The 13th Letter (1951)
Otto Preminger's taut noir thriller about poison-pen letters tearing apart a quiet Quebec community through rumor, suspicion, and obsession.
The 13th Letter - Movie Information
- Original Title: The 13th Letter
- Release Year: 1951
- Directed by: Otto Preminger
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Crime, Mystery, Thriller
- Age Rating (US): NR
- Runtime: 1h 25m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): February 21, 1951 (United States - NR)
- Alternative Titles: La Treizième lettre (FR)
- Production Companies: 20th Century Fox
- Production Countries: United States of America
The 13th Letter - Plot
A new doctor in a quiet Quebec town sparks rumors and accusations when anonymous letters allege an affair with a married woman.
Where to Watch The 13th Letter
Looking for where to watch The 13th Letter?
Compare all viewing options available in your region on JustWatch ↗
The 13th Letter - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Otto Preminger
Main Cast
- Linda Darnell
- Charles Boyer
- Michael Rennie
- Constance Smith
- Françoise Rosay
- Judith Evelyn
- Guy Sorel
- June Hedin
- George Alexander
- Jacques Auger
Writers
- Louis Chavance
- Howard Koch
Producers
- Otto Preminger
The 13th Letter - FAQs
What is The 13th Letter about?
The 13th Letter follows a newly arrived doctor in a small Quebec town who becomes the target of a poison-pen letter campaign. The anonymous letters accuse him of an affair with a married woman, stirring up suspicion and paranoia throughout the tight-knit community. It's a tense noir mystery about rumor, obsession, and small-town secrets.
Is The 13th Letter based on a true story?
Yes, the film draws inspiration from a real French case known as the Tulle poison-pen letters affair of the 1920s, which also inspired the 1943 French film Le Corbeau. Otto Preminger's version transplants the story to a Quebec setting, giving it a distinctly North American noir atmosphere while preserving the core scandal.
Is The 13th Letter a remake of another film?
It's an American remake of the acclaimed 1943 French film Le Corbeau (The Raven), directed by Henri-Georges Clouzot. That original film was itself controversial in France due to its wartime production. Preminger's version retains the poison-pen premise but shifts the locale to Quebec, Canada, and softens some of the darker edges.
Who directed The 13th Letter?
Otto Preminger directed the film. Known for pushing boundaries in Hollywood, Preminger was a master of noir and psychological drama. His other celebrated works include Laura (1944), Anatomy of a Murder (1959), and Advise & Consent (1962). The 13th Letter showcases his skill at building tension within confined, claustrophobic social settings.
Who are the main actors in The 13th Letter?
The film stars Linda Darnell as Denise Turner, Charles Boyer as Dr. Paul Laurent, and Michael Rennie as Dr. Pearson. Constance Smith plays Cora Laurent, with Françoise Rosay and Judith Evelyn rounding out the strong ensemble cast. Darnell and Boyer are particularly compelling as the two figures at the center of the scandal.
Who wrote the screenplay for The 13th Letter?
The screenplay was written by Howard Koch, adapting Louis Chavance's original story — the same source material used for Clouzot's Le Corbeau. Koch was a seasoned Hollywood writer, perhaps best known for co-writing Casablanca (1942). His script for The 13th Letter keeps the mystery taut and the characters morally ambiguous throughout.
What are some films similar to The 13th Letter?
If you enjoy The 13th Letter, you'll likely appreciate Witness for the Prosecution (1957), Dial M for Murder (1954), and The Letter (1940) — all classic mystery thrillers built on deception and suspense. The original Le Corbeau (1943) is also essential viewing, as is Cause for Alarm! (1951), a similarly tense noir from the same era.
Was The 13th Letter well received by critics?
The film earned solid critical respect on release, praised for Preminger's assured direction and the strong performances, particularly from Boyer and Darnell. While it was seen as somewhat tamer than Clouzot's original, reviewers admired its atmospheric tension and sharp noir sensibility. Today it's regarded as a well-crafted, underappreciated gem of early 1950s Hollywood noir.
More About The 13th Letter
Explore further details about The 13th Letter on these trusted resources.