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Product Description
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Barbara Stanwyck mesmerizes as a woman with a past, bound by a crime to a husband she despises. Kirk Douglas quickens our collective pulses in his film debut as her disappointing, dipsomaniac spouse, while Van Heflin and Lizabeth Scott bring texture to supporting roles. Everything about this 1946 film noir is intriguing, from Lewis Milestone's direction to Edith Head's costumes to the edgy and troubled characters. It takes a long, hard look at guilt and the consequences of poorly planned actions. Well worth checking out, despite a wretched title. --Rochelle O'Gorman
Product Description
One of the blackest of the post-war film noir classics, "The Strange Love of Martha Ivers" is notable for both its outstanding story and technique, and its truly impressive cast. Veterans Barbara Stanwyck and Van Heflin were joined by the youthful Kirk Douglas, making his screen debut in this lush Hal Wallis production. Small town mystery, murder, and intrigue is the subject as a common American phenomenon, the small town run by a powerful matriarchal family, is examined at less than arms length. The mysterious murder of a rich aunt by a young child haunts the lives of the killer and the witnesses across the years, building to a dramatic conclusion as a surprise visitor returns to town after an absence of decades.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:DVD
This review refers to the Alpha Video (Gotham) DVD.
Overall Quality of DVD: ***1/2 /**** Sound: *** /**** Plot: ***1/2 /**** Acting: ***1/2 /**** Cinematography: ***1/2 /**** Direction: ***1/2 /****
You will be surprised at the quality of this GOTHAM transfer. There are some frame skips but other than that this DVD is a steal-of-a-deal and an "A"-rated film-noir!
Kirk Douglas and Barbara Stanwyck are very intense in their roles but, in my opinion, Van Heflin and Lizabeth Scott steal the show. Lizabeth Scott plays the beaten-down, always-taken-advantage-of, world-weary, down-on-her-luck, cute, sexy girl that... well, you just want to take her in your arms and give her a hug, yet, you also know if you do, you will probably have to kiss her and then you'll probably fall in love with her (just as Van Heflin does). In my opinion, this is Lizabeth Scotts' best role that I've seen ("Dead Reckoning" she is also quite good in - "Too Late For Tears" she is not as strong). She seems to need a strong hand in direction and when she gets it she can give A-level performances.
Mickey Kuhn as the young Kirk Douglas, Darryl Hickman (Dwayne Hickman's "Dobie Gillis" younger brother) as the young Van Heflin and Janis Wilson as the young Martha Ivers give riveting performances and are so "in character" in looks and mannerisms with the adult actors it will amaze you!
Also, Judith Anderson (Mrs. Danvers (Danny) in "Rebecca") gives a wonderfully sinister performance.
This is an "A+" story, acted well, directed well, filmed well, great production design and a very smooth transfer.
This film is worthy of restoration but is worthy in its present incarnation as is.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By James L.
Format:VHS Tape
Van Heflin is a gambler who returns to his hometown and gets tangled up with some childhood friends. He left town the night Martha killed her cold-hearted aunt, a murder that was successfully covered up. Now the grown-up Martha, played by Barbara Stanwyck, and especially her weak husband, played by Kirk Douglas, fear he might reveal what happened that night. Heflin gets involved with Lizabeth Scott, a convict, who fears his past relationship with Stanwyck will take Heflin from her. In this film noir, none of the characters is particularly likeable, each trying to protect themselves. There is some biting dialogue and effective use of music, although sometimes it becomes a little overpowering. Stanwyck is terrific as usual, really delivering in the latter scenes. Douglas is too strong of a presence to play the weak, manipulated husband, and would have been better off trading with Heflin. Scott has a strange screen presence, and although it fits the character somewhat, she never seems quite comfortable. But the characters are fascinating (typical for film noir) and the story is really interesting, despite the poor choice of a title. Since so much of this film centres on guilt and how difficult it can be to escape one's past, I think a better title for the film would have been The Guilt of Martha Ivers.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Kona
TOP 100 REVIEWER
Format:Blu-ray
The story opens in 1928, as rebellious teen Martha Ivers is trying to run away from her mean and powerful aunt. Helping Martha is her pal from across the tracks, Sam. They never do escape that night, but something far more dramatic happens involving Martha, her aunt, and a kitten named Bundles.
I really enjoyed this movie, which is an unusual mix of film noir, melodrama, romance, and mystery. Barbara Stanwyck plays grown-up Martha and is perfectly cast as a tough-as-nails and utterly ruthless woman. Her husband is well-played by Kirk Douglas, in his film debut. He's very young but very confident and convincing as an alcoholic loser. The real star of the show is Van Heflin who plays grown-up Sam, a street-wise charmer who can handle himself in a fight. Heflin is handsome, charismatic, and very sympathetic and reminded me of a young William Holden. He is paired with sultry Lizabeth Scott, who was made for film noir tough gal parts.
The script is clever and fast-paced and I was on the edge of my seat right up to the very satisfying ending. If you like gritty, character-driven dramas with plenty of twists and turns, you'll like this movie.
I really enjoyed this movie, which is an unusual mix of film noir, melodrama, romance, and mystery. Barbara Stanwyck plays grown-up Martha and is perfectly cast as a tough-as-nails and utterly ruthless woman. Her husband is well-played by Kirk Douglas, in his film debut. He's very young but very confident and convincing as an alcoholic loser. The real star of the show is Van Heflin who plays grown-up Sam, a street-wise charmer who can handle himself in a fight. Heflin is handsome, charismatic, and very sympathetic and reminded me of a young William Holden. He is paired with sultry Lizabeth Scott, who was made for film noir tough gal parts.
The script is clever and fast-paced and I was on the edge of my seat right up to the very satisfying ending. If you like gritty, character-driven dramas with plenty of twists and turns, you'll like this movie.
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4.0 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Deliciously Cynical Classic Film Noir.
Sam Masterson left Iverstown with a traveling circus as a boy in 1928. 18 years later, having been everywhere and done his share of everything, including being a decorated war... Read more
Published on Feb 18 2004 by mirasreviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Stanwyck noir at its very best
How else but the terrific Barbara Stanwyck could have performed this largely unsympathic role and still had us, the audience , rooting for her? Read more
Published on April 17 2002 by Simon Davis
5.0 out of 5 stars
Lizabeth Scott on nurturing a relationship:
Call me an old romantic but there's something GREAT about B&W movies where megagorgeous girls say to ordinary guys things like "Go ahead and slap me; I had it... Read more
Published on Oct 28 2001 by Paco Calderón
3.0 out of 5 stars
The title is very strange
and doesn't match up with the movie.
Very much of its time and not many surprises.
Kirk Douglas, in his first film, is very good.
Very pat ending.. Read more
Very much of its time and not many surprises.
Kirk Douglas, in his first film, is very good.
Very pat ending.. Read more
Published on Oct 15 2001 by "barlove"
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Classic Story of "Love"
This is my all-time favorite movie. Being a Barbara Stanwyck fan nearly all of my life, I of course had to see this movie. Read more
Published on Aug 12 2001 by Little Willow
5.0 out of 5 stars
I Loved Martha Iver's Strange Love
"The Strange Love of Martha Ivers" is a film noir tale that will leave you on the edge of your seat throughout viewing. Read more
Published on Jun 27 2001 by Kenneth M. Gelwasser
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Fine Movie
This is an absorbing drama with excellent performances by the cast including Stanwyck, Douglas, and Heflin. Read more
Published on Sep 1 2000 by Susan Fong
5.0 out of 5 stars
FINE MELODRAMTIC THRILLER
It's a fine little race to watch, with everyone trying to stay one step ahead of each other in this malevolently decadent thriller about love, marriage,... and murder. Read more
Published on Aug 11 2000 by Jackie Beedle
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