The Strange Woman (1946)

Directed by Edgar G. Ulmer and starring the mesmerizing Hedy Lamarr, The Strange Woman is a lush, morally complex historical melodrama set in 1820s Bangor, Maine. Based on the 1941 novel by Ben Ames Williams, the film explores themes of manipulation, ambition, and the destructive power of unchecked desire—all wrapped in period costumes and shadowy cinematography.

Plot Summary
Lamarr plays Jenny Hager, a beautiful but ruthless woman who uses her charm to climb the social ladder. As a child, she nearly lets a boy drown—only to save him at the last moment and claim heroism. As an adult, she seduces and marries the wealthy timber baron Isaiah Poster, while rekindling a secret affair with his son Ephraim, whom she once loved.

Jenny’s manipulations extend to John Evered, Isaiah’s business partner, whom she also seduces. Her schemes lead to betrayal, death, and emotional ruin for nearly everyone around her. The film builds toward a tragic climax that forces Jenny to confront the consequences of her actions.

Cast Highlights

• Hedy Lamarr as Jenny Hager
• George Sanders as John Evered
• Louis Hayward as Ephraim Poster
• Gene Lockhart as Isaiah Poster
• June Lockhart as Meg Saladine
• Alan Napier as Judge Saladine

Behind-the-Scenes Trivia

• Hedy Lamarr was also executive producer, a rare role for a woman in 1940s Hollywood
• The film’s title comes from Proverbs 5:3: “The lips of the strange woman drip honey…”—quoted in a sermon scene
• Douglas Sirk directed the opening sequence uncredited, featuring Jenny as a child
• Lamarr called it her most satisfying role: “It’s a part you can get your teeth into… dramatic and forceful”
• The film had a budget of $1.5 million and earned $2.8 million in U.S. rentals