Co-written by the talented writer Nunnally Johnson, "Phone Call from a Stranger" attempts to make a statement about the human condition by intertwining the lives of four travelers who meet randomly via a flight to Los Angeles on, if you can believe, Grand Canyon Airlines. Unfortunately Johnson and his co-writer, I.A.R. Wylie, "borrowed" the idea from the 1927 novel by Thornton Wilder, "The Bridge of San Luis Rey." Otherwise, the theme of the film would be more intriguing than what it is.
Four passengers visit with one another as their flight is delayed because of inclement weather. One, Eddie Hoke (Keenan Wynn), is a prankster who travels for a novelty company. Another, Binky Gay (Shelley Winters), is a stripper with a winning personality. Then there's a physician, Dr. Robert Fortness (Michael Rennie), who has a horrible secret he hides. The fourth is a lawyer, David L. Trask (Gary Merrill), who has walked out on his wife following her confession that she has just ended an affair.
Good-time Eddie calls the circle of acquaintances, the Four Musketeers. The names and addresses of the four are written down by the group in case something unforeseen happens in flight. The four companions become very talkative about their lives. Binky is somewhat of a character analyst and proceeds to dissect each member of the troupe. Eddie surprises everyone by passing around a picture of his gorgeous wife. Being somewhat of a plain-looking buffoon with an obnoxious personality, Eddie catches their attention with the photograph. In private Dr. Fortness informs Trask of his situation, hiring Trask to be his attorney.
Not wanting to give away the twists and turns of the story for those who watch "Phone Call from a Stranger" for the first time, just let me say that the lives are explored in more detail as a result of what happens to the four while in route to Los Angeles. There is some clever humor along the way provided by Binky's family. And it may be the only place to hear Craig Stevens as Binky's husband, Mike Carr, croon a tune. Another attempt at levity is using puns for the names of motel bars, such as Meander Inn, Hop Inn, Jump Inn, etc. The final scene with Bette Davis as Eddie's curvaceous wife is the high point of the picture, giving the viewer a perspective on life worth pondering.
Davis steals the show with her brief appearance, but Shelley Winters nearly matches her acting skill in a well-written part. Noteworthy too is the magnificent performance of Keenan Wynn, a highly underrated actor from the era. Even Ward Cleaver (Hugh Beaumont) shines in a bit part, showing the audience that he had great Thespian potential before being typecast on TV.
This episodic film has some great moments but falters in some parts, particularly in the melodramatic soap opera sequence concerning Dr. Fortness' runaway son, Jerry (Ted Donaldson), the weakest section of the movie. Why director Jean Negulesco drags this out for so long is unclear. Also, the special effects concerning the plane are weak by today's standards. Overall, however, the film has more successes than failures, making it worthwhile, especially for Bette Davis fans.
Four passengers visit with one another as their flight is delayed because of inclement weather. One, Eddie Hoke (Keenan Wynn), is a prankster who travels for a novelty company. Another, Binky Gay (Shelley Winters), is a stripper with a winning personality. Then there's a physician, Dr. Robert Fortness (Michael Rennie), who has a horrible secret he hides. The fourth is a lawyer, David L. Trask (Gary Merrill), who has walked out on his wife following her confession that she has just ended an affair.
Good-time Eddie calls the circle of acquaintances, the Four Musketeers. The names and addresses of the four are written down by the group in case something unforeseen happens in flight. The four companions become very talkative about their lives. Binky is somewhat of a character analyst and proceeds to dissect each member of the troupe. Eddie surprises everyone by passing around a picture of his gorgeous wife. Being somewhat of a plain-looking buffoon with an obnoxious personality, Eddie catches their attention with the photograph. In private Dr. Fortness informs Trask of his situation, hiring Trask to be his attorney.
Not wanting to give away the twists and turns of the story for those who watch "Phone Call from a Stranger" for the first time, just let me say that the lives are explored in more detail as a result of what happens to the four while in route to Los Angeles. There is some clever humor along the way provided by Binky's family. And it may be the only place to hear Craig Stevens as Binky's husband, Mike Carr, croon a tune. Another attempt at levity is using puns for the names of motel bars, such as Meander Inn, Hop Inn, Jump Inn, etc. The final scene with Bette Davis as Eddie's curvaceous wife is the high point of the picture, giving the viewer a perspective on life worth pondering.
Davis steals the show with her brief appearance, but Shelley Winters nearly matches her acting skill in a well-written part. Noteworthy too is the magnificent performance of Keenan Wynn, a highly underrated actor from the era. Even Ward Cleaver (Hugh Beaumont) shines in a bit part, showing the audience that he had great Thespian potential before being typecast on TV.
This episodic film has some great moments but falters in some parts, particularly in the melodramatic soap opera sequence concerning Dr. Fortness' runaway son, Jerry (Ted Donaldson), the weakest section of the movie. Why director Jean Negulesco drags this out for so long is unclear. Also, the special effects concerning the plane are weak by today's standards. Overall, however, the film has more successes than failures, making it worthwhile, especially for Bette Davis fans.