IMDb RATING
7.4/10
3.2K
YOUR RATING
A pregnant woman adopts the identity of a railroad-crash victim and starts a new life with the woman's wealthy in-laws, but is soon blackmailed by her devious ex.A pregnant woman adopts the identity of a railroad-crash victim and starts a new life with the woman's wealthy in-laws, but is soon blackmailed by her devious ex.A pregnant woman adopts the identity of a railroad-crash victim and starts a new life with the woman's wealthy in-laws, but is soon blackmailed by her devious ex.
- Awards
- 1 win total
Jean Andren
- Louise Russell
- (uncredited)
Georgia Backus
- Nurse
- (uncredited)
Virginia Brissac
- Justice of the Peace's Wife
- (uncredited)
Ivan Browning
- Porter
- (uncredited)
Ashley Cowan
- Justice of the Peace's Son
- (uncredited)
Featured reviews
A case of mistake identity turns into a grand deception as a new mother tries to secure a better life for her child. The premise is similar to THE HOUSE ON TELEGRAPH HILL (minus the concentration camp angle, of course). A bit predictable and a bit far-fetched, but Stanwyck's performance sells it completely, and Leisen shows a dedication to the material, bringing what might have been a rather hokey women's weepie to life. The drama is compelling from start to finish, with measured pacing and excellent camera-work. The situation keeps ratcheting up to a tense climax. Lyle Bettger is pretty great as the slimy antagonist, as is Jane Cowl as the benevolent grand dame of the household (John Lund once again comes off rather bland). If the ending seems a bit too convenient, at least it provides for a really satisfying callback.
...and I say that with the highest form of flattery. This nail-biter is tightly directed, moves along at a nice swift pace and never drags for even a moment. Barbara Stanwyck gives one of the finest performances I have seen by her and the rest of the cast is all around excellent as well. After Helen Ferguson is left pregnant and penniless by her jerkoff of a boyfriend (the dreamy and steamy Lyle Bettger), a series of events leaves her mistaken for the widow of a rich man. The family takes her in and the brother of her alleged widow (played by handsome John Lund) falls in love with her and everything is hunky-dory - that is, until the jerkoff ex-boyfriend comes back and starts all kinds of trouble. The cherry on top of the whipped cream here is a lovely and sympathetic performance by Jane Cowl as the mother-in-law. A classic soapy film noir!
I really like this movie. OK, so the plot is unbelievable. When you've got good acting and excellent directing you can overlook it all. I especially like Lyle Bettger's portrayal of the heel boyfriend and blackmailer and Jane Cowl as the kindly mother in law. And what can you say about Barbara Stanwyck that hasn't been said - steady, compelling, convincing. She's the best.
There's one line in the movie that always makes me laugh. After Barbara has her baby, the doctor and nurse are talking about her progress and agree "if she continues to do well, she can see the baby in a couple of weeks". In our 21st century experience of instant parent/baby bonding, this seems so bizarre!
There's one line in the movie that always makes me laugh. After Barbara has her baby, the doctor and nurse are talking about her progress and agree "if she continues to do well, she can see the baby in a couple of weeks". In our 21st century experience of instant parent/baby bonding, this seems so bizarre!
I love this film. I first saw it when I was 10 and always remembered the story and feel of it. This is wonderful noir, with the kind of plot that keeps one enthralled until the final frame.
All the performers deliver: Stanwyck moves from a tragic character with little hope, through loss, the turmoil of deceit to happiness. This was a strong performance for her; John Lund perfectly portrays a man in conflict. Jane Cowl and Catherine Craig are almost a perfect sparing pair as the mother and the maid, their sarcasm to each other provides the humour scattered through the film.
The atmosphere and mood of the latter part of this film is perfectly captured in black and white. It makes you realize the role shooting a film in black and white played in this genre.
If you have not seen this film, do yourself a favour AND SEE IT.
All the performers deliver: Stanwyck moves from a tragic character with little hope, through loss, the turmoil of deceit to happiness. This was a strong performance for her; John Lund perfectly portrays a man in conflict. Jane Cowl and Catherine Craig are almost a perfect sparing pair as the mother and the maid, their sarcasm to each other provides the humour scattered through the film.
The atmosphere and mood of the latter part of this film is perfectly captured in black and white. It makes you realize the role shooting a film in black and white played in this genre.
If you have not seen this film, do yourself a favour AND SEE IT.
Top notch performances from Barbara Stanwyck and Jane Cowl make this film worthwhile. The plot's a bit silly - but these two extraordinary actors make it all seem utterly convincing. Moody cinematography and strong direction help too. Interesting to see the same story turn up a few years ago as "Mrs Winterbourne" with Ricki Lake and Shirley MacLaine in the Stanwyck and Cowl roles respectively. A less serious treatment, but also less successful.
Did you know
- TriviaIn-joke: The character played by Barbara Stanwyck is named Helen Ferguson; this is the real name of one of best-known Hollywood publicists of the era, who also represented Stanwyck.
- GoofsPatrice decides to go to the Country Club dance with Bill at short notice. Such an event would be limited to members and invited guests. Yet Steven Morley, who does not move in that social circle, is in attendance and makes contact with Patrice.
- Quotes
Bill Harkness: [returns to car after dumping a dead body onto a moving train] He stayed on, caught on the catwalk or whatever it is, but his hat came off.
Helen Ferguson: Don't.
- Alternate versionsThis film was published in Italy in an DVD anthology entitled "L'uomo con il mantello", distributed by DNA Srl. The film has been re-edited with the contribution of the film history scholar Riccardo Cusin. This version is also available in streaming on some platforms.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Film Review: Changing Faces (1968)
- SoundtracksMolly Malone
(uncredited)
[Performed by Bill on the piano]
- How long is No Man of Her Own?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Runtime
- 1h 38m(98 min)
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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