Exoticalot People are voting emotionally.

Baseshment I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

Stoutor It's not great by any means, but it's a pretty good movie that didn't leave me filled with regret for investing time in it.

Edwin The storyline feels a little thin and moth-eaten in parts but this sequel is plenty of fun.

nimstic I am a huge Barbara Stanwyck fan - knowing the eccentricities and snootiness she was known for, her acting genius especially playing femme fatales are unmatchable! The originality she brings into her characters is what makes her unique. I find it hard to imagine any other actor replicating what she does whether it is Ball of Fire or Double Indemnity or Lady Eve. In the role of Martha Ivers, Stanwyck shines like the brightest star in the whole set. She didn't have to do any of her lobbying with her strong Studio connection to make her stand out (Although rumor has it, she muscled all around to ensure she remains the star - not even Van Heflin, the real hero of the movie. There is a lingering delay in her screen entrance, and she does so mesmerizingly, leaving you completely perplexed who she really is. And it only gets trickier in the following scenes. I could not think of a more mysterious, intriguing portrayal of a character - perhaps, Sir Hopkins' Hannibal comes close. Her expressions, eye moments, the flash of emotions and sharp deliveries leave you wondering who really is Martha Ivers. To me, this is the highlight of the film.I mustn't forget this movie had a lot of other highpoints - especially Kirk Douglas doing what he does best, as Walter. But it was Van Heflin who really proved a closer match to Barbara in the movie. He carried the nonchalance, machismo & sensitivity that Sam, the lead character represents in the movie. Lizbeth Scott isn't my favourite actor, although she is gorgeous, her acting and facial expressions were an absolute sham.It is a wonderful noir film you wouldn't regret watching even if aren't a Stanwyck fan.

DKosty123 After watching this film, I had to check and the folks writing this one also wrote some other great scripts. Lewis Milestone direction here is excellent, even better than Ocean's 11 that he would do later. Of course with this cast, and a pretty good script, the director had Hal Wallis Productions, a good company working for him. This is a noir drama with all the filming being done at Paramont studios. I was really impressed with Van Heflin in this film. To me this is one of his best roles in any film. As Sam, he is great and he shows a chemistry with Lizabeth Scott and Barbara Stanwyck. His character is a gambler, after he grows up running off with the circus. Stanwyck's Ivers is one of her better roles, though Scott as Toni Marachek stands right up to her performance here.Kirk Douglas first screen role as Walter O'Neil is very good considering the quality of the cast he is working with. He shows a good chemistry with Stanwyck too. Sam (Heflin) gets to make out with both actresses, where Walter (Douglas) is a drunk who is tied to Ivers by a terrible childhood secret, Ayers murder of her benefactor and sole heir of her fortune. This murder is the key to the rest of the film.I will not reveal the rest of this, but will tell you that this film is well made and entertaining.

Antonius Block There are a few good moments in this noir film from 1946, and it's a fine cast with Barbara Stanwyck, Van Heflin, and Kirk Douglas, but overall it's overwrought, muddled, and I have to say, about 30 minutes too long. It starts off strong enough, with a young girl accidentally killing her cruel aunt during a thunderstorm in a house without power, in front of a boy who is a friend of the family and her boyfriend who she had intended to run away with. Flash forward 17-18 years, and Van Heflin (the boy who ran away on his own) returns to find the other two (Stanwyck and Douglas) married and in positions of great power in the town. Perhaps one character who confuses the script more than she's worth is Lizabeth Scott, playing a love interest of Heflin's. The film degenerates into melodrama, a confusion of motivations, dramatic music that will remind you of the old Star Trek series, and poor dialogue. It is interesting towards the end as Heflin tries to determine who the evil mastermind is between Stanwyck and Douglas, but the ending itself is poor. This one is overrated, and it's hard to understand the high review scores.

krocheav I never fully understood why this film only played at odd intervals, then found out it had fallen into the Public Domain. It's difficult to understand how a major American production company can let a major motion picture of its day lapse without renewing the rights! This seems to be the reason the ABC (Aust) are still running a copy struck from an old TV film print, and not a pristine remastered version.While at times the melodramatic aspects may seem a tad overwrought, this is compelling 40's viewing indeed. The story moves along at a good pace and offers a bevy of fascinating characters and situations. As with any works featuring the writings of award winner Robert Rossen, it has believable dialogue and here, it's delivered by convincing characters. If anything, the minor lapses are most likely due to fiddling or additions to the original draft. Rossen who preferred to work alone is well known for many superlative adaptations ie; 'The Sea Wolf' 41 ~ 'They won't Forget' 37 ~ 'All the Kings Men' 49 and 'The Hustler' in 61. It's said he was considerably upset by conflicts with Warren Beatty during the making of his last film 'Lilith' in 64. He died two years later at only 57yrs, survived by his lifetime wife and their children. As with other creative writers of this era, his career was heavily damaged during the paranoid days of the House of Un-American Activities. Being of Russian Jewish parentage he was always looking for an opportunity to stand up for the oppressed. Many of his political statements were excised from several of his scripts by film company exec's prior to release. In this film's case the uncredited script additions were by Robert Riskin; himself an award winning writer known for: 'Mr Deeds Goes to Town' 36 and 'Meet John Doe' in 41, but it's rare that a screenwriter can alter another's work and keep the mood perfectly. The original story 'Love Lies Bleeding' by John Patrick was nominated for an Oscar - he later followed up with 'The Hasty Heart' 49 and 'Gigot' in 62The cast work perfectly together right down to the support players. The great Van Heflin as the kid from the wrong side of the tracks returning home having made good, but from questionable means, turns in another strong performance. As does Barbara Stanwyck; playing the rich kid with everything but love, with Kirk Douglas as the son of a scheming father who benefits financially because he shares a dark secret from Stanwycks' past. It was Lauren Bacall who recommended fellow drama school colleague Issur Danielovitch Demsky (now Kirk Douglas) to producer Wallis that resulted in his selection for the second male lead...in his first major screen role he makes a terrific impression.Prolific Ukraine born Director Lewis Milestone of 'All Quite on the Western Front' 30 and 'Of Mice and Men' 39 fame, was also nominated when 'Martha Ivers' was first screened at Cannes film festival. Award winning Director of Photography Victor Milner also known for: 'Broken Lullaby' 32 and the epic 'Cleopatra' 35, leaves us with dazzling, moody, B/W images. Perhaps another minor gripe for me, the make up dept could have done more with Heflin's appearance, in the days that followed a roughing up by several of Douglas' paid henchmen. But how often we still see this sort of thing in many productions to this day. Miklos Rozsas' all too familiar big score, adds some excitement but is perhaps a bit over the top, still, followers of his work will be kept happy. Unfortunately Producer Hal B. Wallis was grooming new-comer Lizabeth Scott for stardom and had Edith Head design several provocative and obviously over glossy wardrobe items that were at odds with her character's standing. Barbara Stanwyck also gets to 'dress up to the hilt' but at least it suits her situation. Watch for future producer Blake Edwards as the sleepy Sailor hitching a ride in Heflin's car. The Image posted for this classic on IMDb's title page, shows the cover of a Paramount DVD, perhaps they finally found a good negative and gave it a well deserved polish for a re-release...? If you enjoy well made 40's drama, then this comes with a high recommendation for solid entertainment. KenR.