THE STRANGER (1946)

[The Burgomaster]

Here's a hidden gem I discovered last night in Mill Creek's MYSTERY CLASSICS 50 Movie Pack.  Orson Welles plays a Nazi hiding in a small U.S. town just after World War II.  Edward G. Robinson is a War Crimes Commission detective assigned to capture Welles.  Loretta Young is the villain's unsuspecting new bride.

Although a minor film, I really enjoyed this one.  Robinson turns in a fine performace as he plays cat-and-mouse with his Nazi adversary.  The movie has a lot of nice little touches to it . . . Robinson playing checkers with a local store owner, Welles drawing a swastika on a scratch pad while he's talking on the telephone . . .

Also in the cast is a very young Richard Long, who went on to a successful acting career (mostly in television), including shows like NANNY AND THE PROFESSOR and THE BIG VALLEY.

Not a great movie, but a nice surprise.  I'm glad I watched it.

The entire movie is also on Youtube.  Here is a teaser:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAQZdumOWjs

[Trevor]

I believe that this is the movie where Orson Welles gets 'clocked'? 

[The Burgomaster]

I believe that this is the movie where Orson Welles gets 'clocked'? 

Quite "striking" for a movie released in 1946.

[Trevor]

Quite "striking" for a movie released in 1946.

Oh well, I guess it was his TIME. 

I read somewhere that the clock tower sequence was inspired by a nightmare that Orson Welles had.

[Allhallowsday]

Yes, ORSON as Nazi finally get's the point.  Don't forget ORSON also is married to LORETTA YOUNG...    And while those principles are enough to make me at least look at the flick, EDWARD G. ROBINSON is always great and keeps me coming back. 

[Rev. Powell]

Quite "striking" for a movie released in 1946.

Oh well, I guess it was his TIME. 

I read somewhere that the clock tower sequence was inspired by a nightmare that Orson Welles had.

You had better WATCH it.  All these puns get me really WOUND up.