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A Woman's Secret (1949)

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Average Rating: 5/10
Reviews Counted: 7
Fresh: 3 | Rotten: 4

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Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 2
Fresh: 0 | Rotten: 2

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User Ratings: 113

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Movie Info

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.

Unrated, 1 hr. 25 min.

Mystery & Suspense, Drama

Directed By: Nicholas Ray

In Theaters: Mar 5, 1949 Wide

On DVD: Jan 16, 1991

Cast

Maureen O'Hara
Marian Washburn
Melvyn Douglas
Luke Jordan
Gloria Grahame
Susan Caldwell
Bill Williams
Lee
Victor Jory
Brook Matthews
Mary Philips
Mrs. Fowler
Jay C. Flippen
Det. Fowler
Robert Warwick
Roberts
Curt Conway
Doctor
Ann Shoemaker
Mrs. Matthews
Virginia Farmer
Mollie
Ellen Corby
Nurse
Emory Parnell
Desk Sergeant
Conrad Binyon
Messenger Boy
Oliver Blake
Mr. Pierson
Raymond Bond
Dr. Ferris
Eddie Borden
Waiter
George Douglas
Policeman
Paul Guilfoyle
Moderator
Alvin Hammer
Fred
Robert Malcolm Young
Bit
Rory Mallinson
Benson
Frank Marlowe
Whitey
Alphonse Martell
Waiter
Ralph Montgomery
Photographer
Forbes Murray
Mr. Emory
John Parrish
Prof. Camelli
Lee Phelps
Policeman
Mickey Simpson
Policeman
Charles Wagenheim
Piano player
Lynn Whitney
Actress
John W. Goldsworthy
Harold
Guy Beach
Policeman
Tom Coleman
Policeman
Bert Davidson
Radio Director
Dan Foster
Stage Manager
Frederic Nay
Master of Ceremonies
Norman Nesbitt
Announcer
Ralph Stein
Mr. Harris
Evelyn Underwood
Girl
Lorelei Vitek
Waitress
John Laing
Radio Announcer

Critic Reviews for A Woman's Secret

All Critics (7) | Top Critics (2) | Fresh (3) | Rotten (4) | DVD (1)

There's too much unintended mystery about A Woman's Secret for it to be anything but spotty entertainment.

October 22, 2007 Full Review Source: Variety

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Variety Staff

Variety

Top Critic

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.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Chicago Reader

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Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

Top Critic

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.

March 8, 2011 Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com Source: EmanuelLevy.Com

The tidied up gem of a mess still gives off an awful stink.

March 28, 2008 Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews

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Dennis Schwartz

Ozus' World Movie Reviews

It is hard to believe that a film directed by Ray and written by Mankiewicz could be anything less than brilliant.

October 22, 2007 Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide

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TV Guide's Movie Guide

Entertaining, and less routine than it sounds.

February 11, 2006 Full Review Source: Time Out

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Geoff Andrew

Time Out

An early gem from Ray, who would undoubtedly go on to greater things, but who, at the very least, shows promise here.

May 24, 2003 Full Review Source: Film4

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Film4

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