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      Phone Call From a Stranger

      1952 1 hr. 36 min. Drama List
      Reviews 49% 100+ Ratings Audience Score After discovering that his wife has been unfaithful, attorney David Trask (Gary Merrill) decides to fly to Los Angeles. He becomes friendly with three other passengers, each with his own story: salesman Eddie Hoke (Keenan Wynn), actress Binky Gay (Shelley Winters) and Dr. Bob Fortness (Michael Rennie). When the plane crashes and the other three are among the dead, Trask decides to visit the families of each. He helps them cope and also finds out some surprises about his new friends. Read More Read Less

      Audience Reviews

      View All (23) audience reviews
      Steve D Not sure why Davis took such a nothing role in a nothing film. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 04/06/24 Full Review Ana B Well put together, great story line, executed perfectly by professionals. Interesting to see the last scene, where Gary is with his real life wife, Bette. An enjoyable popcorn movie you can watch with the kids. How refreshing is that? Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/16/23 Full Review Nadya R Evelyn Varden stole this movie, right out from under the GREAT Bette Davis, Gary Merrill and Beatrice Straight! What an actress! She plays a vicious villain and a hilarious comic role in the same movie! Bravo, Ms. Varden! Every role she played was a jewel. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/16/23 Full Review deke p PHONE CALL FROM A STRANGER (1952 ) 1952! BETTY DAVIS & husb GARY MERRILL. Most amazed at photo of HOT BUXOMY BETTE DAVIS in a swimsuit - and this was 20 years after her 1932 premier (?). Never seen her like that before. Plot: Airplane crash survivor Gary contacts 3 other deceased's relatives, so kind of a 3 parter. Sappy in parts. Especially the 'son'. Had a 'moral'. Meh, it barely passed the time. Don't bother again. Also in cast: KEENAN WYNN, HUGH BEAUMONT, SHELLEY WINTERS. Never heard of til saw on TV 3.13.2022. Posting this on RT with maybe 2 stars. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member The appealing premise had me fully interested for the first half of the movie but then I found myself more focused on where Bette Davis was the whole second half as she gets an "also starring" here. When Ms. Davis does finally appear she gives an extremely impassioned performance that, while easily the best piece of acting in this movie, feels tonally off to me. What director Jean Negulesco does with Bette Davis here is akin to Phil Jackson only playing Michael Jordan for the last 8 minutes of the game. *Binging Bette Davis #4 Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/20/23 Full Review Audience Member overall good but watch it for shelley. the woman could act. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/01/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      Critics Reviews

      View All (3) Critics Reviews
      Bob Thomas Associated Press Despite its complexity, the story line seldom gets confused and is always suspenseful and entertaining. Jul 24, 2019 Full Review Moira Walsh America Magazine With an assist from Jean Negulesco's lucid and well-placed direction it makes an absorbing show. Jul 15, 2021 Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Strained melodrama. Rated: C Feb 9, 2011 Full Review Read all reviews

      Movie Info

      Synopsis After discovering that his wife has been unfaithful, attorney David Trask (Gary Merrill) decides to fly to Los Angeles. He becomes friendly with three other passengers, each with his own story: salesman Eddie Hoke (Keenan Wynn), actress Binky Gay (Shelley Winters) and Dr. Bob Fortness (Michael Rennie). When the plane crashes and the other three are among the dead, Trask decides to visit the families of each. He helps them cope and also finds out some surprises about his new friends.
      Director
      Jean Negulesco
      Screenwriter
      Nunnally Johnson
      Production Co
      Twentieth Century Fox
      Genre
      Drama
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (DVD)
      Apr 8, 2008