There's Always a Woman
An investigator for the District Attorney's office quits to open his own detective agency. However, business is so bad that he finally decides to give it up and go back to his old job. As his wife is at his office closing up, a wealthy society matron walks in with a case: she wants to know if her husband is having an affair with his ex-girlfriend, who is now married. The wife accepts what looks to be an easy case, figuring than she can then persuade her husband to re-start the agency. However, when the client's husband is found murdered, she decides to investigate the murder herself. Her husband has also been assigned by the D.A. to investigate the murder, and he doesn't know that his wife is also on the case. Complications ensue.
Insights
Plot Summary
When wealthy industrialist William Charteris is found murdered, suspicion immediately falls on his beautiful and glamorous wife, Lola. However, Lola's childhood friend, insurance investigator Mary Reed, believes her friend is innocent. Along with Lola's sister, Sharon, Mary sets out to uncover the real killer, navigating a complex web of deceit, blackmail, and hidden motives among the victim's associates.
Critical Reception
A moderately received B-movie mystery from the late 1930s, 'There's Always a Woman' is often praised for its brisk pacing and the strong performances of its lead actresses, Joan Blondell and Frances Drake. While not a groundbreaking film, it successfully delivers a classic whodunit narrative with a satisfying, albeit predictable, resolution. It is generally seen as a competent entry in the mystery genre of its era.
What Reviewers Say
- Praised for its engaging mystery plot and efficient storytelling.
- Joan Blondell and Frances Drake deliver compelling performances.
- A solid, if unremarkable, example of pre-Code era mystery filmmaking.
Google audience: Audience reviews are scarce for this older film, but it is generally appreciated by those who enjoy classic whodunit mysteries for its straightforward plot and enjoyable performances.
Fun Fact
Edgar G. Ulmer, the director, was known for his work on low-budget films and cult classics like 'Detour' and 'The Black Cat', often bringing a distinctive visual style even to modest productions like this one.
AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources