Smooth as Silk

It starts out as a tale of leading lady Virginia Grey, her kid sister Jane Adams, and two men: John Litel, a theatrical producer, and young heir Kent Taylor, who has just been acquitted of a manslaughter rap, and who is guardian of his estate. There's not of catty remarks and angling for position, but it comes down to this: Litel wants Grey to marry him, and Taylor is jealous. So he shoots Litel and calls the lawyer who got him off, to confess.

It's a nice set-up, but unfortunately, despite the rather interesting premise, there isn't that much in terms of the dialogue, and Miss Adams seems rather superfluous to the plot.

This looks like it might have been a moderately successful programmer for director Charles Barton at the time, but given that ALL ABOUT EVE, even with no actual murder, would show up in a few years' time, it has aged very poorly

This film's obscurity and lack of big names in the cast led me to expect an ultra-low budget offering from an unheard-of studio. While not an extravaganza, it turned out to be a B-movie from a major studio.

Better yet, it's a fast-paced crime drama with elements of humor in a clever script. I have not seen many of the over 100 films in which Virginia Grey appeared but I'm reasonably confident this was the high point of her career. She plays a Broadway actress on the make with little or no regard for the truth or the people she uses on the way up, much like Eve in the more famous All About Eve. Anyone who's ever dealt with a compulsive liar (most of us, I believe) will enjoy "seeing" the wheels spinning in her head while coming up with one quick-witted excuse or cover story after another. Since the two main men in her life, a defense attorney and a Broadway producer, aren't totally trustworthy either, and yes, there is a real crime involved too, there's a lot going on in a 64 minute film. If it were remade today it would probably be twice as long without adding anything. And that's why I watch movies from this era.

Bonus point for those like myself who enjoy such films yet are dismayed by their casual racism, or simple exclusion of non-white performers: the lovely Theresa Harris, an African-American actress whose Hollywood career consisted mostly of playing maids, here plays .... Virginia Grey's maid. But they're also friends and confidantes, much like the role Harris played opposite Barbara Stanwyck in the pre-coder Baby Face.

Lawyer Kent Taylor (Mark) helps writer John Litel (Steve) by defending his relative Danny Morton (Don) in a drink-driving case where he is guilty. Taylor manipulates witness accounts so that Morton goes free and he does this on the understanding that Litel will give his girlfriend Virginia Grey (Paula), the lead role in his new play. Well, after the court case, Litel goes back on his word and, understandably, Taylor is not happy, especially when Grey's true character begins to reveal herself as she ruthlessly pushes her self-interest. Time for a murder......

This is a fast-moving film with entertaining dialogue and a cast that holds things together. Virginia Grey is good as an ambitious bitch who gets herself engaged whenever it suits her career and drops men like flies when she no longer needs them. She seems to be the main player for the first part of the film which then seems to switch and focus on the plight of Kent Taylor. We see the murder occur but does the cover-up work out? I tell you what, surely Virginia Grey isn't going to get away with having a personality like she has....surely not....?....

I'm not sure what the title means but it's an engaging film that moves along nicely.

Virginia Grey stars with Kent Taylor, Jane Adams, and John Litel in "Smooth as Silk" from 1946.

Grey, in an unusual role for her, plays an ambitious actress, Paula Marlowe, who is appearing in a play. However, she's got her eye on a new play being produced by Stephen Elliott (Litel).

Paula's boyfriend, attorney Mark Fenton, is able to get Elliott's loser son (Danny Moore) acquitted of on a manslaughter charge. Elliott promised him that if he could do that, the lead in his next play would belong to Paula. After his son's trial, Elliott says Paula is not right for the role.

Paula gets to work. While pretending to still be engaged to marry Fenton, she goes after Elliott and not only grabs the lead, but wins Elliott's heart as well. Fenton has no idea of any of it until Elliott announces their engagement. Then it's time for Fenton to get to work - setting Paula up for murder.

My knowledge of Virginia Grey is of her as an older actress in films like Portrait in Black, Madame X, All that Heaven Allows, and tons of TV. She does very well in this lead role.

Grey's real-life story is a sad one - the man she loved was killed in the war; after Carole Lombard's death, she was often seen with Clark Gable. However, in 1949, he married someone else. In 1952, when he was divorced, she was devastated when the two didn't pick up again. As a result, she never married.

She did, however, have a very nice career even if she didn't become a huge star. "Smooth as Silk" is a rare opportunity to see her as a young woman and in a lead.

I confess I know little about Charles Barton's directorial gifts, but he certainly pulls off a solid job in SMOOTH AS SILK. Relying on superb cinematography by Elwood Bredell, this picture runs fast and smooth, with a credible script by Ryerson and fitting background music by Ernest Gold.

When I first considered watching it on the Internet, I was not overly impressed with the cast. I had never heard of the leads Kent Taylor, Virginia Grey. Or Milburn Stone - but I had no reason to fear. They all contribute toward a riveting flick. Taylor is cucumber-cool, Grey plays the remorselessly opportunistic gold digger with elegance, Stone is effective as DA Kimble, and Litel and Trowbridge complete the main set with aplomb.

SMOOTH AS SILK is no masterpiece, even within the confines of film noir, but I rate it very professionally done and gripping entertainment, even if anyone can spot some holes, like the rather convenient and predictable trap DA Kimble sets, which an astute criminal would hardly fall for - that said, all criminals make mistakes...

Must-see for film noir lovers. At 65' long, you won't waste your time and it's well worth it!