The Stranger (1946)

An investigator from the War Crimes Commission travels to Connecticut to find an infamous Nazi.

Director:

Orson Welles

Writers:

Anthony Veiller (screenplay), Victor Trivas (adaptation)

Stars:

Orson Welles, Edward G. Robinson, Loretta Young

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Edward G. Robinson	...	Mr. Wilson
Loretta Young	...	Mary Longstreet
Orson Welles	...	Professor Charles Rankin
Philip Merivale	...	Judge Adam Longstreet
Richard Long	...	Noah Longstreet
Konstantin Shayne	...	Konrad Meinike
Byron Keith	...	Dr. Jeffrey Lawrence
Billy House	...	Mr. Potter
Martha Wentworth	...	Sara

Storyline

Wilson of the War Crimes Commission is seeking Franz Kindler, mastermind of the Holocaust, who has effectively erased his identity. Wilson releases Kindler's former comrade Meinike and follows him to Harper, Connecticut, where he is killed before he can identify Kindler. Now Wilson's only clue is Kindler's fascination with antique clocks; but, though Kindler seems secure in his new identity, he feels his past closing in.

---

Plot Keywords:

small town | connecticut | nazi war criminal | nazi hunter | false identity | 

---

Taglines:

The Most Deceitful Man A Woman Ever Loved !

---

Genres:

Crime | Drama | Film-Noir | Mystery | Thriller

---

Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish French

Release Date:

August 1946 (USA)

Also Known As:

Date with Destiny

Filming Locations:

United Artists Studios - 7200 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,034,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

International Pictures (I), The Haig Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Knowing Orson Welles' reputation for long exposition scenes, International Pictures gave editor Ernest J. Nims the freedom to cut any sequences from the film that he felt were unnecessary. To Welles' disgust, Nims ended up cutting almost 30 minutes of Welles' final version, including 19 minutes from the film's opening. The footage is believed lost, as even the original negatives have gone missing.

---

Goofs

In the final checkers game between 'Professor Charles Rankin' and 'Mr Potter', parts of a crew member's back and head can be seen reflected in the mirror behind Potter. Potter stands up, Rankin says "You know, uh, Mr. Potter, you're a bad influence", and as the camera pans to follow Potter, the crew member (probably the focus puller) can be partially seen in the mirror. He leans out of view momentarily, but then leans into view again as the camera pans back with Potter.

---

Quotes

[first lines]
Mr. Wilson: Leave the cell door open. That's all there is to it. Let him escape.

---

Alternate Versions

Also available in a computer-colorized version.

---

Connections

Featured in Spitfire (1985)

User Reviews

Orson welles directs and stars in vivid postwar Nazi hunt.

A little much in parts, particularly the use of headlight direction that Welles loves to employ, nevertheless, this is a film that rates three stars in the Wellesian collection.

Edward G. Robinson is superb as the laid-back, all-knowing, in-your-face detective and Loretta Young scores as Orson's wife but it's big Billy House who is the real scene-stealer. House plays the man who owns the self-service store in town who likes playing checkers with his customers.

Welles, who looks a little strange--no doubt to match up with the title-provides a commanding performance throughout in a film that reflects the era's revulsion with the Nazi dream.