Love from a Stranger (1947 film)

This article is about 1947 film. For other uses, see Love from a Stranger.

Love from a Stranger is a 1947 American historical film noir directed by Richard Whorf and starring John Hodiak, Sylvia Sidney and Ann Richards.^[2] The film is also known as A Stranger Walked In in the United Kingdom. It is based on the play of the same title by Frank Vosper, inspired by a short story by Agatha Christie, which had previously been turned into a 1937 British film Love from a Stranger starring Basil Rathbone.

Love from a Stranger
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Richard Whorf
Screenplay by	Philip MacDonald
Based on	the play Love from a Stranger the short-story "Philomel Cottage" by Frank Vosper Agatha Christie
Produced by	James J. Geller
Starring	John Hodiak, Sylvia Sidney Ann Richards
Cinematography	Tony Gaudio
Edited by	Fred Allen
Music by	Hans J. Salter
Color process	Black and white
Production company	Bryan Foy Productions
Distributed by	Eagle-Lion Films
Release date	November 15, 1947 (1947-11-15) (United States)
Running time	81 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$1.1 million[1]

Plot

A woman fears her new husband will kill her.

Cast

• John Hodiak as Manuel Cortez
• Sylvia Sidney as Cecily Harrington
• Ann Richards as Mavia
• John Howard as Nigel Lawrence
• Isobel Elsom as Auntie Loo-Loo
• Ernest Cossart as Billings
• Philip Tonge as Dr. Gribble
• Anita Sharp-Bolster as Ethel (the maid)
• Frederick Worlock as Insp. Hobday
• Phyllis Barry as Waitress

Production

The movie was one of the first from the newly formed Eagle Lion Productions. Arturo de Cordova was announced as the star.^[3] Margaret Lockwood was wanted for the female star.^[4] Eventually the female lead went to Sylvia Sidney and John Hodiak was borrowed from MGM for the male lead.

Filming was meant to start 15 January 1947^[5] but was delayed until March. Anne Richards had just made Lost Honeymoon for Eagle Lion.

Reception

Critical response

Variety called it "a fair thriller, without novelty or any particular "viewpoint," with little suspense, surprise or excitement, and only moderate boxoffice prospects."^[6]

Thomas M. Pryor, the film critic at The New York Times, gave the film a lukewarm review. He wrote, "It may well be that some will find a modicum of excitement in Love From a Stranger. But the average moviegoer is a pretty 'hep' customer and the chances are he will be so far ahead of the story that its climactic scene will explode with all the thunder of a cap pistol."^[7]

Critic Craig Butler also had problems with the film, mostly the script. He wrote, "A moderately entertaining mystery flick (the story of which was better served when it was originally filmed in 1937), Love from a Stranger is an adequate but unexciting way to spend an hour and a half or so. Stranger wants to be a clever thriller, and it starts out well. Unfortunately, about halfway through it becomes rather obvious, and so the necessary suspense is simply lacking."^[8]