“My Forbidden Past” (1951) starring Robert Mitchum & Ava Gardner / Z-View

My Forbidden Past (1951)

Director: Robert Stevenson

Screenplay: Marion Parsonnet, Leopold Atlas (adaptation) based on CARRIAGE ENTRANCE by Polan Banks

Stars: Robert Mitchum, Ava Gardner, Melvyn Douglas, Lucile Watson, Janis Carter, Gordon Oliver, Steve Carruthers and Will Wright.

Tagline:  SHE’s the kind of woman that made NEW ORLEANS famous!

The Plot…

Dr. Mark Lucas (Mitchum) and Barbara Beaurevel (Gardner) are in love.  They plan to elope on the ship Mark is taking to South America. They plan to meet at the ship.  When Barbara is unable to leave, she gives a note to her cousin to take to Mark.  The cousin doesn’t deliver the message, but acts as though he did.

When Mark returns from South America, Barbara is excited to greet him.  She’s shocked when Mark introduces his wife!  Mark, thinking Barbara left him, married a beautiful woman.  Mark comes to learn that Barbara still loves him.  What Mark doesn’t know is his wife, married him for his money.

When Mark’s wife is found murdered, Mark is the #1 suspect.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

My Forbidden Past is a strange mix.  There’s a murder, but there is no mystery to who did it.  There’s a love triangle, but it’s pretty tame.  Mark is set up for the murder, but at pre-trial he’s proven innocent.  Fade out.

My Forbidden Past (1951) rates 2 of 5 stars.