Complete credited cast: | |||
Claudette Colbert | ... | Elizabeth Hamilton | |
Orson Welles | ... | John Andrew MacDonald / Erik Kessler | |
George Brent | ... | Lawrence Hamilton | |
Lucile Watson | ... | Aunt Jessica Hamilton (as Lucille Watson) | |
Richard Long | ... | Drew Hamilton | |
Natalie Wood | ... | Margaret Ludwig | |
John Wengraf | ... | Dr. Ludwig | |
Sonny Howe | ... | Brian Hamilton | |
Ian Wolfe | ... | Norton | |
Joyce Mackenzie | ... | Cherry Davis (as Joyce MacKenzie) |
Elizabeth and John say goodbye as John leaves to go to war. When World War I ends, Elizabeth receives a telegram that John has been killed in action. She finds comfort in Larry and they marry. John returns 20 years later, disfigured, with a new identity, Erik, and an adopted daughter, Margaret. John/Erik and Elizabeth accidentally meet and he learns that he has a son, Drew. John must then decide whether or not to reveal his true identity. Written by Kelly
This excellent 1946 vehicle provides Orson Welles with a role that he is most sympathetic with. Married to Claudette Colbert in this film, he is soon declared missing and dead. Colbert quickly remarries a wealthy gentleman who is most sympathetic when this apparent tragedy strikes.
Fast forward 20 years. By chance, Colbert comes across Welles in a new disguise. This is all coming about as World War 11 will envelop Europe. It appears that Welles was not killed off during World War 1, but merely was missing and apparently suffering from amnesia.
The film becomes a heartbreak after this. Both Colbert and Welles really are conflicted here. She suspects that he realizes his true identity now and he realizes that the son she bore is his.
Both Colbert and Welles put on some very fine acting here in this film where you had better have plenty of handkerchiers available.