Schach dem Mörder

I stumbled upon Accused of Murder and for some reason was drawn to give it a viewing. It was apparently filmed in Naturama, of which I have know idea what exactly that was/is. I will say though that I think for most part the filmed looked beautiful: the set design and props are all really great and are a character unto themselves. Sure, there was a bit of overlighting throughout, but that didn't diminish my appreciation of the remaining visuals. As for the story and performances those are where Accused of Murder suffers. The story just didn't really amount to that much and it never really gained enough traction to create any drama or tension. The acting was spotty as well, with a couple solid performances (Peebles) but overall disappointing.

This is much better than I had any reason to believe it might be.

It is almost a noir, but, aside from Virginia Grey, must of the cast don't really register very well.

A supporting turn by Lee Van Cleve, among others (David Brian, Sidney Blackmer, etc.) keep the movie moving along.

And there is Vera Ralston, singing ersatz cafe songs, and the glory of TruColor.

Still, why Eddie Muller hasn't championed the movie is beyond me, as he has justified far worse.

For some reason, I stumbled across the movie on The Criterion Channel, which keeps surprising me, as one of the best movie streaming services available.

Joseph Kane was a definite western specialist for Republic Pictures he made dozens if not hundreds of them but he nevertheless gave us some noirs such as this one, ACCUSED OF MURDER, HOODLUM EMPIRE, THE NOTORIOUS MR MONKS and THE MAN WHO DIED TWICE. Here, no surprise to see Vera Ralston, the Republic Pictures queen - because married to the studio boss Herbert J Yates - but to see David Brian in a positive lead caracter, and not the usual the hero's sidekick or rival, that's a surprise. That's a pretty cool crime noir, good atmosphere, not that foreseeable from a western specialist. Look for it.

If for no other reason, I have three (3) absolutely insane reasons to enjoy watching this movie.

1-baby blue Continental automobile was a separate "make" from the Ford Motor Company for just the 1956 and 1957 model years.

2-Virginia Gray sweating profusely, and her bright blue eyes.

3-the almost matching (different color jackets) blackamoor lamps at the ends of the bar in the nightclub.

And a color picture from Republic in 1956 because the studio boss' wife was the singer.

A nightclub singer , Ilona Vance (Vera Hruba Ralston) is "Accused of Murder" in this 1956 Republic movie filmed in "Naturama." A shadt lawyer (Sidney Blackmer) is in love with Ilona. After she rejects him, he winds up murdered in his car.

Police Lt. Hargis (David Brian) doubts that Ilona is the killer - he's a little smitten with her. A hostess at the club (Virginia Grey) sees a man near the murder scene and tries to blackmail him (Warren Stevens). He gives her a good punch in the face and warns her not to tell anyone.

Though Ilona says she does not recognize the murder gun, a man sees the gun in the paper and identifies it as a gun an associate of his gave to Ilona. She insists that she is being framed.

This is a short film (76 minutes) and it goes nowhere. With the exception of Elisha Cook Jr., Virginia Grey, and Lee Van Cleef in supporting roles, the acting is flat.

Ralston's singing is dubbed, and the singer does not have a Czech accent.

Naturama was a wide-screen technique used by Republic Pictures. It evidently didn't catch on.