Acusado de asesinato

A big time lawyer is shot on a street. The cops investigate, finding a tangled web of suspects, while the head cop gets involved with one of the suspects.

Thoroughly forgettable crime drama (not noir). Two reasons for watching might be to catch evil-eye Lee Van Cleef as a cop, of all things, and still early in his unusual career. Then there's Vera Hruba Ralston often mocked as Hollywood's worst actress. She's not too bad here as a lounge singer. Can't help but sympathize with her fruitless effort to become the Hollywood queen Republic's head honcho Herbert Yates insisted upon. And that's despite her not speaking English and having little talent. She does show some accomplishment here, however. Note, in passing, the spiffy suits the men wear, even the cops. Like maybe, they just came off the studio rack, which I expect they did. Too bad pedestrian Joe Kane directs without a single imaginative touch, while actor Brian literally walks through his cop part. Anyway, the cars are clean and shiny, the candy-box colors near perfect, and the run- time fairly brief. So it all swallows down easily if unmemorably.

Pretty mediocre murder mystery with Vera Ralston totally unappealing as nightclub singer. Her hand motions during her opening number are hilarious. David Brian makes a convincing cop if not a convincing lover. Sidney Blackmer's reactions to Ralston's singing are pretty funny too. Filmed in Naturama, whatever that is

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.

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.

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.