The Strange Love of Martha Ivers - BLU-RAY

Classic film noir doesn't get much darker than this sordid tale of betrayal, blackmail, intimidation and murder. Nor are you likely to find a more impressive cast in a noir feature than the one assembled here, and available here for the first time ever in High Definition Blu-ray. Martha Ivers (Barbara Stanwyck) is an heiress-turned-successful businesswoman. Sadly, she's spent much of her life bearing the burden of a horrific childhood event involving the rich, domineering aunt (Judith Anderson) who raised her, while subsequently enduring an unhappy marriage to Walter (Kirk Douglas), the local District Attorney. But everything could change for this power couple when her childhood sweetheart Sam (Van Heflin), now a drifter, shows up back in town one fateful night alongside new girlfriend Toni (Lizabeth Scott). Uncharacteristic for the noir genre, which typically featured B-movie production and B-level casts, the Strange Love of Martha Ivers was a comfortably-financed project with an adept collection of actors and an established director (but none the lighter on plot or cinematography). It is also the first-ever film role for actor Kirk Douglas. He was recommended for the job by none other than Lauren Bacall (who he knew from acting school) and delivers an intriguing performance as the sorry husband. Director Lewis Milestone, meanwhile, was no stranger to award-winning work, having previously won Oscars for Two Arabian Knights (1927) and All Quiet on the Western Front (1930). He would also go on to direct the original Oceans Eleven (1960). Film buffs will also want to keep an eye out for an un-credited cameo by a young Blake Edwards, who appears as a sailor hitching a ride with Sam!

When Sam Masterson (Van Heflin) returns to the neighborhood of his youth, he finds that his old friend Martha (Barbara Stanwyck) has married local District Attorney Walter ONeil (Kirk Douglas, making his screen debut). All seems fine on the surface, but Walter, Martha, and Sam share a horrible secret. Soon Sam finds himself drawn into Marthas web of fear and suspicion, and the results are classic film noir! Directed by Lewis Milestone (All Quiet on the Western Front) the film also features the iconic noir goddess, Lizabeth Scott!

The Strange Love of Martha Ivers is a 1946 American film noir drama starring Barbara Stanwyck, Van Heflin and features Kirk Douglas in his first film debut. In 1928 in a Pennsylvania town named Iverstown a thirteen-year-old girl Martha Ivers (Barbara Stanwyck) tries to run away from her domineering guardian aunt, Mrs. Ivers (Judith Anderson). Martha is retrieved and brought home to be scolded by her aunt as Martha proclaims her surname is not Ivers, but Smith after her father's name. Sam Masterson (Darryl Hickman) is a small child also under the control of Mrs. Ivers. During a power failure Sam comes for Martha, but Martha's aunt hears her calling to him from downstairs. Mrs. Ivers begins to beat Martha's kitten with her cane, but Martha wrestles the cane away and strikes Mrs. Ivers across the head with an iron poker, causing her to die. When the power comes back on Martha lies about the incident, and Sam backs her up. Seventeen years later Walter Jr. (Kirk Douglas) is now Iverstown's district attorney and is married to Martha who has used her inheritance to expand the Ivers milling empire. Their marriage in one-sided as Walter knows he loves Martha, but Martha does not love him. Sam (Van Heflin), now grown up, drives into town and goes to look at his old home, now a boarding house. While waiting for a car repair he meets Antonia (Lizabeth Scott) who gets arrested for a probation violation. Sam asks Walter to use his influence to get Antonio released from jail. When Martha. Sees Sam again, Walter becomes jealous and the plot thickens as the story takes form. The ending of this story will both surprise and stun you. This is a classic tale of the paths life takes us down - for better or for worse. (115 minutes - 1946 - Black & White - 4 3).