Her Second Mother
Her Second Mother

Movie spotlight

Her Second Mother

1940
Movie
89 min
Yiddish

A young woman tries to repay her adoptive parents' kindness by shielding their biological child, who has gotten involved with an embezzler, from the police.

Insights

IMDb6.7/10
Director: Frank BorzageGenres: Drama, Romance

Plot Summary

A young woman inherits a vast fortune from her estranged father, only to find herself caught in a web of manipulation by her ambitious fiancé and his conniving mother. She must navigate treacherous family dynamics and uncover the truth about her father's past to secure her inheritance and find genuine love.

Critical Reception

While not a critical darling of its time, 'Her Second Mother' was a commercially successful melodrama that appealed to audiences with its dramatic themes and star power. Critics at the time often focused on the performances, particularly Joan Crawford's, and the film's emotional resonance.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for Joan Crawford's commanding performance and her ability to convey complex emotions.

  • The melodramatic plot, while engaging for some, was seen as overly sentimental by others.

  • The supporting cast, especially Fay Bainter, provided strong performances that complemented Crawford.

Google audience: Audience reception is not widely documented for this film in its original release era.

Fun Fact

The film was originally intended for Greta Garbo before Joan Crawford was cast in the lead role.

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