The Second Woman (1950) Director: James V. Kern Studio: Universal International Pictures Starring: Robert Young, Betsy Drake, Robert Mitchum, Andrea King Release Date: May 1950 Runtime: 76 minutes Format: Black & White | Mono | Sound | Film Noir | Drama Country: United States Language: English Genres: Film Noir | Drama | Thriller | Romance Summary: The Second Woman is a gripping film noir about a successful architect, Jeff Cohalan (Robert Young), who becomes entangled in a web of suspicion and danger after the mysterious death of his partner. When Jeff begins dating the charming Ellen Foster (Betsy Drake), he soon realizes someone is determined to sabotage his life and career. The film explores themes of jealousy, deception, and identity, wrapped in a tense atmosphere of paranoia and mistrust. With atmospheric lighting and twisting plot turns, The Second Woman keeps viewers guessing until the final revelation. Background: Directed by James V. Kern, known for his work in both film and television, The Second Woman fits squarely within the classic postwar noir style. The movie showcases Robert Young’s versatility beyond his usual roles, portraying a man caught between love and lurking danger. The film’s screenplay cleverly combines elements of suspense with a romantic subplot, making it a lesser-known but effective entry in the noir canon. Its tight pacing and moody cinematography are representative of Universal’s noir output in the late 1940s and early 1950s. Trivia: Robert Mitchum has a supporting role early in his career, adding to the film’s noir pedigree. The film was shot on Universal’s backlots with atmospheric shadows typical of noir lighting. Betsy Drake, who was married to Cary Grant, delivers a subtle performance as the “second woman.” The story involves themes of mistaken identity and psychological manipulation common in noir thrillers. The film’s running time is under 80 minutes, making it a brisk and focused thriller. Now in the public domain, it is included in many noir film collections. Hashtags: #TheSecondWoman #FilmNoir #RobertYoung #BetsyDrake #RobertMitchum #UniversalPictures #ClassicNoir #1950sCinema #MysteryThriller #VintageFilm #PublicDomainMovie #PsychologicalDrama #SuspenseFilm #OldHollywood #CrimeDrama