The 13th Letter (1951)
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83% of critics liked it
(6 reviews) -
54% of users liked it
(114 ratings)
A remake of the French Le Corbeau ("The Raven"), The Thirteenth Letter is a film noir in a curious setting -- a rural village deep in Quebec, seemingly sleepy and typical. Dr. Laurent (Charles Boyer) returns from a medical convention in Montreal, anxious to see his much younger wife, Cora… More A remake of the French Le Corbeau ("The Raven"), The Thirteenth Letter is a film noir in a curious setting -- a rural village deep in Quebec, seemingly sleepy and typical. Dr. Laurent (Charles Boyer) returns from a medical convention in Montreal, anxious to see his much younger wife, Cora (Constance Smith). Cora is attracted to Dr. Pearson (Michael Rennie), a young doctor who moved into the town soon after his unfaithful wife killed herself. Soon Pearson, Laurent and Cora all receive letters -- signed "the Raven" -- hinting at an affair between Pearson and Cora. Soon more poison pen letters are showing up around town, including one which insinuates that Pearson has not been telling the truth about the medical condition of a wounded war hero. Distraught, the veteran takes his life, unaware that the information in the letter was a lie. Meanwhile, Pearson has become attracted to Denise, (Linda Darnell), a romance-starved young woman born with a clubfoot. As suspicion builds about who is sending the letters -- and about whether Pearson should be trusted -- the Mayor takes charge of the investigation, and Pearson doubles his efforts to prove his innocence. ~ Craig Butler, Rovi
- Directed By
- Otto Preminger
- Written By
- Howard Koch
- Genres
- Mystery & Suspense, Drama
- In Theaters
- Jan 1, 1951 Wide
Critic Reviews
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Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
One of [Preminger's] best efforts of the period.
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Variety Staff, Variety
Well-made and with an offbeat location site, film is an interesting account of the effects of poison pen letters on a small Quebec village.
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, TV Guide's Movie Guide
While not nearly as good as the original, Henri-George Clouzot's Le Corbeau, Preminger's film does have some power and a great deal of suspense.
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Derek Smith, Cinematic Reflections
'More than simply an Americanized [version of a] foreign film'
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, Film4
The movie is redolent with atmosphere.
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Cast
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Linda Darnell
as Denise Tourneur
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Charles Boyer
as Dr.Laurent
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Michael Rennie
as Dr. Pearson
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Constance Smith
as Cora Laurent
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Françoise Rosay
as Mrs. Sims
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Judith Evelyn
as Sister Marie
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Guy Sorel
as Robert Helier
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June Hedin
as Rochelle
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Paul Guèvremont
as Postman
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George Alexander
as Dr. Fletcher
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Ovila Legare
as Mayor
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Robin Hughes
as Intern
- Pat O'Moore
- Gilles Pelletier
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Vernon Steele
as Officer
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Sheila Coonan
as Townspeople
- Stanley Mann
- Eleanor Stuart