The secret of Malampur
| Movie | |
|---|---|
| German title | The secret of Malampur |
| Original title | The Letter |
| Country of production | United States |
| original language | English |
| Publishing year | 1940 |
| length | 95 minutes |
| Age rating | FSK 16 |
| Rod | |
| Director | William Wyler |
| script | Howard Cook |
| production |
Hal B. Wallis Robert Lord |
| music | Max Steiner |
| camera | Tony Gaudio |
| cut | Warren Low |
| occupation | |
| |
The Secret of Malampur (originally: The Letter ) is an American drama film directed by William Wyler. The screenplay of the 1940 film is based on the short story of the same name by W. Somerset Maugham . The film was released in German cinemas in 1949.
action
Leslie Crosbie, the wife of a plantation owner in Malaysia, shoots Jeff Hammond and pleads self-defense. Her husband Robert has the lawyer Howard Joyce flown in. His employee Ong Chi Seng informed the lawyer about a letter. In the letter, she invites Hammond to visit her. Joyce confronts Leslie with the letter and tries to get a murder confession out of her. But Leslie can get the lawyer to buy the incriminating letter. The letter is in the possession of Hammond's widow, who is personally seeking $ 10,000 from Leslie. The deal is completed, Leslie's reputation is settled.
When Robert wanted to buy another plantation, he noticed the shortfall of $ 10,000. He questions his wife, who then confesses her guilt. Robert forgives her, but Mrs. Hammond cannot and takes revenge by stabbing Leslie.
background
The film is a remake of the 1929 film The Letter . Directed by Jean de Limur. Herbert Marshall played the murdered lover in this film, in the remake he played the murderess' husband. Jeanne Eagels , who played Leslie Crosbie in 1929 , was nominated for an Oscar for her performance, as was Bette Davis.
Further film adaptations of the novel: 1947 under the title adultery (OT: The Unfaithful) by Vincent Sherman with Ann Sheridan ; 1982 TV film by John Erman with Lee Remick .
16 years after the premiere of his version, William Wyler shot a live version for American television with Siobhán McKenna , John Mills and Michael Rennie .
Due to the Hays Code , the end of the film had to deviate from the end of the novel, as it was not tolerated that a murderer would get away.
James Stephenson made only three more films after this film. He died in 1941 of a heart attack. Victor Sen Yung is best known as the Chef Hop Sing from the TV series Bonanza .
The set of the film comes from the native German art director Carl Jules Weyl. Orry-Kelly was responsible for the costumes . The musical director was Leo F. Forbstein , the orchestra was directed by Hugo Friedhofer .
Reviews
"Authentic in the description of the milieu, atmospherically extremely dense, excellently played."
"Bette Davis delivers one of the best portrayals of her career as a murderer who is entangled in a web of lies to cover up what she did."
"'Oscar' winner William Wyler managed the atmospherically tightest and most gripping version."
Award
- Nomination in the category Best Film Music for Max Steiner Winners: Leigh Harline , Paul J. Smith and Ned Washington for Pinocchio, the wooden kid
- Nomination in the Best Actress category for Bette Davis. Winner: Ginger Rogers in Miss Kitty
- Nomination for Best Director for William Wyler. Winner: John Ford for the fruits of anger
- Nomination in the category Best Black and White Camera for Tony Gaudio Winner: George Barnes for Rebecca
- Nomination in the category Best Film Winner: Rebecca
- Nomination for Best Supporting Actor for James Stephenson Winner: Walter Brennan in The Westerner
- Nomination in the Best Pattern category for Warren Low. Winner: Anne Bauchens for Die Scharlachroten Reiter
Web links
- The Letter in the Internet Movie Database (English)
- Entry in the Classic Film Guide (English)