O Segredo da Criada

Fourth-billed Ruth Donnelly is the subject of this ultra-short Warner B, as she ditches her old job - they never pay - for young couple Warren Hull and Margaret Lindsay. As a good household servant, she knows all the secrets but would never tell, except to fellow servant Arthur Treacher. By the end of the movie, we find out she has a couple of her own. She also pushes her employers to what seem to be extravagance, but turns out to be good advertising.

It times in at less than an hour and amuses, thanks to Warner Brother's fine stock company. It never sparkles; the dialogue is never more than sarcastic, and the direction by Arthur Grenville Collins in his first time handling the megaphone looks to maximize efficiency.

Ruth Donnelly was a longtime member of the Warner's stock company. Earlier she had been a favorite of George M. Cohan on stage. She played in some movie shorts in 1914, but didn't begin that phase of her career until 1931. Over the next 26 years, she appeared in almost ninety features. She died in 1982, aged 86.

I love this movie! The opening music is up tempo and very 30's. There are great character actors and the scenes of Park Avenue and double decker buses are wonderful. Another reviewer said the story was a stretch because the couples' first apartment was not so nice and if they lived there how could they afford a maid. I think that the story is believable because the furniture was correct for the time and their status and the fact that they had so many rooms - living room, dining room, at least 3 bedrooms, kitchen and maid's quarters - definitely put them in a class that could have supported a maid and the salary mentioned. If you enjoy looking at the architecture, furnishings, etc this is a real period piece. I am just old enough to remember some of those buildings on Park Avenue and it is a good glimpse of old NY.

The actors are a treat too. The casting seems perfect to me. Even the young boy does a good job.

It is a very upbeat story so just sit back and enjoy it as the audiences of the time must have. Goodness prevails and the maid's secret is safely in the happiest of endings.

Stars Margaret Lindsay and Warren Hull.... both had only been in hollywood for a couple years when they made "Personal Maid's Secret". Ruth Donnelly is Lizzie, the maid; she counsels Joan (Lindsay) on how to entertain correctly. and with her advice, they get more successful, and meet all the right people. Clearly, there's some downfall coming, but who knows what is about to happen? What is Lizzie's big secret? she's just too good to be true. It's a Warner Brothers shortie. all kind of light and fluffy, but no big deal. there are some surprises, which you will have already figured out. it's pretty rushed near the end, but it is only a short, so they had to hurry the plot along. only 58 minutes. Directed by Art Collins, his first directing job. only directed ten films. didn't do a lot in hollywood, acc to imdb.

Not a bad little film with the fabulous Ruth Donnelly in the title role of the maid. One has to suspend a sense of realism to think that even those people living in a small apartment had maid service!! I mean, to look at the apartment of Margaret Lindsay and Warren Hull, you would think that they don't have two nickles to rub together--let alone afford a maid!! But if you can overlook that fact, then this is a nice little movie that keeps your attention throughout. Also, it is another treat to watch Margaret Lindsay--one of the best actresses ever. But it is the great Ruth Donnelly that keeps the film going--she is another character actress never given her due and it is so nice to see her headline a film on her own. Like a certain IMDBer has said "Pass the popcorn"--you will enjoy this film a lot, I think.

In the 1930s and 40s, thousands and thousands of B-movies were made in Hollywood. These films were meant to be the lesser film on a double feature---a lower budgeted film that was churned out very quickly. Not surprisingly, these films also featured lesser-named actors. Now many of them were rather poor BUT many were actually as good or better than the accompanying feature! So, B didn't necessarily mean bad or inferior. A great example of this is "Personal Maid's Secret". Despite only clocking in at 58 minutes (and most Bs were between 55 and 65 minutes), it's a dandy film for many reasons. To me, the biggest reason was that it starred Ruth Donnelly. Donnelly was a wonderful actress but was never a starring actress--mostly because she was not beautiful and was usually cast as a supporting player. She was fine in these roles, but "Personal Maid's Secret" showed she COULD carry a film--though, oddly, she did not receive top billing. This was given to Margaret Lindsay--who clearly was NOT the lead in the film. The other reason is that the film was well written from start to finish--and especially good near the end of the film, where it took some nice twists. All in all, a very satisfying B--one you should see if you have a chance.

By the way, some might blanch at the comments the little boy makes in the film about 'colored people', though I think he was adorable and the comments UNUSUAL, not racist. See the film and see what I mean.