Expert: Jim Kason - 1/12/2011

Question
Many years ago I saw a Classic 'Film Noir' in which a poor woman kills her rich twin sister and assumes her identity, but with increasing difficulty.  One scene - she has to sign a legal letter and disfigures her right hand with a hot poker so she is not forced to sign and give away her real identity.  Is this Bette Davis' 'Stolen Life’ – or something else?  It ends in irony with the woman wanting her old poor life back.  Any ideas?  Many thanks

Answer
Hi Alex,

Thanks for your question.   I think I may have the answer for you.

I've always loved "twin" movies, ( including one called "The Dark Mirror" with two Olivia De Havillands,...one good, and one bad, of course.)
Strangely enough, Bette Davis made TWO films in which she played twins.  In the first,...which you mention,..."A  Stolen Life",  the "bad" twin is
Accidently killed when the two ( in a small boat) encounter a storm off the New England coast.

However,...in the 1964 Warner Bros. film, "Dead Ringer",..Bette, as the "poor" sister, does indeed knock off her "rich" sibling !
You can read a capsule review of the film if you go to the TCM website,   http://www.tcm.com:80/tcmdb/title.jsp?stid=3877   
and click on "Read Full Synopsis" (in the center.)

The film is also available for purchase at :  www.amazon.com.

Sincerely,

Jim Kason