Tonight's Movie: Smooth as Silk (1946)

Virginia Grey shines in SMOOTH AS SILK (1946), an entertaining short crime film from Universal Pictures.

Grey plays Broadway actress Paula Marlowe in this fast-paced 64-minute movie. Paula's boyfriend, attorney Mark Fenton (Kent Taylor), gets playboy Don Elliott (Danny Morton) acquitted of manslaughter. Prior to the acquittal Don's uncle Stephen had promised Mark that he'd consider Paula for a role in his new play, but he reneges once Don is off the hook.

The enraged Paula is determined to have the part regardless and begins by cozying up to Don, even getting him to stop drinking. Then she arranges for Don to take her to meet Uncle Stephen and she goes after him, behind the backs of both Don and Mark.

Paula wins the role and wealthy Stephen, though she's not particularly enthused about having to follow through on the romantic aspect of their relationship, noticeably avoiding kissing him. Paula is dismayed when Stephen announces their engagement at the opening night party, but she's not half as upset at Mark...who promptly kills Stephen and frames Paula.

It's never really clear why Taylor's character, who exudes self-confidence, would immediately transform into a killer after being dumped, but this is not a film long on background motivations. While that may be a negative, the related plus is that the film moves like lightning, keeping the viewer glued to find out what's coming next.

The movie also looks great, showing off the beautiful Grey and Jane Adams (who plays Paula's sweet sister Susan) in shimmering black and white. I've always loved Grey, and it's fun watching her play such a juicy, manipulative part. She and Taylor each play pathological characters who deserve each other, but since this isn't a film meant to be taken seriously, it's all in good fun, without entangling viewer emotions.

While I enjoy short movies, in this case the movie's biggest flaw, other than the lack of character development, may be its abrupt ending. Once the crime is solved by the police and the arrest made, it just ends, boom. The movie feels like it needs more of a wrap-up and particularly another scene with Grey before "The End."

SMOOTH AS SILK was directed by Charles Barton. It was filmed by Woody Bredell, who shot the noir classics PHANTOM LADY (1944) and THE KILLERS (1946). He also shot several of my favorite Deanna Durbin films at Universal.

The screenplay by Dane Lussier and Kerry Shaw was based on a story called "Notorious Gentleman" by Florence Ryerson and Colin Clements.

The supporting cast includes Milburn Stone, Theresa Harris, Charles Trowbridge, and Harry Cheshire.

SMOOTH AS SILK is available on DVD from the Universal Vault Collection. The print is excellent.

This film was also reviewed by Steve at Mystery File a number of years ago; he pronounced it "a lot of fun to watch." I concur, this was an entertaining diversion -- just what we all especially need right now!