The Strange Love of Martha Ivers

The Strange Love of Martha Ivers is a black-and-white film noir motion picture released in the United States in 1946. The movie is based on a story, titled Love Lies Bleeding by playwright John Patrick (using the Jack Patrick), produced and brought to the screen by Hal B. Wallis. The screenplay was written by Robert Rossen and Robert Riskin (uncredited), and was directed by Lewis Milestone.

Related Topics:
Black-and-white - Film noir - Motion picture - United States - 1946 - Story - Playwright - John Patrick - Produced - Hal B. Wallis - Screenplay - Written - Robert Rossen - Robert Riskin - Directed - Lewis Milestone

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The film opens with a rainy night in 1928, where Martha Ivers, a rich young girl, is caught attempting to run away with her friend, the street-smart, and poor, Sam Masterson. The pair is caught and Martha is sent home. While there, the spoiled Martha prevents her aunt from attacking her cat with a cane by turning the cane on her aunt instead. There are witnesses to the crime commited by the young woman, including Martha's future husband Walter, son of her tutor. Walter and Martha end up fingering a known criminal for the crime instead of taking the blame. Meanwhile, wrong-side-of-the-tracks Sam takes off thinking he's in trouble enough.

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Eighteen years later, Distict Attorney Walter (Douglas) and Martha (Stanwyk) live a loveless marriage. Sam (Heflin), now a drifter and gambler, returns to the small town and relights Martha's love for him. While in town, Sam meets up with bad girl blonde Toni (Scott), just released from jail. Walter and Martha fear that Sam knows the truth about the murder years ago and wants to blackmail them.

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