"Slightly Scarlett" was a crime drama filmed in technicolor and wide screen to take advantage of the flaming red hair of both female leads, Rhonda Fleming and Arlene Dahl.
The film opens with Dorothy Lyons (Dahl) being paroled into the custody of her sister June (Fleming). Dorothy it seems is a kleptomaniac with sticky fingers. June attempts to care for her sister but Dorothy has her own ideas.
Ben Grace (John Payne) is an ambitious gangster working for boss Solly Casper (Ted De Corsia). They are interested in the upcoming civic election where reform candidate Frank Jensen (Kent Taylor) is the candidate running for mayor. Casper eliminates a journalist who has been berating the mob by tossing him out a window.
Ben becomes interested in June but Dorothy is suddenly arrested for shoplifting a string of pearls. June pleads for her sister citing that she has mental problems. Meanwhile Jensen is elected mayor and Grace suggests to June that his friend should be appointed Chief of Police. Solly, fearing a crackdown from the new administration, flees to Mexico.
Grace is left in charge during Solly's absence and takes advantage of it. He begins to live in Solly's homes enjoying his bosses wealthy surroundings. Dorothy makes a play for Grace but he rejects her wanting instead her sister June. June who is Mayor Jensen's "secretary" doesn't want to get involved with Grace. Then Solly returns unexpectedly from Mexico and.............................
Of the principals, Arlene Dahl steals the picture as the slightly mad femme fatale. The rest just go through the motions. Lance Fuller and the gigantic Buddy Baer play Solly Casper's men.
Would have been more effective if filmed in good old black and white.
The film opens with Dorothy Lyons (Dahl) being paroled into the custody of her sister June (Fleming). Dorothy it seems is a kleptomaniac with sticky fingers. June attempts to care for her sister but Dorothy has her own ideas.
Ben Grace (John Payne) is an ambitious gangster working for boss Solly Casper (Ted De Corsia). They are interested in the upcoming civic election where reform candidate Frank Jensen (Kent Taylor) is the candidate running for mayor. Casper eliminates a journalist who has been berating the mob by tossing him out a window.
Ben becomes interested in June but Dorothy is suddenly arrested for shoplifting a string of pearls. June pleads for her sister citing that she has mental problems. Meanwhile Jensen is elected mayor and Grace suggests to June that his friend should be appointed Chief of Police. Solly, fearing a crackdown from the new administration, flees to Mexico.
Grace is left in charge during Solly's absence and takes advantage of it. He begins to live in Solly's homes enjoying his bosses wealthy surroundings. Dorothy makes a play for Grace but he rejects her wanting instead her sister June. June who is Mayor Jensen's "secretary" doesn't want to get involved with Grace. Then Solly returns unexpectedly from Mexico and.............................
Of the principals, Arlene Dahl steals the picture as the slightly mad femme fatale. The rest just go through the motions. Lance Fuller and the gigantic Buddy Baer play Solly Casper's men.
Would have been more effective if filmed in good old black and white.