The Strange Love of Martha Ivers stars Barbara Stanwyck,Van Heflin, Lizabeth Scott and featuring Kirk Douglas in his film debut. The movie is based on the short story “Love Lies Bleeding” by playwright John Patrick – using the pseudonym Jack Patrick – and was produced by Hal B. Wallis. The film was directed by Lewis Milestone from a screenplay written by Robert Rossen and Robert Riskin, who was not credited.
TCM Says:
In 1928, young Martha Ivers is returned by the police to Iverstown, Pennsylvania after running away for the fourth time to escape the tyranny of her aunt. When her aunt insults her dead father, then attacks her pet cat with a cane, the child kills her aunt with the cane. Martha’s friend, Sam Masterson, with whom she was trying to run away, flees the scene and joins the circus. Mr. O’Neill, Martha’s greedy tutor, and his weak-minded son Walter, support Martha’s story that the murderer was a strange intruder. In 1946, Sam inadvertently returns to Iverstown when he wrecks his car.
Enjoy the film!
http://youtu.be/6270UcbXTdc
now this film straddles the fence between melodrama and noir,…i notice a Barbara Stanwyck bent in the last few film choices,but this one is perfect,although the poster art makes it look like a romance flick,,it’s far from it…anyone who hasn’t seen it would be surprised not only by Kirk Douglas in his first significant role,but by the finale…enough said 😉
Devlin — I confess, I’ve been on a Barbara Stanwyck kick the past couple of weeks. I can’t help it, she is one of my favorite actresses. This film is, as you said, far from a romance and I think everyone gave terrific performances in it. Interesting to see young Kirk Douglas!