The Hidden Eye

The Hidden Eye, released in 1945, is a mystery drama film directed by Roy William Neill. The movie centers around a blind detective named Michael 'Mike' Morgan, portrayed by Edward Ney. Morgan is a clever and resourceful investigator who makes use of his heightened senses to solve crimes. The film begins with the accusation of a man named Larry Hall, played by John Abbott, of murdering his wealthy and beautiful employer, Barbara Llewellyn. Larry Hall is a quiet and soft-spoken man, and there seems to be little motive for the crime, which leads the police to question his guilt. However, they find no concrete evidence to support his innocence, and it is then that they turn to Michael Morgan, a blind detective with an unorthodox approach to solving mysteries. Upon hearing the case, Morgan agrees to investigate and starts by examining the scene of the crime, the Llewellyn mansion. As Morgan explores the room with the help of a guide, he notices a faint scent of perfume lingering in the air. Intrigued, Morgan asks about the perfume and discovers that it belongs to the victim, Barbara Llewellyn. Morgan becomes fixated on the perfume, realizing that it may hold the key to unraveling the mystery. With the perfume as his primary clue, Morgan begins to investigate further, relying heavily on his other senses to build a picture of the events surrounding the murder. He talks to the suspects, including Barbara's sister, Lucy Llewellyn, and her husband, Jack, who both seem to be hiding something. Morgan's sharp hearing and keen sense of smell allow him to detect subtle inconsistencies in their testimonies, which he carefully records in his mind. As Morgan continues his investigation, he receives a few cryptic clues, including an anonymous note containing a poem. The poem reads, 'A blind man finds his sight through love, And in the silence, truth is above.' Morgan becomes convinced that the poem is connected to the murder and that it might hold the key to understanding the killer's motivations. Morgan's quest for justice takes him through a series of twists and turns, as he uncovers new evidence and follows up on leads. He discovers that Larry Hall had been seeing an affair with Lucy Llewellyn, Barbara's sister, who stands to gain from her sister's death. However, Morgan is not convinced by this and keeps an open mind, refusing to jump to conclusions. Through his investigation, Morgan reveals his own backstory and the events that contributed to his blindness. It is then revealed that Morgan was once a successful businessman who became blind after a tragic accident. Despite his disability, Morgan has adapted remarkably well and has developed a sense of smell that allows him to identify fragrances and perfumes, which he uses to solve his cases. As Morgan gets closer to unraveling the mystery, he faces numerous obstacles, including a suspicious police detective who is trying to hinder his progress. Morgan's determination and cleverness ultimately lead him to the truth, as he discovers the identity of the killer and the motives behind the murder. On the night of the murder, Morgan's investigation leads him to a surprising revelation. He discovers that the killer is none other than Lucy Llewellyn, Barbara's sister, who was seeking to get rid of her sister to marry the man she loved, Larry Hall. However, in a twist, Morgan unmasks Lucy as the killer by a perfumed message that he receives from a mysterious source who reveals Lucy's identity. The final scene shows Morgan, having solved the case, reflecting on the experience and the lessons he has learned. Despite being blind, Morgan's exceptional abilities and sharp instincts have allowed him to uncover the truth and bring the perpetrator to justice. The Hidden Eye is a compelling mystery film that showcases Morgan's determination, intelligence, and resourcefulness in the face of overwhelming odds, as he works tirelessly to uncover the truth and clear the name of Larry Hall.