The story begins when Kate Bosworth (Bette), an amateur artist, misses the ferry to an island off the coast of Massachusetts, where she was expected at the home of her cousin.
After much coaxing, she is able to arrange a ride to the island with Bill Emerson (Glenn Ford), a man who does some work for the nearby lighthouse.
Attracted to Bill and wanting to see him again, Kate conjures up a reason to visit the lighthouse---she will paint a portrait of the lighthouse keeper, an occupation which will take several days, thus affording her many trips to the keeper's house.
During the two weeks of painting, Kate and Bill spend much time together, and they both realize they are kindred spirits, in that they both enjoy the quiet, slow-paced life of the island. In fact, Bill had even passed up a more lucrative job offer simply because he didn't want the frantic lifestyle it would bring. Although Kate soon falls in love with Bill, she has yet to invite him to call at her house, and they schedule a lunch date in town.
When Kate arrives for lunch, Bill is taken aback by the change in her. Oh, she looks the same, but she is not as reserved as she has normally been. She is flashy and forward and flirtatious...and he likes it.
It isn't until Bill takes her home that he discovers he hadn't had lunch with Kate at all...but with Pat, her twin sister.
And unfortunately for Kate, who is very much in love with him, Bill falls in love with Pat, and the two decide to be married.
Devastated and heartbroken, Kate throws herself into her artwork, all the while trying to be a loving sister and a wonderful sister-in-law. But as the months go on, she finds that all is not well with Bill and Pat's marriage. Bill has had to take the lucrative job he didn't want in order to make enough money to support Pat's spending habits. And when she goes back to the island to try to regroup, Kate is shocked to find that Pat, also, has come back to the island, that she hadn't wanted to accompany Bill on his business trip.
While sailing on the bay one afternoon, a fierce storm kicks up, and the sisters are unable to get back to the island. Although they try to make it to the lighthouse, a huge wave submerges the boat, and despite Kate's endeavors to help her, Pat cannot hang on and is drowned. Just as she slips under the water, with Kate grabbing frantically at her hand, her wedding ring slides from her finger and into the palm of Kate's hand.
When Kate regains consciousness in the bedroom of the lighthouse, she finds that everyone is referring to her as Mrs. Emerson, and from that moment on, she decides that she will be Pat, the wife of Bill, the man she loves. But, as Kate attempts to take on the identity of her sister, she discovers things she never imagined...things which cause her to wonder if she can keep up the charade. Does Kate continue to live a lie? Does Bill ever find out? Those are the questions which play out in the remainder of the film.
Bette Davis, Larger Than Life (by Richard Schickel and George Perry) has this to say about A Stolen Life: "It is an uninspiring work...trite and melodramatic, with cliche-ridden screenplay, A Stolen Life was the only film Davis produced, and although she had hired Curtis Bernhardt to direct, the result was undistinguished." Funny, I don't feel that way at all. While I readily admit that A Stolen Life is not one of Bette's most spectacular films, it is, nevertheless, interesting, exciting, and well-acted. Though I think Bette is positively brilliant when she is being "bad," she also does a wonderful job when she's playing "nice." Since she didn't often do that, though, it makes this film quite a treat. Also, Glenn Ford is always solid and commanding...and very masculine. Walter Brennan is always a delight, and Dane Clark is generally a big plus in a cast as well. All that combines to make for a very pleasant viewing experience.
The film is out on DVD, plus it is on the TCM schedule for Sunday, April 22nd at 9:45 p.m. I think it's a touching story and easily an enjoyable 4-star film.
Happy viewing!!
