Review of Sorry, Wrong Number (1948) by Randy T — 14 Mar 2011

Sorry, Wrong Number is remarkably similar to the recent Ryan Reynolds film, Buried, in that the main characters in both films are in danger and have access to phones--and, theoretically, help--yet find it difficult to express their dire situations to those they call.

Sorry, Wrong Number is based on a radio play and, indeed, seems very theatrical. Normally I love Barbara Stanwyck, but in this film I hated her hysterical, hypochondriac housewife (say that 10 times fast!). And I felt that the whole "Punish the uppity broad" factor was laid on a little thick.

Stanwyck's character, Leona Stevenson, is a rich, bedridden woman who accidentally overhears a conversation between two men discussing a murder on the phone (woot for party lines). While investigating the call, she becomes convinced that the men were plotting HER murder--and that her husband is behind the whole thing!

Sorry, Wrong Number was decent, but not quite suspenseful enough to hold my interest. And Stanwyck's character was dreadfully annoying (which is exactly how she is supposed to be, so hats off to Stanwyck I guess)...I just couldn't muster up the energy to care about her fate.