A Stolen Life (1946)

User Rating:

7.5/10   

Director:

Curtis Bernhardt

Writers:

Karel J. Benes (novel)
Catherine Turney (writer)

Release Date:

6 July 1946 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

BETTE DAVIS IN HER GREATEST OF ALL HER TRIUMPHS! (original ad - all caps)

Plot:

Kate Bosworth and her twin sister Patricia fall in love with Nantucket lighthouse inspector Bill Emerson...

Plot Keywords:

Twins | Lighthouse | Sister | Mistaken Identity | Orchestral Music Score

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar.

Cast

Bette Davis	...	Kate Bosworth / Patricia Bosworth
Glenn Ford	...	Bill Emerson
Dane Clark	...	Karnock
Walter Brennan	...	Eben Folger
Charles Ruggles	...	Freddie Linley (as Charlie Ruggles)
Bruce Bennett	...	Jack R. Talbot
Peggy Knudsen	...	Diedre
Esther Dale	...	Mrs. Johnson
Clara Blandick	...	Martha
Joan Winfield	...	Lucy

Runtime:

109 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Certification:

USA:TV-PG | Australia:G | Finland:K-16 | USA:Approved (PCA #10763, Adult Audience) | Sweden:Btl

Filming Locations:

Long Beach Airport - 4101 E. Donald Douglas Drive, Long Beach, California, USA

Company:

B.D. Production

Trivia:

Because of her constant insistence for better productions to work on, and an overall better atmosphere on set, Jack L. Warner asked Bette Davis to produce the film. It would be the first and only time she would be able to do this. Reportedly, she was so overworked and also intrigued by this job that she started a relationship with the director of this film to iron out her mind.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Stardust: The Bette Davis Story (2006) (TV)

Soundtrack:

The Sailor's Hornpipe

Double Trouble

I found the first half of the picture dragged for me, with a lot of dark shadows, and meandering scenes at the light house. Once the story picked up, and the "evil" twins goes over the side of the boat, then I knew I was in for some good old fashioned Bette Davis fun. I was very impressed with the creation of the "twins." For 1946, I found the scenes quite convincing, and wondered how they did that. The sets were fabulous, I'd take any of those houses, but thought the costumes were somewhat lacking. No, "Now, Voyager" stunning outfits for sure. Glenn Ford was fine, and very young, however I didn't care for the struggling artist side story. I would like to have seen much more of Kate trying to pass herself off as Pat, for that was the fun part of the film for me.