A Woman\'s Secret (1949)

Marian Washburn, with her accompanist and composer friend Luke Jordan by her side, was on the brink of singing stardom when illness permanently destroyed her singing voice. Unwilling to reenter the career not feeling like she could ever achieve what she wanted, she, with Luke still by her side, decided to focus her energies on transforming a young singer, Susan Caldwell, into what she could have been. Marian and Luke meet Susan by chance and she is what many would call a proverbial diamond in the rough, who was a struggling dancer at the time on the verge of starvation and had a natural albeit limited singing voice. Marian has largely controlled Susan's career and life since, Susan having moved in with Marian. Susan, now with the Luke-derived stage name Estrellita, is a success. While Susan wanted that professional success, she has been unable to cope with the overall demands of the life and wants to quit. With Marian's housekeeper Mollie having heard the resulting argument between the two women, a gunshot is heard behind the closed door of Susan's bedroom, Mollie runs in to see Susan shot with Marian standing atop her. While Susan clings to life in the hospital, Marian confesses to shooting Susan because she was not willing to lose the investment she has put into transforming Susan into Estrellita. Luke does not believe Marian's confession. The lead police detective, Inspector Jim Fowler, is also somewhat skeptical. As Luke and Inspector Fowler discuss the case, they may or may not be able to come to the truth. Inspector Fowler's meddlesome wife, Mary Fowler, is determined to find out what happened by getting involved in the investigation.