The Man with a Cloak
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The Man with a Cloak is a 1951 film directed by Fletcher Markle and starring Joseph Cotten, Barbara Stanwyck, Louis Calhern, Leslie Caron.
Set in 1848 New York, the film's mysterious title character (Cotton) - an impecunious heavy drinker who goes by the name of Dupin - helps a young Frenchwoman, Madeline Minot (Caron), to claim her rightful inheritance from her wealthy old father-in-law - a crusty expatriate Frenchman named Thenevet. To do this they have to circumvent the machinations of his maid (Stanwyck) and butler, who were hoping to cash in on his fortune. At the end of the film Dupin's true identity as is revealed as Edgar Allan Poe.
Markle originally wanted Marlene Dietrich for the role of the scheming maid and Lionel Barrymore for the ailing millionaire, but Barrymore was too ill in real life and when Marlene said no Barbara Stanwyck jumped in. Also, while filming Stanwyck was going through a hard divorce with actor husband Robert Taylor.
[edit] Cinematic clues as to Dupin's true identity
- He shares the same name as Poe's famous detective.
- He is heavy drinker.
- He runs up a large bar bill which he cannot pay.
- The presence of a raven, as a pet of the old man.
