The Strange Love Of Martha Ivers
1946
STRANGE LOVE OF MARTHA IVERS: Barbara Stanwyck is the eponymous character of this classic noir, a woman of wealth and position in her small community, and the wife of local district attorney, Walter O'Neil (Kirk Douglas), a self-loathing alcoholic whom she holds in contempt. When her old friend Sam Masterson (Van Heflin) .. Read more
| Starring | Barbara Stanwyck, Van Heflin, Elizabeth Scott, Kirk Douglas |
|---|---|
| Director | Lewis Milestone |
| Genres | Drama |
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The Strange Love Of Martha Ivers
STRANGE LOVE OF MARTHA IVERS: Barbara Stanwyck is the eponymous character of this classic noir, a woman of wealth and position in her small community, and the wife of local district attorney, Walter O'Neil (Kirk Douglas), a self-loathing alcoholic whom she holds in contempt. When her old friend Sam Masterson (Van Heflin) arrives in town after an absence of many years, asking Walter's help for Toni Marashek (Lizabeth Scott), a woman unjustly accused of a crime, Martha fears that Sam will reveal what he knows about the events that transpired on the night that he left town long ago.
| Starring | Barbara Stanwyck, Van Heflin, Elizabeth Scott, Kirk Douglas, Judith Anderson, Roman Bohnen |
|---|---|
| Director | Lewis Milestone |
| Studio | DELTA VISUAL ENTERTAINMENT |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 56 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Drama |
| Language | English |
| Released | DVD: 06 Nov 2000 Production year: 1946 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (3)
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A critical and commercial hit for Barbara Stanwyck, Van Heflin and, making his debut, Kirk Douglas, this high-voltage portrait of evil and greed remains blissfully absorbing and entertaining. Stanwyck plays manipulative millionairess Martha, married to Douglas, a weak-willed DA with a drink problem, whom she despises. Enter Van Heflin, Stanwyck's nemesis from the past, and the fun begins. Robert Rossen (who would write and direct the Oscar-winning The Hustler in 1961) has a hand in the screenplay, and Lewis Milestone directs for maximum effect. The New York Times accurately defined Martha and her hubby as “two of the meanest and most seriously interesting characters that addicts of homicidal melodrama are likely to meet on the screen”.
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Superb performance by Stanwyck (as coldly calculating as she was in Double Indemnity) as the apex of a traumatic... read more on Time Out
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Most helpful member's review
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2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Underrated Film Noir
Decided to give this a go as I'm a huge fan of the noir films of the 40's and 50's.
Hadn't really heard of it before, but having seen it, I would recommend it to fans of the genre.
Kirk Douglas (in a minor role be warned) is very good as the alcoholic husband of Barbara Stanwyck (Martha Ivers), who have known each other from childhood.
Her real childhood sweetheart (Van Heflin) who was Stanwyck's nemesis and whom she had once tried to elope with returns to the small town, where thanks to her aunt Martha has become a multimillionaress.
Great dramatic piece with tension, intrigue and terrific performances from all the main leads. -
Most recent members' review
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2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Small town passion
The film is mostly known for featuring the first film role for Kirk Douglas as a weak, alcoholic lawyer.The film also features other noir stereotypes: the tough drifter (Heflin), the good-bad girl (Scott) and the femme-fatale (Stanwyck). Although some aspects of the plot are absurd, the film strongly makes the point that the rich and corrupt are in control of society.
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The Strange Love Of Martha Ivers
STRANGE LOVE OF MARTHA IVERS: Barbara Stanwyck is the eponymous character of this classic noir, a woman of wealth and position in her small community, and the wife of local district attorney, Walter O'Neil (Kirk Douglas), a self-loathing alcoholic whom she holds in contempt. When her old friend Sam ...
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