A Woman’s Vengeance [The Giaconda Smile] **** (1948, Charles Boyer, Jessica Tandy, Ann Blyth, Cedric Hardwicke, Mildred Natwick, Rachel Kempson) – Classic Movie Review 13,911

The 1948 American film noir drama mystery drama A Woman’s Vengeance is written by Aldous Huxley, and stars Charles Boyer, Jessica Tandy, Ann Blyth, Cedric Hardwicke, Mildred Natwick, and Rachel Kempson.

Producer/ director Zoltan Korda’s 1948 American film noir drama mystery drama A Woman’s Vengeance [The Giaconda Smile] is based on Aldous Huxley’s story and play The Giaconda Smile, and stars Charles Boyer, Jessica Tandy, Ann Blyth, Cedric Hardwicke, Mildred Natwick, and Rachel Kempson.

Innocent Henry Maurier (Charles Boyer) is accused of killing his sick wife Emily (Rachel Kempson) to marry the gorgeous younger Doris (Ann Blyth), in esteemed writer Aldous Huxley’s elegant and stylish emotional drama. He marries Doris, upsetting Janet Spence (Jessica Tandy), who is in love with him.

Among the rousing acting, there is a terrific performance by Cedric Hardwicke as as Dr James Libbard, the hypnotist who tries to reveal the murderer to save Boyer, and John Williams is notable as the Prosecuting Counsel.

The film is full of the fascinating characters and biting dialogue that you would expect from Huxley, who writes the screenplay from his own popular story and play The Giaconda Smile.

Also of note are Russell Metty’s noir black and white cinematography Miklos Rozsa’s moody score, and the art direction of Eugene Lourié and Bernard Herzbrun.

 The film was produced and released on March 2, 1948 by Universal International Pictures.

Cast: Charles Boyer as Henry Maurier, Jessica Tandy as Janet Spence, Ann Blyth as Doris Mead, Cedric Hardwicke as Dr James Libbard, Mildred Natwick as Nurse Caroline Braddock, Rachel Kempson as Emily Maurier, Cecil Humphreys, as General Spence Hugh French as Robert Lester, Valerie Cardew as Clara, Carl Harbord  as Leslie Blake, John Williams as Prosecuting Counsel, Leyland Hodgson as First Warder, Ola Lorraine as Malsey, Harry Cording as Chauffeur McNabb, Mari Aldon as Girl, Frederick Warlock as Judge, Lydia Bilbrook as Mrs Fellows, Boyd Irwin as Mr Craig, Alec Harford as Dr Dawson, Elizabeth Valentine as Mrs Wetherby, Wilton Graff as Defence counsel, Wilson Benge as Clerk, Reginald Sheffield as Solicitor, Patrick Aherne as Warder, Colin Kenny as Warder. Holmes Herbert as Warder, Eric Wilton as Waiter, Marjorie Eaton as Maid, Leslie Denison as Inspector, Vernon Downing as Chemist.

© Derek Winnert 2026 – Classic Movie Review 13,911

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