You won't be disappointed!

the audience applauded

Wow! What a bizarre film! Unfortunately the few funny moments there were were quite overshadowed by it's completely weird and random vibe throughout.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

This is an unpretentious 'little' film that succeeds in charming even a latter-day audience though back in the late forties it was probably very much in the mainstream. In probably nineteenth century rural Ohio William Holden is neglecting his farm and young son in favor of grieving for his late wife, recently (presumably) deceased as the film opens, victim of an unspecified ailment. Travelling 'hunter'cum-trapper, Robert Mitchum, a long-time friend of the family and one-time rival of Holden for the hand of the dead woman, makes a regular visit to the farm, learns the situation and advises Holden to do something about both the domestic chores and a maternal presence for his son. Holden addresses this problem by riding into the nearby town and 'buying' a 'bond' woman, Loretta Young, to handle both tasks. Back at the farm he treats her as little better than a skivvy, allowing his son to do the same. He appears to have little interest in sleeping with her and is, at best, awkwardly civil. The scene is now set for Mitchum to make a return visit but this time as hunter-trapper-catalyst; his treating of Young with both respect and as a desirable woman, triggers Holden's latent jealousy and paves the way for a happy 'bonding' with the bond woman. All three leads perform well and the result is a true, feel-good movie.

"Rachel and the Stranger" is a pleasant film that combines two genres to great advantage. On the one hand, it has the feel of a western, but it is also a tender love story. Pictures like this one were made in the Hollywood of the post-war when all the men were back and happier times seemed just on the horizon. The film reflects the hope of those years as it gave its viewers a good time for the prize of admission.The story is simple enough. A lonely widower, David Harris, with a young son can't cope running their farm without the help of a woman. The solution is to go into the near settlement where no one knows his wife has died to try to get a woman that could come and help with the farm work. He has to resort to buy a servant woman, Rachel, for a ridiculous sum and heads back to his place. There is a best friend who takes only one look at Rachel to realize she's a diamond in the rough. Through Jim's interest in Racehl, David comes to realize what this woman is worth after she walks out on him and the farm. David will come to his senses and will realize he has loved Rachel all along.The film unites three stars in their own right: William Holden, Loretta Young and Robert Mitchum, something that would be prohibitive by today's salaries and egos. RKO scored big with the casting alone. Norman Foster directed with his own easy style. The three principals do an excellent job in creating characters that the viewer will like."Rachel and the Stranger" is a good way to spend an evening when there is nothing else to do.

This excellent film is one of William Holden's best earlier roles...not all that far from the major stardom that was to come.This was also a nice change of pace for Robert Mitchum. It was another sturdy performance by Loretta Young. I find it entertaining, honest and well made. I do wish Warner Home video would see fit to release it on DVD. It's a good 'family' movie, and I believe it would be popular.Considering it was one of RKO's biggest hits in the late 1940's, I guess the public back then saw it the same way I see it....as a terrific film.

"Big" Davey Harvey(William Holden) a widower, and his only son Davey live in the mountains of Ohio during the Pioneer days. Big Davey increasingly frustrated at the influence of his fur hunter friend Jim Fairways(Robert Mitchum) decides his son needs a woman's influence around the house and sets off to the local stockade to find a wife much to the protestations of little Davey who doesn't want anyone to replace his recently deceased mother.Big Davey is recommended a bonds girl Rachel(Loretta Young )who is surplus to requirements and he buys her for 18 dollars.Both of the Harveys are cold and distant towards their new family member and treat her as the slave she is, until that is the charismatic Jim Fairways arrives and treats her like a queen,they hit it off straight away much to the jealousy of Big Davey who is just not ready for love yet…. this triggers a battle of wills to win the heart of Rachel…and just to add to their problems the film is set against a backdrop of continuing raids by rogue Shawnee Indians on the local homesteads.This is truly a forgotten western classic that still feels very fresh today,Rachel and the Stranger is very very charming film,that is also very funny and has a simple but intelligent script,on top of that add three truly Epic performances by the three leads and an action packed finale and you have a wonderful film.PS.Mitchum never ceases to amaze me, a true giant of the Cinema and a really good singer too