Watch Love from a Stranger For Free

Good concept, poorly executed.

a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

That is saying a fair bit actually because the Sylvia Sidney version was dramatically underwhelming and not easy to get into. This film does take its time to get going, with the beginning moving rather slowly, and Bruce Seton is wooden. But there is so much to like about Love from a Stranger. The production values, from the period detail to the photography, is very pleasing to look at, and Benjamin Britten's(only 23/24 at the time) score has a haunting undercurrent as well as stylistically distinctive. The dialogue is snappy and adds intensity rather than falling too much into stodgy melodrama. And the storytelling is far more convincing, the middle is suspenseful, helped by a far more convincing exploration of the psychological and psychopathic aspects of the characters and story, and the somewhat ironic ending is very tense. In the later version, the ending was ridiculously done and what was suspenseful here was undermined by overwrought melodrama and real stodginess. Director Ronald V. Lee sets things up with a smooth and neat approach, and the cast are top notch, Joan Hickson and Binnie Hale stand out in support. But it's the leads who carry with a classy and dignified Ann Harding and a genuinely menacing Basil Rathbone. Overall, a very good film that starts slowly but rewarding once you stay with it. Comparing this with the later version with Sylvia Sidney and John Hodiak, there is no doubt that it's this one that is the far superior film version. 8/10 Bethany

Ann Harding was capable of delivering as fine a dramatic screen performance as any actress of her generation. That is a big statement, but watch this film and you will be impressed with her performance every minute she is on screen. It is that good.Rathbone seemed to get a lot of roles requiring a lot of dramatic "flair", such as Dr. Frankenstein, Sherlock Holmes, and this role here. Within that context he always delivers what is required, which is to walk the fine line between overacting and "flair".While a bit slow developing, the good acting by all the cast in "A Night of Terror" will hold your attention, and will leave you wanting to look for more Ann Harding films.If you are a fan of good, straight, no-gimmick drama, watch this one.

This is a movie based on a Agatha Christie story.Basil Rathbone plays Gerald he is a great actor. Ann Harding who plays Carol wins the lottery. It show how easily she is fooled by sweet talk from a man, a stranger no less. She is a very generous and kind hearted soul. You want to kind of slap her and wake her up, she believes the best in someone she hardly knows. She breaks off her engagement with Ronnie and goes off on a trip where Gerald shows up on the same ship and befriends her. Gerald & Carol marry soon after. Gerald buys a house with her money where there are no neighbors, phones or regular contacts. He starts acting strange and shows his anger towards her that scares her & starts to make her question his sanity. He makes her read a story out loud of a criminal named Fletcher that killed 3 women from a book about criminals. He then tells her how he knows what women want and how he uses them. She gets a wake call. Gerald has an ending in store for his new bride Carol, and boy does she have one for him. It is kind of funny watching the two inter-re-act while she goes into detail and drama about how she killed someone. He is really into her story. Now go watch it!!

Love from a Stranger (1937) *** (out of 4) A poor woman (Ann Harding) wins the lottery and soon she's swept off her feet by a nice man (Basil Rathbone) but after they're married she begins to think he has a few secrets including murder. Director Rowland V. Lee does a good job on this story by Agatha Christie and builds some nice atmosphere, which helps matters. Harding is very good in her role but the real key here is Rathbone who, as later in Son of Frankenstein, goes through a nervous breakdown, which is wonderful to watch. Some might call it over the top but I think he does a good job at showing the character losing his mind. Some slow segments hamper the film but the ending certainly makes up for that.