Secrets (1933)

Secrets Poster

In the 1860s, Mary Marlowe defies her father's wishes to marry a British lord and runs away with clerk John Carlton as he heads West to make his fortune. Mary and John endure the difficult journey and settle into a small cabin, then face the hostilities of a cattle rustling gang, as well as the tragic loss of their only son. With Mary's help, John defeats the gang, which propels him to political power that, over the years, gradually erodes the once-happy marriage.

Introduction
"Secrets" is a pre-code American film released in 1933. It was adapted from a play written by Rudolph Besier and May Edginton. The movie focuses on the life of a lady called Mary Carlton, played by Mary Pickford. This movie is notable as it was the last film that Pickford starred in. The plot of the movie spins around a series of episodes in Mary's life from her youth to her senior age, showcasing various life-altering secrets.

Summary
The movie opens to a wealthy 75-year-old Mary Carlton writing her memoir in her New York estate in 1933. As she composes, the movie explores her past, beginning in 1865 when young Mary, a female of high society, chooses to elope with her love, John Carlton, an adventurous lender, over marrying a rich Duke.

They journey to California to construct a new life together in the age of the Gold Rush. They face numerous challenges in the beginning, getting robbed of all their possessions. In spite of the preliminary setbacks, John handles to establish a flourishing banking company, and the couple ends up being parents to two children.

Life Changes and Secrets
Mary and John's life gets significant as the story progresses. Mary ends up being a victim of misleading control when her husband's good friend, Joe, betrays John. Joe, desiring Mary, lies that John is involved in an affair, leading her to leave John momentarily. The storyline then takes a thrilling turn where Mary gets caught by bandits and John embarks on a mission to rescue her. Joe is shot dead during the rescue objective, and Mary, having found out the reality, reunites with John.

Throughout the years, Mary waits her partner through various miseries, including the death of their child, the loss of their fortune in the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, and the scandal and social derision throughout the 1929 Wall Street Crash.

Mary's strength
Throughout the story, Mary's character is marked by her strength and undeviating loyalty to her spouse. Her character is relatable and is the film's driving force. As she holds up against time's test, her experiences become the secrets she tapes in her narrative.

Ending
In the end, the elderly Mary returns to today in 1933. She had spent her life keeping her marital relationship in the face of numerous misfortunes and declining to return to the comfort of her previous rich way of life. She ends on a contemplative note, questioning whether her life was certainly beneficial. The film ends with Mary passing away peacefully and John assuring to join her quickly, demonstrating their bond that transcends life itself.

General Impression
"Secrets" portrays a poignant and soaking up narrative about the trials and tribulations of a long-lasting relationship. The movie manages to intrigue the audience with its gripping plot filled with remarkable episodes, each revealing a secret about Mary's life. Mary Pickford shines in her function as Mary Carlton, providing an effective efficiency that makes the movie remarkable. Her character's journey from a naïve young girl to a durable woman offers an appealing and touching view of the struggles and triumphs of a female's life throughout various ages.

Top Cast

  • Mary Pickford (small)
    Mary Pickford
    Mary Marlowe / Mary Carlton
  • Leslie Howard (small)
    Leslie Howard
    John Carlton
  • C. Aubrey Smith (small)
    C. Aubrey Smith
    William Marlowe
  • Blanche Friderici (small)
    Blanche Friderici
    Martha Marlowe
  • Doris Lloyd (small)
    Doris Lloyd
    Susan Channing
  • Herbert Evans (small)
    Herbert Evans
    Lord Hurley
  • Ned Sparks (small)
    Ned Sparks
    Sunshine
  • Allan Sears
    Jake Houser
  • Mona Maris (small)
    Mona Maris
    Señora Lolita Martinez
  • Huntley Gordon (small)
    Huntley Gordon
    William Carlton
  • Ethel Clayton (small)
    Ethel Clayton
    Audrey Carlton