The Letter, by W. Somerset Maugham
An MPDMedia Audio Book
The original version of Maugham's romance classic, as published in the April 1924 edition of Hearst's International magazine, which came into the public domain this year. Leslie Crosbie, memorably played by Bette Davis in the 1940's film version, is a bored housewife in post-war Malay, who kills a popular local Lothario she accuses of rape. Although she is arrested for the crime, all seems to be in her favor, until the title item shows up at her lawyer's office. What it contains changes the concept of the incident considerably, and must be dealt with immediately.
Reviews
Reviewer:
dougpeter
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June 22, 2022
Subject: A Shift in Plot
Subject: A Shift in Plot
Interesting to compare the evolution of the tale from magazine short story to play to the 1929 film starring Jeanne Eagels as Leslie Crosby. Today the original film is eclipsed by the Bettie Davis version but in its day it was considered poweful drama that got Eagels a posthumous academy award nomination. No spoilers, but on celluloid the shooting takes place after Leslie's confrontation with Hammond has spooled out. Much of the major drama in the film is in added scenes such as a confrontation between Leslie and "the Chinese woman." The ending is also quite different from the story or play. I actually think the film is dramatically superior to the play.
Reviewer:
ritter33
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May 11, 2021
Subject: From a good magazine story to a great movie.
Subject: From a good magazine story to a great movie.
Amazing how the movie stayed to the magazine story - except at the end when the Hays Office stepped in TWICE. I liked this ending which left me with a lot of questions; but I also liked the movie ending. The reading was a little stilted but I liked having time to digest it rather than some readings which are just to fast for my old ears and brain. Thank you.
