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| | The Letter (1940) | | | | Studio: Warner Brothers/First National | | | | Producer: Hal B. Wallis | | | | Starring: Bette Davis, Herbert Marshall, James Stephenson | | | | Synopsis: In the humid, far Eastern setting of colonial Malaysia, Leslie Crosbie, the wife of a British rubber plantation owner, shoots family friend Jeff Hammond. Although Mrs. Crosbie claims that she acted in self-defense against attempted rape, Hammond's Eurasian widow holds a letter that contains valuable information about the killing. Both Mrs. Crosbie and her lawyer, who's already skeptical about his client's version of events, are determined to get their hands on it, whatever the cost. The original ending had to be changed to comply with Hollywood's censorship regulations which stipulated that a murder could not go unpunished. The character of mistress was also changed to wife. | | | | Academy Awards®: | | | | Best Picture | | Nominated | | Best Director | Willliam Wyler | Nominated | | Best Actress | Bette Davis | Nominated | | Supporting Actor | James Stephenson | Nominated | | Cinematography (b&w) | Tony Gaudio | Nominated | | Editing | Warren Low | Nominated | | Best Original Score | Max Steiner | Nominated | | | National Board of Review
| | | | | | | | Special Awards | James Stephenson | Won | | | | Buy this movie on VHS | | | Certain product data ©1948-2002 Muze, Inc. For personal use only. All rights reserved. | | | | |
