Talk About a Stranger (1952)
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- Passed
- 1h 5min
- Drama, Film-Noir
- 18 Apr 1952 (USA)
- Movie
In an idyllic setting, a likable but dangerously volatile twelve-year-old boy tries to settle a score with his disagreeable, mysterious neighbor.
Director:
Writers:
Stars:
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| George Murphy | ... |
Robert Fontaine Sr.
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| Nancy Reagan | ... |
Marge Fontaine
(as Nancy Davis)
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| Billy Gray | ... |
Robert Fontaine Jr.
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| Lewis Stone | ... |
Mr. Wardlaw
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| Kurt Kasznar | ... |
Matlock
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Anna Glomb | ... |
Camille Wardlaw
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| Stanley Andrews | ... |
Mr. Wetzell - Orange Grower (uncredited)
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Margaret Bert | ... |
Woman (uncredited) (voice)
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| Ed Cassidy | ... |
Soloway (uncredited)
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Wayne A. Farlow | ... |
Twin Boy (uncredited)
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| Virginia Farmer | ... |
Mrs. Campbell (uncredited)
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| Kathleen Freeman | ... |
Rosa - Grocery Clerk (uncredited)
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Jon Gardner | ... |
Boy (uncredited)
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Donald Gordon | ... |
Boy (uncredited)
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Harry Hines | ... |
Talmadge (uncredited)
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| Teddy Infuhr | ... |
Gregory - Boy in San Sala (uncredited)
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Charles La Torre | ... |
Batastini - Grocer (uncredited)
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| Harry Lauter | ... |
Clarence the Bookkeeper (uncredited)
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| Mitchell Lewis | ... |
Orchard Owner (uncredited)
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| Ralph Moody | ... |
Shaw - Hardware Storekeeper (uncredited)
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| Alvy Moore | ... |
Sailor on Motorcycle (uncredited)
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| Burt Mustin | ... |
Mr. Nicely the Jewler (uncredited)
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Leslie K. O'Pace | ... |
MacLarnin (uncredited)
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| Tudor Owen | ... |
Sergeant Magnusson (uncredited)
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| Dan Riss | ... |
Mr. Taylor the Butcher (uncredited)
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| Cosmo Sardo | ... |
Barber (uncredited)
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Gary Stewart | ... |
Boy (uncredited)
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| William Tannen | ... |
Driggs (uncredited)
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Maude Wallace | ... |
Mrs. Wetzell (uncredited)
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| Katherine Warren | ... |
Mrs. Dorothy Mahler (uncredited)
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Jack Williams | ... |
Truck Driver (uncredited) (voice)
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Directed by
| David Bradley | ||
Written by
| Margaret Fitts | ... | (screenplay) |
| Charlotte Armstrong | ... | (story "The Enemy") |
Produced by
| Sol Baer Fielding | ... | associate producer |
| Richard Goldstone | ... | producer |
Music by
| David Buttolph | ||
Cinematography by
| John Alton | ... | director of photography |
Editing by
| Newell P. Kimlin | ||
Art Direction by
| Cedric Gibbons | ||
| Eddie Imazu | ||
Set Decoration by
| Arthur Krams | ||
| Edwin B. Willis | ||
Production Management
| Al Shenberg | ... | production manager (uncredited) |
Sound Department
| Douglas Shearer | ... | recording director |
Special Effects by
| A. Arnold Gillespie | ... | special effects |
| Warren Newcombe | ... | special effects |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Richard Hager | ... | second grip |
Music Department
| Alexander Courage | ... | orchestrator (uncredited) |
Production Companies
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) (controlled by Loew's Incorporated)
Distributors
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) (1952) (United States) (theatrical)
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) (1952) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) (1952) (Australia) (theatrical)
Special Effects
Other Companies
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
When his dog dies, apparently from being poisoned, the young son of the owner of a small orange orchard in California immediately suspects an unfriendly, mysterious stranger who has just moved into the area, who recently had a quarrel with the boy's father. The boy's suspicions grow and also influence other townspeople who begin to believe that the stranger may also be a wanted killer. Unwarranted assumptions and wild speculations lead to several problems before the truth is revealed.
Written by Les Adams |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | It Sends Chills Down Your Spine! See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | Add content advisory for parents » |
| Certification |
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Box Office
| Budget | $481,000 (estimated) |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | Made during the height of the Joseph McCarthy era, this film is an allegory of the anti-communist fervor that commanded America's headlines at the time. Ironically, co-star and M-G-M contract player Nancy Reagan (née Davis) previously had her career derailed when she was erroneously branded a communist in one of the many red-baiting publications of the time. She sought dispensation from the then-president of the Screen Actors Guild, Ronald Reagan. This was how they met and they married a month before this film was released. See more » |
| Goofs | The boy Robert Jr. talks to in San Sala says Dr. Mahler went missing and in October and that it was now January. However, at the end of the film, Camille speaks as if her early November birthday was very recent (remarking that Robert didn't get her a present). See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in Talk About a Stranger (2018). See more » |
| Quotes |
Talmadge:
Something doesn't stand up. A guy like Matlock who lives like a pig and dresses like a hobo, drives a nicer car than I do and has a $500 watch! See more » |