![]() ![]() Taking place on an unnamed island off the Massachusetts coast, we get lots of majestic seascape, crashing waves on the rocky New England coastline, a lighthouse that figures prominently in the story, sailboats, a ship in a bottle, and a cozy cottage. What this film does have going for it is a whole lot of atmosphere, which I suspect is a draw for a lot of its fans. It could have been a film with more depth if it explored this more, as well as issues of co-dependency, instead of just hinging everything that happens to Katie based on her being the “good” twin. Their relationship is not completely adversarial, and they seem to mostly live their lives apart. She is quite capable of wheedling her way into what she wants it’s just that her wants are more simple and wholesome than Pat’s. She’s self-centered and shallow, but she’s not maniacal. “A Stolen Life”, however, gives us a slightly more acceptable situation in that Pat is not really evil. ![]() I doubt writers and producers have any idea of the angst this causes in many twins who, if they are lucky, can laugh at the ridiculousness of such a theme, or if unlucky enough to be hit with insensitive comparisons, and self doubt, in real life, must be reminded yet again of the burden of being the “different” one in a society where movies tell them they are freaks automatically. In movies, there is a cruel assumption that one twin must have all the positive attributes and the other all the negative. What God has put together, the world insidiously tries to pick apart. God help the twins if one, or even both of them, is handicapped. At best, it becomes a benign parlor game of visiting relatives marveling at different interests of the twins.Īt worst, it becomes an onslaught of labeling each twin as the one who has better grades in school, which twin is more gifted athletically, which twin is actually better looking or at least has fewer flaws than the other twin. It’s common to compare twins, to search out something that makes them different from the other. ![]() I also find them insulting, preferring, like most twins, not to regard myself as a freak of nature. ![]() While I believe I can be objective and unprejudiced about most issues, I have to state right off that I detest “evil twin” stories. Herein lies the main plot device that links the episodes in this film. She also plays Katie’s identical twin sister, Pat. Break up the separate themes of this film and I suppose you could have at least three separate movies, so adventurous is the life of the unadventurous character Katie Bosworth, played by Bette Davis. When she does, Bill realizes that Kate is the one he truly loves.“A Stolen Life” (1946) is one of those movies that does not seem to equal the sum total of its parts, but its parts are interesting. Cousin Freddie has guessed the truth and insists that Kate must reveal to Bill her real identity. To her surprise, she learns that Bill is angry at Pat for her many affairs and in no mood to continue the marriage. When she regains consciousness, she is mistaken for Pat.īill is about to return, so Kate decides to assume her late sister's identity. Kate passes out and is washed ashore in the boat. When the two go sailing, a sudden storm washes Pat overboard and she drowns, her wedding ring coming off in Kate's hands while trying to save her. Bill eventually goes to Chile, allowing Kate to spend some time with her sister, whom she hasn't seen since the marriage. Pat then pursues him on a trip out of town, and when they return, they announce to Kate their intention to marry.Ī heartbroken Kate focuses on her work with artist Karnock (Dane Clark), but rejects his romantic overtures. However, her sister Pat, a flamboyant, man-hungry manipulator, fools Bill when she first meets him pretending to be Kate. Later, their relationship grows while she paints a portrait of Eben Folger (Walter Brennan), the old lighthouse keeper, and Kate is very much in love. She persuades Bill Emerson (Glenn Ford) to take her home in his boat. Kate Bosworth (Bette Davis) is a sincere, demure, artist who misses her boat to an island off New England, where she intends to meet her twin sister Patricia (also Davis) and her cousin Freddie (Charles Ruggles). ![]()
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