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Poster for Not as a Stranger

Not as a Stranger

Seen it?

1955 | 135 min | Drama, Romance

Monday Morning Maybeearly rating

Why it’s a Monday Morning Maybe

With just 10% on Rotten Tomatoes, soft box office and little lasting buzz, this one could be a tough watch. Keep your phone handy.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Best for anyone who likes life-or-death stakes every episode and anyone who's survived a family wedding. Life-and-death stakes, often at a run. Sits nicely alongside Doctor Zhivago or The Magnificent Ambersons. Relationships are put under a microscope, for better or worse.
The mood
Warm and romantic.
The pace
Gives its people room to develop, at 2 hr 15 min.
What might put you off
  • Made in 1955: an older pace and style.
  • Not the one if you want explosions or easy laughs.

Lucas Marsh, an intern bent upon becoming a first-class doctor, not merely a successful one. He courts and marries the warm-hearted Kristina, not out of love but because she is highly knowledgeable in the skills of the operating room and because she has frugally put aside her savings through the years. She will be, as he shrewdly knows, a supportive wife in every way. She helps make him the success he wants to be and cheerfully moves with him to the small town in which he starts his practice. But as much as he tries to be a good husband to the undemanding Kristina, Marsh easily falls into the arms of a local siren and the patience of the long-sorrowing Kristina wears thin.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsWeak

    10% on Rotten Tomatoes

  • AudiencesNot counted

    Not measured yet: not enough ratings

  • AwardsSolid

    Nominated for 1 Oscar.

  • Box office & staying powerBelow par

    $8 million worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactBelow par

    About 30K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Stanley Kramer

  • Robert MitchumLucas Marsh
  • Olivia de HavillandKristina Hedvigson / Kristina Marsh
  • Frank SinatraAlfred Boone
  • Gloria GrahameHarriet Lang
  • Broderick CrawfordDr. Aarons
  • Charles BickfordDr. Dave W. Runkleman
  • Myron McCormickDr. Clem Snider
  • Lon Chaney Jr.Job Marsh
  • Jesse WhiteBen Cosgrove
  • Harry MorganOley