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A Stolen Life
A Stolen Life
	Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Curtis Bernhardt
Screenplay by	Catherine Turney; Margaret Buell Wilder (adaptation)
Based on	Uloupeny Zivot; 1935 novel; by Karel Josef Benes
Produced by	Bette Davis
Starring	Bette Davis; Glenn Ford; Dane Clark; Walter Brennan; Charlie Ruggles; Bruce Bennett
Cinematography	Ernest Haller; Sol Polito
Edited by	Rudi Fehr
Music by	Max Steiner
Production; company	B.D. Production
Distributed by	Warner Bros.
Release date	July 6, 1946;
Running time	109 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$2,217,000
Box office	$4,785,000; $3 million (US rentals)

A Stolen Life is a 1946 American drama film starring Bette Davis, who also produced it. The film, based on the 1935 novel A Stolen Life by Karel Josef Benes, was directed by Curtis Bernhardt. Among the supporting cast are Glenn Ford, Dane Clark, Peggy Knudsen, Charlie Ruggles, and Bruce Bennett. It is a remake of the 1939 British film Stolen Life starring Elisabeth Bergner and Michael Redgrave.

It was nominated for Best Special Effects (William C. McGann; Special Audible Effects by Nathan Levinson) at the 19th Academy Awards, but lost to Blithe Spirit.

The second time Davis played twin sisters was in Dead Ringer (1964).

Plot

Kate Bosworth is a sincere, demure artist who misses her boat to an island off New England, where she intends to meet her twin sister Patricia and her cousin Freddie. She persuades Bill Emerson to take her home in his boat. Later, their relationship grows while she paints a portrait of Eben Folger, the old lighthouse keeper, and Kate falls very much in love.

Her sister Pat, a flamboyant, man-hungry manipulator, fools Bill when she first meets him by pretending to be Kate. Pat then pursues him on a trip out of town, and when they return, they announce to Kate their intention to marry.

A heartbroken Kate focuses on her work with a rude but very talented artist named Karnock, but rejects his romantic overtures. Bill eventually goes to Chile, allowing Kate to spend some time with her sister, whom she has not seen since the marriage. When the two go sailing, a sudden storm washes Pat overboard and she drowns, her sister inadvertently seizing her wedding ring while trying to save her. Kate passes out and is washed ashore in the boat. When she regains consciousness, she is mistaken for Pat.

Bill is about to return, so Kate decides to assume her late sister's identity. To her surprise, she learns that Bill is angry at Pat for her many affairs and in no mood to continue the marriage. Cousin Freddie has guessed the truth and insists that Kate must reveal to Bill her real identity. When she does, Bill realizes that Kate is the one he truly loves.

Cast

Bette Davis as Kate and Patricia Bosworth
Glenn Ford as Bill Emerson
Dane Clark as Karnock
Walter Brennan as Eben Folger
Charlie Ruggles as Freddie Linley
Bruce Bennett as Jack R. Talbot
Peggy Knudsen as Diedre
Esther Dale as Mrs. Johnson
Clara Blandick as Martha
Joan Winfield as Lucy
Jack Mower as George (uncredited)
Leo White as Waiter (uncredited)

Box office

According to Warner Bros. records, the film earned $3,222,000 domestically and $1,563,000 foreign.^[1]

Reception

The Brooklyn Eagle criticized the plot's implausibilities while complimenting the cast: "Bette Davis is trying her hand...on a drama of two twin sisters, a film that Elisabeth Bergner used as a comeback vehicle in 1939. It is 'A Stolen Life,' a challenge to an actress but not a very rewarding drama. It is filled with emotional highspots and it scores an exciting melodramatic climax, but it fails utterly to be convincing....Individually, Miss Davis' characterizations are good....Glenn Ford is agreeable....Dane Clark draws a sharp but elaborate portrait....Charlie Ruggles adds an occasional and welcome dash of comedy....But 'A Stolen Life' needs a more serious operation than they can perform."^[3]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c Warner Bros financial information in The William Schaefer Ledger. See Appendix 1, Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television, (1995) 15:sup1, 1-31 p 26 DOI: 10.1080/01439689508604551
^ "60 Top Grossers of 1946", Variety 8 January 1947 p8
^ Cohn, Herbert. "Screen: Bette Davis at the Fox." Brooklyn Eagle, 13 July 1946, 12.