Movies:
The Strange Affair of Uncle Harry
- Rating:
- Genre: Drama
- Movie Type: Film Noir, Crime Drama
- Themes: Unlikely Criminals, Sibling Relationships
- Director: Robert Siodmak
- Main Cast: George Sanders, Ella Raines, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Sara Allgood
- Release Year: 1945
- Country: US
- Run Time: 80 minutes
Plot
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. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie GuideReview
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. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie GuideCast
- George Sanders - Harry Quincey
- Ella Raines - Deborah Brown
- Geraldine Fitzgerald - Lettie Quincy
- Sara Allgood - Nona
Samuel S. Hinds - Dr. Adams; Harry Von Zell - Ben; Ethel Griffies - Mrs. Nelson; Judy Clark - Helen; Craig Reynolds - John Warren; Will Wright - Mr. Nelson; Arthur Loft - Mr. Follinsbee; Irene Tedrow - Mrs. Follinsbee; Coulter Irwin - Biff Wagner; Ruth Cherrington - Matron; Robert Anderson - Child; Rodney Bell - Joe the Greek; Harlan Briggs - Hangman; Rev. Neal Dodd - Minister; Robert Dudley - Stationmaster; Billy Gray - Child; Harry Hayden - Slavin; Bill Henderson - Johnny; Holmes Herbert - Warden; Frank Jaquet - Salesman; Moyna MacGill - Hester; Robert Malcolm - Connors; Matt McHugh - Moving Man; Bob McKenzie - Manager; Gregory Muradian - Child; Barbara Pepper - Annie; Fred Santley - Waiter; Wallace Scott - Barman; Sarah Selby - Alice; Walter Soderling - Jed Jessup; Clarence G. Badger; William Hall - Moving Man; Alan Watson - Quartette; Jan Williams - Quartet; Dawn Bender - Joan Warren
