The Letter

The Letter

1940 | 1h 35m | Drama, Noir | TV-PG

Brief Synopsis

A woman claims to have killed in self-defense, until a blackmailer turns up with incriminating evidence. Bette Davis burns up the screen in this 1940 classic of love, adultery and murder.

Cast and Crew

DIRECTOR

William Wyler

CAST

Bette Davis

Herbert Marshall

James Stephenson

PRODUCERS

Information not available.

WRITERS

Howard E. Koch

Host Intros

01:42
Alicia Malone Intro -- The Letter (1940)
Intro Aired: Feb 2019
TCM's Alicia Malone introduces The Letter, 1940.
11:12
Noir Alley: Eddie Muller on The Letter (1940)
Intro Aired: Jul 2018
Noir Alley host Eddie Mullers introduction and comments following The Letter, 1940.

Related Videos

Letter, The (1940) -- (Movie Clip) Just Out Of Prison
Clip
On the evening of her acquittal, Leslie (Bette Davis) finds a dagger outside her bedroom, then is dragged into the party by Frieda (Dorothy Joyce), in William Wyler's The Letter, 1940, from W. Somerset Maugham's play.
Letter, The (1940) -- (Movie Clip) Who Has The Letter Now?
Clip
Acquitted killer Leslie (Bette Davis) and her lawyer and reluctant co-conspirator Howard (James Stephenson) finally tell her loyal husband Bob (Herbert Marshall) the truth in The Letter, 1940.
Letter, The (1940) -- (Movie Clip) Terribly Cold-Blooded
Clip
Plot thickens as lawyer Howard (James Stephenson) debriefs first Withers (Bruce Lester) then Leslie (Bette Davis) and all depart for court, leaving Mrs. Hammond (Gale Sondergaard) lurking behind in The Letter, 1940.
Letter, The (1940) -- (Movie Clip) Mrs. Hammond
Clip
Wind chimes augment the near-silent Mrs. Hammond (Gale Sondergaard) as she demands her money and something more from Leslie (Bette Davis), lawyer Howard (James Stephenson) and his aide (Sen Yung) in The Letter, 1940.
Letter, The (1940) -- (Movie Clip) Justice Will Be Done
Clip
Lawyer Howard (James Stephenson) is notably hesitant as he closes his arguments in a Malay courtroom for the acquittal of Leslie (Bette Davis) in William Wyler's The Letter, 1940.
03:20
Letter, The (1940) -- (Movie Clip) Opening, Leslie
Clip
The famous opening scene starring Bette Davis and the handgun, at a rubber plantation in Malaysia, from William Wyler's The Letter, 1941, from the play by W. Somerset Maugham.
Letter, The (1940) -- (Movie Clip) It's Too Awful!
Clip
Leslie (Bette Davis) in a portion of her account of killing Hammond, for husband Robert (Herbert Marshall), lawyer Howard (James Stephenson) and official Withers (Bruce Lester) in William Wyler's The Letter, 1940.
Letter, The (1940) -- (Movie Clip) To Save Your Neck
Clip
Director William Wyler uses trademark long takes as lawyer Howard (James Stephenson) reveals damning evidence to his client, accused murderess Leslie (Bette Davis), in The Letter, 1940, from the play by W. Somerset Maugham.
Letter, The (1940) -- (Movie Clip) What Are You Getting Out Of This?
Clip
Smarmy native legal assistant Ong (Sen Yung) puts his self-interested squeeze on his boss Howard (James Stephenson), arranging the blackmail deal in William Wyler's The Letter, 1940, starring Bette Davis.
02:17
Letter, The - (Original Trailer)
Trailer
Bette Davis pumps bullets into a man's body. Was it self-defense? Only The Letter (1940) can answer.

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