The Stranger (1946) Director: Orson Welles Studio: International Pictures Starring: Orson Welles, Edward G. Robinson, Loretta Young Release Date: November 27, 1946 Runtime: 96 minutes Format: Black & White | Mono | Sound | Film Noir | Thriller Country: United States Language: English Genres: Film Noir | Thriller | Crime | Mystery Summary: The Stranger follows war crimes investigator Wilson (Edward G. Robinson) as he hunts down Franz Kindler (Orson Welles), a Nazi fugitive hiding in a quiet Connecticut town under a false identity. When Wilson arrives to expose Kindler’s past, the fugitive’s web of deception threatens to unravel, placing innocent lives in jeopardy. The film builds intense suspense as it explores themes of identity, guilt, and justice in the shadow of World War II. Noted as Orson Welles’s first studio film as director, The Stranger combines noir atmosphere with a gripping narrative of post-war reckoning. Background: Directed by and starring Orson Welles, The Stranger was produced by International Pictures and was among the first Hollywood films to confront Nazi war criminals on American soil. The film’s atmospheric visuals and tight pacing reflect Welles’s signature style, though tempered by studio influence. Edward G. Robinson delivers a strong performance as the relentless investigator, while Loretta Young adds emotional depth as his wife caught in the unfolding drama. Trivia: The Stranger was the first Hollywood film to feature actual newsreel footage from Nazi concentration camps. Orson Welles reportedly had limited creative control due to studio interference. The film was a commercial success and helped revive Robinson’s career. Loretta Young was nominated for a Golden Globe for her role. The film explores themes of identity concealment and post-war justice rarely tackled at the time. Now in the public domain, it is widely available in classic film collections. Hashtags: #TheStranger #OrsonWelles #EdwardGRobinson #FilmNoir #ClassicThriller #1940sCinema #NaziHunting #MysteryFilm #OldHollywood #PublicDomainFilm #LorettaYoung #WarCrimesInvestigation #PostWarCinema #NoirClassic