Never Love a Stranger
Never Love a Stranger

Movie spotlight

Never Love a Stranger

1958
Movie
91 min
English

Orphan turns bad, finds redemption with some help from boyhood pal. This movie is of interest because of the presence of a young Steve McQueen, the leading man being John Drew Barrymore, father of the more famous Drew, and for being based on a novel by Harold Robbins, famous for steamy writing in his day.

Insights

IMDb5.8/10
Director: Richard W. Van.Genres: Drama, Crime

Plot Summary

This drama follows the troubled life of Frankie, a young orphan who grows up in a series of foster homes and institutions. He struggles with anger and a desire for revenge against those he believes wronged him. His life is marked by criminal activity and tumultuous relationships, particularly with a woman named Lorie, as he navigates a path toward self-destruction.

Critical Reception

Never Love a Stranger was not widely reviewed by major critics upon its release and is often considered a minor B-movie of its era. While it aimed for a gritty portrayal of a troubled youth, its execution was often seen as melodramatic and lacking in nuance. Audience reception was likely limited, with its primary appeal being to fans of crime dramas and its lead actor.

What Reviewers Say

  • The film attempts a serious look at a delinquent youth but often falls into melodrama.

  • John Drew Barrymore's performance is noted, though the material is sometimes uneven.

  • It's a typical example of a low-budget crime drama from the late 1950s.

Google audience: Information on specific Google user reviews for this film is not readily available.

Fun Fact

The film is notable for being an early starring role for John Drew Barrymore, who came from a legendary acting family.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review