Tuesday's Overlooked Films: The Lady Confesses (1945)

This 1945 crime noir was directed by Sam Newfield who has been called "the most prolific director of the sound era." The movie production company PRC Pictures was his baby and one of the so-called Poverty Row outfits. Most of his films were low budget quickies of which this was one. However, I found it entertaining enough as a traditional whodunit murder mystery. Hugh Beaumont and Mary Beth Hughes are engaged to be married when Beaumont's estranged wife shows up after a puzzling seven-year absence. Soon a sleazy night club owner and square-jawed homicide captain get involved with the murder plot. The dialogue is a bit stilted, but Hughes does a decent job as an amateur detective. Of course, Beaumont went on to star as Beaver's father on the popular TV series. There are three songs. Not a bad film or way to spend a little over an hour. IMDb.com gives it a 6.2 rating.