10 Little Things I Love About “The Letter”

1. The opening scene

My favorite Bette Davis entrance!

2. The atmosphere

I always associate this movie with summer because it does such a good job of conveying how hot it was at the time of this incident. I could watch it in the dead of winter and it would still make me feel like I should be turning on a fan.

3.  Gale Sondergaard’s piercing looks of disdain

That is the fiercest glare I have ever witnessed.

4.  This shot:

5.  Bette Davis’ acting in the scene where Leslie’s lawyer reads the incriminating letter aloud.

6.  The wind chimes.

I don’t usually care much about wind chimes, but they are used to brilliant dramatic effect here.

7.  Mrs. Hammond’s entrance when Leslie has come to see her.

I’ve never seen a beaded curtain look so incredibly dramatic.

8.  All the shots of the moon.

9.  The knives.

Aside from being deadly, they’re so ornate.

10. The fact that this movie gave us one of my favorite behind-the-scenes pictures.

Bette Davis with her stand-in.