A Double Life
A Double Life is a 1947 American film noir that tells the story of an actor whose mind becomes affected by the character whom he portrays. It stars Ronald Colman and Signe Hasso and was directed by George Cukor, with its screenplay written by Ruth Gordon and Garson Kanin. Colman won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance.
Plot
Celebrated stage actor Anthony "Tony" John is offered the lead in a new production of Shakespeare's Othello by theatrical producer Max Lasker, who wants Tony's ex-wife Brita to costar as Desdemona. Tony initially declines the offer, to the relief of director Victor Donlan, who knows that Tony becomes overly involved in his roles. Brita agrees with Donlan and warns press agent Bill Friend that although Tony's mood is delightful when appearing in a comedy, he is terrifying when performing in a drama. She warns Friend that Tony becomes so immersed in roles that they can become his reality.
Awards
Cast
- Angela Clarke
- Art Smith
- Bess Flowers
- Betsy Blair
- Claire Carleton
- Edmond O'Brien
- Elliott Reid
- Elmo Lincoln
- Franklyn Farnum
- Frederick Worlock
- Joe Sawyer
- John Derek
- Maude Fealy
- Millard Mitchell
- Paddy Chayefsky
- Peter Thompson
- Ray Collins
- Ronald Colman
- Shelley Winters
- Signe Hasso
- Thomas Gomez
- Virginia Patton
- Whit Bissell
- William Bailey
- Wilton Graff
More details
author | Garson Kanin Ruth Gordon |
---|---|
award | Academy Award for Best Actor Academy Award for Best Original Dramatic or Comedy Score |
director | George Cukor |
editor | Robert Parrish |
genre | drama |
keywords | arrest bleed desdemona even id obsess othello police captain press agent real life shakespeare\'s stage actor terrify theatrical producer william shakespeare |
musicBy | Miklós Rózsa |
nomination | Academy Award for Best Actor Academy Award for Best Director Academy Award for Best Original Dramatic or Comedy Score Academy Award for Best Writing, Original Screenplay |
producer | Michael Kanin |
productionCompany | Kanin Productions |
publisher | Universal Pictures |
theme | film noir |