Another Man's Poison

Rating:
Summary: THIS MOVIE IS POISON...BUT BETTE DAVIS MAKES IT PALATABLE...
Review: This film, based upon the play "Deadlock" by Leslie Sands, is not one of those films that will make the viewer stand up and cheer. Were it not for Bette Davis, it would probably not even merit a viewing, so improbable is the script with which she has to work. The other cast members, as well, have thankless roles.

Davis lights up the screen as mystery novelist, Janet Frobisher, who lives in isolated splendor on the Yorkshire moors in England. Her nearest neighbor is the local busy body and veterinarian, Dr. Henderson, a role gamely played by Emlyn Williams. Frobisher, a selfish, amoral vixen, falls in love with her secretary's fiance, Larry (Anthony Steele). One little problem stands in her way of eternal bliss. She, herself, is married to a man with a criminal past, one with whom she has had little contact in recent years. In the first few minutes of the film, it is revealed that she has single handedly and cold bloodedly dispatched her husband, who has had the misfortune to show up unexpectedly, to the great beyond. Unfortunately for her, she gets an unwelcome, surprise visitor on the heels of her murderous act, when her husband's partner in crime, George Bates, shows up looking for him.

The improbable storyline that follows is kept afloat by Ms. Davis alone. Gary Merrill, the real life husband of Bette Davis at the time, stoically and woodenly plays the thankless role of George Bates. He, as well as the rest of the cast, fades into the background, when on screen with Ms. Davis. Even Ms. Davis, however, is unable to keep this clunker totally afloat. Stagey, with leaden dialogue and a ridiculous premise, this film would have immediately tanked, were it not for the Ms. Davis. Struggling valiantly with this turkey, Ms. Davis smokes, drinks, kills, and loves, as only Ms. Davis can, with over the top acting that manages to make the viewer stay with the film. Davis devotees will, undoubtedly, enjoy this film, despite its many flaws.

This no frills DVD offers little more than an extensive list of Ms. Davis' films by way of special features. The sound and picture quality of this ninety minute, black and white film, however, is good.

Rating:
Summary: THIS MOVIE IS POISON...BUT BETTE DAVIS MAKES IT PALATABLE...
Review: This film, based upon the play "Deadlock" by Leslie Sands, is not one of those films that will make the viewer stand up and cheer. Were it not for Bette Davis, it would probably not even merit a viewing, so improbable is the script with which she has to work. The other cast members, as well, have thankless roles.

Davis lights up the screen as mystery novelist, Janet Frobisher, who lives in isolated splendor on the Yorkshire moors in England. Her nearest neighbor is the local busy body and veterinarian, Dr. Henderson, a role gamely played by Emlyn Williams. Frobisher, a selfish, amoral vixen, falls in love with her secretary's fiance, Larry (Anthony Steele). One little problem stands in her way of eternal bliss. She, herself, is married to a man with a criminal past, one with whom she has had little contact in recent years. In the first few minutes of the film, it is revealed that she has single handedly and cold bloodedly dispatched her husband, who has had the misfortune to show up unexpectedly, to the great beyond. Unfortunately for her, she gets an unwelcome, surprise visitor on the heels of her murderous act, when her husband's partner in crime, George Bates, shows up looking for him.

The improbable storyline that follows is kept afloat by Ms. Davis alone. Gary Merrill, the real life husband of Bette Davis at the time, stoically and woodenly plays the thankless role of George Bates. He, as well as the rest of the cast, fades into the background, when on screen with Ms. Davis. Even Ms. Davis, however, is unable to keep this clunker totally afloat. Stagey, with leaden dialogue and a ridiculous premise, this film would have immediately tanked, were it not for the Ms. Davis. Struggling valiantly with this turkey, Ms. Davis smokes, drinks, kills, and loves, as only Ms. Davis can, with over the top acting that manages to make the viewer stay with the film. Davis devotees will, undoubtedly, enjoy this film, despite its many flaws.

This no frills DVD offers little more than an extensive list of Ms. Davis' films by way of special features. The sound and picture quality of this ninety minute, black and white film, however, is good.

Rating:
Summary: Bette is only the sweet thing in this poison.
Review: To the point : There is no doubt that Bette Davis is the greatest actress in the world. She was at the right time and the right place, and above all she was talented. Meryl Streep have the same kind of success that Bette had,unfortunately we don't have too many great roles today for great actress like Streep. For you fans, I think you won't find any meat to sink your teeth in Another Man's Posion. If you really want to see Bette's best performance apart from the obvious like All about Eve, Dark Victory, Now Voyager, etc Maybe you should see Mr Skeffington, Dead Ringer, The Anniversary or even Beyond Forest Bette's last film with Warner which she thought was really bad.But, apart form miscasting Joseph Cotten, Bette can turned a bad film to a watch-able one. ...