The Strange Love of Martha Ivers (4 Stars)

I want to watch a few films starring Kirk Douglas this week. Amazon Prime offers two of his films, including "The Strange Love of Martha Ivers", made in 1946. It was Kirk's first film, and he was given one of the main roles. According to Wikipedia, the director saw Kirk Douglas performing on stage, which led to him being picked for the role.

The film begins in 1928. Martha Smith is 13. Her parents have died, and she's been adopted by her rich aunt, Mrs. Ivers, who is unmarried and wants an heir to take over the steel mill that she owns. Martha hates her strict aunt, even more when her name is legally changed to Martha Ivers. They live in a large mansion with her private teacher, Walter O'Neil, and his son Walter Jr.

Martha attempts to run away with her boyfriend, Sam Masterson, but the police bring her back home. Mrs. Ivers is furious with Walter, blaming him for not keeping an eye on Martha, so she fires him. The same evening there's a power cut. Sam sneaks into the house to take Martha away again. Mrs. Ivers hears the noise and goes to investigate. Martha's cat runs in front of Mrs. Ivers, so she beats it with her cane. Martha hits her aunt on the head with a candlestick, causing her to fall down the stairs and die. Walter Jr and Sam see what has happened. Sam flees. When Walter arrives, Martha and Walter Jr claim that a man broke in and murdered Mrs. Ivers. He knows that they're lying, but he backs up their story when the police come.

Martha inherits the house. Walter keeps his job and becomes Martha's legal guardian until she's 18. Martha and Walter Jr marry, united by their dark secret rather than love. Martha is a better businesswoman than her aunt ever was. The company grows from 3,000 to 30,000 employees. She becomes a benefactor for the town, building new schools and hospitals. Everyone loves Martha Ivers, who's now known as Martha O'Neil. Walter Jr becomes the district attorney, riding on his wife's popularity. One of his first cases is to settle the murder of Mrs. Ivers. He picks an unpopular employee in his wife's factory, fabricates evidence against him, and he's hanged for murder.

Now it's 1946. Kirk Douglas plays the part of Walter O'Neil Jr. Despite his popularity, he's lazy and a drunk. He drinks Scotch in his office before he starts work in the morning, and he comes back home to his wife drunk at night. He drinks because Martha doesn't love him, and she doesn't love him because he drinks. Just when they don't think things can get any worse, Sam returns to town. It's a three-way story of sin and corruption. Martha falls in love with Sam, but Sam wants to blackmail Martha, while Walter Jr wants to murder Sam.

This is a fascinating drama, with no real surprises, but nevertheless enthralling. Whenever we start to feel sympathy for any of the main characters, he or she does something that disgusts us. They're all evil below the surface, however good they pretend to be. It's an interesting start to Kirk Douglas' film career.

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