The Hidden Truth (1919): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 1919, The Hidden Truth is a drama film directed by Julius Steger, running about 50 minutes. “Plot summaryAdd synopsis Taglines Out on the trackless desert was her husband- dead or alive? She knew not which. Her lover was accused of his murder.” — that tagline sets the tone.

What it’s about. Helen Merrill sings and dances in the rough Western mining town of Nugget City, where she befriends Myrtle Cadby, whose husband Jake cruelly abuses her. After a particularly vicious beating, Myrtle, seriously injured, shoots Jake. As she lies dying, she gives Helen a letter of introduction to a man she was to have married in the East, urging her to leave Nugget City. Before she leaves, Helen overhears Bill Sheridan and "Snipe" Roach scheming to sell Charles Taylor, a wealthy New Yorker, a salted mine, with the assistance of George Reed, Taylor's mining agent. Helen goes East and learns that Taylor is the man whom Myrtle was to have married, but because she immediately falls in love with him, she conceals her own identity and masquerades as Myrtle.

Who’s in it. The Hidden Truth stars Anna Case as Helen Merrill, Emma Campbell as Mrs. Collins, Charles Richman as Charles Taylor and Forrest Robinson as Judge Blake, among others.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Hidden Truth page.

If you liked it. Fans of The Hidden Truth tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.