Phone Call from a Stranger (1952)

67% of users liked it
(198 ratings)

David Trask (Gary Merrill), the sole survivor of an airplane crash, takes it upon himself to contact the families of the various victims. Though he's already formed preconceived notions of his deceased fellow passengers, he's in for quite a few surprises when he meets the relatives. His first visit… More David Trask (Gary Merrill), the sole survivor of an airplane crash, takes it upon himself to contact the families of the various victims. Though he's already formed preconceived notions of his deceased fellow passengers, he's in for quite a few surprises when he meets the relatives. His first visit is to the wife (Beatrice Straight) and son (Ted Donaldson) of a profoundly troubled doctor (Michael Rennie). His second stop is at a nightclub managed by the domineering mother-in-law (Evelyn Varden) of an aspiring actress (Shelley Winters). Finally, he meets the invalid wife (Bette Davis) of an outwardly obnoxious travelling salesman (Keenan Wynn). After his odyssey into other people's lives, Trask gains a new perspective on his own personal travails. Few studios could pull off the "multi-story film" format as well as 20th Century-Fox, and Phone Call From a Stranger is a grade-A example of that format. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 36 min.
Directed By: Jean Negulesco
Written By: Nunnally Johnson
Genres: Drama, Classics

In Theaters: Feb 1, 1952 Wide
On DVD: Apr 8, 2008
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Strained melodrama.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

A nice movie with good actors and an interesting story about life, love, and friendship. I really recommend seeing it.
nefnie l

A man running away from his own life, befriends three people on a plane and learns about their lives. When the three others die from the plane crash, he finds their survivors and touches their lives in some way until he meets one who touches his life. Bette Davis' role is… More
A man running away from his own life, befriends three people on a plane and learns about their lives. When the three others die from the plane crash, he finds their survivors and touches their lives in some way until he meets one who touches his life. Bette Davis' role is brief, but as always, intoxicating.

Cast

            Shelley Winters as Binky Gay

            Gary Merrill as David Trask

            Michael Rennie as Dr. Fortness

            Keenan Wynn as Eddie Hoke

            Bette Davis as Marie Hoke

            Warren Stevens as Marty Nelson

            Evelyn Varden as Sally Carr

            Beatrice Straight as Mrs. Fortness

            Ted Donaldson as Jerry Fortness

            Craig Stevens as Mike Gay

            Helen Westcott as Jane Trask

            Sydney Perkins as Stewardess

            Hugh Beaumont as Dr. Brooks

            Harry V. Cheshire as Dr. Fletcher

            Tom Powers as Dr. Fernwood

            Freeman Lusk as Thompson

            George Eldredge as Doctor

            Nestor Paiva as Headwaiter

            Perdita Chandler as Mrs. Brooks

            Genevieve Bell as Mrs. Fletcher

            Robert A. Davis
            
            John Doucette as Bartender

            George Nader as Pilot

            William Neff as Copilot

            Ruth Robinson as Nurse

            Thomas E. Jackson as Mr. Sawyer
See full cast