The Lady Confesses

Okay, not much can be expected from quickie director Sam Newfield or an independent outfit like Alexander-Stern. Then too, the production never does rise above bare-bones status. However, the script does show imaginative twists plus dashes of snappy dialog. In short, the 60- minutes manages to be better than expected, even if the lighting bill couldn't exceed a buck fifty. So who killed meanie wife Norma, who, all in all, should have stayed dead. That's the whodunit part. But, in a neat twist, the last part turns unexpectedly into a nail-biting suspenser.

Got to admit I didn't recognize cult favorite Hughes in dark hair and even, surprise, surprise, playing a good girl, which she does well. Then too, there's Beaver Cleaver's dad, Beaumont, playing what else but somebody's husband. At least, he doesn't have a couple kids to amusingly cope with. Anyhow, kudos to the writers for rising above the usual formula, and maybe to Newfield for noirish direction. All in all, the little flick's a cut better than the standard programmer.

Showing on the Moonlight Movies Channel. The only name i recognize in here is Hugh Beaumont... Dad, from Leave it to Beaver. Larry Craig's wife, thought long-dead, shows up and threatens the new girl-friend. then gets bumped off. A couple good songs, probably actually sung by Claudia Drake in this one, since most of the film takes place in a night club. The coppers question everyone, but one guys tells a different story than everyone else. A film noir... except that it feels like even the writers didn't know who dunnit until almost through filming. Suddenly, someone starts doing stuff, and now we know they must be involved. It's pretty good, but gets cheesy right near the end. It's ok. Directed by Sam Newfield, long-time bigshot at PRC film company.

Moderately interesting. Has Hugh Beaumont, the Beave's dad, playing a likable guy who is set to marry a sweet young thing, then has his wife (who disappeared seven years ago) show up. She is murdered and the plot is set in motion. The fiancé begins to investigate things. The problem is that she stands out like a sore thumb. Basically, everyone knows who she is but she is able to impose herself into secure locations and do her thing. There are series of red herrings and obvious suspects, a detective who is calm and vigilant most of the time, ready to protect her. Still, it lacks credibility of plot. When we get to the end, we have it pretty much worked out.

I have seen far worse from director Sam Newfield, far far worse. This one is not unforgettable though, because the plot sounds so familiar to me, and was used again and again since in so many films, TV movies and series episodes. But it remains interesting for gem diggers and Sam Newfield's stuff searchers.... The cult director of NABONGA and MONSTER MAKER, was a so prolific film maker too that most of them are lost, I guess. So, take the opportunity to catch those you can when it is possible. It is rather agreeable to watch and not too much comedy oriented, I expected far worse, I repeat. In th forties, Sam Newfield made sometimes ten films a year.

Hugh Beaumont and Mary Beth Hughes star in The Lady Confesses, a programmer.

The characters played by Hugh Beaumont and Mary Beth Hughes are due to be married. However, his wife shows up after seven years. Then she winds up murdered.

Beaumont is a suspect, but he has a solid alibi as he arrived at a club drunk and slept it off in a dressing room.

Suspicion also falls on the club owner, who knew the wife and borrowed money from her. Hughes gets a job at the club and noses around for info.

Pretty good, and I liked the twist. Hugh some years before he played Beaver's father, had a B movie career. He was a solid leading man.