Movie spotlight
In flashback from a 'Rebecca'-style beginning: Ellen Foster, visiting her aunt on the California coast, meets neighbor Jeff Cohalan and his ultramodern clifftop house. Ellen is strongly attracted to Jeff, who's being plagued by unexplainable accidents, major and minor. Bad luck, persecution...or paranoia? Warned that Jeff could be dangerous, Ellen fears that he's in danger, as the menacing atmosphere darkens.
A successful advertising executive, Ben Cartland, becomes entangled in a complex and dangerous relationship with a mysterious woman named Kit. As Ben's obsession grows, he finds himself increasingly isolated from his reality, leading to a psychological thriller where the lines between sanity and delusion blur.
Upon its release, 'The Second Woman' received mixed reviews, with some critics praising King Vidor's direction and Robert Young's performance for their psychological depth, while others found the plot convoluted and the film noir elements somewhat conventional. Its reputation has since grown as a notable, albeit somewhat lesser-known, entry in Vidor's filmography and the psychological thriller genre of the era.
Praised for its atmospheric tension and psychological exploration of obsession.
Robert Young's performance was often highlighted as a strong point.
Some viewers found the narrative to be somewhat predictable or melodramatic.
Google audience: Audience reviews are scarce, but where available, they tend to appreciate the film's noir atmosphere and the lead actor's portrayal of a man consumed by his desires. Some find it a compelling character study, while others deem it a bit dated.
The film marked a return to directing for King Vidor after a brief hiatus, and he reportedly took a particular interest in the psychological aspects of the script.
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"Ellen" (Betsy Drake) is visiting her family on the coast when she is introduced to their neighbour "Jeff" (Robert Young) who lives in one of those concrete new-builds that wouldn't look out of place in an episode of "Thunderbirds"! They ta...
The Pine Cliff Paranoia. The Second Woman (AKA: Ellen) is directed by James V. Kern and co-written by Mort Briskin and Robert Smith. It stars Robert Young, Betsy Drake, John Sutton, Florence Bates, Morris Carnovsky and Henry O’Neil. Mus...