One of the principal attributes of "Stranger at the Door" is the inherent goodness of Greg Norris and his wife Kathleen. They both show extraordinary kindness to the young man called Jamie Fisher, who arrives on their doorstep claiming to be the son that Kathleen had given up at his birth when she was sixteen.
It was Greg's idea to invite Jamie into the family home with no questions asked or no investigation of his past. And for his kindness, Greg is promptly repaid by being murdered by Jamie, who has his sights set on collecting the million-dollar insurance check.
In counterpoint to Greg and Kathleen is Tara, the daughter from Greg's first marriage. Tara is the skeptic, who is instantly alerted to the suspicious behavior of Jamie. But her father and stepmother take the defense of the facile yet charming young man working in league with Liz, who dispensed medication while serving an as inmate at the prison where Jamie was incarcerated. It was there that he learned the story of the real son of Kathleen. Between the co-conspirators, Liz is the more vicious, and Jamie turns out to actually possess the semblance of a conscience.
The cast was superb with the actors playing the two villains chewing the scenery, and the saintly parents consistently angelic in their behavior. One of our favorite performers and one with a distinctive baritone voice is Perry "Lifetime" King, who plays the role of Greg and unfortunately drops out of the film and this earthly existence well before his time.
The most touching moment is reserved for the denouement when at the Landsberry Correctional Facility, Kathleen finally meets the real Jamie Fisher, her long-lost son, who is destined to help restore her shattered world.
It was Greg's idea to invite Jamie into the family home with no questions asked or no investigation of his past. And for his kindness, Greg is promptly repaid by being murdered by Jamie, who has his sights set on collecting the million-dollar insurance check.
In counterpoint to Greg and Kathleen is Tara, the daughter from Greg's first marriage. Tara is the skeptic, who is instantly alerted to the suspicious behavior of Jamie. But her father and stepmother take the defense of the facile yet charming young man working in league with Liz, who dispensed medication while serving an as inmate at the prison where Jamie was incarcerated. It was there that he learned the story of the real son of Kathleen. Between the co-conspirators, Liz is the more vicious, and Jamie turns out to actually possess the semblance of a conscience.
The cast was superb with the actors playing the two villains chewing the scenery, and the saintly parents consistently angelic in their behavior. One of our favorite performers and one with a distinctive baritone voice is Perry "Lifetime" King, who plays the role of Greg and unfortunately drops out of the film and this earthly existence well before his time.
The most touching moment is reserved for the denouement when at the Landsberry Correctional Facility, Kathleen finally meets the real Jamie Fisher, her long-lost son, who is destined to help restore her shattered world.