The Strange Love of Martha Ivers

Kirk Douglas made his film debut in this 1946 melodrama, an atmospheric excursion into pulp-fiction territory directed by Lewis Milestone. Although Douglas takes second billing to veteran femme fatale Barbara Stanwyck, he dominates the picture with his portrayal of Walter O'Neil, a wishy-washy, liquor-sodden district attorney married to the titular temptress played by Stanwyck. Walter is approached by old friend Sam Masterson (Van Heflin) to help clear minor trumped-up charges against a young woman named Toni Marachek (Lizabeth Scott), but Walter is unaware of the fact that Sam once hoped to marry Martha…and knows a murderous secret about her. Fearing that her former lover has plans for blackmail, Martha schemes to do away with Sam—but is torn because she still loves him. In the best film noir tradition, The Strange Love of Martha Ivers' plot twists like a pretzel and things end badly for some of the principal players. The performances are all first rate; Douglas's impressive tyro turn is equaled by Stanwyck's brittle performance and Heflin's effortlessly conveyed smarminess, while husky-voiced Scott radiates the allure that would quickly make her one of the genre's more memorable leading ladies. The film also earns high marks for its overall production values, with special recognition due Victor Milner for his crisp cinematography—which looks excellent on this extra-less disc—and Miklos Rozsa for his mood-enhancing musical score. Recommended. (E. Hulse)[Blu-ray Review—June 19, 2012—Film Chest, 116 min., not rated, $15.98—Making its first appearance on Blu-ray, 1946's The Strange Love of Martha Ivers sports a decent transfer with extras including audio commentary by author William Hare, a brief restoration demo, an original movie art postcard, trailers, and a bonus DVD copy of the film. Bottom line: a welcome Blu-ray debut of this classic noir.]