The Secret Heart (1946): Cast & Plot
The Secret Heart is a 1946 drama directed by Robert Z. Leonard, starring June Allyson as Penny Addams, Robert Sterling and Anne Lacey. It runs 1 hour 37 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 37m (97 min)
- Director
- Robert Z. Leonard
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Secret Heart About?
The premise of The Secret Heart without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Share the intimate secrets of a love affair as Penny Addams battles chronic depression rooted in her father's childhood death. With help from brother Chase and stepmother Lee, she enters psychotherapy, confronts buried family truths—including her mother’s hidden lover and the true cause of her father’s death—and seeks release from her despair.
The Secret Heart Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- stepmother stepdaughter relationship
- new england
- manipulative female
- possessive female
- psychotic woman
- romantic rivalry
- alcoholism
- suicide
- brother sister relationship
- stepmother stepson relationship
- psychoanalysis
- dysfunctional marriage
+38 more Show fewer
- father fixation
- providence rhode island
- post world war two
- piano
- pianist
- younger version of character
- drink
- drinking
- drunkenness
- dog
- man carries an old woman over the threshold
- cook
- father daughter relationship
- 17 year old girl
- fireplace
- dancer
- dancing
- father ad daugyter play the piano together
- love
- pipe smoking
- mother and daughter in love with the same man
- painting a house
- sailor
- marriage proposal
- reference to champagne
- reference to ginger ale
- gardening
- psychiatrist
- negligee
- train station
- convertible car
- death of husband
- caviar
- telephone
- telephone call
- secretary
- farm
- debt
The Secret Heart Cast & Characters
June Allyson leads the cast as Penny Addams, with Robert Sterling as Chase N. Addams and Anne Lacey as Penny as a Child. Directed by Robert Z. Leonard; 34 actors are credited in all.
- Director Robert Z. Leonard
- June Allyson as Penny Addams
- Robert Sterling as Chase N. Addams
- Anne Lacey as Penny as a Child
- Dwayne Hickman as Chase as a Child
Also Starring in The Secret Heart
· 30 more- Claudette Colbert Lee Addams
- Richard Derr Larry Addams
- Walter Pidgeon Chris Matthews
- Lionel Barrymore Dr. Rossiger
- Marshall Thompson Brandon Reynolds
- Patricia Medina Kay Burns
- Hume Cronyn Dinner Party Guest (Voice)
- Jeffrey Sayre Dance Extra
- Chester Clute Old Man
- Harry Hayden Minister
- Frank Darien Mr. Wiggins
- Leyland Hodgson Purser
- Elizabeth Patterson Mrs. Stover
- Eily Malyon Miss Hunter
- Alexander Pollard Butler
- King Baggot Man at Graduation Ceremony
Show all 34 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Dick Winslow Photographer
- Audrey Totter Dinner Party Guest (Voice)
- Wyndham Standing Butler
- Barbara Billingsley Sales Clerk
- Anna Q. Nilsson Dr. Rossiger's Secretary
- Boyd Davis Sheriff
- Clinton Rosemond William
- Drew Demorest Cab Driver
- John Webb Dillion Conductor
- Ruth Brady Saleswoman
- Donald Dewar Pageboy
- Hal Hackett Dinner Party Guest (Voice)
- Joan Beeks Saleswoman
- Virginia L. Randolph Salesgirl
The Secret Heart Plot Summary
What happens in The Secret Heart from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Lee Addams, Claudette Colbert, is engaged to marry Larry Addams, Richard Derr, a spendthrift widower with two children, Chase Robert Sterling and Penny June Allyson Addams. Lee had been living in England with her guardian aunt, who disapproved of the match since Larry was an alcoholic, and while returning to America on an ocean liner, she meets Chris Matthews, Walter Pidgeon, a close friend of Larry’s. Despite a growing affection for Chris, she marries Larry and moves to his farm in Rhode Island. Larry’s talent is playing the piano, which he teaches Penny, but he gave up this dream to work in a bank to please his father.
Full summary
The whole story of The Secret Heart, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know The Secret Heart?
9 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 9
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
Which character marries Larry Addams and moves to his farm in Rhode Island?
The Secret Heart Also Known As
3 alternative titles, including “Geheimnis des Herzens” and “Desconfianza”.
- Also known as
-
- Geheimnis des Herzens
- Desconfianza
- In fondo al cuore
Seen The Secret Heart?
Movies Like The Secret Heart
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Secret, Secret Ceremony and The Secret: Dare to Dream.
The Secret Heart FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of The Secret Heart, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Secret Heart?
The Secret Heart runs 1 hour 37 minutes (97 minutes).
When was The Secret Heart released?
The Secret Heart was released on December 25, 1946.
Who directed The Secret Heart?
The Secret Heart was directed by Robert Z. Leonard.
More films by Robert Z. Leonard Who is in the cast of The Secret Heart?
The Secret Heart stars June Allyson as Penny Addams, Robert Sterling as Chase N. Addams and Anne Lacey as Penny as a Child, among 34 credited actors.
Does The Secret Heart have a post-credit scene?
No. The Secret Heart has no extra scene during or after the credits.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
