Search - The Lady Confesses on DVD

Matt B. from GETZVILLE, NY
Reviewed on 10/14/2011...

Good girl Vickie is minding her own business at home, playing the piano and musing on her upcoming marriage to her fella Larry. An imperious knock on the door summons her to a disagreeable exchange with Norma, Larry’s wife who has been missing for almost seven years. Vickie and Larry have been waiting to start the proceedings to get Norma declared legally dead, but Norma tartly informs Vickie nobody is going to marry Larry.

Norma is strangled to death soon after this unpleasant encounter so Vicki and Larry are questioned by hard-eyed homicide detective Captain Brown. Their alibis are sound, but determined to clear their names of all suspicion, Vickie inveigles her way into a nightclub, the den of a dodgy owner and iffy entertainers like Lucille.

Mildly interesting early noir movie, made by PRC, Producer’s Releasing Company, a maker of low budget movies. The actors are pretty effective and keep their dignity with skill and fair writing. Notable is Hugh Beaumont, who later found immortality on TV as the Wise And Unflappable Father in "Leave it to Beaver," which, as a Sixties kid, I watched only for Eddie Haskell, a role model that did me little good in later years.

Romantic Triangle Leads to Murder

Acute Observer | Jersey Shore USA | 01/18/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Lady Confesses, 1945 film

The film begins with a lady leaving a taxicab. "I'm Larry Craig's wife." Norma is doing Vicky McGuire a favor, Vicky can't marry Larry. Larry is at a nightclub drinking heavily. [Note the old-fashioned two-button light switch.] Then Larry gets a telephone call from Vicky, who tells him about Norma. They go to call on Norma. Larry finds Norma murdered, the police talk to him and Vicky. "Why can't people get murdered at a respectable hour?" "Just routine." The police check Larry's alibi, its perfect. Lucky Brandon denies seeing Larry. Lucky admits knowing Norma, she lent him $10,000 to start the nightclub. Captain Brown continues the investigation. Will Vicky investigate on her own? Margie the photographer makes a deal. [Photography there was a concession owned by a person.]

Vicky fills in at the nightclub. Where did she learn to work a camera? Vicky learns Norma had been there to see Lucky, and, overhears a conversation. Lucille Compton tells Vicky about Lucky. Will Vicky snoop in Larry's office and find something? Lucky saw her earlier with Larry. [Note how a taxicab is readily available in a movie.] Vicky follows Lucky, what is he after? "Was anybody hurt?" Vicky sees Lucille home, will she now be safe? There is a shocking surprise for Lucille and the audience! Captain Brown arrives to question Lucille. "But it can't be!" The police were watching but the man got away. Larry meets Vicky and questions her. There is more suspense, we know what will happen. Where will Vicky go? Vicky tries to call Captain Brown about the letter she found. The police take Lucky in for questioning, his fingerprints were found in Lucille's apartment. Vicky reads Lucille's note and is shocked by its contents! The police arrive in time, and the loose ends are resolved.

Providing a false alibi may not be in the best interests for a person."