Loved it! | Dead Ringer | Bette Davis, Karl Malden

Another Bette Davis Classic that does well | Dead Ringer | Bette Davis, Karl Malden

DVDs:


	• Dead Ringer Bette Davis, Karl Malden Warner Home Video, 2004 average customer review:based on 34 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

A little lurid, a little over-the-top, but always entertaining

A little noirish, a little trashy, "Dead Ringer" is solid fun, and can proudly take its place next to other films in Bette Davis' early 60's "thriller/shocker" period like "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?" and "Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte". While not as polished as those other films, this in-your-face gem has much to recommend it: Bette Davis in dual twin-sister roles, some fine supporting performances, and even a little genuine psychological complexity, as the story doesn't go the simple good twin/bad twin route, but shows two characters with both positive and negative traits (as well as those pesky fatal flaws that will inevitably bite one on the bottom). An added bonus is a fine score by classical music conductor Andre Previn, which holds the whole work together.

The widescreen image features a sharp black-and-white print and crisp sound, further enhancing the viewing experience. Extras include a commentary track with film scholar Boze Hadleigh, a short but informative discussion of the film by Mr. Hadleigh, the film's trailer, and one or two other short items of interest.

In the end, I agree with Mr. Hadleigh that "Dead Ringer" may not be one of the greats among Ms. Davis' film legacy, but it's a good, solid entry, especially considering the lack of truly first-rate material that was offered to the aging film legend by the time the 1960's rolled around. In any event, you shouldn't hesitate to give this one a whirl if you enjoy discovering or rediscovering the films of our classic actors and actresses.

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Loved it!

I am a Bette Davis fan to the core. This was an excellent movie. It is a suspenseful movie and with a surprise ending. Watching Bette Davis play both roles as two sisters was amazing. I loved every minute of it.

Another Bette Davis Classic that does well

This is a pretty good performance by Bette Davis, Karl Malden in a movie that features a "poor twin" and a "rich twin". The "poor twin" kills the "rich twin" and takes over her life.

Pretty similar to another movie called "Stolen Life" that explores the same theme, except she takes over the twins life after an accident, not after killing her.

Although not one of her best, it is still a good watch and a good performance by both actors.

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Davis a legend

After seeing Whatever happened to Baby Jane I looked forward to this movie. Must admit I was quite disappointed in the film as such but Davis remains a legend. I will recommend this movie for its excellent performance but it is not on the same level as Baby Jane.

DEAD RINGER

DEAD RINGER is one of Bette Davis' best works in the later part of her

carreer. Her anguish,pain, and fear can be experienced by the viewer as

you follow her road of no return.

Hot on the heels of What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, Bette Davis slipped neatly into another juicy thriller. This time, instead of co-starring with Joan Crawford, she got to play opposite... herself. Dead Ringer casts Davis as a wealthy (and nasty) widow, and also as her slatternly (but good) twin sister, long estranged. When the poor sister discovers the depths of her sib's evil, she takes a dramatic step that will test her skills as a thespian. Davis's old leading man, Paul Henreid, directs this material at a leaden pace, but Davis gives such a brazen performance, she pulls it through. Plus, the moments of high trash (a red-hot poker rammed into a hand, a lethal dog attack) are easily savored. Peter Lawford's seedy playboy and Karl Malden's stolid cop fill out the key supporting roles--not that anybody else matters. This is Bette Davis's world; everybody else is just visiting. --Robert Horton

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reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

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