The Family Secret (1951 film)

The Family Secret is a 1951 American film noir crime film directed by Henry Levin and starring John Derek and Lee J. Cobb.

The Family Secret
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Henry Levin
Screenplay by	Francis Cockrell Andrew Solt
Story by	Marie Baumer James Cavanagh
Produced by	Robert Lord
Starring	John Derek Lee J. Cobb
Cinematography	Burnett Guffey
Edited by	Al Clark
Music by	George Duning
Color process	Black and white
Production company	Santana Pictures Corporation
Distributed by	Columbia Pictures
Release date	October 24, 1951 (1951-10-24)
Running time	85 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

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

Reception

Filmink argued the film "has an interesting set up" but "this isn't well developed."

References

• Park, William (2011), "Appendix A:Within the Genre", What is Film Noir?, Bucknell University Press, ISBN 978-1-6114-8363-5

External links

• The Family Secret at IMDb
• ‹The template AllMovie title is being considered for deletion.› The Family Secret at AllMovie
• The Family Secret at the TCM Movie Database
• The Family Secret at the AFI Catalog of Feature Films