The Bigamist

Director: Ida Lupino Ida Lupino

Overview

The title character is Edmond O'Brien, a lonely travelling salesman who ends up married to two women, Eve (Joan Fontaine)--and Phyllis (Ida Lupino). Eventually, of course, the truth comes out. Directed by costar Ida Lupino, The Bigamist manages to evoke a certain amount of sympathy for Edmond O'Brien, without in any way advocating or excusing his lifestyle. It's worth noting that an Italian film made around the same time, also titled The Bigamist, is a comedy.

Product Details

Release Date:	07/09/2015
UPC:	0644827218721
Original Release:	1953
Source:	Reel Vault
Language:	English
Sales rank:	47,722

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Edmond O'Brien	Harry Graham / Harrison Graham
Joan Fontaine	Eve Graham,Miss Higgins
Ida Lupino	Phyllis Martin
Edmund Gwenn	Mr. Jordan
Jane Darwell	Mrs. Connelly
Kenneth Tobey	Tom Morgan
John Maxwell	Judge
Peggy Maley	Phone Operator
Mack Williams	Prosecuting Attorney
James Todd	Mr. Forbes
James Young	Executive
John Brown	Dr. Wallace
Matt Dennis	Himself
Jerry Housner	Roy
Kem Dibbs	Tanner Driver
Ken Drake	Court Clerk
Mac Kim	Boy on the Street
George Lee	Head Waiter

Technical Credits

Ida Lupino	Director
Collier Young	Producer

Editorial Reviews

Featuring an unusual subject matter for a 1950s film, The Bigamist could easily have been turned into either a quickie exploitation flick or a heavy-handed moralizing trope on the sanctity of marriage. Instead, under director Ida Lupino's careful and sensitive guidance, the film manages the difficult trick of being sympathetic to the title character while at the same time condemning his actions. Although no classic -- it's a trifle too schematic and can't help but mix in a few too many clichés into the story -- The Bigamist is notable for its examination of a socially taboo subject and for the honesty with which it treats its characters and their milieus. As a director, Lupino also has an eye for telling detail, as in the manner in which the Chinese restaurant where Phyllis Martin (played by Lupino) works describes so much about the character and her world. Lupino the director gets a very fine performance from Lupino the actress and an even more impressive one from Edmond O'Brien, who handles the difficult role with seeming ease. As the first wife, Joan Fontaine is excellent, her familiar mannerisms well suited to the role. George Diskant's low-key photography also adds to the atmospheric proceedings.