Dead Ringer

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"What Bette Davis does to Bette Davis and to Karl Malden and Peter Lawford in DEAD RINGER is just what "Baby Jane" people will adore!"
  • Approved
  • 1964
  • 1 hr 55 min
  • 7.3  (6,306)
  • 66

Dead Ringer is a 1964 thriller and drama film directed by Paul Henreid and starring Bette Davis, Karl Malden, and Peter Lawford. The plot follows the story of twin sisters, Margaret and Edith Phillips, who have completely different lifestyles - Margaret is a wealthy and sophisticated widow, whereas Edith lives in squalor and poverty. One day, Margaret decides to visit Edith and upon seeing her sister's miserable existence, she proposes that they swap lives in order to bring some joy or at least a change in their lives. They exchange their roles, and Edith begins living in Margaret's lush lifestyle, whereas Margaret pretends to be Edith and tries to figure out why her beloved sister was living in so much pain.

However, soon after the swap, things begin to spiral out of control for both sisters. Margaret discovers that her sister was murdered and her house vandalized. She suspects that the people involved in her sister's murder will come back to finish the job. Meanwhile, Edith is beginning to enjoy her sister's wealthy lifestyle and beauty, but soon also realizes that she has been cheated by her own sister. She now wants to claim the luxurious lifestyle that she has tasted for herself and would do anything to protect it. Margaret soon finds out that she is being impersonated by her sister and decides to take matters into her own hands. The film takes a sharp, suspenseful turn as both sisters find themselves at odds and on the brink of destruction.

The film is known for its fantastic acting, especially the lead performance of Bette Davis, who delivers an impressive performance as both the prim-and-proper Margaret and the rough-around-the-edges Edith. Her stunning transformation is evident from the way she carries herself, walks, and talks. She is truly iconic in her role as Margaret when she utters the famous line, "I'm not selling pencils on a street corner."

Karl Malden and Peter Lawford also deliver strong performances in their respective roles. Malden plays Sergeant Hoag, the detective who investigates Margaret's sister's murder, and Lawford plays Tony Collins, Margaret's lover. Both actors beautifully portray their characters and help carry the story forward.

The film's cinematography also deserves mention, as it effectively captures the mood of the film and the differences between the sisters' lifestyles. The movie has fantastic shots of late 1960s California and highlights how different the lives of two sisters living under the same roof can be.

Overall, Dead Ringer is an engaging thriller that keeps the audience at the edge of their seats. The film's clever twist and turns add to its charm, making it a must-watch for Bette Davis fans and anyone who enjoys a good thriller.

Dead Ringer is a 1964 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 55 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3 and a MetaScore of 66.

Dead Ringer
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Where to Watch Dead Ringer
Dead Ringer is available to watch, stream, download and buy on demand at Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play, YouTube VOD and Vudu. Some platforms allow you to rent Dead Ringer for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    1964
  • MPAA Rating
    Approved
  • Runtime
    1 hr 55 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    7.3  (6,306)
  • Metascore
    66
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