Strange Impersonation (film)
| Strange Impersonation | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Anthony Mann |
| Produced by | W. Lee Wilder |
| Screenplay by | Mindret Lord |
| Story by |
Lewis Herman Anne Wigton |
| Starring |
Brenda Marshall William Gargan Hillary Brooke |
| Music by | Alexander Laszlo |
| Cinematography | Robert Pittack |
| Editing by | John F. Link Sr. |
| Studio | W. Lee Wilder Productions |
| Distributed by | Republic Pictures |
| Release dates |
|
| Running time | 68 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Strange Impersonation is a 1946 film noir directed by Anthony Mann, featuring Brenda Marshall, William Gargan and Hillary Brooke.[1]
Plot
A disfigured woman scientist undergoes plastic surgery and then assumes the identity of a dead blackmailer.
Cast
- Brenda Marshall as Nora Goodrich
- William Gargan as Dr. Stephen Lindstrom
- Hillary Brooke as Arline Cole
- George Chandler as J W Rinse, plaintiffs' attorney
- Ruth Ford as Jane Karaski #1
- H.B. Warner as Dr. Mansfield, plastic surgeon
- Lyle Talbot as Insp. Malloy, chief interrogator
- Mary Treen as Talkative nurse
- Cay Forester as Miss Roper, interrogation witness
- Dick Scott as Detective
Reception
Critical response
Film critic Dennis Schwartz was disappointed with the film, being that it was directed by Anthony Mann, writing, "An early work directed by Anthony Mann (Raw Deal) that leaves a bad impression, giving few clues to his future greatness. After sitting through a ridiculous tale that is filled with plot holes as large as California, a contrived happy ending is suddenly thrown in without being earned. This oddity cheapie film, making its way in the world of noir, was flatly photographed and the screenplay lacked polish. ... The nightmare story ends in the police station with a bogus surprise ending that left me feeling used."[2]
Film critic Glenn Erickson is positive about the film writing "Strange Impersonation is a fun oddity, a female version of The Scar (Hollow Triumph) (or perhaps The Woman in the Window) but without an organized crime angle. It's the kind of Cornell Woolrich yarn that depends on an unlikely but entertaining twist concept. ... The future director of El Cid and a half-dozen landmark James Stewart westerns shows a flair for dramatic confrontations. Strange Impersonation never looks cheap even though its limited cast works in just a few sets. Not surprisingly, the underlying message implies that if professional women want to be happy, they need to stop working and marry."[3]
References
- ↑ Strange Impersonation at the American Film Institute Catalog.
- ↑ Schwartz, Dennis. Ozus' World Movie Reviews, film review, April 23, 2005. Accessed: July 11, 2013.
- ↑ Erickson, Glenn. DVD Savant, film and DVD review, December 11, 2007. Accessed: July 11, 2013.
External links
- Strange Impersonation at the American Film Institute Catalog
- Strange Impersonation at the Internet Movie Database
- Strange Impersonation at allmovie
- Strange Impersonation at the TCM Movie Database
- Strange Impersonation information site and DVD review at DVD Beaver (includes images)
- Strange Impersonation complete film at YouTube