Talk About a Stranger

Talk About a Stranger is a 1952 American film noir directed by David Bradley and starring George Murphy, Nancy Davis and Billy Gray. The motion picture was shot by noted cinematographer John Alton, A.S.C. and was based on Charlotte Armstrong's short story "The Enemy", which was published in the May 1951 issue of Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine and was subsequently chosen for the top prize in the Mystery Magazine's yearly selection of best stories.[2]

Talk About a Stranger
Theatrical release poster
Directed byDavid Bradley
Screenplay byMargaret Fitts
Based ona story
by Charlotte Armstrong
Produced byRichard Goldstone
StarringGeorge Murphy
Nancy Davis
Billy Gray
Lewis Stone
Kurt Kasznar
CinematographyJohn Alton, a.s.c.
Edited byNewell P. Kimlin
Music byDavid Buttolph
Distributed byMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Release date
  • April 18, 1952 (1952-04-18) (United States)
Running time
65 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$481,000[1]
Box office$375,000[1]

Plot

The picture tells the story of Bud Fontaine Jr. (Billy Gray), who takes an instant dislike of Matlock, a strange new neighbor in town (Kurt Kasznar).

After his dog turns up dead by poison, Bud blames the stranger and sets off a campaign to smear his name and spread vicious rumors about him.

His parents (George Murphy and Nancy Davis) can't seem to handle the boy. After Bud endangers the crops in the valley by his vandalism of the neighbor's oil tank, and is told the dog was killed by eating poisoned meat meant for coyotes, Bud comes to realize that people are not always what they appear to be.

Cast

Reception

According to MGM records the film earned $278,000 in the U.S. and Canada and $97,000 elsewhere resulting in a loss of $276,000 despite its low cost.[1]

References
  1. The Eddie Mannix Ledger, Los Angeles: Margaret Herrick Library, Center for Motion Picture Study.
  2. Renshaw, Jerry (April 28, 2000). "Talk About a Stranger". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
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