Dead Ringer (DVD)

I love everything about Betty Davis and all of his movies , in this one specially she played the supposed bad twin but it was in revenge of what her twin did to her wich doesn’t justify what either of them did so maybe they were both bad to start with or greed got to them , not the 1st time Mrs Davis played her own twin , she did that also in the movie “a stolen life , wich I just watched again for like the 5th time , also I recommend you to watch other movies by Davis like What ever happened to baby Jane , with Joan Crawford, hush hush sweet Charlotte, the petrified forest, all about Eve , the letter and so so many other timeless classics in wich she absolutely was the character and played it so very well to the point that I don’t know where the actress starts or Betty Davis begins , she was absolutely remarkable and the likes of actress we will never see again. Timeless and unsurpassed.

Love old Bette Davis movies.

It's a delicious double dose of Davis as she plays twin sisters, one assuming the other's identity after her death. If you're a Davis fan, you'll know this can be used to refer to two of her films, A Stolen Life (1946), and this one, Dead Ringer (1964). Directed by Paul Henreid, probably more famous for his acting roles rather than his directing accomplishments (he played Lazlo in Casablanca), Dead Ringers is a twisted tale based just outside of reality starring Bette Davis in two roles (I guess that way no one can upstage you), along with Karl `Don't leave home without it' Malden, and Rat Packer, playboy, and all-time lighting round champion on the game show Password (seriously, I looked it up...he got 10 out of 10 in 16 seconds) Peter Lawford.As I've said, Davis plays two roles, one as the rich, flighty, and perpetually snobby Margaret DeLorca, and another as her down on her luck, frumpy, essentially good twin sister Edith Phillips, owner and proprietor of a seedy cocktail bar in an even seedier part of town. As the film begins, we bare witness to a funeral, that of Margaret's recently deceased husband Frank. As the ceremony finishes up, along comes Edith. Later we find out the two sisters haven't seen each other in quite sometime, as their estrangement has something to do with the fact that Edith had originally loved Frank, but then Margaret came along and pretty much stole him away. The two meet up after the funeral, and we can see there's no love lost between Edith towards Margaret, something Margaret doesn't seem to understand, as she's been on easy street, even more so now as it appears she never even really loved Frank, but only his moolah. A frustrated Edith takes her leave, but learns something, a secret long since buried, one that exposes her sister and pretty much drives Edith over the brink. Edith devises a seemingly ingenious plan to do away her sister (the scene with Davis holding a gun to Davis' head is a hoot), steal her identity, and receive the goodies that being filthy rich provides, goodies that were rightfully hers. The plan goes off reasonably well, but the troubles soon arise, as Edith must now familiarize herself with all the little aspects that made up Margaret's life. Not only that, but Margaret's got a skeleton of two (her being evil and all) in her closet (one involving an adulterous affair with golf pro Lothario played by Lawford) that come around to complicate matters even more. What's an identity thievin' twin to do?Book ended between two films I liked better in What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962) and Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte (1964), the sometimes tame Dead Ringer is still a thoroughly enjoyable, albeit fairly tacky movie. Seeing the poor, pushed over the edge Davis give the snooty, haughty Davis her comeuppance is a real treat. Davis pulls off the dual roles wonderfully, creating a clear and distinctive delineation between the two characters. Not only that, but she's just so much fun to watch, transforming an average B film into a truly entertaining photoplay. The film lacked the seat gripping tension and the sensationalism of Davis' Baby Jane or Sweet Charlotte, but I actually found myself appreciating that aspect, as Dead Ringer enjoyed a subtle build up as the possibility of discovery and exposure stealthily swirled around Edith throughout. I though Karl Malden did well as the police detective/suitor to Edith, searching for answers and trying to cope with not only his loss, but also with the fact that Edith had a twin sister, which no one really seemed to know. Peter Lawford also performed suitably in his role as the sleazy, greedy, conniving adulterer, one I felt he fit into just a little too comfortably...ultimately, this is Bette Davis' movie, and all others are here to support her. I thoroughly enjoyed the story, and, even though it slowed at some points (the film run like almost 2 hours), it engaged me well as I was eager to see how the story played out. Henreid did very well directing the movie along, maintaining a steady pace, allowing for the audience to enjoy the experience to its' fullest. One very minor thing I noticed...when Lawford's character was wrestling with that great big dog, it was painfully obvious in a couple of the quick cuts that a stuffed dog (and not even a good-looking stuffed dog) was used. I deducted no points for that, but that should have been caught and removed during the editing process, as it only served to bring me out of the story (Hey, look! A fake dog!)...I guess my having so few nits to pick with this film, that one stands out pretty clearly. Everything worked well, including the sets, costumes, locations, etc. Also, I thought the musical score was truly fitting, enhancing the various scenes and promoting the appropriate sensibility, be it one of danger, tension, or just plain creepiness.Both the picture (in widescreen format) and the audio are really excellent on this DVD, and being a Warner Brother's release, I was very surprised at not only the inclusion of extras, but also the amount of extras (maybe they've finally decided this whole DVD format is worthwhile and including only a trailer just doesn't cut it anymore, at least not for a major studio). Along with the original theatrical trailer, there's a commentary track by prominent playwright and sometimes performing cross dresser Charles Busch and Boze Hadleigh, an extremely effeminate (if you didn't know, Davis is an icon in the rainbow community, much like that of Judy Garland) author who wrote Bette Davis Speaks, supposedly based off of numerous interviews he had with the star before she passed. There's also two shorts, one with Hadleigh called Double Take: A Conversation with Boze Hadleigh (13 min.), and another showcasing the famous Doheny Mansion (7 min.), which was used in the movie.Cookieman108

This movie is so good. My husband and I loved it. Arrived well packaged and in excellent condition. Bettie Davis is a wonderful actress and her movies are good.

Thanks to the unexpected critical and financial success of "What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?", Bette Davis' career was on the upswing when she was cast in DEAD RINGER, where she plays twin sisters in her own masterful fashion. Filled with an irresistibly gothic flavour, DEAD RINGER was one of Davis' final "leading lady" assignments and she is fascinating to see in action.Margaret DeLorca and Edith Phillips (played by Davis) are twin sisters, long estranged, who meet again at the funeral of Margaret's husband - who was originally romantically involved with Edie before being seduced away by Margaret. Margaret has it all - a sprawling mansion, money, jewels, furs; whilst Edie struggles to pay the rent on her small bistro nightclub in downtown Los Angeles. With her back against the wall, Edie is forced to a desperate act, luring Margaret to her dingy apartment where she shoots her, dresses the scene as a suicide and takes Margaret's identity. After all, it was meant to be Edie's life, wasn't it? What starts out so simply for Edie dissolves into a nightmare game of cat-and-mouse, for, as Edie will soon realise, "being" Margaret and "becoming" her are two very different things...Directed with great flair by her former "Now Voyager" and "Deception" leading man Paul Henreid, Davis gives a fabulous performance in the dual roles. Of course, Davis had played twins several years earlier in "A Stolen Life", but the twins in DEAD RINGER are much more subtly shaded.Davis' co-stars include Karl Malden ("Gypsy", "Streetcar Named Desire") who plays Edie's fiancée, a police sergeant who vows to come to the bottom of the puzzling mystery; and Peter Lawford ("Good News", "Little Women"), definitely at the end of his 'matinee idol' period, as Margaret's gigolo lover. The supporting cast also features what became the last major film appearance for Jean Hagen ("Singin' in the Rain", TV's "Make Room for Daddy") who had been in ill-health for many years - nevertheless she looks radiant in this film . Keep your eyes peeled for talented jazz organist Perry Blackwell ("Pillow Talk") during the scenes in Edie's nightclub.Well worth the effort for Bette Davis fans.

Without giving away the plot, Bette Davis plays two roles - estranged twin sisters, one a rich heiress, the other a club owner struggling to make ends meet. They are re-united at the funeral of the rich sister's husband. Murder, identity theft follow with the added involvement of a police detective (Karl Malden) trying to solve the case who, unbeknownst to him, is romantically involved with the murderer. A great thriller with an ironic and satisfying ending.

WOW. This dvd is a must have and I enjoyed every minute of it. This is Bette's 73rd movie! Yes 73rd! Bette plays twin sisters in 'Dead Ringer' Bette is fabulous in the dual role better than the 1946 movie she made in 1946 'A Stolen Life' where she played twin sister as well. Directed by Bette's friend Paul Henreid and Paul's daughter stars in the movie as Bette's maid. Bette plays Maggie and Edith who are reunited after 18 years and I am not going to give the plot away but this movie is a triumph for Bette Davis.The commentary by Boze Hadleigh and Charles Busch is entertaining and informative. Other special features include the trailer of the film with Peter Lawford, scenes at the Doheny mansion and Boze Hadleigh also discusses the film. 81 year old Estelle Winwood plays Bette's distant relative Donnanna. She is also an amzing actress in the film.I don't want to say anymore because if you haven't seen this rare movie, you will love it instantly.

My kind of moviesBrilliant plotsL

Stanwyck playing twin sisters--wonderful idea, carried off very well. Malden offers good support.

Always loved this movie. Bette Davis is great, but note that she is at her greatest in this film.Never tire of viewing over and over.Good quality.