The Family Secret (1951 film)
1951 film by Henry Levin
- October 24, 1951 (1951-10-24)
Running time
The Family Secret is a 1951 American film noir crime film directed by Henry Levin and starring John Derek and Lee J. Cobb.[1]
Plot
Law student David Clark kills best friend Art Bradley in self-defense after an argument. He flees, but later confesses to his father, Howard, a lawyer. The next morning, Howard expects his son to explain what happened to district attorney Redman, but instead David merely asks the DA if he can be of any help after another man, Joe Elsner, is arrested. Elsner is a bookie to whom the dead man owed a debt.
Marie Elsner comes to Howard Clark, asking that he represent her husband in court. David sits by his father's and the defendant's side at the trial. He has always been irresponsible, which is why secretary Lee Pearson keeps resisting David's romantic attentions, even though she is attracted to him. Howard Clark proves a key eyewitness to be a convicted perjurer. It looks like Elsner might be found innocent, but the stress causes him to have a fatal heart attack. David finally realizes he must turn himself in and promises to Lee he will lead a better life.
Cast
- John Derek as David Clark
- Lee J. Cobb as Howard Clark
- Jody Lawrance as Lee Pearson
- Erin O'Brien-Moore as Ellen Clark
- Santos Ortega as District Attorney Redman
- Henry O'Neill as Donald Muir
- Carl Benton Reid as Dr. Steve Reynolds
- Peggy Converse as Sybil Bradley
- Jean Alexander as Vera Stone
- Dorothy Tree as Marie Elsner
- Whit Bissell as Joe Elsner
- Raymond Greenleaf as Henry Archer Sims
- Onslow Stevens as Judge Geoffrey N. Williams
References
- Park, William (2011), "Appendix A:Within the Genre", What is Film Noir?, Bucknell University Press, ISBN 978-1-6114-8363-5
- ^ Park (2011), p. 147-148
External links
- The Family Secret at IMDb
- The Family Secret at AllMovie
- The Family Secret at the TCM Movie Database
- The Family Secret at the AFI Catalog of Feature Films
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Films directed by Henry Levin
- Cry of the Werewolf (1944)
- Sergeant Mike (1944)
- Dancing in Manhattan (1944)
- I Love a Mystery (1945)
- The Negro Sailor (1945)
- The Fighting Guardsman (1945)
- Night Editor (1946)
- The Devil's Mask (1946)
- The Unknown (1946)
- The Return of Monte Cristo (1946)
- The Corpse Came C.O.D. (1947)
- The Guilt of Janet Ames (1947)
- The Mating of Millie (1948)
- The Gallant Blade (1948)
- The Man from Colorado (1948)
- Mr. Soft Touch (1949)
- Jolson Sings Again (1949)
- And Baby Makes Three (1949)
- The Petty Girl (1950)
- Convicted (1950)
- The Flying Missile (1950)
- Two of a Kind (1951)
- The Family Secret (1951)
- Belles on Their Toes (1952)
- The President's Lady (1953)
- The Farmer Takes a Wife (1953)
- The Gambler from Natchez (1954)
- The Dark Avenger (1955)
- Let's Be Happy (1957)
- Bernardine (1957)
- The Lonely Man (1957)
- April Love (1957)
- A Nice Little Bank That Should Be Robbed (1958)
- Holiday for Lovers (1959)
- Journey to the Center of the Earth (1959)
- The Remarkable Mr. Pennypacker (1959)
- Where the Boys Are (1960)
- The Wonders of Aladdin (1961)
- The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm (1962)
- If a Man Answers (1962)
- Come Fly with Me (1963)
- Honeymoon Hotel (1964)
- Genghis Khan (1965)
- Kiss the Girls and Make Them Die (1966)
- Murderers' Row (1966)
- The Ambushers (1967)
- The Desperados (1969)
- That Man Bolt (1973)
- Run for the Roses (1977)
- The Treasure Seekers (1979)
- Scout's Honor (1980)
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