Moviecut—Phone Call from a Stranger

source: Phone Call from a Stranger

Phone Call from a Stranger

Early in this movie, Gary Merrill and Shelley Winters are seated together in an aircraft taking off during an intense rainstorm. When the plane levels off, he unbuckles his seat belt, reaches in his pocket and pulls out a pack of (real) Lucky Strikes. He offers one to the girl, they light up, and casually enjoy two of the best cigarettes known to man... As the movie continues, we enjoy a great story written by Nunnally Johnson, directed by Jean Negulesco, and finely acted by a team players who know how to handle their roles. Best of all the story is for and about grown-ups. I was a young teen in 1952 and the way it was with movies was that most films were for and about adults, and this helped us learn where we were going and how to get there. These days in 2012, there are virtually no movies for adults; nor are there any movies of quality. Just as Luckies were dumbed down to Lucky Strike filters (cheap tobacco stubble) movies have been dumbed down to the lowest common denominator.

IMO, the dialog where Bette Davis's character describes the nature of love, is the most moving scene in any movie I have ever seen. I have always kept those words in mind when dealing with relationships. I have always seen this movie as one man's journey to learn the nature of forgiveness. When he sets out on his last errand, he really has nothing nice to say about the deceased but he tries to cover that up. He doesn't fool the wife and she teaches HIM a valuable lesson in the nature of loving someone and forgiveness. Priceless movie, and they never show it on TV enough. The last time I noticed it on TV was 15 years ago. I am going to get the DVD. I want to use her words as part of the readings when I get married next year.

What a Great Film with an outstanding cast, Bette Davis and Husband G. Merrill shine in this drama. Merrill visits three families with a message from the dead. Each story has its own lesson and yet all are about love. The story about Davis and her husband in the film tells what love really means not what today's X-rated world thinks it is. This film should be shown more often. Come on AMC

This is a great film. Not in the same sense that Bridge on the River Kwai, or 2001. This film delivers a great message in a very palatable form with only the last minute or two being a little over the top. Betty Davis had only a small part in this film, but what a part her character was the most flawed and learned the most, the hard way.

Phone Call From A Stranger will be worth the watch for any Shelley Winters or Bette Davis fans. I watched the old, 1952 black and white movie on a drizzling afternoon and surprisingly, the flick made me feel real good. Why, you ask? On back of the movie packet it tells you that "A plane crash puts an end to the sufferings of three ill-fated passengers ..." With that alone, one would assume that it's a totally 'down' movie. However, it is not. It's like that old saying that my grandmother used to make, "In everyone's life a little rain must fall". Well, I guess she was right if one is to enjoy the sunny days. Which, Phone Call From A Stranger turns out to be: a sunny day after much rain. This movie will make you feel good about yourself. I promise. I think that's what so great about older movies; no special effects to disturb the real meaning of movies: the actors and actresses. A must-see for classic movie fans.

This is an interesting story with a great cast. The survivor of a plane crash meets the other people in the lives of those he met on the plane before the crash. This framework provides a fascinating study in conscience and human nature.

Surviving a plane crash and then going on to meet the families of those who did not. What an intriguing idea! How morbid, to say the least; but yet this is a well-done film mostly because of a fine ensemble cast. Shelley Winters is one of the passengers who did not make it. Following a difficult life and breakup, she is one of the passengers who interacted with the survivor. What do you say to the families at a time like this? How does one feel? Why did they survive the crash and the others did not? We face serious questions of ethics and moral values in this film. Surprisingly, Bette Davis took a supporting role in this film. She is quite effective as the bedridden wife of one of the victims. No matter how large or small the part, Miss Davis always could figure it out!