Phone Call From a Stranger (DVD, 2008, Bette Davis Centenary Collection)

This movie is the story of 4 travelers who meet aboard an airplane bound for Los Angeles. They become the "four musketeers," but only one of them survives when the plane crashes. David Trask, Attorney (Gary Merrill) feels it is his duty to let the other families know what was on the minds of the other 3 when they died.

David Trask has his own story too. He has phoned his adulterous wife to let her know he is leaving her and his two daughters when the movie begins. But the other three are:

Binky Carr(Shelley Winters) plays a wannabe Broadway star who is reluctantly on her way back home to reconcile with her husband Mike Carr (Craig Stevens) after giving up on a New York career. She's no dumb blonde either. She has the other three all figured out.

Eddie Hoke (Keenan Wynn) is the clown of the four. He is a traveling salesman for costumes and disguises. He appears quite obnoxious during the flight but ends up being the hero of the whole thing.

Dr. Robert Fortness (Michael Rennie) plays a man with a secret. He hires David Trask, Lawyer on the flight to represent him. His wife is played by Beatrice Straight.

Bette Davis is Mrs. Eddie Hoke and doesn't appear until the end. But what an ending she makes. She resolves the whole story satisfactorily.

Bette Davis made this movie so that she could be with her fourth husband, Gary Merrill, whom she met while making "All About Eve." They had just adopted a daughter together and shortly thereafter a son as well. She was very happily married during the making of this movie, but it all broke apart soon after. She says that it was because of Gary's long absences, violent temper, and drinking.

If you look in my list of inventory reviews, you will see more Bette Davis movies that any other. I am one of her biggest fans, and I have read at least 3 books about her. She had her problems too, but she became what I would call the First Lady of the Movies.