Three Strangers

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Three Strangers

Released Jan 28, 1946

1h 32m

Mystery & Thriller

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2 Reviews

50%

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100+ Ratings

After convincing two strangers, Jerome Arbutny (Sydney Greenstreet) and John West (Peter Lorre), to come to her apartment, Crystal Shackelford (Geraldine Fitzgerald) explains that at the stroke of midnight her statue of the goddess Kwan Yin will open its eyes, look into the souls of three strangers and grant their deepest wishes. The trio jointly invests in a sweepstake ticket, then separate, only to have their true natures demolish the possibility that Kwan Yin will fulfill their dreams.

Virginia Wright

Illustrated Daily News (Los Angeles)

Overwritten in some parts, and not too carefully cast, nevertheless it hold the attention most of the time, in the manner of a picture puzzle.

Jul 13, 2021

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

The intricately plotted messy film becomes enjoyable mainly because of the spirited performances.

Rated: B

Mar 12, 2011

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Russ G

Good performance from Peter Lorre and the woman in the supporting role, but it needed an alternative ending.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

12/29/24

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Ted B

I agree that this was an okay movie. The plot contained enough irony to be a Twilight Zone episode, especially the ending. It was compelling enough, but much of that was thanks to the "Maltese Falcon" duo of Sydney Greenstreet and Peter Lorre. However, even with their noir performances, it did not bring this film up to that level. Overall, an entertaining watch...

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

08/29/24

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Steve D

Really dark and not worth your time.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/18/24

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Audience Member

Film noir at its best, in a quirky story co-written by John Huston, carried by two of his actors from "The Maltese Falcon" — Sidney Greenstreet and Peter Lorre — and that film's composer, Adolph Deutsch.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/13/23

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ashley h

Three Strangers is an okay film. It is about three strangers who share a sweepstakes ticket which they wished upon together before a Chinese idol. Peter Lorre and Sydney Greenstreet give decent performances. The screenplay is a little slow in places. Jean Negulesco did an alright job directing this movie. I liked this motion picture because of the drama.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Rich S

Unfortunately, it comes nowhere near The Maltese Falcon, the movie for which this was to be a sequel. The stories of the three strangers are only mildly interesting at best. There is an interesting climax, but not a very convincing one. Still, for the performances and the style, I would give it one viewing to see if you like it.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

07/23/20

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Jean Negulesco

Director

Sydney Greenstreet

Jerome K. Arbutny

Geraldine Fitzgerald

Crystal Shackleford

Peter Lorre

Johnny West

Joan Lorring

Icey Crane

Robert Shayne

Bertram Fallon

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Synopsis

After convincing two strangers, Jerome Arbutny (Sydney Greenstreet) and John West (Peter Lorre), to come to her apartment, Crystal Shackelford (Geraldine Fitzgerald) explains that at the stroke of midnight her statue of the goddess Kwan Yin will open its eyes, look into the souls of three strangers and grant their deepest wishes. The trio jointly invests in a sweepstake ticket, then separate, only to have their true natures demolish the possibility that Kwan Yin will fulfill their dreams.

Director: Jean Negulesco
Producer: Wolfgang Reinhardt
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Production Co: Warner Bros.
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 28, 1946, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 25, 2016
Runtime: 1h 32m

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