Noir Alley: Eddie Muller on The Letter (1940)

Letter, The - (Original Trailer)

Bette Davis pumps bullets into a man's body. Was it self-defense? Only The Letter (1940) can answer.

Letter, The (1940) -- (Movie Clip) Justice Will Be Done

Lawyer Howard (James Stephenson) is notably hesitant as he closes his arguments in a Malay courtroom for the acquittal of Leslie (Bette Davis) in William Wyler's The Letter, 1940.

Letter, The (1940) -- (Movie Clip) Just Out Of Prison

On the evening of her acquittal, Leslie (Bette Davis) finds a dagger outside her bedroom, then is dragged into the party by Frieda (Dorothy Joyce), in William Wyler's The Letter, 1940, from W. Somerset Maugham's play.

Letter, The (1940) -- (Movie Clip) To Save Your Neck

Director William Wyler uses trademark long takes as lawyer Howard (James Stephenson) reveals damning evidence to his client, accused murderess Leslie (Bette Davis), in The Letter, 1940, from the play by W. Somerset Maugham.

Letter, The (1940) -- (Movie Clip) Mrs. Hammond

Wind chimes augment the near-silent Mrs. Hammond (Gale Sondergaard) as she demands her money and something more from Leslie (Bette Davis), lawyer Howard (James Stephenson) and his aide (Sen Yung) in The Letter, 1940.

Letter, The (1940) -- (Movie Clip) What Are You Getting Out Of This?

Smarmy native legal assistant Ong (Sen Yung) puts his self-interested squeeze on his boss Howard (James Stephenson), arranging the blackmail deal in William Wyler's The Letter, 1940, starring Bette Davis.

Letter, The (1940) -- (Movie Clip) Opening, Leslie

The famous opening scene starring Bette Davis and the handgun, at a rubber plantation in Malaysia, from William Wyler's The Letter, 1941, from the play by W. Somerset Maugham.

Letter, The (1940) -- (Movie Clip) Terribly Cold-Blooded

Plot thickens as lawyer Howard (James Stephenson) debriefs first Withers (Bruce Lester) then Leslie (Bette Davis) and all depart for court, leaving Mrs. Hammond (Gale Sondergaard) lurking behind in The Letter, 1940.

Letter, The (1940) -- (Movie Clip) It's Too Awful!

Leslie (Bette Davis) in a portion of her account of killing Hammond, for husband Robert (Herbert Marshall), lawyer Howard (James Stephenson) and official Withers (Bruce Lester) in William Wyler's The Letter, 1940.

Letter, The (1940) -- (Movie Clip) Who Has The Letter Now?

Acquitted killer Leslie (Bette Davis) and her lawyer and reluctant co-conspirator Howard (James Stephenson) finally tell her loyal husband Bob (Herbert Marshall) the truth in The Letter, 1940.