奇爱疑云

On a rainy night in 1928 in a Pennsylvania factory town called Iverstown, Martha Ivers (Janis Wilson), thirtn years old, is trying to escape from the guardianship of her wealthy, dominring aunt. Her friend, the strt-smart, poor Sam Masterson (Darryl Hickman), comes for her through her bedroom window, but Martha&#39s aunt catches them. While Sam slips out unnoticed, Martha hits Mrs. Ivers on the head, causing her to fall down the long staircase and die. Though Sam saw nothing, the event was witnessed by Walter O&#39Neil (Mickey Kuhn), the son of Martha&#39s tutor (Roman Bohnen), known as Mr. O&#39Neil. Martha lies about the incident to Mr. O&#39Neil, and Walter supports her.[5] Mr. O&#39Neil suspects what happened but presents Martha&#39s version of events to the police, that an intruder is responsible he makes use of his knowledge by having her marry his son. When the police identify a former employ of the aunt as the murderer, the two O&#39Neils and Martha help convict him he is punished by hanging.[5] Eightn years later, the older O&#39Neil has died. Walter (now played by Kirk Douglas) is the district attorney, while Martha (Barbara Stanwyck) has used her inheritance from her aunt to build a large business empire. Their marriage is one-sided he loves her, but she does not love him. Sam (Van Heflin), now a drifter and gambler, stops in the small town by chance to have his car repaired after an aident. While waiting for repairs, at his old home, now a boarding house, he mts Antonia &quotToni&quot Marachek (Lizabeth Scott), who has just bn released from jail. She is later picked up for violating her probation by not returning to her hometown. Sam goes to s Walter, to s if he can use his influence to get her released. Walter is convinced Sam has returned with blackmail in mind, giving Walter a motive to run Sam out of town. When Martha reacts with joy to the news of Sam&#39s return, Walter&#39s jealousy provides an aitional motive. Walter forces Toni to set Sam up. Sam is beaten and driven out of town, but he is too tough to be intimidated. When all else fails, Walter makes a half-hearted attempt to kill Sam himself, but is easily disarmed. Martha then inadvertently blurts out the couple&#39s fears of blackmail, which prove to be groundless: Sam says he did not witness the death. Martha breaks down and laments that he left without her all those years ago, taking with him her only chance for love and frdom. Sam is torn betwn his old love and his new. Although he eventually forgives Toni for betraying him, he and Martha spend an idyllic day together, rekindling his flings for her. Walter arranges to mt Sam to finally settle matters. Before Sam arrives, Walter gets drunk and Martha finds out about the mting. When Walter falls down the stairs and is knocked unconscious, Martha urges Sam to kill him. Sam instead brings Walter around. Martha pulls out a gun and threatens to shoot Sam in &quotself defense&quot as an intruder. However, Sam gambles that Walter will not back up her story he turns his back on her and leaves. Walter embraces and kisses his wife then he points the gun at her midriff. Oly relieved, she puts her hand over his hand on the trigger and presses. As she is dying, she defiantly states her name is not Martha Ivers, but Martha Smith. Outside, Sam hears the shot. He runs back toward the mansion, but ss Walter, holding Martha&#39s body, shoot himself. Sam and Toni drive away together.