The File on Thelma Jordon (1949)
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73% of users liked it
(225 ratings)
No one is as good as Barbara Stanwyck when she's bad. Here Stanwyck plays Thelma Jordon, a woman who late one night shows up in the office of happily married Assistant DA Cleve Marshall (Wendell Corey) to seek help in solving the string of robberies at her wealthy aunt's estate. Before Cleve… More No one is as good as Barbara Stanwyck when she's bad. Here Stanwyck plays Thelma Jordon, a woman who late one night shows up in the office of happily married Assistant DA Cleve Marshall (Wendell Corey) to seek help in solving the string of robberies at her wealthy aunt's estate. Before Cleve can stop himself, he and Thelma are involved in an illicit affair. But Thelma is a mysterious woman, and Cleve can't help wondering if she is hiding something. His suspicions are confirmed when Thelma confesses to him that she is married to Tony Laredo, though she swears that she never wants to see him again. When Thelma's aunt is found murdered, Cleve's suspicions are aroused once again, but he is too love-struck to keep himself from being drawn into the complicated series of events that ultimately lead to his ruination. Siodmak directs with his usual skill and polish, but the film really belongs to Barbara Stanwyck who is magnificent as Thelma. Unlike the usual cold, passionless femme fatale of film noir, Thelma has a heart and a conscience. She comes to love Cleve, and has concern for his life and his future. However, despite her wish that her life could be different, she realizes that she belongs in Tony's world, and despite her attempts to sacrifice herself to save Cleve, he is doomed, by his love for her and by his own weaknesses. The File on Thelma Jordan is a romantic, unusual mystery, with a great performance and superior direction. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Robert Siodmak
- Written By
- Marty Holland, Ketti Frings
- Genres
- Mystery & Suspense, Drama
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Jan 1, 1949 Wide
- Studio
- Paramount
Critic Reviews
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
The performances by both Stanwyck and Corey are strong.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Barbara Stanwyck
as Thelma Jordon
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Wendell Corey
as Cleve Marshall
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Paul Kelly
as Miles Scott
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Joan Tetzel
as Pamela Marshall
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Stanley Ridges
as Kingsley Willis
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Richard Rober
as Tony Laredo
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Minor Watson
as Judge Calvin Blackwell
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Barry Kelley
as District Attorney Pierce
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Laura Elliot
as Dolly
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Basil Ruysdael
as Judge Hancock
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Jane Novak
as Mrs. Blackwell
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Gertrude W. Hoffman
as Aunt Vera Edwards
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Harry Antrim
as Sidney
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Kate Lawson
as Clara
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Theresa Harris
as Esther
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Byron Barr
as McCary
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Geraldine Wall
as Matron
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Jonathan Corey
as Timmy Marshall
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Robin Corey
as Joan Marshall
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Eric Alden
as Reporter
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Gertrude Astor
as Juror
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Rodney Bell
as Withers
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Clancy Cooper
as Chase
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Nick Cravat
as Reporter
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Dot Farley
as Woman Prisoner
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Mary Gordon
as Charwoman
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Lew Harvey
as Court Reporter
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Virginia Hunter
as Secretary to the District Attorney
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Stan Johnson
as Young Melvin Pierce
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Nolan Leary
as Court Clerk
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Sam McDaniel
as Porter
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Tony Merrill
as Reporter
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Ottola Nesmith
as Mrs. Asher
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Garry Owen
as Bailiff
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Eddie Parks
as Proprietor
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Lee Phelps
as Chauffeur
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Steve Roberts
as Jury Foreman
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Kenneth Tobey
as Police Photographer
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Lynn Whitney
as Woman Prisoner
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Gig Young
as McCarty
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Jack Roberts
as Reporter
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William Hamel
as Newsman
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Jerry James
as Reporter
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Bill Meader
as Reporter
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Ezelle Poule
as Woman
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John Cortay
as Deputy Sheriff
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Jim Davies
as Bailiff
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Geraldine Jordan
as Woman Prisoner
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Lorna Jordan
as Woman
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Harry Templeton
as Newsman
