The Madonna's Secret (1946)
1h 16m | PG-13
This drama is an updated version of Ulmer's 1944 film Bluebeard. It is set in New York and follows the exploits of an eccentric Parisian painter who has come to New York to escape a controversy surrounding his work. The trouble stems when the model he has used in all his work is found floating dead in the Seine.
Director: Wilhelm Thiele
Studio: Republic Pictures
Genre: Drama, Thriller, Mystery
Video: 720p
Cast
Francis Lederer
as James Harlan Corbin
Gail Patrick
as Ella Randolph
Ann Rutherford
as Linda 'Morgan' North
Edward Ashley
as John Earl
Linda Stirling
as Helen North
John Litel
as Lt. Roberts
Reviews
This is one of these murder mysteries where we, the audience, are clued in from the start. It's up to the stars to decide whether or not tortured artist "Corbin" (Francis Lederer) is responsible for a murder in Paris (for which he was acquitted) and another in the US. Both women had been his model as some stage, so the finger well and truly points in his direction. It falls to the murdered girl's sister "Linda" (Ann Rutherford) to pose as his latest model whilst he paints both her portrait, and that of the wealthy "Ella" (Gail Patrick) - who might be next for the chop? It's actually quite a wordy exercise, this, with no stand out efforts and little by way humour or jeopardy. Moves along quickly though, and the production is pretty competent. Not a film you'll remember but not one you're likely to hate either.