The Black & White Blog: The Letter
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By:
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Tieman
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Mood:
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other
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Date:
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02/08/2008 13:04:28
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Music:
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None
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My wife & I have been watching a lot of old black and white movies
through Netflix, so I'm going to try and do a small write-up on each of
them. Let me know what you think. The Letter (1940) Bettie Davis plays Leslie Crosbie, the wife of a plantation owner in Singapore. She claims self defense when a number of witnesses see her unload six bullets into another man. It is up to the family friend and lawyer Howard Joyce (James Stephenson) to save her from the hangman's noose. Unfortunately for her, a letter is discovered that indicates she had planned then entire thing. Joyce must decide whether to do the right thing or save his friend from execution. The acting in this film is wonderful. Davis is just nasty at the beginning of the movie, and it's tough for the audience to doubt her guilt based on the heartless expression on her face as she shoots another man dead. She just as easily shows the fear that she feels when she realizes what the letter can do to her. Stephenson is the other pillar of the film, dealing with the internal debate of saving his friend or properly serving his profession. Quite a tour de force from the both of them. (And, if you're looking for something to laugh at, enjoy American-born Dane Gale Sondergaard who gets to play the Chinese wife of the victim. How anyone thought she'd pass as Asian is beyond me.)
Nominated for seven Academy Awards: Actor in a Supporting Role (Stephenson), Actress (Davis), B&W Cinematography, Directing, Film Editing, Music, Outstanding Production
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