Not as a Stranger (1955): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 1955, Not as a Stranger is a drama and romance film directed by Stanley Kramer, running about 135 minutes. “stands alone! first as a book... now as a motion picture!” — that tagline sets the tone.

What it’s about. Lucas Marsh, an intern bent upon becoming a first-class doctor, not merely a successful one. He courts and marries the warm-hearted Kristina, not out of love but because she is highly knowledgeable in the skills of the operating room and because she has frugally put aside her savings through the years. She will be, as he shrewdly knows, a supportive wife in every way. She helps make him the success he wants to be and cheerfully moves with him to the small town in which he starts his practice. But as much as he tries to be a good husband to the undemanding Kristina, Marsh easily falls into the arms of a local siren and the patience of the long-sorrowing Kristina wears thin.

Who’s in it. Not as a Stranger stars Olivia de Havilland as Kristina Hedvigson / Kristina Marsh, Robert Mitchum as Lucas Marsh, Frank Sinatra as Alfred Boone and Gloria Grahame as Harriet Lang, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 6.5/10, Not as a Stranger has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.

Where to watch. In US you can stream it on YouTube TV, ScreenPix Apple TV Channel and ScreenPix Amazon Channel and rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Not as a Stranger page.

If you liked it. Fans of Not as a Stranger tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.