THE LETTER
1940
Starring Bette Davis and Herbert Marshall

THE LETTER is based on a Somerset Maugham short story, set in Malaysia in the 1930s.
A great film-noir, it was nominated for seven Oscars, including best picture.

From the opening sequence where Bette Davis empties her gun on a poor unsuspecting soul, you will be riveted watching one of Ms. Davis' all-time great performances.

PLOT
The wife of a rubber plantation administrator shoots a man to death and claims it was self-defence. Her poise, graciousness and stoicism impress nearly everyone who meets her. Her husband is certainly without doubt; so is the district officer; while her lawyer's doubts may be a natural scepticism. But this is Singapore and the resentful natives will have no compunction about undermining this accused murderess. A letter in her hand turns up and may prove her undoing.

CAST
Bette Davis ... Leslie Crosbie
Herbert Marshall ... Robert Crosbie
James Stephenson ... Howard Joyce
Frieda Inescort ... Dorothy Joyce
Gale Sondergaard ... Mrs. Hammond
Bruce Lester ... John Withers
Elizabeth Inglis ... Adele Ainsworth (as Elizabeth Earl)
Cecil Kellaway ... Prescott--Well Wisher at Party
Victor Sen Yung ... Ong Chi Seng
Doris Lloyd ... Mrs. Cooper
Willie Fung ... Chung Hi
Tetsu Komai ... Head Boy

Director: William Wyler

RUNNING TIME: 95 MINUTES