The Secret Call
Seen it?1931 | 73 min | Drama, Romance
Weeknight Watchearly ratingWhy it’s a Weeknight Watch
With almost no lasting buzz, it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for romantics. If you loved Grand Hotel or Damage, start here.
- The mood
- Warm and romantic.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 13 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1931: an older pace and style.
The Secret Call is adapted from The Woman, a play by William C. DeMille (brother of Cecil B.) Peggy Shannon plays Wanda Kelly, the daughter of a disgraced politician. Reduced to working as a switchboard operator, Wanda is privy to the many secrets and indiscretions of the clients of a big-city hotel. She also finds romance in the form of handsome Tom Blake (Richard Arlen). The huge cast of characters comes in handy for the film's multitude of subplots, none of which ever get their wires crossed. Peggy Shannon acquits herself nicely in her first major role, but by the end of the decade her career was in decline.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsNot counted
Not enough reviews on record yet
- AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Reach & staying powerSolid
Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactWeak
About 782 people sought it out in the past year
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Cast & crew
Directed by Stuart Walker
- Richard ArlenTom Blake
- Peggy ShannonWanda Kelly
- William B. DavidsonJim Blake
- Charles TrowbridgePhil Roberts
- Ned SparksBert Benedict
- Jane KeithleyGrace Roberts
- Selmer JacksonMatt Stanton
- Jed ProutyJim Neligan
- Charles D. BrownBob Barnes
- Harry BeresfordFrank Kelly