The.strange.love.of.martha.ivers.1946.... | Subtitle

: Though some contemporary 1946 reviews found her performance to lack conviction, modern viewers often praise her as a "morally conflicted" and "sympathetic" ex-con who provides a necessary contrast to Martha's coldness. Production Trivia

: While Stanwyck is the titular character, some critics argue that Van Heflin’s Sam is the film's "heart and soul," representing a ray of light and a way out of the corrupt town. subtitle The.Strange.Love.of.Martha.Ivers.1946....

: The film's introduction—featuring a dark, stormy night, a runaway girl, and a brutal act involving a walking stick—is described by some as "melodrama with all the stops pulled out," comparable to the high-stakes intensity of an Italian opera. Performances and Cast Highlights : Though some contemporary 1946 reviews found her

: One interesting modern interpretation suggests that the "strange love" referenced in the title is actually self-love , reflecting an ambivalence about the "exceptional" society of post-WWII America. Performances and Cast Highlights : One interesting modern

: This was the screen debut for Kirk Douglas, who played against his future "tough guy" type as an alcoholic, weak-willed husband .