HIS PRIVATE SECRETARY

Cinemavixion Review

In "His Private Secretary" (1933), a young John Wayne, then known as Duke Morrison, departs from his future Western persona to embody the restless Dick Wallace. Directed by Phil Whitman, the film offers a glimpse into the early career of the iconic actor, who plays a wealthy heir resistant to his father's business acumen and enticed by a more hedonistic lifestyle. The plot centers on Wallace's unexpected romance with Marion (Evalyn Knapp), a secretary who inadvertently becomes entangled in his family's affairs. The narrative explores themes of familial duty, societal expectations, and the path to maturity, as Wallace must prove himself worthy of both his father's respect and Marion's affection. While not a major critical or commercial success at the time, the film serves as an interesting character study and a notable early role for Wayne, showcasing a different facet of his burgeoning talent before he became synonymous with the cowboy archetype.