James Stephenson, the actor who was Bette's attorney in "The Letter" came to acting later in life. He had a promising career but died prematurely and very unexpectedly. I thought his was an outstanding performance and each time I watch the movie, I am moved by his character and acting, and the subsequent unfortunate shortness of his days. I thought his was one of the best roles and best acting jobs in a movie full of gems.
shareAgree with you completely. He was great in a movie full of great performances.
A terrific role for Bette Davis but James Stephenson was perfect too, all their scenes together were full of tense, unspoken stuff. All Stephenson's scenes with the clerk (Victor Sen Young, also wonderful) were great too- the scenes where he's trying to hide his feelings when he first learns of the letter and when he's basically haggling with his clerk for the letter by feigning indifference. Stephenson really captured the misery of a respected professional betraying every oath he ever took. And for what- friends who were going to leave town anyway- to protect the husband from learning of his wife's infidelity, but he found out anyway. All of it was futile and you can imagine the lawyer stuck with the sinister clerk for the rest of his career, ready to wreck his career or blackmail him, either one would be the end of the guy and you can tell he seems sort of ruined already. I guess its good acting and/or good writing when you can get a sense of the life of the character beyond the film.
While its sad he died shortly after making this movie, imdb lists 39 movie credits for him in 5 years! Wikipedia says:
Stephenson's big break came when director William Wyler cast him, in spite of studio resistance, in The Letter (1940) opposite Bette Davis.
Stephenson's studied performance is remarkable. His guarded words and disinterested expression juxtapose eloquently as he deftly conveys the humiliation of a consumate professional who is torn between his duty to his client?friends?class?--and his honor. Stephenson astutely permits the viwer to see through the most subtle infection the whole bag of tricks. His is the backdrop that hold the piece together. The subtle cat and mouse tensions created by the interaction between Stephenson and Davies is worth the price of the film.
This movie is about the actors. Pick out any of the leads and watch that actor's demeaner from beginning to end. Interesting the conclusions that are reached.
What is sad is how rare it is for gifted actors to find great parts and directors. When they get that chance they are amazing. Stephenson and movie fans lucked out. He got the brass ring before he died and ran with it.
And mighty good looking too!
Why ain't you at the garden party you heathen?
I completely agree. Stephenson was extraordinary. I had never heard of him before The Letter and many times during the course of the film, I'd find myself watching him in awe instead of Davis. The same thing happened in a rather mediocre movie called "Espionage Agent" starring Joel McCrea and the beautiful Brenda Marshall. Stephenson had a rather small part as some kind of Nazi operative, and he was wearing a moustache and a gray wig, so I didn't recognize him. During his one big scene, where he interrogates Brenda Marshall, I kept finding my eyes drawn to this person that I thought I didn't know. He was literally mesmerizing in this role that would have been very forgettable in anyone else's hands. I was very surprised and pleased to find out later that it was him. We lost a great actor who was just about to reach the peak of his career.
shareStephenson was a British stage actor long before he hit the silver screen. I agree, he was superb in the letter, and a wonderful contrast to Bette Davis' affected over acting. Every moment of his is completely believable - he gave us true art with that role.
He was excellent, as was Davis, whose acting was perfect in this. She should have had the Oscar.
shareYes, he was amazing, the speech in the courtroom and the way his voice cracked, it was brilliant!
shareDitto marks on all of the above posts for me! Stephenson was aboslutely riveting in The Letter. His subtle but intense acting dominated every scene he was in -- a considerable accomplishment, since most of his scenes were with the formidable Bette!
He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good... St. Matthew 5:45