Voice in the Mirror (1958)

Jim Burton, chronic alcoholic, is cared for by Ellen, his incredibly patient, sexy, hard-working wife. A doctor's warning that Jim could become mentally ill strikes enough fear into him ... See full summary »

Director:

Harry Keller

Writer:

Larry Marcus

Stars:

Richard Egan, Julie London, Walter Matthau

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Richard Egan	...	Jim Burton
Julie London	...	Ellen Burton
Walter Matthau	...	Dr. Leon Karnes
Troy Donahue	...	Paul Cunningham
Harry Bartell	...	Harry Graham
Peggy Converse	...	Mrs. Harriet Cunningham, Paul's Mother
Ann Doran	...	Mrs. Devlin
Mae Clarke	...	Mrs. Robbins
Max Showalter	...	Don Martin (as Casey Adams)
Hugh Sanders	...	A.W. Hornsby
Ken Lynch	...	Frank, Bartender
Doris Singleton	...	Liz Perkins
Dave Barry	...	Quintet Pianist
Alan Dexter	...	Bartender
Arthur O'Connell	...	William R. 'Bill' Tobin

Storyline

Jim Burton, chronic alcoholic, is cared for by Ellen, his incredibly patient, sexy, hard-working wife. A doctor's warning that Jim could become mentally ill strikes enough fear into him that he really wants to cure himself...but can't. One night, he meets William Tobin, a fellow drunk, and finds that he helps himself by trying to help Tobin. Thus is born, amid setbacks, a group resembling Alcoholics Anonymous.

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Plot Keywords:

alcoholic | husband wife relationship | alcoholism | friendship | friend

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 August 1958 (USA)

Also Known As:

Die Stimme im Spiegel

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal International Pictures (UI)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

"VOICE IN THE MIRROR"
Written by Bobby Troup and Julie London
Sung behind credits by Julie London

User Reviews

This movie -- in a theater, almost new -- started my life-long love of film noir!

My father used to take me to a third-run theater on Saturday afternoons. We'd see what then was considered action fare for boys. Well, on the lower half of the bill with some Technicolor undersea drama, on came this dark, black and white movie. I wanted to stay but my father said it was too frown-up for me. I hadn't seen it since then! And, it was worth the wait. This is an excellent movie. It's very dark indeed: Though "The Lost Weekend" is a superb movie -- technically far superior to this -- "A Voice In The Mirror is harder-hitting.

We really believe that Richard Egan is an alcoholic. I have friends who are alcoholics and they still act just as this character did almost 50 years ago: They lie, throw pity parties, steal.

I love the exchange between Egan and acerbic family doctor Walter Matthau. Egan says he has needed to drink since his wife (the gorgeous Julie London) and he lost their young daughter. Matthau tells him he's been using that excuse for too long. "One of these days," he says, "you would have broken a shoelace and that would have set you off if Laura's death hadn't." It's an illness. It's a terrible illness, frightening to everyone concerned. Matthau sees through the poor-me story, though, which is what people need.

My point is not to preach. I am no expert. But this movie (now preserved in letterbox) is undeservedly obscure. It's a fine work on its own. And, I will be forever grateful to it for introducing me at a very tender age to the world of film noir.