The File on Thelma Jordon

The File on Thelma Jordon

Year: 1949

Runtime: 100 mins

Language: English

Director: Robert Siodmak

ThrillerCrimeDrama

Assistant district attorney Cleve Marshall becomes entangled with Thelma Jordon, a mysterious woman haunted by a troubled past. When Thelma is arrested as the prime suspect in the murder of her aunt, Cleve risks his career and his heart to prove her innocence and uncover the truth behind the crime.

The File on Thelma Jordon (1949) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at The File on Thelma Jordon (1949) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In the dimly lit corridors of a mid‑century city’s legal district, the atmosphere hums with a mix of procedural rigor and restless yearning. The walls of the district attorney’s office bear witness to endless cases, but behind the polished veneer, personal doubts fester. Cleve Marshall operates in this world as an assistant district attorney whose sharp mind is dulled by hard drinking and a marriage that feels more like an obligation than a partnership. He is a man caught between the demands of the law and the quiet desperation that drives him to seek escape in the smoke‑filled bars that line the streets.

Into this uneasy balance walks Thelma Jordon, a strikingly enigmatic woman whose past is shadowed by whispers and sorrow. She arrives with a quiet urgency, a plea that hints at far‑reaching trouble, and her presence ignites an intoxicating attraction that threatens to overtake both of their carefully constructed lives. Their connection is immediate, their conversations laced with wit and melancholy, and the chemistry between them is as volatile as the city’s lingering rain. As they share drinks and confidences, the line between professional duty and personal desire blurs, pulling Cleve deeper into a vortex of intrigue that he cannot readily resist.

When Thelma finds herself under arrest as the prime suspect in a grave accusation, the stakes surge beyond ordinary courtroom drama. Cleve is forced to confront a moral crucible: uphold the letter of the law he has sworn to enforce, or follow the pulse of his heart toward a woman whose story is as compelling as it is dangerous. The film’s tone sways between moody noir and tense courtroom suspense, setting the stage for a battle of conscience in which career, love, and truth hang in precarious balance.

Last Updated: December 05, 2025 at 09:45

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Fatalistic Noir Downfall movies like The File on Thelma Jordon

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These narratives typically follow a morally compromised protagonist—often an ordinary man—who becomes entangled with a mysterious, duplicitous figure. The plot unfolds as their initial attraction or ambition leads them deeper into a criminal conspiracy, culminating in a climax that reveals the full extent of the betrayal and leaves them with nothing.

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Thrillers where legal professionals risk everything for a dangerous case.Fans of The File on Thelma Jordon will appreciate these thrillers about justice professionals crossing ethical lines. These stories explore the dangerous intersection of law and passion, featuring tense investigations, betrayal, and the high cost of moral compromise.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a figure of authority within the justice system—a prosecutor, detective, or judge—who becomes personally and unprofessionally entangled with a suspect or client. This conflict of interest drives the plot, creating a tension between uncovering the truth and protecting their own secret, ultimately questioning the very system they represent.

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These films share a steady, investigative pacing and a high-stakes intensity rooted in professional jeopardy. They are united by the theme of justice corrupted from within, focusing on the heavy emotional weight of betrayal and the personal cost of abandoning one's principles.

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