The Secret Fury

In the hands of lesser actors than Claudette Colbert and Robert Ryan this film could have become silly and trite. But, with these two experienced thespians leading the way, I found "Silent Fury" to be a most exciting and pleasurable little mystery. When their wedding is interrupted by a stranger who claims that Colbert is already married, and that he was best man at that wedding, one can sense that there is some sort of plot against her at work. As Colbert, Ryan, and her attorney set out to disprove the strangers claim of a prior marriage, they are met at every turn by more evidence that seems to reinforce the claim that she is indeed already wed. Although it's not very difficult to figure out just who the main "baddie" is, it's still lots of fun as the intensity and pace of the story increases. All in all, a good, solid mystery film with fine performances by the two leading actors and a fine supporting cast which includes the often underrated Paul Kelly.

Ellen R. Ewing (Claudette Colbert) is overjoyed to be marrying David McLean (Robert Ryan). She's from a rich upper class family and he's a regular guy. As the ceremony begins, a stranger stands up and claims that Ellen is already married. The man runs away but the marriage certificate is uncovered. Ellen struggles to prove her innocence as she is confronted by evidences and witnesses which are driving her mad.

I really love the premise. It has Hitchcockian flavor. I do have a problem with Randall's murder. I would like for the thug to reveal how it was done. Also during that waterboarding scene, David should be threatening him with the gun. It doesn't look right if all he's doing is putting him under the faucet. It all gets resolved too quickly. The thug should be revealed to be final villain and more time can be given to David's investigation. I also have an issue with Noosnom. It's unlikely that she remembers it that way. The movie needs to use a window or mirror to do the reflecting while the boat is hidden in some way. These are minor flaws that need to be cleaned up.

Claudette Colbert is a wealthy woman driven to near insanity in "The Secret Fury," also starring Robert Ryan and Jane Cowl. On her wedding day, a man appears who claims that an heiress, Ellen (Colbert), is already married. An investigation ensues, and the evidence is against her. When her "husband" is murdered in her presence, she is put on trial.

This looked to me like a B movie, and it made for very compelling watching. My only quibble with it - and it's not a minor one - is that I was very disappointed with the ending. The motive for the crime seemed preposterous.

Robert Ryan plays Ellen's fiancé, and it's a different role for him. Here he's heroic and likable rather than villainous.

One of the most interesting things about the film is Vivian Vance in a small but showy role. She's excellent as a hotel maid who recognizes Ellen and verifies that she was indeed married before. It was a treat to see her do something besides Ethel Mertz.

Claudette Colbert is very good as the troubled woman. She's not a natural fit for the role, being more at home in comedy, but she makes it work. She's very believable as an older woman seeking happiness only to have it snatched from her at the last minute.

Mel Ferrer directed this very well, and I recommend it, though I wasn't crazy about the ending.

I was surprised, that ''The Secret Fury'' was an enjoyable good film...... Probably because, I didn't have any expectations for this movie..... Though, the film does have it's plot holes..... I would say, that you couldn't guess who was behind the whole scheme, until the very end of the movie..... At first, I thought, it was Robert Ryan, using the same method, like ''Gaslight'' where husband tries to drive his wife mad, but I was wrong...... The main problem, with the movie is, they drive at a whole other direction, which gave no clues at the beginning...... I thought, Robert Ryan & Claudette Colbert carried their parts well...... Plus, Vivian Vance, a fine character actress, who steals scenes in this one...... Those who like movies, that keeps you guessing, will like this one......

Intriguing, but ultimately preposterous noir melodrama with a hysterical performance from Claudette Colbert. It's understandable that Colbert is upset. Her wedding to Robert Ryan is interrupted by a man saying she is already married. Several people back him up and it's pretty convincing. Ryan's having his doubts, and Colbert is doubting her own sanity. A murder takes place and it leads to a trial staged in two of the silliest courtroom scenes ever. The first half of the film is pretty good, thanks to the intrigue, but it can't sustain credibility. No spoilers on the outcome. Roy Webb is credited with an overwrought score, using a piano theme by Robert Schumann that we hear in variations -- the same tune that obsesses Joan Crawford throughout POSESSED (1947). There's some interest in the cast though: Paul Kelly, Paul Picerni, an uncredited Jose Ferrer (no relation to director Mel), Philip Ober and his then-wife Vivian Vance who is quite good in one of her few, but this time memorable, film parts before she became the immortal "Ethel Mertz".