The working class twin sister of a callous wealthy woman impulsively murders her out of revenge and assumes the identity of the dead woman. But impersonating her dead twin is more complicated and risky than she anticipated.
Acting
Davis plays both twins—no split screen trickery needed
Costume
Widow's weeds vs. society gowns as character study
Direction
Henreid (Davis's ex!) directs her with intimate tension
Director
Paul Henreid
Bette Davis
Margaret DeLorca / Edith Phillips
Karl Malden
Sergeant Jim Hobbson
Peter Lawford
Tony Collins
Philip Carey
Sergeant Hoag
Jean Hagen
Dede Marshall
George Macready
Paul Harrison
Estelle Winwood
Dona Anna
George Chandler
George, Chauffeur
Cyril Delevanti
Henry, the Butler
Bert Remsen
Daniel 'Dan' Lister, Bartender
Charles Watts
Apartment Manager
Ken Lynch
Captain Johnson
Jon Lormer
Alonzo (uncredited)
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Davis suggested the project herself after seeing the 1946 version 'A Stolen Life.' She demanded Paul Henreid direct despite their messy romantic history.
This kicked off Davis's 'hagsploitation' era—middle-aged actresses in grotesque thrillers—peaking with 'Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?' two years earlier actually set the template.
US
