The Secret Call (1931) User Reviews

She's going to get him, no matter what!

[mark.waltz · 7/10 · 28 December 2021]

It's too bad that former Ziegfeld showgirl Peggy Shannon didn't last long in motion pictures. She was quite adept as an actress and had great charisma on screen. But obviously overworked which led to a substance abuse problem created rumors of difficulty, and that led her down the road to be movies and to an early sad death. One of the saddest elements of her life is that she isn't remembered among other young actresses of the 1930's who died young, and if her talent is to be judged by one film, this is it.

When her father allegedly committed suicide, having been ruined by political boss William B. Davidson, Shannon vows Revenge. It's a difficult situation because she's in love with his son, Richard Arlen. The love story is actually secondary to the story of her revenge, and with the involvement Senator Selmer Jackson, evidence begins to mount that can take down a whole bunch of political big wigs.

This is a very elegant and tough pre-code political drama, there was some great performances and some terrific comedy by Ned Sparks and Jed Prouty as some tough-talking journalists. Shannon's character is quite sly as she gets a job as a switchboard operator at the hotel where both Davidson and Jackson are staying. The Paramount glamour, usually shades for Jeanette MacDonald musicals or exotic Marlene Dietrich dramas, is in abundance here. It's obvious that Paramount didn't consider Shannon all that important because of the number of leading ladies they had under contract (she replaced Clara Bow on this film), but she's absolutely delightful in this and deserved better.

Creaky melodrama rife with coincidences

[RickeyMooney · 3/10 · 20 August 2021]

"City Commissioner Frank Kelly commits suicide after political boss Jim Blake frames him in Blake's own grafting racket. Kelly's daughter Wanda, who is in love with Blake's son Tom, vows revenge against Blake when he insists innocent men do not commit suicide." Since this is on the film's title page it isn't a spoiler.

This revenge involves so many coincidences and implausibilities as to be ridiculous without creating much suspense. It's more like a Victorian melodrama than a pre-code. Leading man Richard Arlen is wooden, rest of the cast does the best they can with the material.

There are just too many fast-paced vital pre-coders to waste time on this one.

Don't miss this chance to see Peggy Shannon in "A" film

[arthursward · 8/10 · 17 October 2002]

Peggy Shannon's short life and career were filled with bit parts and "B" pictures. While this film is relatively obscure, it entertains as it showcases one of Hollywood's missed opportunities. The Secret Call was an old film property when Paramount decided to shoot the talking version. Based on the play, "The Woman" by William de Mille, Paramount filmed it as a silent in 1915 with Lois Meredith and again in 1927 as "The Telephone Girl" with Madge Bellamy in the lead. It was in rehearsals as a Clara Bow vehicle when Ms. Bow suffered a nervous collapse. Peggy Shannon had been a star on stage and was one of ten young actresses selected by Paramount for a chance in pictures. Just five days after arriving in Hollywood, Ms. Shannon stepped into the lead role. With a marvelously complicated plot, The Secret Call gives Peggy many strong scenes as it unreels. You'll really feel for her. Another great performer who didn't hit it big and hit the bottle instead. She passed away in 1941 at age 32.

What Paramount Saw in Peggy Shannon

[kidboots · 9/10 · 25 February 2010]

Peggy Shannon was a gorgeous Ziegfeld girl, who along with Sylvia Sidney, was recruited by Paramount to replace an ailing Clara Bow. 1931 proved to be Clara's worst year, finishing in an awful court case that exposed her "shocking" private life and just about finished her in films. "The Secret Call", from a play called "The Woman" by William C. DeMille, was originally bought for Clara but when she was forced to retire from it for health reasons, Peggy was given her chance.

Wanda Kelly (Peggy Shannon) is the privileged daughter of a high flying politician. She is going about with handsome Tom Blake (Richard Arlen) but before they can announce their engagement, she is called home by her father. He has been forced to resign and although innocent, has been made the dupe by a callous politician, Jim Blake - Tom's father!!! Her father commits suicide and Wanda is determined to bring Blake Snr. to ruin.

One year later Wanda is working as a switchboard operator in a big city hotel and is privy to the many secrets and indiscretions of the clients. When Benedict, (a riotous Ned Sparks - "a Bulgarian Boweevil"!!!) a reporter from the Bulletin, suggests that Wanda gives him some "news" in exchange for money, the stage is set for an exciting climax!!! Senator Stanton is opposing Blake's bill but Blake has some incriminating evidence of Stanton and a certain young lady visiting a roadhouse. Blake threatens to give it to the papers - he just needs the woman's name!!! The "secret call" is the woman's number and it turns out to be Grace - Blake's married daughter!!!

After only 2 days in Hollywood Peggy Shannon was rushed in to complete "The Secret Call" and she just excelled as the young girl determined to avenge her father's ruin. The film did well at the box office and Paramount saw in her a star in the making. She was given a contract but by the end of 1931 she was let go due to "difficult" behaviour. What happened??? Richard Arlen gave his usual dependable performance. Claire Dodd had a "bit" as a switchboard operator. Ned Sparks lifts the film considerably with his dry wit - "he's a half wit" " a half wit!!, that's right, go on and flatter him"!!!

Highly Recommended.

Not what you call an "A-plus" production! But it certainly holds our interest!

[JohnHowardReid · 8/10 · 20 October 2017]

"The Secret Call" is actually neither an "A" or a "B" production. It's actually a top of the program item that needs a good support, because it does not have enough power in itself to attract a multitude of customers!

Mind you, the script itself is an excellent one, although it is easy to spot the fact that is has been adapted from a stage play. For one thing, although it moves at a brisk pace, there are very few actual changes of scene. For another, the screenplay harbors lots of talk, as the main setting is the telephone exchange in a large hotel.

The stage play, "The Woman", was written by William C. DeMille (Cecil B. DeMille's elder brother). The main character, Wanda Kelly (superbly played by the tragic Peggy Shannon, who collapsed and died at her breakfast table in 1941, while her husband was aware on a hunting trip -- he killed himself only a week or so later) is in charge of the huge switchboard, manned by at least a dozen women, in this huge, expansive but expensive hotel.

Needless to say, such a setting begets a few sub-plots (the main one involves Richard Arlen), but they are all handled well.

The cast is a also a top one. Heading the line-up, as said, is Peggy Shannon. Richard Arlen plays Peggy's love interest.