Slightly Scarlet (1956)

Slightly Scarlet, adapted from James M. Cain's novel, Love's Lovely Counterfeit, is a slight, though well-crafted mystery. Shot in Technicolor, the film combines color sequences with a moody use of dark shadows to create a spectacular, visually exciting film, though somewhat short on character and action. Ben (John Payne), works for criminal boss Sol Caspar (Ted de Corsia) and is in love with June (Rhonda Fleming), Sol's secretary. Dorothy (Arlene Dahl) is June's sister and becomes romantically involved with Ben also. The lightweight story is predictable in its outcome but is saved by a good performance by Arlene Dahl as June's amoral, neurotic and completely unpredictable sister who is unscrupulous in her pursuit of her sister's lover. Slightly Scarlet, while technically brilliant, is a mediocre, predictable crime melodrama.