The Letter - An Early Noir

Bette Davis is so cold and calculating as Leslie Crosbie in The Letter. You immediately have sympathy for her, in spite of the violent opening. Then, slowly, you start to realize the truth of the situation and you despise the woman - she's a cheat, a liar, a racist and, of course, a murderer. But still, you remain fascinated by her until the brutal end!

The supporting cast is excellent! Herbert Marshall, James Stephenson, Gale Sondergaard, and Victor Sen Yung. I love Frieda Inescort, so it's always fun to see her in this film. Her character is rather ignorant and insulated, as were a lot of rich men's wives back then (and now, too, I should imagine).

The cinematography in The Letter is at times breathtaking. Bette in her lace veil looks ethereal, especially with the wind chimes jingling around her. But she is not a heavenly creature - no, no, no. 

She was the best actress in Hollywood, in my humble opinion!