The File on Thelma Jordon (1949)

Assistant district attorney Cleve Marshall falls for the mysterious Thelma Jordon when she seeks help solving robberies of her aunt's estate.

Director:

Robert Siodmak

Writers:

Marty Holland (story), Ketti Frings (screenplay)

Stars:

Barbara Stanwyck, Wendell Corey, Paul Kelly

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Barbara Stanwyck	...	Thelma Jordon
Wendell Corey	...	Cleve Marshall
Paul Kelly	...	Miles Scott
Joan Tetzel	...	Pamela Blackwell Marshall
Stanley Ridges	...	Kingsley Willis
Richard Rober	...	Tony Laredo
Minor Watson	...	Judge Calvin H. Blackwell
Barry Kelley	...	District Attorney Melvin Pierce
Kasey Rogers	...	Dolly - Cleve's Secretary (as Laura Elliot)
Basil Ruysdael	...	Judge Jonathan David Hancock
Jane Novak	...	Mrs. Blackwell
Gertrude Hoffman	...	Aunt Vera Edwards (as Gertrude W. Hoffman)
Harry Antrim	...	Sidney
Kate Drain Lawson	...	Clara (as Kate Lawson)
Theresa Harris	...	Esther

Storyline

Assistant District Attorney Cleve Marshall, depressed about marital troubles, is drowning his sorrows in a bottle of whiskey when the mysterious and alluring Thelma Jordon walks in to report an attempted burglary. The two become romantically involved and not long afterwards there is a burglary and murder at Thelma's aunt's house. Cleve is drawn further and further into defending and covering up for Thelma. It soon becomes clear that this road will only lead to disaster.

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Plot Keywords:

jury | five word title | alcoholic | alcoholism | drunkenness | 

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Taglines:

"I'm no good for any man for any longer than a kiss!"

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Film-Noir | Mystery

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Certificate:

Passed

Did You Know?

Trivia

Barbara Stanwyck's real life older brother, Malcolm Byron ("Bert") Stevens, plays a courtroom defense aide.

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Goofs

Cleve Marshall sits down at the desk opposite Miles Scott and says "Can't talk 'til I have another drink." Scott picks up the whiskey bottle and pulls out the cork before handing it to Marshall. Marshall picks up the bottle and again pulls out the cork.

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Quotes

Thelma Jordon: I wish so much crime didn't take place after dark. It's so unnerving.

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Connections

Referenced in Drive-in Movie Memories (2001)

User Reviews

Very Good movie with the Film-Noir lady Barbara Stanwyck.

If you like film-noirs this one is for you. This is one of the most entertaining film-noirs I have ever seen, and I am a big fan of this kind of movies. I am surprised this film is not very well known, this is an underrated one and it should have a higher score too.

The performances of the leadings Barbara Stanwyck and Wendell Corey are very good. The plot is entertaining, smart and interesting, the supporting cast is good too. The film begins like a kind of entertaining drama & romantic-comedy movie to change at the middle to a very good film-noir. This movie will remind you a little bit "Double Indemnity (1944)" for some similarities in the plot. There is a great scene involving the already dead aunt that is a pleasure to watch for its suspense.

Cleve Marshall is a married Assistant district attorney who is having problems with his wife and falls in love with the mysterious Thelma Jordon who is the niece of a rich old lady, when the aunt is murdered everything point that Thelma is guilty then Cleve will do everything to save her ........

I recommend watching this movie. This is a must see for every film-noir fan

8 stars = very good

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 April 1950 (Mexico)

Also Known As:

The File on Thelma Jordon

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles County Jail, Culver City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Wallis-Hazen

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1