Dead Ringer (1964)

The twin sister of a callous wealthy woman murders her out of revenge and assumes the identity of the dead woman.

Director:

Paul Henreid

Writers:

Albert Beich, Rian James (story),

Stars:

Bette Davis, Karl Malden, Peter Lawford

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Bette Davis	...	Margaret DeLorca / Edith Phillips
Karl Malden	...	Sergeant Jim Hobbson
Peter Lawford	...	Tony Collins
Philip Carey	...	Sergeant Hoag
Jean Hagen	...	Dede Marshall
George Macready	...	Paul Harrison
Estelle Winwood	...	Dona Anna
George Chandler	...	George, Chauffeur
Mario Alcalde	...	Garcia
Cyril Delevanti	...	Henry, the Butler
Monika Henreid	...	Janet
Bert Remsen	...	Daniel 'Dan' Lister, Bartender
Charles Watts	...	Apartment Manager
Ken Lynch	...	Captain Johnson

Storyline

After the funeral of her brother-in-law, Edith Phillips learns that Margaret de Lorca, her rich twin sister, had tricked her way into marriage with the man she also loved. So she kills Margaret and assumes her identity and life-style. However, her life becomes complicated by her late sister's sleazy boyfriend, Tony Collins and Sgt. Jim Hobbson, a Los Angeles detective who loved the "dead" Edith.

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Plot Keywords:

twin | funeral | bar | murder | sergeant | 

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Taglines:

Mirror, mirror, on the wall, now who's the fairest twin of all?

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 February 1964 (USA)

Also Known As:

Who Is Buried in My Grave?

Filming Locations:

Greystone Park & Mansion - 905 Loma Vista Drive, Beverly Hills, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,200,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

115 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Bette Davis originally wanted James Philbrook of The New Loretta Young Show to play the role that eventually went to Karl Malden.

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Goofs

Edith arrives at her apartment above the cocktail lounge in broad daylight, but when her boyfriend Jim comes to visit less than fifteen minutes later it is dark outside.

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Quotes

Paul Harrison: Too bad I called and woke you last night. This might not have happened.
Margaret DeLorca: It wouldn't have mattered when you called. I've gotten so I'm afraid to turn around for fear of what will happen next.
Paul Harrison: Oh, just one of those rough patches, Margaret. Things will look better in a few months.

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Connections

Referenced in Film Geek (2005)

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Soundtracks

"Shuffle Off to Buffalo"
(uncredited)
Music by Harry Warren
Lyrics by Al Dubin
Sung by Bette Davis

User Reviews

Two Great Performances by Bette Davis!

Many of the films of the 60s were boring as hell. It took a star like Bette Davis to bring the necessary fire to this double role as twins in "Dead Ringer." In other hands, this might have been unworthy, but with Davis' magical screen presence, you can't take your eyes off her (both of her!) Even in small scenes, she's real and radiant (when Jim gives her the watch for her birthday). Andre Previn's score is superb. I loved the music after Edith storms out of Margaret's bedroom in the beginning of the film when she sees the portrait of her sister's dead husband and HER former lover, followed by that tender moment with the butler.

With the performances that got Oscar nominations during the '60s, some were pretty dull. Compared to them, Bette deserved a nod for best actress. Davis was wonderful in this. Her years of acting experience before the cameras was on full display in every scene...she was the consummate professional.

Did you notice Perry Blackwell at the organ? She also appeared in the Doris Day/Rock Hudson hit,"Pillow Talk" as the nightclub singer a few years prior. The drummer in this was married to Nancy Wilson!