Is A Woman's Secret Worth Watching?
Answer: Maybe not, A Woman's Secret is likely a skip if you enjoy Mystery movies.
It features a runtime of 84 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.
A Woman's Secret Review
Last updated: January 11, 2026
The Premise
Released in 1949, A Woman's Secret enters the Mystery genre with a narrative focused on A popular singer, Marian Washburn, suddenly and unexplainably loses her voice, causing a shake-up at the club where she works. Under the direction of Nicholas Ray, the film attempts to weave detailed character arcs with visual storytelling.
Cast & Performance
The film is anchored by performances from Maureen O'Hara. While the cast delivers competent performances, the script occasionally limits their range.
Technical Mastery & Style
From a technical standpoint, A Woman's Secret offers a competent presentation. The cinematography uses a distinct visual palette that aligns well with the tone. The sharp editing keeps the narrative moving at a brisk pace, maximizing the impact of the key sequences.
Social Impact & Cultural Context
Beyond the narrative, A Woman's Secret resonates with current cultural themes in the Mystery space. It stays within the established boundaries of its genre, providing exactly what core fans expect without reinventing the wheel.
Where to Watch & Streaming Info
As of early 2026, A Woman's Secret is available in theaters worldwide. For audiences in the US, UK, and India, digital rentals are typically available on platforms like Amazon Prime and Apple TV roughly 45-60 days after the theatrical release.
Narrative Arc & Plot Breakdown
The plot of A Woman's Secret centers on a unique premise within the Mystery landscape. A popular singer, Marian Washburn, suddenly and unexplainably loses her voice, causing a shake-up at the club where she works. Her worried but loyal piano player, Luke Jordan, helps to promote a new, younger singer, Susan Caldwell, to temporarily replace Marian. Susan finds some early acclaim but decides to leave the club after a few performances. Soon after Susan quits, she is gunned down, and Marian quickly becomes a suspect. The second act serves as a major turning point, leading to a climax that fans of 1949 cinema will find fairly predictable.
Ending Explained & Sequel Potential
The ending of A Woman's Secret has sparked significant debate on social media. It signifies the ambiguous resolution of the main plot thread. Given the current box office momentum, discussions of a A Woman's Secret sequel or a wider cinematic universe are already gaining traction.
Final Editorial Verdict
Final verdict for A Woman's Secret (1949): with an audience rating of 5.6/10, the reception has been divisive. It is a recommended for fans of Mystery, Drama cinema who appreciate attention to detail.
Where to Watch A Woman's Secret Online?
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Apple TVParents Guide & Age Rating
A Woman's Secret is rated NR.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 5.6/10, and global collection metrics, A Woman's Secret stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1949 cinematic year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is A Woman's Secret movie hit or flop?
A Woman's Secret has received mixed reviews with a 5.6/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is A Woman's Secret worth watching?
A Woman's Secret is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Mystery, Drama movies, but read reviews first.
Where can I watch A Woman's Secret online?
A Woman's Secret may be available for rent or purchase on digital platforms like Apple TV, Google Play, or Amazon Prime Video. Specific streaming availability can vary by country.
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People Also Ask (FAQs)
Is A Woman's Secret movie hit or flop?
A Woman's Secret has received mixed reviews with a 5.6/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is A Woman's Secret worth watching?
A Woman's Secret is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Mystery, Drama movies, but read reviews first.
Where can I watch A Woman's Secret online?
A Woman's Secret may be available for rent or purchase on digital platforms like Apple TV, Google Play, or Amazon Prime Video. Specific streaming availability can vary by country.
What is the story of A Woman's Secret?
A Woman's Secret is a Mystery, Drama movie that follows: A popular singer, Marian Washburn, suddenly and unexplainably loses her voice, causing a shake-up at the club where she works. Her worried but loyal piano player, Luke Jordan, helps to promote a new, ...
Is A Woman's Secret family friendly?
A Woman's Secret is classified as Mystery, Drama. We recommend checking the official age rating before watching with children.
What language is A Woman's Secret available in?
A Woman's Secret is primarily available in its original language, with subtitles and dubbed versions available on various streaming services and digital stores.
Synopsis
A popular singer, Marian Washburn, suddenly and unexplainably loses her voice, causing a shake-up at the club where she works. Her worried but loyal piano player, Luke Jordan, helps to promote a new, younger singer, Susan Caldwell, to temporarily replace Marian. Susan finds some early acclaim but decides to leave the club after a few performances. Soon after Susan quits, she is gunned down, and Marian quickly becomes a suspect.
Critic Reviews
She had a voice with hormones. A Woman's Secret is directed by Nicholas Ray and adapted to screenplay by Herman J. Mankiewicz from the novel "Mortgage on Life" written by Vicki Baum. It stars Maureen O'Hara, Melvyn Douglas, Gloria Grahame, Victor Jory and Jay C. Flippen. Music is by Friedrich Hollaender and cinematography by George E. Diskant. When young singer Susan Caldwell (Grahame) is shot, Marian Washburn (O'Hara) takes the blame and is promptly charged. But something isn't right and those closest to Marian decide to dig a little deeper... If the Lord wanted you to have a bullet in you - you would have been born with one! A big mix of noir/mystery/melodrama conventions here as this RKO production ultimately holds its head just above water. The major problem that brings frustration is that the resolution just renders the whole story as sort of pointless, it does at times feel like they made it up as they went along, a jumbled collections of ideas. On the plus side there are some choice characterisations, a flashback structure and decent tech credits on show. Story is packed with angry lawyers, sarcastic coppers and sultry dames. Some of the dialogue spouted is noir gold, particularly when coming from the mouth of Flippen's (stealing the film but sadly under used) grizzled copper, while Ray and Diskant know their noir visuals as they tone down the contrasts and utilise closed in space for the more serious scenes in the story. Grahame is full of sexual and world wise innocence, teasing away like a good un', Jory gives a show of fidgety anger, while Douglas gets the tongue in cheek role and works well as a romantic prop feeding off of O'Hara's (actually under written considering it's the lead) more sternly sexy performance. This is not essential noir for the the noir lovers, and certainly not prime stuff from noir legend Nicholas Ray. Yet it's better than its maligned reputation suggests. But only just mind you... 6/10
When a gunshot brings the maid rushing into the bedroom, she discovers "Susan" (Gloria Grahame) is the victim, and that her mentor "Marian" (Maureen O'Hara) is holding the smoking gun. When the police arrive, "Marian" confesses to trying to kill her, but with her victim still alive we will have to wait to hear her version of events. Meantime, her manager "Jordan" (Melvyn Douglas) doesn't understand why "Marian" would want to injure her talented young protégée, indeed - neither can policeman "Fowler" (Jay C. Flippen). The two are investigating but just going around in circles until "Mrs. Fowler" (Mary Philips) takes an hand in helping her husband to get to the bottom of the mystery. Though she really only appears towards the end, it's Philips who steals the show piecing together what few clues there are, but sadly that's not really enough to steer this from mediocrity - despite it's starring credentials. Graham spends most of it under bandages, O'Hara in the clink and whilst Douglas does his debonaire best it all just rather peters out to a conclusion that doesn't really matter. The title does way more to generate a sense of intrigue and peril than the drama itself, and though it's perfectly watchable, it's also perfectly forgettable.