The File on Thelma Jordon

Audience Reviews

View More

nick s @Nick_S Mar 1, 2024 Well acted and nicely paced. See more Steve D @RT35616104 Jun 7, 2023 A poor man's double indemnity but still entertaining and it keeps you guessing. See more Aldo G @RT54480587 May 7, 2023 Siodmak and Stanwyck partner to deliver a super film noir. Too bad these two noir stars only worked together on this picture. But, as least we have this one to appreciate. See more Sep 16, 2021 Stanwyck doesn't deliver a false line of dialogue; always the supreme actress. See more May 13, 2019 Assistant D. A. Cleve Marshall (Wendell Corey) is unhappy in his marriage and meets Thelma Jordon (Barbara Stanwyck) when out on a bender. She is seeking to report a prowler at her rich aunt's house to a local private detective (Paul Kelly). But soon the two fall in love, an obsessive love that takes Marshall away from his wife and kids and into noir territory. Soon, the aunt is dead with a recently changed will leaving everything to Jordon, now the chief suspect. Naturally, Marshall is appointed to prosecute the case in court. We don't know if Jordon is bad but there are many clues (including a shady "husband" lurking around). We also don't know if she really loves Marshall â" she may. Director Robert Siodmak (Phantom Lady, The Killers, and many other great noirs) takes a leisurely approach to the developing relationship, with enough time spent with Marshall's wife (Joan Tetzel) to feel his guilt. But of course, viewers can't help but compare this film to Billy Wilder's earlier Double Indemnity (1944) in which Stanwyck convinced hapless Fred MacMurray to kill her husband. Stanwyck is a bit more ambiguous here and you never do know whether Marshall will redeem himself by putting his all into his courtroom appearances or throw the case to help her. MacMurray never had a chance; moreover, Stanwyck never had a streak of good in her in the earlier film. Still, in true noir fashion, it only takes one mistake to turn the dark corner. See more Feb 11, 2017 good film noir from the 2nd cycle See more Read all reviews

The File on Thelma Jordon

My Rating

Read More Read Less WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW POST RATING