Michael Curtiz directs Robert Young and Betsy Drake in an American style Rebecca like movie where we find Robert Young being saved from the gasoline fumes of a running motor in a locked garage by Drake and her aunt Florence Bates. We then get a flashback and why Young is in such a desperate straight that he would resort to suicide.
The flashback takes place over a two year period where promising architect Young has had such a streak of bad luck and unfortunate and unhappy events that it reminded me of that old song from HeeHaw, "if it weren't for bad luck I'd have no luck at all". Gloom, despair and agony on Robert Young.
It begins with his intended bride Shirley Ballard being killed in an automobile crash the day before the wedding. After that Young does meet Drake and they could get something going, at least Drake would like to. But Young keeps having all these terrible events occur, his house burns down, his dog is poisoned, his horse suffers a broken leg in its stall, etc., he doesn't want for anyone else to get close.
Of course its all no accident and there's no real suspense in terms of who's behind it all. I will say there is an interesting coda after the confrontation between Young and his tormentor, but you'll have to see The Second Woman for that.
Rounding out the cast is Morris Carnovsky, Henry O'Neill, and John Sutton in the role of the George Sanders like cad. The Second Woman holds up well after 60 years and fans of today will like it.
The flashback takes place over a two year period where promising architect Young has had such a streak of bad luck and unfortunate and unhappy events that it reminded me of that old song from HeeHaw, "if it weren't for bad luck I'd have no luck at all". Gloom, despair and agony on Robert Young.
It begins with his intended bride Shirley Ballard being killed in an automobile crash the day before the wedding. After that Young does meet Drake and they could get something going, at least Drake would like to. But Young keeps having all these terrible events occur, his house burns down, his dog is poisoned, his horse suffers a broken leg in its stall, etc., he doesn't want for anyone else to get close.
Of course its all no accident and there's no real suspense in terms of who's behind it all. I will say there is an interesting coda after the confrontation between Young and his tormentor, but you'll have to see The Second Woman for that.
Rounding out the cast is Morris Carnovsky, Henry O'Neill, and John Sutton in the role of the George Sanders like cad. The Second Woman holds up well after 60 years and fans of today will like it.