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L'esprit pervers

Original title: Strangers in the Night
  • 1944
  • Approved
  • 56m
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
788
YOUR RATING
Virginia Grey, William Terry, and Helene Thimig in L'esprit pervers (1944)
CrimeDramaFilm-Noir

A lonely, mentally-unbalanced woman invents a fictitious daughter and has the "daughter" write to a Marine stationed in the South Pacific. When the soldier returns to the States, he goes to ... Read allA lonely, mentally-unbalanced woman invents a fictitious daughter and has the "daughter" write to a Marine stationed in the South Pacific. When the soldier returns to the States, he goes to look up his pen pal and is told by the "mother" that the daughter has moved away. An acqua... Read allA lonely, mentally-unbalanced woman invents a fictitious daughter and has the "daughter" write to a Marine stationed in the South Pacific. When the soldier returns to the States, he goes to look up his pen pal and is told by the "mother" that the daughter has moved away. An acquaintance of the women tells the soldier the truth, and in a rage the "mother" kills her. To... Read all

  • Director
    • Anthony Mann
  • Writers
    • Philip MacDonald
    • Bryant Ford
    • Paul Gangelin
  • Stars
    • William Terry
    • Virginia Grey
    • Helene Thimig
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.4/10
    788
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Anthony Mann
    • Writers
      • Philip MacDonald
      • Bryant Ford
      • Paul Gangelin
    • Stars
      • William Terry
      • Virginia Grey
      • Helene Thimig
    • 20User reviews
    • 15Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos31

    Helene Thimig in L'esprit pervers (1944)
    Helene Thimig in L'esprit pervers (1944)
    Virginia Grey and Helene Thimig in L'esprit pervers (1944)
    Virginia Grey, William Terry, and Helene Thimig in L'esprit pervers (1944)
    Virginia Grey and William Terry in L'esprit pervers (1944)
    Helene Thimig in L'esprit pervers (1944)
    Virginia Grey, William Terry, and Helene Thimig in L'esprit pervers (1944)
    Edith Barrett in L'esprit pervers (1944)
    Edith Barrett and Helene Thimig in L'esprit pervers (1944)
    Edith Barrett in L'esprit pervers (1944)
    Edith Barrett and Helene Thimig in L'esprit pervers (1944)
    Virginia Grey and William Terry in L'esprit pervers (1944)

    Top cast

    Edit
    William Terry
    William Terry
    • Sgt. Johnny Meadows
    Virginia Grey
    Virginia Grey
    • Dr. Leslie Ross
    Helene Thimig
    Helene Thimig
    • Mrs. Hilda Blake
    • (as Helen Thimig)
    Edith Barrett
    Edith Barrett
    • Ivy Miller
    Anne O'Neal
    • Nurse Thompson
    Audley Anderson
    • Train Conductor
    Jimmie Lucas
    • Waiter
    Roy Butler
    • Cab Driver
    Charles Sullivan
    Charles Sullivan
    • Police Driver
    Frances Morris
    Frances Morris
    • Nurse
    George Sherwood
    • Navy Doctor
    Roy Darmour
    • Sailor
    Jack Gardner
    • Medical Corpsman
    Linda Stirling
    Linda Stirling
    • Rosemary in Portrait
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Anthony Mann
    • Writers
      • Philip MacDonald
      • Bryant Ford
      • Paul Gangelin
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The book in the film, "A Shropshire Lad", was an actual book published in 1896. Written by English poet A.E. Housman, it consisted of 63 poems.
    • Goofs
      Johnny has just had major back surgery, but when he takes off his shirt his back has no scars of any kind.

    User reviews20

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    8/10
    Catfished
    Sergeant William Terry (Johnny) survives WW2 by clinging to the hope of meeting up with Rosemary, the girl he has been corresponding with despite never having met her. On his return to the USA, he seeks her out in California. Well, he gets to see her portrait courtesy of Helene Thimig (Hilda) who is Rosemary's mother. But Thimig seems to be putting off a meeting between her daughter and Terry. Why?

    This film is a nice discovery. It contains a disturbing story, a disturbing character (no need to guess who), other likable characters, an atmospheric setting and a short running time that keeps you watching from the beginning. You'll guess what is going on – sort of – but it doesn't take away the enjoyment of the film. A nice surprise.
    helpful•11
    0
    • AAdaSC
    • Sep 27, 2016

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    FAQ13

    • How long is Strangers in the Night?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 13, 1950 (France)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Strangers in the Night
    • Filming locations
      • Republic Studios - 4024 Radford Avenue, North Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA(Studio)
    • Production company
      • Republic Pictures (I)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      56 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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