Woman of Straw

Playboy Anthony Richmond devises a cunning plan to inherit his uncle Charles Richmond's £50 million fortune. He enlists the help of Maria Marcello, a new Italian nurse, convincing her to marry the tyrannical tycoon for a promise of one million pounds.

Once Maria becomes Charles's nurse, she faces his verbal and emotional abuse both at his estate and during a yacht trip. Despite the harsh treatment, Maria remains sincere and committed to her role.

In a significant turn of events, Maria marries Charles during the yacht trip in Mallorca, hoping to fulfill Anthony's plan. As the ceremony concludes, a humbled Charles decides to change his will, promising Maria his entire fortune.

After their marriage, Charles undergoes a transformation and officially alters his will to leave most of his fortune to Maria. This act leaves his nephew, Anthony, with a mere £40,000, igniting Anthony's desperation.

Tragedy strikes when Charles dies early one morning on the yacht, leaving both Anthony and Maria in shock. Anthony, seeing an opportunity, proposes they pretend Charles is still alive to protect their interests.

Following Charles's death, Anthony and Maria hatch a plan to deceive others into believing Charles is still alive. They return to the estate and craft a facade to mislead relatives and potential investigators.

Maria gets entangled in a web of deceit when she confesses their scheme to detectives who are investigating the case. This admission casts suspicion on her, placing her under the spotlight as a potential murder suspect.

Amid the investigation, Maria uncovers the shocking truth: Anthony had poisoned Charles with Barbiturate to secure his inheritance. The betrayal cuts deep as she realizes she has been used in his wicked game.

Detective Lomer and the servant, Thomas, unveil a tape recording in which Charles reveals Anthony's heinous act of murder right before he died. This evidence becomes crucial in unraveling Anthony's manipulation.

In a desperate attempt to flee after being exposed, Anthony makes a rash move. He plummets down the grand staircase, meeting his demise as he falls under the haunting gaze of Charles' ghostly wheelchair.

After the truth of Anthony's betrayal and the evidence against him emerges, Maria is exonerated in court. The judgment restores her reputation and allows her to reclaim Charles's estate and fortune.

Maria inherits the vast fortune once controlled by Charles, symbolizing her triumph over the cruel events that transpired. The film concludes with her newfound power and the recognition of her innocence.