Classic Film Guide

Strange Love Of Martha Ivers, The (1946)

Barbara Stanwyck plays the title role in this drama also starring Van Heflin and Kirk Douglas. As a child, Heflin left his small town on a train when it was suspected that he was responsible for a crime. He returns years later to find that the real culprit of the crime, Stanwyck, is married to the just elected district attorney, Douglas, though she wears the pants in the marriage given the fact that she inherited the family fortune upon her aunt's (Judith Anderson) death, the crime for which Heflin’s character was suspected per his absence. Lizabeth Scott plays a transient woman Heflin picks up when he returns to town. Of course, Stanwyck is still attracted to her former beau, especially because her husband is rather wimpy and a drunkard to boot (that's right, Kirk Douglas against type!). Neither Stanwyck, who tries to seduce him, nor Douglas, who uses his newfound position to threaten him, want Heflin to reveal the true secret of the long forgotten crime. John Patrick's Original Story was nominated for an Oscar. Directed by Lewis Milestone with a screenplay by Robert Rossen.

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