The Second Face

I love Ella Raines, and what I love especially are makeover movies - the ugly duckling turned into a swan, or even something like "Dark Passage" where a criminal has plastic surgery and turns into Humphrey Bogart.

"The Second Face," however, was a big disappointment. It's told in flashback - Phyllis Holmes (Raines) is in a car accident and hospitalized, her face covered in bandages -- apparently her face hit the windshield. We then learn what led to the accident.

Phyllis is a talented designer and a homely one. Ella's looks consisted of nose putty, hair pulled back tightly off her face, no makeup, and plain clothes. She works as an assistant to Paul Curtis (Bruce Bennett) who is in love with her, but after being hurt in a divorce, he won't admit it. He gets her a job elsewhere; ultimately she becomes design partners with a playboy (John Sutton). His rejection is painful for her. Things change after the accident and Phyllis undergoes plastic surgery, paid for by a mysterious benefactor.

Raines was a likable actress and in her younger days she resembled Gene Tierney; here, after her makeover, she does as well. For some reason she was usually relegated to B films, though several were very good noirs. She retired in 1956. AS an actress, she was a little limited -- scenes in this film where the character was overwrought weren't particularly well acted.

The cast is good, but the script is heavy-handed.

i've seen quite a few negative reviews of this film, but i thought it was refreshingly direct and honest, and very well-acted. Ella raines is truly terrific in it. Each character has multi-layered motivations in their actions, and the progress of the story in engaging throughout. it does have a Douglas sirk feel to it, so perhaps you should judge whether you see that as a good thing or a bad thing. but i also think the film has a bit of a sam fuller feel to it. a film that it thoughtful and very direct in what its about. The main characters are well-developed and intelligent. I don't know why these reviews need to be ten lines, but i'll go along. i've written what I wanted to and wanted to promote this film, as it would be interesting to anyone who finds the theme of reacting to female facial attractiveness intriguing. to me, most contemporary films and TV shows act like this factor matters a lot less than it does (.e.g, girls).

A young woman who refuses to wear make up is treated like a Cyclops and denied employment and is insulted at every turn.

I realize the film is trying to make a point but it beats you over the head trying to make it.

It is kind of an unfunny version of The Girl Most Likely To written by Joan Rivers and made 23 years later.

If you watch this, watch for its camp value.

When the film begins, a young woman (Ella Raines) is upset...so upset she's driving like a maniac and ends up nearly getting killed in a traffic accident. She awakens in the hospital and she's a mess...and her face heavily bandaged. As she is lying there in bed, she thinks back to her recent life.

Phyllis (Raines) was working for a really nice boss but he was very afraid of getting closer to her because he'd already been badly hurt by his ex-wife. In fact, he's so afraid that he arranges for her to have a job far away. It seems she's gone to school for fashion design and her designs are terrific. But when she arrives at the new job, they dump her because she's very plain. So she then gets a job as a secretary to a real scum-bag and he uses her designs to make a name for herself and makes her feel LUCKY that he uses her work and pawns it off as his own. He manages to string her along for a while...but when she learns about what a nasty guy and other guys in her life are, she runs away and has the accident.

When she is ready to leave the hospital, Phyllis looks nothing like her old self thanks to plastic surgery. Now she finds it's easy to get work and men adore her...but she isn't happy. What's next? See the film.

The film has a nice idea and I appreciate it. However, the impact of the film is severely lessened for two big reasons. First, while they did have Raines made up to be quite plain, the change was NOT that significant. It was also funny that when they took the bandages off, she was well coiffed, had perfect eyebrows and lovely make-up!! Second, too often the characters in the film are too obvious...too obviously evil and one-dimensional. Jerry, in particular, was almost like Snidely Whiplash he was so transparent! Fortunately, while certainly schmaltzy, the film ended very well and I wish the entire film had been as well-crafted as the finale. Overall, an interesting film which should have been a lot better but is still well worth seeing.

Extremely Low Budget Movie that is somewhat Off-Beat as it Tries to paint a Picture of a Flaw in the Human Condition. The Unhealthy and Harmful Emphasis on"Surface Beauty" with a lack of Regard for "Inner Beauty". A Heavy load to take on in a Poverty Row Picture.

Heavy Handed to be sure, on the Surface its most Glaring Ineptitude is the Script that Sledgehammers Home the most Obvious Conceits again and again. Ella Raines does Her Best with what amounts to a Dual Role.

Plain and a bit Homely, Her Talented Fashion Designer is Denied Access to the Male Dominated Business World because She is Not a "Looker".

The Final Act is Rushed, even more Heavy Handed, and it Drags to a Hollywood Conclusion of Optimism that was the Beginning of the Death March for Film-Noir. Overall, Not Bad for a Cheaply made "Quickie". Bruce Bennett is Miscast as a sort of Background White Knight.

Worth a Watch but Overwritten and Overwrought so much that the Message becomes Laborious and the Short Movie seems a Lot Longer than it is.