The Madonna's Secret

The Madonna's Secret

16/2/1946 1h 16m 5.9/10

Overview

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

Top Billed Cast

Ann Rutherford

Ann Rutherford

Linda 'Morgan' North

John Litel

John Litel

Lt. Roberts

Gail Patrick

Gail Patrick

Ella Randolph

Francis Lederer

Francis Lederer

James Harlan Corbin

Linda Stirling

Linda Stirling

Helen North

Edward Ashley

Edward Ashley

John Earl

Reviews

CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

7/7/2022

6/10

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.

Similar Movies

A Perfect Murder

6.5

A Perfect Murder

1998

Scarlet Street

7.6

Scarlet Street

1945

Presumed Innocent

6.8

Presumed Innocent

1990

A Mighty Heart

6.4

A Mighty Heart

2007

A Far Off Place

6.1

A Far Off Place

1993

Love Lies Bleeding

6.2

Love Lies Bleeding

2008

Two Portraits of MIYAGINO

7.5

Two Portraits of MIYAGINO

2010

Ni Jing: Thou Shalt Not Steal

8.1

Ni Jing: Thou Shalt Not Steal

2013

The Sin of Nora Moran

5.5

The Sin of Nora Moran

1933

The Unholy Wife

4.6

The Unholy Wife

1957