A Stolen Life (Warner Bros.) (1946)

Strand Will Show New Warner Drama Beginning Friday (Advance Theatre Story) Warner Bros.’ new romantic drama, “A Stolen Life,” coming to the Strand Theatre on Friday, is exactly the kind of screen vehicle for which Bette Davis fans have been clamoring. For, more so than any of her earlier films, this unusual story affords Hollywood’s most capable actress the opportunity to display her histrionic talents to an unparalleled degree. It’s a _ veritable field day for the star as she deftly portrays twin sisters as unalike as twins can possibly be. With New England, Miss Davis’ own stomping ground, for the principal locale, the picture relates the engrossing story of two sisters and their love for the same man. The one twin, Kate, is a completely lovable, selfless, understanding and sympathetic character; whereas the other, Pat, is of an extremely selfish, ambitious, unscrupulous ilk. Their mutual love for Bill Emerson (Glenn Ford), a handsome engineer who works for the government as a lighthouse inspector, culminates in happiness for one and tragedy for the other. Topnotch Supporting Cast An excellent supporting cast under the direction of Curtis Bernhardt handles the other important roles. Dane Clark, whose last picture was “Her Kind Of Man,” plays Karnok, a talented artist who needles Kate into her first decisive action. Walter Brennan portrays Eben Folger, laconic New England lighthouse keeper who can best appreciate Bill’s ambitions. Others featured in the film are Charles Ruggles as Freddie Linley, the twin’s humorous cousin and Kate’s devoted confidant, and Bruce Bennett as Jack Talbot, on whom the exciting climax of the picture hinges. The screenplay for “A Stolen Life” was written by Catherine Turney and adapted by Margaret Buell Wilder from a novel by Karel J. Benes. The film’s original score was composed by Max Steiner. ‘A Stolen Life’ Makes Local Debut At Strand Today (Opening Day Reader) “A Stolen Life,” a Warner Bros. drama _ starring Bette Davis and featuring Glenn Ford, Dane Clark, Walter Brennan and Charlie Ruggles, opens today at the Strand Theatre. In the new film, Miss Davis portrays her first cinematic dual role. She plays a pair of ident1-¢:a le atwins, one of whom is a_ serious, forthright artist. The other is an adventuress who ri Mat No. 1D vals her sister Glenn Ford for the affec tions of a young engineer. “A Stolen Life” was directed for Warner Bros. by Curtis Bernhardt. The screenplay was written by Catherine Turney and adapted by Margaret Buell Wilder from the novel by Karel J. Benes. Max Steiner composed the original music. Confronted by the eccentric artist Karnok (Dane Clark), Kate Bosworth (Bette Davis) makes a momentous decision in the above scene from Warner Bros.' "A Stelen Life,"' currently at the Strand Theatre. The film, which stars Miss Davis in a dual role, also features Glenn Ford, Walter Brennan and MAT NO. 2A Charlie Ruggles. A Star Story With A Human Interest Angle That’s Equally Good For Women’s Pages Or Weekend Supplements Star Of ‘A Stolen Life’ Led Hectic War Existence So much has happened during the past few years in the life and career of Bette Davis, now starring in Warners’ “A Stolen Life” at the Strand, that the general public has had difficulty keeping up with her. Miss Davis was probably the busiest young woman in the entire motion picture colony during all the war years. With John Garfield she organized and then headed the famed Hollywood Canteen which entertained more than 3,500,000 servicemen and women during the war. When its doors were finally closed late in 1945, a reserve fund of $500,000 was turned over to appropriate authorities for use in aiding veterans. The star’s wartime activity is mentioned first because it is the one that she herself considers of prime importance. The star’s multiple activities during the strenuous years that followed Pearl Harbor did not deter her, however, from the continuation of her career on the screen. Always daring in her acceptance or selection of roles in pictures, Bette appeared in “The Corn Is Green,” which had previously been made memorable by Ethel Barrymore in the New York theatre and on tour. A more timid player, even one in Bette’s enviable position in the film industry, would have hesitated, if not refused, to follow Miss Barrymore in such an exacting and unglamorous role. She played it, however, without mental or emotional reserve, and its success was ample evidence that filmgoers everywhere approved the choice. Prior to that Miss Davis had eagerly accepted another very difficult part, one which was not the title role but certainly the most important of the production. With “Mr. Skeffington,” Miss Davis won new acclaim for her ability with an unsympathetic characterization, of which she has played a great number, beginning, some years ago, with the role of the hateful Mildred in “Of Human Bondage.” She played herself in “Hollywood Canteen” and by doing so added materially to the amount of money received by the Canteen from Warner Bros. for the use of the name and the idea. Other screen work during the war years included “The Man Who Came To Dinner,” released about the time war was declared, in which she also garnered great critical and public applause. In 1942 “In This Our Life,” was released and gave her another chance to show how competently she plays unpleasant characters on the screen. ‘Now, Voyager,” released during the second war year, was one of the star’s most successful ventures and pushed her romantic partner, Paul Hen BETTE DAVIS fans will be glad to hear that they get a double helping of their favorite star in Warners’ "A Stolen Life,"" opening at the Strand on Friday. Bette plays a dual role in the film, which features Glenn Ford, Dane Clark, Walter Brennan and Charlie Ruggles in supporting roles. MAT NO. IF reid, to immediate stardom. The year 1942 also saw Bette in “Watch On The Rhine,” the picture which won the Academy Award for Paul Lukas. “Old Acquantance” followed in 1943, after which the actress appeared as a comedienne songplugger in “Thank Your Lucky Stars.” During the same years Miss Davis’ personal life was undergoing great and unexpected changes. On August 25, 1943, her husband, Arthur Farnsworth, died unexpectedly in Hollywood. Not long afterward her mother, long associated with Bette in her career and often sharing the star’s home with her, married. Then, on November 30, 1945, Bette married William Grant Sherry whom she had met a year before at her summer home in Laguna Beach, Califcrnia. Rivalry Between Twins Dealt With In Strand Drama (Current Theatre Story) A twin’s love for the same man her sister is in love with constitutes the central problem in Bette Davis’ latest starring vehicle, Warners’ “A _ Stolen Life,” currently playing at the Strand Theatre. Miss Davis, plays both twins whose love for the character portrayed by Glenn Ford ends in tragedy for one and happiness for the other, and the actress has an excellent opportunity to display her unlimited abilities. Contains Unusual Conflict An unusual story, rife with conflict and rivalry, the film is based on a novel by Karel J. Benes adapted by Margaret Buell Wilder and made into a screenplay by Catherine Turney. It presents an acting challenge well met, for the one twin, Kate, is extremely lovable and selfless; whereas Pat is thoroughly hateful and _ contemptible. Kate loves Bill for his simplicity and modest ambitions while to Pat he is merely another engaging admirer. Others in a generally excellent supporting cast include Dane Clark, winner of the award for this year’s most promising young actor, as Karnok, an artist under whose strict tutelage Kate works in an effort to forget Bill; Walter Brennan as a cantankerous New England lighthousekeeper and_ Bill’s best and most understanding friend; Charlie Ruggles as cousin Freddie, the twin’s humorous benefactor; and Bruce Bennett, remembered for his excellent characterization of Joan Crawford’s husband in “Mildred Pierce,” in a dramatic role on which the picture’s exciting climax hinges. With New England as the principal locale, the film’s production is distinguished by authentic sets and realistic photography. The picture was directed by Curtis Bernhardt. Max Steiner wrote the picture’s original musical score. Bette Davis Back At Strand Friday In Warner Drama (Advance Reader) Bette Davis returns to the Strand screen on Friday in Warner Bros.’ “A Stolen Life,” a romantic drama in which Miss Davis plays the most unusual role of her distinguished film career — the dual role of identical twins who fall in love with the same man. The highly dramatic situation eventually culminMat No. 1A ates in tragDane Clark edy for one sister, happiness for the other. Glenn Ford plays the male lead while others in a generally excellent supporting cast include Dane Clark, Walter Brennan, Charlie Ruggles and Bruce Bennett. The film was directed by Curtis Bernhardt. Adapted by Margaret Buell Wilder from a novel by Karel J. Benes, the screenplay was written by Catherine Turney. 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