Slightly Scarlet

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nick s @Nick_S 11/12/2023 It was reasonably engaging and the production quality was acceptable. The storyline wavered a little and was a touch unrealistic. It never delved deeply into the themes it introduced, as if they were only there to add a little colour. See more Curtis B 04/17/2022 Beautiful 1950's architecture and cars shot in shadowy John Alton Technicolor splendor, a great script, scenic California locations, what's not to like? The acting is on par with an abysmal high school play or campy Ed Wood one-take juggernaut. I'm talking offensively bad performances from all of the main actors, most of whom I have enjoyed in other lower budget productions. Enjoy the scenes of an empty Highway 101 and Rhonda Fleming taking deep breaths. Turning the sound off should help. See more 10/10/2013 Although the direction could have been stronger, this film noir intelligently explores how difficult it can be to stay good in both politics and in one's personal life. The two main characters, coming from different sides of the moral spectrum, show depth in their struggles to do the right thing in a world they know is full of corruption. See more 04/21/2012 Much of this is ho-hum, but the melodrama between the two redheads sometimes reaches heights of glorious hysteria. See more 06/02/2010 Hard to believe this comes from a James M. Cain novel. Not much trace of Double Indemnity or Postman Always Rings Twice here. More melodrama than noir, and too trashy to be good melodrama. The last half hour does have some camp appeal, but the first hour is a boring mess. Plodding storyline, characters acting inconsistently, a couple of ridiculous turns (really, the governor has an interest in this shoplifting case?), lousy score. The good sister/bad sister angle isn't exploited nearly as well as it could be, at least not until the third act, and even then it doesn't hold a candle to Whatever Happened to Baby Jane. It should also be noted that as amazing as John Alton is in black and white, he seems lost when it comes to Technicolor. There appears to be little thought put into the color scheme, besides the red hair. In fact, the most striking visual element would be equally effective (if not more so) in monochrome: the reversal of the black & white dresses on the sisters between the beginning and the end of the movie. John Payne, Rhonda Fleming and Ted DeCorsia all turn in very standard performances, only Arlene Dahl stands out as the kleptomaniac (and part nymphomaniac) bad girl, particularly in her final manic descent. It's not enough to salvage the film that much, though. See more 04/09/2010 Florid potboiler in lurid technicolor. The girls look amazing and are dressed in beautiful dresses that it's somewhat hard to believe Rhonda could afford on her salary as a secretary but then her house is palatial and she has a live in maid so perhaps reality wasn't what they were going for. Arlene Dahl takes her part as a worthless tramp and runs with it. A fun ride if you're a fan of high gloss melodrama. See more Read all reviews

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