Strangers When We Meet (1960)

50% of users liked it
(1,049 ratings)

Sexual misconduct in white-collar suburbia is the topic of this routine melodrama involving two neighboring couples. Architect Larry Coe (Kirk Douglas), unhappy with his wife Eve's (Barbara Rush) fixation on their bank balance, starts taking an interest in Maggie Gault (Kim Novak), whose husband has… More Sexual misconduct in white-collar suburbia is the topic of this routine melodrama involving two neighboring couples. Architect Larry Coe (Kirk Douglas), unhappy with his wife Eve's (Barbara Rush) fixation on their bank balance, starts taking an interest in Maggie Gault (Kim Novak), whose husband has been losing interest in her. The two steal several illicit moments together, but this activity has not gone unnoticed. Good ol' neighbor Felix (Walter Matthau) figures that Eve might be feeling a little neglected, so he decides to move into the picture. Richard Quine's direction is an asset to an otherwise clichéd tale. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 57 min.
Directed By: Richard Quine
Genres: Drama, Classics

In Theaters: Oct 6, 1960 Wide
On DVD: Feb 22, 2005

Critic Reviews

David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
The bloated running time is exacerbated by a focus on pointless subplots...

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

I found this drama to be quite dull. The majority of it is spent with the actors sitting around talking, smoking, drinking, and talking some more. It has all the usual plot devices of an affair drama, no surprises or anything. It's not bad, though. I wouldn't say this movie… More
I found this drama to be quite dull. The majority of it is spent with the actors sitting around talking, smoking, drinking, and talking some more. It has all the usual plot devices of an affair drama, no surprises or anything. It's not bad, though. I wouldn't say this movie was worse than any other movies like it. It's just not good either.
jay n

Kim Novak, at the height of her beauty, gives a fine performance full of submerged insecurity. She's fragile and bruised longing to be loved. She was always a spotty actress but when the material suited her she could really deliver. The rest of the cast is fine but overshadowed… More
Kim Novak, at the height of her beauty, gives a fine performance full of submerged insecurity. She's fragile and bruised longing to be loved. She was always a spotty actress but when the material suited her she could really deliver. The rest of the cast is fine but overshadowed by her. Nice art design and beautiful color photography.

Cast

            Kirk Douglas as Larry Coe

            Kim Novak as Maggie Gault

            Ernie Kovacs as Roger Altar

            Barbara Rush as Eve Coe

            Walter Matthau as Felix Anders

            Virginia Bruce as Mrs. Wagner

            Kent Smith as Stanley Baxter

            Helen Gallagher as Betty Anders

            Roberta Shore as Linda Harder

            Nancy Kovack as Marcia

            Carol Douglas as Honey Blonde

            Paul Picerni as Gerandi

            Ernest Sarracino as Di Labbia

            Harry Jackson as Bud Ramsey

            Bart Patton as Hank

            Robert Sampson as Bucky

            Ray Ferrell as David Coe

            John Bryant as Ken Gault

            Dick Crockett as Charlie

            Betsy Jones-Moreland as Mrs. Gerandi

            Sue Ane Langdon as Daphne

            Audrey Swanson as Mrs. Baxter

            Charles Victor
            
            Ruth Batchelor as Waitress

            Joe Palma
            
            Lorraine Crawford as Redhead
See full cast