Second Woman (B&W)

Second Woman (B&W)
Customer Review: Engrossing Psychological Mystery
This atmospheric mystery plays out like a gothic drama, the stark black and white photography of Hal Mohr and Tschaikousky's music creating a sustained mood until its satisfying conclusion. Produced by Mort Briskin and Robert Smith, who also wrote the story, it gradually pulls the viewer in deeper and deeper until we are completely immersed in the happenings. A mysterious mood is set from the very beginning with shots of the California coast and a house built on a cliff overlooking the sea called Hilltop. Betsy Drake's voice relates her fear regarding a knock on the door, then flashes back to the events leading up to it. Robert Young is an architect named Jeff who meets and charms Betsy Drake's Ellen Foster on a train bound for Pine Cliff. It is where he built Hilltop for a bride we discover died in a tragic car accident the day before their marriage. He has not been the same since, Dr. Hartley (Morris Carnovsky) stating his concern for his intermittent bouts of depression. Ellen is a sweet girl who falls for Jeff during his charming moments, sympathetic to his darker moods. He remains close to his former fiancee's father, Ben Shepard (Henry O'Neill). Keith (John Sutton) is the slimy playboy hoping to get control of old man Shepard's money while at the same time lusting after Jeff's newfound love. There is a moody atmosphere of some impending doom hanging over their romance, and as one instance of bad luck after another begins to pile up on Jeff, Ellen begins to suspect he is being given the gaslight treatment. Dr. Hartley believes however, that Jeff is displaying classic symptoms of paranoia brought on by guilt at his fiancee's death. Since it is obvious Jeff has some secret he is keeping, what is really happening remains unclear. Drake is very likable as the CPA standing by Jeff even as he pushes her away. She knows a fading painting, a dying bush, and a wounded horse are a statistical improbability; as she tells Jeff, "Your bad luck, Jeff, it's a little too bad to be true." But when helping him puts her in danger also, perhaps even from himself, he hatches a dangerous plan to draw out the truth about what really has been going on. There is a sort of realism to their romance, a maturity that seems fresh for this time period. What it lacks in excitement it makes up for in an involving psychological drama which glues the viewer to the screen. Director James V. Kern's film may be less heralded than others made earlier in the cycle, but makes a nice one for a Saturday morning or late at night. Robert Young and Betsy Drake make a nice couple in a forgotten little gem which deserves a second look.
Customer Review: Robert Young classic
I had never heard of this movie, but it was a very pleasent surprise. It was suspenseful and a good watch. Well worth the purchase.