Phone Call from a Stranger

Maybe you like old films or maybe not, but it’s nice that Amazon Carrie’s this kind of thing. Love the movie and live Amazon as well.

This 1952 American film noir drama (nominated for the Golden Lion award, Venice Film Festival) - directed by Jean Negulesco, and starring Gary Merrill, Shelley Winters, Michael Rennie, Keenan Wynn and Bette Davis - is an unusual film structurally.Franz Waxman's score and Milton Krasner's cinematography add much to the success of the picture.The first half of the picture introduces the four lead characters (plane passengers and strangers to one another) as they become well-acquainted during the course of a doomed flight to California in bad weather. One by one, we learn each of their fraught back-stories.The female star in this film is Shelley Winters, not Bette Davis (whose "story" comes at the very end of the film). I was initially a bit disappointed that Bette has such a relatively small part. And, as one would expect, it's beautifully played. But Shelley's role is so endearing and captivating that one can forgive the seeming Davis "scarcity."I love actress Evelyn Varden ("Hilda Crane"), and she is outstanding as the tough, loud-mouthed, strictly-business "Sally Carr" character.Shelley Winters - whose character is terrified of airplanes and flying - plays a "real character": charming, tough, funny, both savvy and naïve, and thoroughly appealing. But Gary Merrill (Bette's real-life husband at the time) is the real STAR in this picture, and all the characters' stories eventually coalesce around and involve him.After the plane crash, Merrill's character (an attorney) takes it upon himself to contact the loved ones of his fellow passengers - eventually discovering his own way back to his unfaithful wife, whom he's just left.This is an interesting film and one not to be missed - regardless of Bette's small part.

Great little movie full of surprises with lots of heart.

I received dvd on time, packaged securely. Plays perfectly. Would use this seller’s wares again.

People get on a plane. Some live. Some don't. One of the survivors visits the other passengers' (who died) relatives/friends to relay information about the dead.Nothing special. Nothing horrible. Kinda preachy in certain parts I guess. But might have just been the era. . . over-the-top acting. Dunno. I watched the entire movie. And of course it does help you think about what-if. But I wouldn't say this movie was something you should run out and see. I saw it because I like Merrill, especially in most of his movies with Davis. I should also say that Davis's part in this movie was so miniscule and so late in the film that I hardly see how she is given top billing here. Oh well.

Pretty good black and white film about fate and life's challenges. Shelley Winters has the stand out performance in the film. Shelley's scenes as stripper Binky Gay are touching and hilarious. Shelley's sequences which show her battling with her mother in law are hilarious!!!

It was a movie that held our interest! It was a great story!

This movie is worth it just to see Bette Davis in a particularly compromising position. She was a brilliant actress. Phone call from a stranger is not a suspense film. All but one moment are obvious from the start. There is also one very beautiful moment in the film that makes me tear up even though I know it's coming. Beautifully done, memorable and delightful. It only loses a star because Bette Davis doesn't come into the film earlier.

A great movie,Starring Miss Shelley Winters and Miss Bette Davis,about four people who meet,awaiting to board a plane,the plane crashes,then the film tells the stories,via Mr Gary Merrill,s part in the film,where he phones the three family,s that their partner,s that they did not survive.

Much better than I was expecting. The lives of several people intersect after a tragedy. A well made film.

Interesting little story, that's nothing like you think the cover portrays. Hugh Beaumont, of Leave It To Beaver fame, has a small -- but critical to the story line, uncredited role. The acting is very good, but the special effects leave something to be desired. Likeable cast, even Davis, who I've never cared for.