The Velvet Touch

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The Velvet Touch

Released Jul 13, 1948

1h 37m

Mystery & Thriller

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3 Reviews

68%

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100+ Ratings

Actress Valerie Stanton (Rosalind Russell) is locked in a bitter feud with her producer and ex-boyfriend Gordon Dunning (Leon Ames). When he attempts to blackmail Stanton into remaining under contract with his company, Stanton, in a fit of passion, clubs Dunning with a statuette, killing him. Luckily for Stanton, her gloves have prevented her fingerprints from appearing on the weapon. But her perfect alibi quickly unravels as Capt. Danbury (Sydney Greenstreet) begins a police investigation.

Pat Padua

Washington City Paper

The presence of Sydney Greenstreet as an unflappable, indefatigable investigator connects this to such classic crime dramas as The Maltese Falcon.

Oct 18, 2023

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Sean Axmaker

Turner Classic Movies Online

(The)staging is more theatrical than cinematic, appropriate perhaps for a film so steeped in the culture of Broadway but less effective in building tension...

Jun 27, 2008

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

A sparkling crime melodrama richly steeped in theatrical atmosphere.

Rated: B

May 3, 2002

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Aaron F

Roz Russell and Claire Trevor anchor the movie with their Performances.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/22/24

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Ted B

3 stars; Although promoted as a murder movie, it was more of a movie about Broadway, and what goes on behind the scenes. The film had an all-star cast. But for me, the acting was a little too melodramatic. I guess I hadn't realized how many movies Ms. Russell made. She basically carried this picture. The plot's pace and structure was good, and the flashback sequences were easy to follow. I truly appreciated the moralistic ending.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

06/08/24

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j f

Made me think of Columbo, but with Sidney Greenstreet.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/06/24

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Steve D

The cast makes it fun.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/20/24

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s r

Not your usual murder film and it gives some insight into Broadway. A bit steep on the mellow drama, but all in all it was enjoyable.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

Rosalind Russell is a Broadway actress who accidentally kills her producer/ex-lover in a "perfect crime" and then frames a fellow actress, Claire Trevor, for her crime. It's a nifty little film noir and the film really comes to life when investigator Sydney Greenstreet show up. Nothing brilliant, but it's pretty entertaining.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/31/23

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John Gage

Director

Rosalind Russell

Valerie Stanton

Leo Genn

Michael Morrell

Claire Trevor

Marian Webster

Sydney Greenstreet

Captain Danbury

Leon Ames

Gordon Dunning

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Synopsis

Actress Valerie Stanton (Rosalind Russell) is locked in a bitter feud with her producer and ex-boyfriend Gordon Dunning (Leon Ames). When he attempts to blackmail Stanton into remaining under contract with his company, Stanton, in a fit of passion, clubs Dunning with a statuette, killing him. Luckily for Stanton, her gloves have prevented her fingerprints from appearing on the weapon. But her perfect alibi quickly unravels as Capt. Danbury (Sydney Greenstreet) begins a police investigation.

Director: John Gage
Producer: Frederick Brisson
Screenwriter: Leo Rosten
Production Co: RKO Radio Pictures Inc.
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 13, 1948, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 6, 2016
Runtime: 1h 37m