Not as a Stranger (1955)

User Rating:

6.7/10   

Director:

Stanley Kramer

Writers:

Edna Anhalt (writer)
Edward Anhalt (writer)

Release Date:

July 1955 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

An arrogant doctor financially supported by his wife believes he's a god until his own mistake costs a good friend's life.

Plot Keywords:

Doctor | Medical Student | Medical | Operation | Expectant Father

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Olivia de Havilland	...	Kristina Hedvigson
Robert Mitchum	...	Lucas Marsh
Frank Sinatra	...	Alfred Boone
Gloria Grahame	...	Harriet Lang
Broderick Crawford	...	Dr. Aarons
Charles Bickford	...	Dr. Dave W. Runkleman
Myron McCormick	...	Dr. Snider
Lon Chaney Jr.	...	Job Marsh (as Lon Chaney)
Jesse White	...	Ben Cosgrove
Harry Morgan	...	Oley
Lee Marvin	...	Brundage
Virginia Christine	...	Bruni
Whit Bissell	...	Dr. Dietrich
Jack Raine	...	Dr. Lettering
Mae Clarke	...	Nurse Odell

Also Known As:

Morton Thompson's Not as a Stranger (USA) (complete title)

Runtime:

135 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Certification:

Australia:PG | Finland:K-16

Filming Locations:

California Studios - 5530 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Stanley Kramer Productions

Trivia:

This is one of the first films where an actual human heart is seen beating during open-heat surgery.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When Dr Runkleman is undergoing surgery near the end of the film, there are several close-ups of an electrocardiograph as it monitors the procedure. However, there are no leads (wires) connecting it to the patient.

Quotes:

Dr. Snider: God help him, he made a mistake.

Movie Connections:

References Internes Can't Take Money (1937)

Soundtrack:

Not as a Stranger

Good Cast carries Film

I rated "Not as a Stranger" fairly high due mainly to the superb cast rather than the somewhat disappointing direction. Prior to this, Stanley Kramer had done some very fine work, and the Book offered him a great opportunity to make a landmark film, but I felt that it just misses the mark. However, one cannot speak too highly of the acting of Olivia de Havilland, Frank Sinatra, Broderick Crawford and Charles Bickford who were all superb, while I was pleased by Robert Mitchum's efforts to portray this two-timing Doctor but still thought certain other actors would have been better suited to the role. Gloria Grahame has never been a special favorite of mine, but did do well. It has been criticised a lot over the years, but it did not deserve some of the brickbats thrown at it.