Three childhood friends, Martha, Walter and Sam, share a terrible secret. Over time, the ambitious Martha and the pusillanimous Walter have married. She is a cold businesswoman; he is the district attorney: a perfect combination to dominate the corrupt city of Iverstown at will. But the unexpected return of Sam, after years of absence, deeply disturbs the life of the odd couple.
Directed by Lewis Milestone
husband wife relationship
childhood trauma
family secrets
film noir
black and white
alcoholic
district attorney
based on short story
childhood friends
female tycoon
IMDB
N/A
Letterboxd
3.6 / 5
Where to Watch
Cast
Barbara Stanwyck
Martha Ivers
Van Heflin
Sam Masterson
Lizabeth Scott
Antonia 'Toni' Marachek
Kirk Douglas
Walter O'Neil
Judith Anderson
Mrs. Ivers
Roman Bohnen
Mr. O'Neil
Darryl Hickman
Young Sam
Janis Wilson
Young Martha
Ann Doran
Bobbi St. John
Frank Orth
Hotel Clerk
James Flavin
Police Detective #1
Mickey Kuhn
Young Walter
Crew
Lewis Milestone
Director
Robert Rossen
Screenplay
Miklós Rózsa
Original Music Composer
Hal B. Wallis
Producer
Edith Head
Costume Design
Sam Comer
Set Decoration
Wally Westmore
Makeup Supervisor
Popular Reviews
28 reviews
mimi
6.0★ · 07/16/25
this is my harley quinn and joker
this is my harley quinn and joker
KylePRO
9.0★ · 12/10/24
Sometimes Martha Ivers Does Dreadful Things
Sometimes Martha Ivers Does Dreadful Things
Lilly
6.0★ · 03/22/24
Had to wait too long for Barbara
Had to wait too long for Barbara
Yianni Sines
5.0★ · 04/27/20
Those stairs are so dangerous
Those stairs are so dangerous
Cami
7.0★ · 11/12/19
Great chemistry between the cast. This movie was wild, I did not see that ending coming.
Great chemistry between the cast. This movie was wild, I did not see that ending coming.