Product ReviewsThe Strange Love of Martha Ivers (DVD)

This Movie is Strange--It is Kirk Douglas' Movie

A trio of teenagers composed of two boys and a girl have lots of fun together. However, the girl's rich guardian, played by Judith Anderson, does not approve of one of the boys, who is really a boyfriend. When the girl decides to run off with her boyfriend and meet him at the train, the guardian finds out, a struggle ensues, and the guardian dies.

Flash forward 20 years. The boyfriend Sam Masterson(Van Heflin) left town and started a new life because Martha Ivers (Barbara Stanwyck) never came to the train station. The other boy Walter O'Neil(Kirk Douglas) is kind of a geek who becomes a lawyer and the district attorney. Walter has also married Martha Ivers because he alone witnessed Martha's aunt's death. It is a marriage of blackmail and not a happy marriage to say the least. There is a lot of drinking, arguing, and frustration.

Finally, Sam returns to town. Of course, he is unaware of how the guardian died and once again becomes involved with the married couple--especially Martha Ivers. What ensues I will not give away, but it is not pretty.

The movie is like a Shakekspearean tragedy Hollywood style, and everyone ends
up unhappy.

It is interesting to see Kirk Douglas, who eventually played super muscular leader Spartacus, in his early days as a wimp. He wears wimpy glasses and appears very geeky through out the movie. The teenager, who initally plays Walter's role, also appears that way.

Barbara Stanwyck, on the other hand, is her typical self. She is in control, cool, conniving--just like the wife plotting against her husband in "Double Indemnity." It is easy to forget that she also played in some comedies such as "Christmas In Connecticut."

This movie is consider a classic film noir. It was the debut movie for Kirk Douglas.

It is worth watching but will not make anybody's all time favorite list.Read full review...

Classic movie

Awesome movie, awesome price and it came super fast

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