Personal Maid's Secret

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.

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.

With a run time of only fifty-eight minutes, this film is surprisingly satisfying.

A maid goes to work for a young family who can barely afford her services, but she uses subtle influence to elevate their social aspirations. Ruth Donnelly plays the maid, Lizzie, who uses craft and kindness to motivate the Smith family. Along the way, we learn that she harbors a secret.

The script is admirably economical as it creates connections between many of the characters, leading to conflicts and attractions. Through it all, Lizzie works her magic, leading to a revelation of the secret and an interesting, if brief, commentary on social classes.

This is a charming film. Watch for Arthur Treacher as a snooty but likable butler who is Lizzie's long-time friend.

Not even Hazel working for the Baxters in the comic strip or on television did as much good as Ruth Donnelly does for nominal stars Warren Hull and Margaret Lindsay in Personal Maid's Secret. With her offhanded suggestions thie couple manages to rise several notches on the social scale.

Donnelly should have gotten top billing, she has the title role and the film does revolve around her. As per the title she does have a secret and it''s a beaut. She has to reconcile with her past as well and does.

for you Arthur Treacher fans he's once again a butler and something happens to him that you won't see in any of his other films.

A nice product from Warner Brothers B picture unit and for fans of donnelly and Treacher.

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.