The File on Thelma Jordon

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The File on Thelma Jordon
Directed by Robert Siodmak
Produced by Hal B. Wallis
Written by Ketti Frings
Marty Holland (story)
Starring Barbara Stanwyck
Wendell Corey
Paul Kelly
Music by Victor Young
Cinematography George Barnes
Distributed by Paramount Pictures
Release date(s) January 18, 1950 (U.S. release)
Running time 100 min.
Language English
IMDb profile

The File on Thelma Jordon is a 1950 suspense film directed by Robert Siodmak and starring Barbara Stanwick.

Contents

[edit] Plot

Stanwyck plays Thelma Jordon, a woman who late one night shows up in the office of married Assistant DA Cleve Marshall (Wendell Corey) with a story about prowlers and burglars. Before Cleve can stop himself, he and Thelma are involved in a love affair. But Thelma is a mysterious woman, and Cleve can't help wondering if she is hiding something.

When her rich aunt is found shot, Jordon calls not the police but Marshall, and he helps her cover up evidence that may incriminate her. When she emerges as the prime suspect, he sabotages the prosecution. Thelma Jordon is acquitted. Her past, however, has begun to catch up with her.

[edit] Reaction

Time Out film guide notes "A fine film noir which works an ingenious, intricate variation on the situation in Double Indemnity, but which takes its tone, unlike Wilder's film, not from Stanwyck's glittering siren who courts her own comeuppance ('Judgement day, Jordon!'), but from the nondescript assistant DA she drives to the brink of destruction." [1]

The New York Times, in a 1950 review, praised the films cast but notes ""Thelma Jordon" is, for all of its production polish, adult dialogue and intelligent acting, a strangely halting and sometimes confusing work." [2]

[edit] Featured cast

Actor Role
Barbara Stanwyck Thelma Jordon
Wendell Corey Cleve Marshall
Paul Kelly Miles Scott
Joan Tetzel Pamela Marshall
Stanley Ridges Kingsley Willis
Richard Rober Tony Laredo

[edit] External links