Le Secret d'une mère (1952)
Directed by Jean Gourguet

Film Synopsis

When his wife dies suddenly, Martin is left to bring up their daughter Josette by himself.  Within no time the little girl has become the dearest thing in the widower's life.  Then, through a neighbour, he learns that before she died his wife was unfaithful to him.  Martin can barely contain himself when he discovers that the man his wife had been seeing was his own boss.  After making an unsuccessful attempt on the latter's life, Martin is suddenly struck by the terrible thought that Josette may not be his own daughter after all.   From that moment, he can hardly bear to look at her, and he tries to avoid her as far as he can.  When the unfortunate girl falls into the river by accident, Martin's natural inclination is to let her drown, but then his paternal instincts get the better of him.  Whatever others may think, Martin knows that Josette will always be his daughter...