Talk About a Stranger
Talk About a Stranger is a 1952 American film noir directed by David Bradley and starring George Murphy, Nancy Davis and Billy Gray.[2] The motion picture was shot by noted cinematographer John Alton, A.S.C.
| Talk About a Stranger | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | David Bradley |
| Produced by | Richard Goldstone |
| Screenplay by | Margaret Fitts |
| Based on | the story "The Enemy" by Charlotte Armstrong |
| Starring | George Murphy Nancy Davis Billy Gray |
| Music by | David Buttolph |
| Cinematography | John Alton |
| Edited by | Newell P. Kimlin |
| Distributed by | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer |
Release date |
|
Running time | 65 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $481,000[1] |
| Box office | $375,000[1] |
Plot
The picture tells the story of Bud Fontaine Jr. (Billy Gray), who takes an instant dislike of Matlock, a strange new neighbor in town (Kurt Kasznar).
After his dog turns up dead by poison, Bud blames the stranger and sets off a campaign to smear his name and spread vicious rumors about him.
His parents (George Murphy and Nancy Davis) can't seem to handle the boy. After Bud endangers the crops in the valley by his vandalism of the neighbor's oil tank, and is told the dog was killed by eating poisoned meat meant for coyotes, Bud comes to realize that people are not always what they appear to be.
Cast
- George Murphy as Robert Fontaine Sr.
- Nancy Davis as Marge Fontaine
- Billy Gray as Robert 'Bud' Fontaine Jr.
- Lewis Stone as William J. Wardlaw
- Kurt Kasznar as Dr. Paul Mahler, alias Matlock
- Anna Glomb as Camille Wardlaw
Reception
According to MGM records the film earned $278,000 in the U.S. and Canada and $97,000 elsewhere resulting in a loss of $276,000 despite its low cost.[1]
References
- The Eddie Mannix Ledger, Los Angeles: Margaret Herrick Library, Center for Motion Picture Study.
- Talk About a Stranger at IMDb