THE MADONNA’s SECRET
US, 1946, 79 minutes, Black-and-white.
Francis Lederer, Gail Patrick, Ann Rutherford, Edward Ashley, Linda Sterling, John Litel, Leona Roberts..
Directed by William Thiele.
The film starts with the focus on a portrait – somewhat reminiscent of the classic of two years earlier, Laura. However, the subject of this painting and many others has been murdered in France. The artist, Francis Lederer, now living in the United States with his American mother, has a new model but still paints the face of the dead woman.
He now has a new beautiful model, Helen, Linda Sterling. Her boyfriend clashes with her at the very time that she is found dead. The murder sis the same as that in Paris with the death of the model there with the artist was set free because of his alibi.
Ann Rutherford portrays the dead woman’s sister who poses as a model but is soon found out – and falls in love with the artist. There is also a society woman who wants to buy his paintings but has no knowledge about art, Gail Patrick, simply presumes that she is in love. Another murder.
A journalist investigates. The detective, John Litel, investigates. It would seem that the artist is guilty – but the only other possible solution is that of the artist’s mother. And, of course, she is the killer.
A brief entertaining murder mystery.
1. The title, Madeline in the portrait, like a Madonna? The artist painting: but portraying Madeline? Her secret?
2. The New York settings, galleries, office of the drama critic, apartments? The river? The police precincts? The musical score?
3. The focus on the paintings, John Earle and his recognition, his knowledge of the murder trial in Paris? James Corbin, Earle contacting him, giving him Helen’s name? Earle and his suspicions, investigations? Helen wanting to break with the artist, her jealous boyfriend? Remaining, in love, the portrait? The date – the phone call and her disappearance?
4. James, with his mother, her care? His moods? Playing the piano? His art, the portraits? Going out, watching the girl and the knife thrower, his sketch? Memories of Madeline? Exonerated from the killing? Devotion to Helen, the future? Ella, the meeting, wanting to buy his painting, her ignorance, her presumptions, going out, her wanting to marry him? Linda, as model, his painting, not right, his working out who she was? Her infatuation with him, wanting to protect him? The confrontation between Linda and Ella? Between James and Ella? Dropping her?
5. The detective, the district attorney, arrests, interrogations? James and his concern about his loss of memory?
6. The only other possible solution, his mother? With Linda, administering the poison? Wanting to protect her son? Wanting perfection? The arrival of the police, being shot?
7. An interesting B-budget murder mystery?
