Lady of Secrets

Early into the telling of Lady of Secrets we discover that Chatterton's character, Celia, has a troubled past that easily surfaces into emotional outbursts. A Fourth of July parade with marching soldiers outside Celia's window sets her off like a firecracker. "Put on your uniforms and beat your drums!" she cries. "Tell the world that war is glorious. Let's have another one!" When she calms down, and wistfully calls out, "Michael ... Michael ... I've got to learn to forget"--we assume that the man she speaks of is among the dear departed.

Celia's younger sister, Joan (Marian Marsh) punishes the young man she loves, by announcing her engagement to a middle-aged millionaire, David (Otto Kruger). Celia is up front with the fiancé and tells him, nicely, "I don't feel this marriage should take place. If I find I'm right, I shall declare war on it." The simpatico between the talented actors, Chatterton and Kruger, is tangible. So far, Lady of Secrets holds the interest.

Halfway into the film, Celia is left alone to reminisce. We have the misfortune of experiencing a flashback which hammers more nails than necessary into the cross she bears, as well as the film's coffin. Any subtlety that Lady of Secrets had quickly vanishes. Instead, we look aghast as Chatterton is asked to portray Celia as a sixteen-year-old. A younger shade of blonde, giddy innocence, and clever lighting cannot disguise the fact that Baby Jane Hudson (Chatterton was 43) is attempting a comeback. 17 minutes of drudging up things we already suspect, deflates any delicacy the film possessed.

Lady of Secrets attempts to regain the charm, tempo and poignancy it had, but it comes too late. The inflated flashback has become a burdensome anchor, dragging its weight and the film with it.

Even so, I recommend this film for the talents of Chatterton and Kruger. Marian Marsh does well as the naive, younger sister. She and Chatterton got along well during the production, sharing a mutual interest in horses, and taking morning rides together in Griffith Park.

Ruth Chatterton has been agoraphobic for twenty years. However, when she meets Otto Kruger in the park, and he mistakes her for a wise woman of experience, he confesses that he's having second thoughts about his proposal to Marian Marsh. He loves her, he says, but she is so young, he's worried she's considering his proposal because she's dazzled. It's only the next day, when Miss Marsh introduces Kruger to her family, that he discovers Miss Chatterton's first secret. She's Miss Marsh's much older sister. Other secrets will follow.

After two years off the screen, Miss Chatterton was making a determined comeback in older roles, and she gives a typically sterling performance -- although a flashback scene to her own youth is played very well, she cannot erase twenty years from her age. Likewise, Mr. Kruger is at his most charming, a charm that he would later use effectively playing villains. Lionel Atwill, as the self-involved, heavy-handed father of the two women is despicable..... but that looks like what the role calls for.

It's the sort of idiot-plotted soap opera in which the conflict exists because no one ever says the truth to the person who needs to hear it. It's not as bad as most of them, because the reasons, for once, make sense in the society in which movie is set. Nonetheless, it would not greatly interest me, were it not for the superb performance of Ruth Chatterton.

This is a good movie. Ruth Chatterton fans would agree that she is brilliant for the part. The incomparable Marian Marsh plays her part as a supporting actress perfectly. We must also mention supporting actors Otto Kruger and Lionel Atwill that give their all. Couple the Four great actors with a memorable storyline and this gives you a movie that holds your attention from the outset. There are unexpected surprises in the script that keeps us off-guard. Expect a very good and natural ending to this movie. The movie was directed well with great dialogue and chemistry between Kruger and Chatterton. Expect a rewarding movie. Bring out the popcorn and enjoy.