A Woman's Secret (1949)

43% of critics liked it
(7 reviews)
37% of users liked it
(113 ratings)

Screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz adopts the same prismatic-flashback technique he'd used so well in Citizen Kane for the 1949 filmic soap opera A Woman's Secret. Based on a novel by Vicki (Grand Hotel) Baum, the film begins with the shooting of nightclub singer Susan Caldwell (Gloria Grahame).… More Screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz adopts the same prismatic-flashback technique he'd used so well in Citizen Kane for the 1949 filmic soap opera A Woman's Secret. Based on a novel by Vicki (Grand Hotel) Baum, the film begins with the shooting of nightclub singer Susan Caldwell (Gloria Grahame). Marian Washburn (Maureen O'Hara), who'd coached Susan into the Big Time, confesses to the shooting. Neither Marian's piano-player friend Luke Jordan (Melvyn Douglas) nor police inspector Fowler (Jay C. Flippen) completely buy her story, and it is their probing investigation of the facts that sparks the flashback parade. The film details in sometimes clever, sometimes maudlin fashion the perils of living one's life vicariously through the accomplishments of others. Though filmed before director Nicholas Ray's "official" debut feature They Live by Night, A Woman's Secret was released afterward. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 25 min.
Directed By: Nicholas Ray
Genres: Mystery & Suspense, Drama

In Theaters: Mar 5, 1949 Wide
On DVD: Jan 16, 1991

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
There's too much unintended mystery about A Woman's Secret for it to be anything but spotty entertainment.
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
Nicholas Ray directed it, though his touch is apparent only in the handling of the unstable Grahame character; otherwise, it's probably his stodgiest, driest piece of work.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
One of the few really weak films in Nicholas Ray's otherwise brilliant career. Even the acting is not very good, compared to In a Lonely Place, in which Ray's then wife-actress Gloria Grahame also stars.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
The tidied up gem of a mess still gives off an awful stink.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
It is hard to believe that a film directed by Ray and written by Mankiewicz could be anything less than brilliant.
Geoff Andrew, Time Out
Entertaining, and less routine than it sounds.
, Film4
An early gem from Ray, who would undoubtedly go on to greater things, but who, at the very least, shows promise here.

Read all 7 critic reviews

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Cast

            Maureen O'Hara as Marian Washburn

            Melvyn Douglas as Luke Jordan

            Gloria Grahame as Susan Caldwell

            Bill Williams as Lee

            Victor Jory as Brook Matthews

            Mary Philips as Mrs. Fowler

            Jay C. Flippen as Det. Fowler

            Robert Warwick as Roberts

            Curt Conway as Doctor

            Ann Shoemaker as Mrs. Matthews

            Virginia Farmer as Mollie

            Ellen Corby as Nurse

            Emory Parnell as Desk Sergeant

            Conrad Binyon as Messenger Boy

            Oliver Blake as Mr. Pierson

            Raymond Bond as Dr. Ferris

            Eddie Borden as Waiter

            George Douglas as Policeman

            Paul Guilfoyle as Moderator

            Alvin Hammer as Fred

            Robert Malcolm Young as Bit

            Rory Mallinson as Benson

            Frank Marlowe as Whitey

            Alphonse Martell as Waiter

            Ralph Montgomery as Photographer

            Forbes Murray as Mr. Emory

            John Parrish as Prof. Camelli

            Lee Phelps as Policeman

            Mickey Simpson as Policeman

            Charles Wagenheim as Piano player

            Lynn Whitney as Actress

            John W. Goldsworthy as Harold

            Guy Beach as Policeman

            Tom Coleman as Policeman

            Bert Davidson as Radio Director

            Dan Foster as Stage Manager

            Frederic Nay as Master of Ceremonies

            Norman Nesbitt as Announcer

            Ralph Stein as Mr. Harris

            Evelyn Underwood as Girl

            Lorelei Vitek as Waitress

            John Laing as Radio Announcer
See full cast

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