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IMDbPro

A Double Life

  • 19471947
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 1h 44m
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
3.6K
YOUR RATING
Shelley Winters, Ronald Colman, and Signe Hasso in A Double Life (1947)
A celebrated actor struggles to distinguish his own life from that of his most recent stage role, Othello.
Play trailer1:34
1 Video
99+ Photos
CrimeDramaFilm-Noir
A celebrated actor struggles to distinguish his own life from that of his most recent stage role, Othello.A celebrated actor struggles to distinguish his own life from that of his most recent stage role, Othello.A celebrated actor struggles to distinguish his own life from that of his most recent stage role, Othello.
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
3.6K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • George Cukor
  • Writers
    • Ruth Gordon
    • Garson Kanin
    • William Shakespeare(extracts from play "Othello")
  • Stars
    • Ronald Colman
    • Edmond O'Brien
    • Signe Hasso
  • Director
    • George Cukor
  • Writers
    • Ruth Gordon
    • Garson Kanin
    • William Shakespeare(extracts from play "Othello")
  • Stars
    • Ronald Colman
    • Edmond O'Brien
    • Signe Hasso
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 62User reviews
    • 39Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 2 Oscars
      • 3 wins & 3 nominations total

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 1:34
    Watch Trailer

    Photos497

    "Double Life, A" Ronald Colman 1947 Universal **I.V.
    "Double Life, A" Ronald Colman 1947 Universal **I.V.
    Shelley Winters, Ronald Colman, and Signe Hasso in A Double Life (1947)
    Shelley Winters and Ronald Colman in A Double Life (1947)
    Shelley Winters and Ronald Colman in A Double Life (1947)
    A Double Life (1947)
    A Double Life (1947)
    A Double Life (1947)
    A Double Life (1947)
    A Double Life (1947)
    A Double Life (1947)
    A Double Life (1947)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Ronald Colman
    Ronald Colman
    • Anthony John
    Edmond O'Brien
    Edmond O'Brien
    • Bill Friend
    Signe Hasso
    Signe Hasso
    • Brita
    Shelley Winters
    Shelley Winters
    • Pat Kroll
    Ray Collins
    Ray Collins
    • Victor Donlan
    Philip Loeb
    Philip Loeb
    • Max Lasker
    Millard Mitchell
    Millard Mitchell
    • Al Cooley
    Joe Sawyer
    Joe Sawyer
    • Pete Bonner
    Charles La Torre
    • Stellini
    Whit Bissell
    Whit Bissell
    • Dr. Stauffer
    John Drew Colt
    • Stage Manager
    Peter M. Thompson
    • Asst. Stage Manager
    • (as Peter Thompson)
    Elizabeth Dunne
    • Gladys
    Alan Edmiston
    • Rex
    Art Smith
    Art Smith
    • Wigmaker
    Sid Tomack
    Sid Tomack
    • Wigmaker
    Wilton Graff
    Wilton Graff
    • Dr. Mervin
    Harlan Briggs
    Harlan Briggs
    • Oscar Bernard
    • Director
      • George Cukor
    • Writers
      • Ruth Gordon
      • Garson Kanin
      • William Shakespeare(extracts from play "Othello") (uncredited)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The role of Anthony John was originally written for Laurence Olivier who was unavailable when the film finally went into production.
    • Goofs
      From all appearances during the opening sequence, Anthony John's new comedy is just opening on Broadway - deliverymen carry a fresh sign into the lobby covered with blurbs from rave reviews, leading lady is asked to look at new publicity photos and theater is packed during scene from play. But suddenly, it's revealed that this play has been running a year and is actually about to close. In reality, virtually all plays close due to dwindling attendance (and don't have SRO audiences in last days, as does this one) nor do producers waste money on advertising and publicity on productions that have already posted closing notices, as appears to be the case here since actors are already discussing their next jobs.
    • Quotes

      Anthony John: How's the chicken cacciatore?

      Pat Kroll: It's your stomach.

    • Crazy credits
      Opening credits appear against a theatre image with stage curtain.
    • Connections
      Featured in The 75th Annual Academy Awards (2003)
    • Soundtracks
      Opus 10 No. 3 in E Major
      (1829-32) (uncredited)

      Written by Frédéric Chopin

      Played a bit on piano by Brita

    User reviews62

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    6/10
    Imagination and Reality
    The successful middle-aged Broadway actor Anthony "Tony" John (Ronald Colman) is a dedicated lonely professional that still loves his former wife Brita (Signe Hasso). They are playing Othello for almost two years and Tony has a breakdown, beginning to lose his mind and sense of reality, confusing his identity with his characters. One night, he meets the waitress Pat Kroll (Shelley Winters) in a distant bar and he spends the night with the easy woman. Then he proposes Brita, who is his best friend, but she refuses to marry him again triggering a jealousy process against their friend Bill (Edmond O'Brien). Tony decides to visit Pat late night and in an insanity process, he lives the situation of Othello killing Desdemona. The police arrest a suspect but Bill wants to prove that Tony is responsible for the murder.

    Despite the great performance of Ronald Colman, "A Double Life" is an overrated movie with a boring story. First, the situation of a successful actor that loses his identity and blends imagination with reality is hard to believe. Second, Tony's personality and character are very confused and not well-developed; last but not the least, Bill trying to prove that Tony is responsible for the murder is despicable and silly. My vote is six.

    Title (Brazil): "Fatalidade" ("Fatality")
    helpful•20
    12
    • claudio_carvalho
    • Sep 12, 2009

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 1, 1948 (Mexico)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Italian
      • Swedish
    • Also known as
      • Inspiration
    • Filming locations
      • 1430 Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA(Empire Theatre, demolished)
    • Production company
      • Kanin Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 44 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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