The Strange Affair of Uncle Harry

Director: Robert Siodmak

Overview

Fabric designer Harry Quincey (George Sanders) has the unhappy task of caring for his tiresome unmarried sisters, Lettie (Geraldine Fitzgerald) and Hester (Moyna MacGill). When Harry falls in love with Deborah Brown (Ella Raines), Hester is delighted, but Lettie smolders with jealousy. Upset at Lettie 's opposition, Harry would like nothing better than to do her in. Does he? And what has really happened here? When originally presented on Broadway, Thomas Job's play +Uncle Harry utilized a complex flashback technique in unfolding its story, which was capped by a grimly ironic ending. Stephen Longstreet's screenplay not only takes a more linear approach, but also radically alters the ending to conform with the censorship strictures then in effect. The Strange Affair of Uncle Harry was one of several Universal film noirs of the 1940s produced by longtime Alfred Hitchcock associate Joan Harrison.

Product Details

Release Date:	03/31/2015
UPC:	0887090096102
Original Release:	1945
Rating:	NR
Source:	OLIVE FIL
Region Code:	1
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Stereo]
Language:	English
Time:	1:20:00
Sales rank:	33,537

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

George Sanders	Harry Melville Quincey
Geraldine Fitzgerald	Lettie Quincey
Moyna MacGill	Hester Quincy
Ella Raines	Deborah Brown
Sara Allgood	Nona
Samuel S. Hinds	Dr. Adams
Harry von Zell	Actor
Ethel Griffies	Actor
Will Wright	Mr. Nelson
Arthur Loft	Mr. Follinsbee
Irene Tedrow	Mrs. Follinsbee
Judy Clark	Helen
Coulter Irwin	Biff Wagner
Craig Reynolds	John Warren
Robert J. Anderson	Child
Clarence G. Badger	Member of quartette
Rodney Bell	Joe the Greek
Wallace Scott	Barman
Dawn Bender	Joan Warren
Sarah Selby	Alice
Ruth Cherrington	Matron
Mike Clifton	Child
Neal Dodd	Minister
Robert Dudley	Stationmaster
Billy Gray	Child
William Hall	Moving Man
Harry Hayden	Slavin
Matt McHugh	Moving Man
Harlan Briggs	Hangman
Barbara Pepper	Annie
Holmes Herbert	Warden
Frank Jaquet	Salesman
Robert Malcolm	Connors
Walter Soderling	Jed Jessup
Fred Santley	Waiter
Bob McKenzie	Manager
Gregory Muradian	Child
Paul Dessau	Composer
Bill Henderson	Johnny
Alan Watson	Quartette
Jan Williams	Quartet
H.J. Salter	Composer

Technical Credits

Thomas Job

Joan Harrison	Producer
Thomas Job	Screenwriter
Charles K. Feldman	Executive Producer
John P. Fulton	Special Effects
Glenn E. Anderson	Sound Effects,Sound/Sound Designer
Bernard B. Brown	Sound Effects

Scene Index

Disc #1 -- The Strange Affair of Uncle Harry
1. Chapter 1 [10:18]
2. Chapter 2 [7:51]
3. Chapter 3 [7:30]
4. Chapter 4 [10:14]
5. Chapter 5 [9:02]
6. Chapter 6 [10:05]
7. Chapter 7 [11:47]
8. Chapter 8 [13:44]

Menu

Disc #1 -- The Strange Affair of Uncle Harry
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Chapters

Editorial Reviews

Up until its last few minutes, The Strange Affair of Uncle Harry is an engrossing and highly entertaining crime melodrama. But the dramatically offensive ending demanded by the strictures of the Hays office is so galling that some viewers may want to throw something at the screen. The ending cannot ruin Harry, but it's so unwelcome that it does cast a slight pall over the fine movie that precedes it. Harry has some other flaws, no doubt, especially the decision to sacrifice the interesting flashback structure that had been a hallmark of its stage play source and replace it with a fairly linear one. But fortunately the basic plot and characters are strong enough to withstand its flaws. Chief among its assets is a superb change-of-pace performance by George Sanders in the title role. The supercilious air of disdain is banished, replaced with a shyness and a self-effacement that are both surprising and appealing. Yet there's still a fire within Sanders, and the ways in which he lets it erupt in Harry are fun to witness. He's matched by a wickedly enjoyable Geraldine Fitzgerald, whose selfishness and determination to win at any cost shouldn't be as much fun as they are. There's also fine support from Moyna MacGill and Sara Allgood, which helps to cover up the rather bland turn from Ella Raines. Robert Siodmak's direction is slightly uneven, but he certainly knows how to pull out the appropriate stops for the big scenes. The Strange Affair of Uncle Harry's ending is a crime, but going into knowing this fact will make it easier for viewers to enjoy all that leads up to it.