Slightly Scarlet

Director: Allan Dwan Allan Dwan

Overview

This late-period full-color film noir, based on the novel Love's Lovely Counterfeit by James M. Cain, comes to DVD in a respectful presentation. Slightly Scarlet has been given a letterboxed transfer to disc in the widescreen aspect ratio of 1.85:1, which has also been enhanced for anamorphic play on 16 x 9 monitors. The audio has been mastered in Dolby Digital Stereo; the dialogue is in English, with no multiple language options. Bonus materials include a commentary track from author Max Allan Collins and the movie's original trailer.

Product Details

Release Date:	02/26/2002
UPC:	0089859829222
Original Release:	1956
Source:	MUSIC VIDEO DIST.***
Region Code:	1
Presentation:	[Letterbox, Wide Screen]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Mono]
Language:	English
Time:	1:39:00
Sales rank:	35,594

Special Features

Commentary by award-winning mystery writer and filmmaker Max Allan Collins; Widescreen enhanced for 16 x 9 monitors; Original theatrical trailer

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

John Payne	Ben Grace
Rhonda Fleming	June Lyons
Arlene Dahl	Dorothy Lyons
Ted de Corsia	Sol Caspar
Kent Taylor	Frank Jansen
Lance Fuller	Gauss
Frank Gerstle	Dave Dietz
Buddy Baer	Lenhardt
George E. Stone	Roos
Ellen Corby	Martha
Roy Gordon	Norman Marlowe

Technical Credits

Benedict Bogeaus	Producer
Allan Dwan	Director

Scene Index

Side #1 --
1. Freedom [5:08]
2. Election [4:09]
3. The Plot [5:55]
4. Warned [4:38]
5. The Dirt [5:37]
6. Address [4:30]
7. New Mayor [5:14]
8. Both Sides [5:43]
9. Competition [4:27]
10. Beach House [4:47]
11. Ambushed [4:50]
12. Trouble Again [:00]
13. Inside Help [4:58]
14. Caught [5:23]
15. Pulling Out [5:10]
16. Vanished [4:39]
17. The Ploy [4:49]
18. Head to Head [5:30]

Menu

Side #1 --
   Scenes
   Special Features
      Commentary with Max Collins
         On
         Off
         Play
      Photo Gallery
      James Cain Bio
      James Cain Book Gallery
      Trailers
         Slightly Scarlet
         The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946)
         Double Indenmity (1946)

Editorial Reviews

Fans of film noir will definitely want to check out Slightly Scarlet, one of the few examples of the genre from its "golden period" to be shot in color. And what color it is! The word "lurid" may have been created specifically for this movie, which revels in greens that limes could imagine and oranges that practically explode from the screen -- not to mention scarlets that erase any pretense of "slightly." It's startling to see such color in a traditional noir film, but cinematographer John Alton know just how to use them. The color also benefits the twin carrot-topped femme fatales of the film, luscious Rhonda Fleming and devilish Arlene Dahl. Both actresses turn in captivating performances, with Dahl perhaps having a slight edge due to the "bad girl" nature of her part. They're unfortunately not quite matched by John Payne, who never quite connects with the part, despite trying hard; part of it is not the actor's fault, as the role he plays is a bit muddled and unfocused. The script is also over-complicated and equally unsure of exactly what it is trying to say, something that Allan Dwan's competent-but-no-more direction doesn't help. Less than perfect, Slightly Scarlet is still recommended viewing, especially for noir aficionados.

All Movie Guide - Craig Butler