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.

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Plot Keywords:

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

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Taglines:

The Most Deceitful Man A Woman Ever Loved !

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Film-Noir | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

During the dinner conversation, a correspondent is mentioned, namely Standish of the London Times in Berlin. This could be a reference to Henry Standish, a war correspondent for the "News Chronicle", a UK daily paper that closed in 1960 after 30 years in existence. (Standish is quoted in 1945's "What Buchenwald Really Means" by Victor Gollancz.) Whether this reference is meant to be the same journalist, and whether the actual Standish wrote an article similar to the one discussed in the film, cannot be determined.

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Goofs

The postcard given to Menike by the photographer contains an address in Harper, Connecticut on one side and a photo of the town's Church with a clock-tower on the other. The scene then segues from the photo to the actual Chuch location however all the elements of the real Church are exactly identical to the photo. This includes the same open and closed windows. Additionally, the time on the real clock and the one in the photo are exact. The time on the clock being exact is explained that the clock has been broken for a long time, so it is not inconceivable that the time is exact.

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Quotes

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

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Alternate Versions

Also available in a computer-colorized version.

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Connections

Featured in Arena: The Orson Welles Story - Part 1 (1982)

User Reviews

I'm traveling for my health

I picked up this movie, mostly because of the cover and the price ($4). I was happily surprised as to the quality of the movie.

The story takes place after the end of World War II. Edward G. Robinson plays a government official named Mr. Wilson. He is in charge of the Allied War Crime commission. He is looking for an elusive war criminal. His name is Franz Kindler (Orson Welles). He is suppose to be the one who came up with the Nazi plan of mass annihilation. There is no evidence, nor any photographs of Kindler. To find Franz, Wilson releases Kindler's assistant (Konrad). Konrad inadvertently leads Wilson to Harper, Connecticut. Kindler is hiding out at an all boys school as a professor named Charles Rankin. Konrad arrives on Charles' wedding day. He is getting married to the daughter of a liberal Supreme Court justice.

This movie is definitely film noir, in the lighting and the grittiness of the events. It is also quite evident that this movie was directed by Welles himself. If you have seen any one of his movies, you can see how he functions. The story is enjoyable, if not slightly predictable (especially if you have seen other film noir films or have listened to any golden age radio programs). Overall, it is nice to see Edward G. Robinson playing the good guy for a change. I also thought Billy House had a standout performance as Mr. Potter (the owner of the local general store). He provides most of the comedy relief. I highly recommend this movie for fans of Edward G. Robinson, Welles or the film noir genre.

-Celluloid Rehab

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