares a dark secret with her unhappy, alcoholic husband played by Kirk Douglas in his film debut. When an old acquaintance comes to town things fall apart. Directed by Lewis Milestone, this 1946 film also stars Van Heflin and Lizabeth Scott. 116 minutes.

This is a four star film. Barbara Stanwyck, whom some critics believe to be the best film actress ever, is at her best, and Kirk Douglas, in his film debut, shows why he would go on to be a huge star. Equally impressive are Van Heflin, and Lizabeth Scott, also in her film debut.

Behind the camera, the crew was also impressive. Director Lewis Milestone. not known for film noir, filmed a taut, suspenseful drama right to the last climactic scene.There is a fine screenplay by Robert Rossen that is matched by the musical score of Miklos Rozsa. Finally, there is the work by Edith Head, the famed costume designer who was Stanwyck's favorite. Eddie Muller's intro to the film shows how clothes can make the woman.

Kirk Douglas,Lizabeth Scott,Van Heflin,Barbara Stanwyck

Sorry, Wrong Number

Barbara Stanwyck stars as a wealthy, bedridden woman who dials a telephone number one night only to overhear two men plotting to murder an unidentified woman. This 1948 film is a classic example of suspense and terror. Stanwyck received an Oscar nomination for her performance. Burt Lancaster co-stars. Ed Begley and Ann Richards are featured. 89 minutes. CC.

Many believe that Barbara Stanwyck was the greatest actress of all time. That may be debatable but no one ever played a woman in danger any better. Directed by Anatole Litvak, this highly suspenseful drama was based on a very popular episode on the hit radio series Suspense. In his introduction, Eddie Muller of TCM's Noir Alley calls it a masterpiece.

Burt Lancaster and Barbara Stanwyck

Witness to Murder

Barbara Stanwyck stars in this 1954 film noir as a woman fighting to convince police that one night she woke and saw a young woman being strangled in an apartment across the street. When a body cannot be found, the police suspect that she has either been dreaming or out of her mind. George Sanders and Gary Merrill co-star. 83 minutes. No subtitles.

Stanwyck could play a woman in danger as none other, and Sanders was one of the era's great villains. Made toward the end of the black and white film noir era, this film from it's start in a dark, windswept LA street to its exciting finale, provides a fine example of the lighting and cinematography of John Alton, one of the great masters of Hollywood's Golden Age. 

Here is a link to a fine intro by Eddie Muller of TCM's Noir alley. ###

Barbara Stanwyck

   

Remember the Night

Remember the Night. Barbara Stanwyck and Fred MacMurray star in this little known 1940 romantic comedy set in the holiday season. Stanwyck plays a shoplifter on trial before D.A. MacMurray but circumstances lead them to spend the holidays together. The film features a fine supporting cast including Beulah Bondi as his mother, Elizabeth Patterson as a maiden aunt, and Sterling Holloway as the handyman.

Four years later MacMurray and Stanwyck would play a murderous couple in the film classic "Double Indemnity," but in this earlier film their chemistry together is already apparent.

Screen writer Preston Sturges objected to cuts in the script by Director Mitchell Leisen, but I think Leisen was right. The film is a little gem that expertly brings out the transformation of both characters over the course of the story. Nevertheless, Sturges vowed never to work under another and went on to launch his notable directing career. 94minutes. No captions.

Here is a link to a brief video of Sterling Holloway and the rest of the cast singing a lovely rendition of "A Perfect Day" around the Christmas tree.  ###

Fred MacMurray and Barbara Stanwyck