"Love Letters" is an interesting soap opera and mystery starring Joseph Cotten and Jennifer Jones. It was the third of five films that they made together. The sometimes spooky script was written by Ayn Rand, who is better known for her later philosophical works.

Cotten writes love letters for war buddy and cad Robert Sully. Cotten falls in love with his unseen pen pal, Jones. The brief marriage between Jones and Sully ends with Sully murdered and Jones suffering from amnesia. Cotten and Jones meet and wed, but how will she react when her memory returns? Will she blame Cotten for writing the love letters that set up her disastrous wedding to Sully?

Jones and Cotten had good screen chemistry. Jones
had an other-worldly quality, while Cotten's
persona was world-weary. They manage to overcome
a soapy plot. There is much melodrama made over
Jones' amnesia and recovery, while Jones' mother
(Gladys Cooper) makes an unlikely complete
recovery from a stroke that left her unable to
speak.

"Love Letters" met with some some success from
the Academy, with Jones receiving an Oscar
nomination for Best Actress. The film was also
nominated for its sets. Jones was nominated for
Best Actress for four consecutive years, 1944
through 1947. She would marry legendary producer
David O. Selznick in 1949. (67/100)



Recommended: Yes