LOVE FROM A STRANGER (DVD) DVD

Love From a Stranger
Love From a Stranger was adapted from a play by Frank Vosper--which, in turn, was based on a story by Agatha Christie (though you'd never know it from the print ads for this film, which reproduced Ms. Christie's name in microscopic typeset). Ann Harding plays a lovely but somewhat naive young woman who goes on a European vacation after winning a lottery. Swept off her feet by charming Basil Rathbone, Harding finds herself married before she is fully able to grasp the situation. Slowly but surely, Rathbone's loving veneer crumbles; when he casually asks Harding to sign a document turning her entire fortune over to him, she deduces that her days are numbered. Desperately trying to keep one step ahead of the homicidal Rathbone (without his catching on), Harding foils all of his clever schemes to put her out of the way. The flustered Rathbone finally tips his hand, but by now the tables are turned. Filmed in England, Love From a Stranger would be remade in Hollywood in 1947, with Sylvia Sidney and John Hodiak in the leading roles. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Cast Ann Harding as Carol Howard Basil Rathbone as Gerald Lovell Binnie Hale as Kate Meadows Bruce Seton as Ronald Bruce Jean Cadell as Aunt Lou Bryan Powley as Dr. Gribble Joan Hickson as Emmy Donald Calthrop as Hobson Eugene Leahy as Mr. Tuttle

Crew Samuel Lange - Costume Designer Rowland V. Lee - Director Howard O'Neill - Editor Philip Tannura - Cinematographer Max Schach - Producer Frances Marion - Screenwriter Frank Vosper - Play Author Agatha Christie - Short Story Author

Love From a Stranger
Love From a Stranger is an imperfect but very engaging little hriller. Adapted from an Agatha Christie story, it has many of the hallmarks associated with the writer, although it lacks a central detective character in Poirot or Marple manner. But the screenplay is a lovely little game of cat-and-mouse, with cat and mouse changing roles frequently and to great effect. There's little depth to the goings-on, either in terms of character or theme, which damages the film somewhat, and the first half is somewhat slow going. While this tendency to drag is almost built into the story, director Rowland V. Lee could still have employed a few tricks to alleviate the sluggishness; however, once things get moving they really move, and the last half is enormous fun. Ann Harding and Basil Rathbone are a total delight, with Rathbone especially relishing the chance in the latter part of the film to let go; rarely does one get to witness such an over-the-top performance that still works beautifully. Fans of Rathbone and/or hrillers will have a great time; even non-fans should enjoy themselves if they stick with the film through the first half. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
 

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General Specifications: Language Options: Subtitle Options: Sound Processing: Additional Features: none specified MPAA Rating: DVD Discs Included: 1 DVD Sides: 1 DVD DVD Region Code: Content Length: 88 min   DVD Chapters: Side #1 -- 1. Chapter 1 [13:02] 2. Chapter 2 [12:52] 3. Chapter 3 [12:28] 4. Chapter 4 [16:28] 5. Chapter 5 [13:57] 6. Chapter 6 [17:44]