A Stolen Life (film)
A Stolen Life is a 1946 American drama film starring Bette Davis, who also produced it. The film, based on the 1935 novel A Stolen Life by Karel Josef Benes, was directed by Curtis Bernhardt. Among the supporting cast are Glenn Ford, Dane Clark, Peggy Knudsen, Charlie Ruggles, and Bruce Bennett. It is a remake of the 1939 British film Stolen Life starring Elisabeth Bergner and Michael Redgrave.
| A Stolen Life | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Curtis Bernhardt |
| Screenplay by | Catherine Turney Margaret Buell Wilder (adaptation) |
| Based on | Uloupeny Zivot 1935 novel by Karel Josef Benes |
| Produced by | Bette Davis |
| Starring | Bette Davis Glenn Ford Dane Clark Walter Brennan Charlie Ruggles Bruce Bennett |
| Cinematography | Ernest Haller Sol Polito |
| Edited by | Rudi Fehr |
| Music by | Max Steiner |
Production company | B.D. Production |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. |
Release date | July 6, 1946 |
Running time | 109 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $2,217,000[1] |
| Box office | $4,785,000[1] $3 million (US rentals)[2] |
It was nominated for Best Special Effects (William C. McGann; Special Audible Effects by Nathan Levinson) at the 19th Academy Awards, but lost to Blithe Spirit.
The second time Davis played twin sisters was in Dead Ringer (1964).
Plot
Kate Bosworth (Bette Davis) is a sincere, demure artist who misses her boat to an island off New England, where she intends to meet her twin sister Patricia (also Davis) and her cousin Freddie (Charlie Ruggles). She persuades Bill Emerson (Glenn Ford) to take her home in his boat. Later, their relationship grows while she paints a portrait of Eben Folger (Walter Brennan), the old lighthouse keeper, and Kate falls very much in love.
Her sister Pat, a flamboyant, man-hungry manipulator, fools Bill when she first meets him by pretending to be Kate. Pat then pursues him on a trip out of town, and when they return, they announce to Kate their intention to marry.
A heartbroken Kate focuses on her work with a rude but very talented artist named Karnock (Dane Clark), but rejects his romantic overtures. Bill eventually goes to Chile, allowing Kate to spend some time with her sister, whom she hasn't seen since the marriage. When the two go sailing, a sudden storm washes Pat overboard and she drowns, her sister inadvertently seizing her wedding ring while trying to save her. Kate passes out and is washed ashore in the boat. When she regains consciousness, she is mistaken for Pat.
Bill is about to return, so Kate decides to assume her late sister's identity. To her surprise, she learns that Bill is angry at Pat for her many affairs and in no mood to continue the marriage. Cousin Freddie has guessed the truth and insists that Kate must reveal to Bill her real identity. When she does, Bill realizes that Kate is the one he truly loves.
Cast
- Bette Davis as Kate and Patricia Bosworth
- Glenn Ford as Bill Emerson
- Dane Clark as Karnock
- Walter Brennan as Eben Folger
- Charlie Ruggles as Freddie Linley
- Bruce Bennett as Jack R. Talbot
- Peggy Knudsen as Diedre
- Esther Dale as Mrs. Johnson
- Clara Blandick as Martha
- Joan Winfield as Lucy
- Jack Mower as George (uncredited)
- Leo White as Waiter (uncredited)
Box office
According to Warner Bros. records, the film earned $3,222,000 domestically and $1,563,000 foreign.[1]
References
- Warner Bros financial information in The William Shaefer Ledger. See Appendix 1, Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television, (1995) 15:sup1, 1-31 p 26 DOI: 10.1080/01439689508604551
- "60 Top Grossers of 1946", Variety 8 January 1947 p8
External links
