Dead Ringer (1964)

The working-class twin sister of a callous, wealthy woman impulsively murders her out of revenge and assumes her identity. But impersonating her dead twin is more complicated and risky than she anticipated.

Director:

Paul Henreid

Writers:

Albert Beich (screenplay by), Oscar Millard (screenplay by)

Stars:

Bette Davis, Karl Malden, Peter Lawford

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Bette Davis	...	Margaret DeLorca / Edith Phillips
Karl Malden	...	Sgt. Jim Hobbson
Peter Lawford	...	Tony Collins
Philip Carey	...	Sgt. Hoag
Jean Hagen	...	Didi Marshall
George Macready	...	Paul Harrison
Estelle Winwood	...	Dona Anna
George Chandler	...	George
Mario Alcalde	...	Garcia
Cyril Delevanti	...	Henry
Monika Henreid	...	Janet
Bert Remsen	...	Dan Lister
Charles Watts	...	Apartment Manager
Ken Lynch	...	Capt. Johnson

Storyline

After the funeral of her brother-in-law, Edith Phillips learns that Margaret de Lorca, her rich twin sister, had tricked her way into marriage with the man she also loved. So she kills Margaret and assumes her identity and life-style. However, her life becomes complicated by her late sister's sleazy boyfriend, Tony Collins and Sgt. Jim Hobbson, a Los Angeles detective who loved the "dead" Edith.

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Plot Keywords:

identical twins | actress playing dual role | fake suicide | same actress playing twin role | same actress playing two characters | 

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Taglines:

Mirror, mirror, on the wall, now who's the fairest twin of all?

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

Unrated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Eadie gives the location of her cocktail lounge as Figueroa and Temple. That is a real intersection just north of downtown Los Angeles. But it is surrounded by large municipal buildings, a modern apartment complex and an interchange of two major freeways, US 101 and CA 110 - and not any building that could house Eadie's bar.

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Goofs

Due to bright lighting during several shots at the funeral showing twins portrayed by Bette Davis, it's obvious - even with a veil over her face - that one of the characters is actually a double (in reality, Davis sort-of look-alike, Connie Cezon).

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Quotes

Margaret DeLorca: When are you going back to San Francisco?
Edith Phillips: I haven't lived in San Francisco for ten years. Not since father died. A wino.
Margaret DeLorca: A wino?
Edith Phillips: Yes. He drank wine because he couldn't afford to buy whiskey anymore. After he was fired off the Express and every other newspaper west of the Rockies. They finally took him away in a straitjacket.
Margaret DeLorca: Oh, Edie, how awful! Poor Father. Why didn't you ever tell me?
Edith Phillips: Well, I did let you know about the funeral. But you didn't come... somehow.
Margaret DeLorca: We must have been in Europe. Frank and ...

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Connections

Referenced in Castle: Poof, You're Dead (2011)

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Soundtracks

Shuffle Off to Buffalo
(uncredited)
Music by Harry Warren
Lyrics by Al Dubin
Sung by Bette Davis

User Reviews

A great performance by a great actor.

This movie could easily have become a sad and pathetic parody of the final stages of a great actor's career. Instead it marks another pinnacle in the history of one of Hollywood's greatest players, Bette Davis. There are not enough superlatives to describe her performance. Not only does Davis carry the movie, she is the movie. Her performance transcends the material. This movie is an example of where the actor succeeds in elevating the script. The story is cleverly written and beautifully photographed in a black and white context that sets the mood for the movie. But it is Bette Davis's performance as a twin which makes this movie not only watchable but fun to watch. Like Bette Davis herself, this movie has aged well. Davis has since departed us but her legacy lives on in her many wonderful movies, including this one.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 February 1964 (USA)

Also Known As:

Who Is Buried in My Grave?

Filming Locations:

Angelus-Rosedale Cemetery - 1831 W. Washington Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,200,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

116 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1