Dead Ringer (1964)

The working class twin sister of a callous wealthy woman impulsively murders her out of revenge and assumes the identity of the dead woman. But impersonating her dead twin is more complicated and risky than she anticipated.

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	...	Didi 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 | revenge | 

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Taglines:

They were twins who once looked exactly alike until . . .

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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:

Angelus-Rosedale Cemetery - 1831 W. Washington Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,200,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

116 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Davis smokes 16 cigarettes in the course of the film.

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Goofs

When Mrs DeLorca is with her attorney signing papers his briefcase has two latches, but a third latch sound effect is seen and heard.

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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

She Wouldn't Hurt a Fly!

In Los Angeles, after eighteen years without speaking to each other, Edith Phillips meets her twin sister Margaret de Lorca (Bette Davis) in the funeral of Maggie's husband and former love of Edith that died of heart attack. Maggie invites Edith to visit her mansion, and Edith finds through her sister's driver that Maggie used a fake pregnancy to trick her and marry her passion. When Edith arrives in her bar, she is evicted by her landlord. Edith calls Maggie, kills her and assumes her identity. The police, including her boyfriend Sergeant Jim Hobbson (Karl Malden), believe that Edith committed suicide in an act of despair. Edith lures Maggie's servants and friends, but when Maggie's lover Tony Collins (Peter Lawford) appears, the situation becomes complicated for her.

"Dead Ringer" is a great film-noir, with thriller and black humor in an ironic story where justice is reached through the wrong and unexpected way. I have never had the chance to see the original Mexican movie "La Otra", but this remake is magnificently supported by the awesome Bette Davis, performing double and ambiguous roles that permit her to be rich, poor, simple, sophisticated, killer and victim. Her final line to Jim Hobbson ("-She wouldn't hurt a fly!") gives a bitter touch of class and irony to the conclusion of this enjoyable film. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Alguém Morreu em Meu Lugar" ("Somebody Died in My Place")