Crappy film

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

I didn’t really have many expectations going into the movie (good or bad), but I actually really enjoyed it. I really liked the characters and the banter between them.

This movie feels like it was made purely to piss off people who want good shows

Vintage film buffs are here offered a cast to die for from the top-billed Roz Russell through Leon Ames, Clare Trevor and Sydney Greenstreet, who turns up four and a half reels in and immediately embarks on a cat-and- mouse duel with Russell. Although there have been a sprinkling - Stage Door, Morning Glory, All About Eve - the theatre hasn't featured too often in film so The Velvet Touch fills an all-too real gap. God knows how much Sardi's shelled out for product placement but it was worth it for the theatre-buff viewers who will lap up the atmosphere. The plot fits where it touches but this time around it's a case of the whole is bigger than the sum of its parts.

Without a doubt, it's a Rosalind Russell showcase. She's in about every scene, and in a role as a Broadway actress she gets to model 1948's leading fashions, especially hats. However, it's not the Russell type of madcap comedy she was so good at. Frankly, as actress Valerie she smiles very little, bearing the burden of killing her Broadway producer (Ames) in an act of rage following his abusive machinations. She sort of wants to get away with it and continue her big career, but then there's her nagging conscience. Besides her arch-rival (Trevor) is getting the blame, so Valerie is really conflicted, a perfect role for a distinguished Hollywood actress wanting to show her thespian chops.Then there's the added attraction of the great Greenstreet, as the lumbering head detective. Just what is his game as he investigates the killing. Is he being straightforward with Valerie or just trying to trap her. It's hard to tell. But then, being sly was the actor's stock in trade regardless the role. However, pity poor Leo Genn who mostly gets to stand around as Valerie's patient suitor. And I really like Theresa Harris as the winsome maid, Nancy, while Claire Trevor really shines in one of her patented tough gal roles. The catty barbs between her and Valerie are deliciously done. The movie, as a whole, may be pretty talky, but it's snappy dialogue, so the talk comes across as cleverly entertaining. Anyway, there's no mystery to the story; we know whodunit from the outset. Instead, it's a character study with the estimable Russell, front and center, showing off her talents in a different direction from the usual sophisticated comedy. So fans should be prepared, but no less impressed.

Sydney Greenstreet and his loud, frequent guffaw (6 years after Maltese Falcon and Casablanca) plays Captain Danbury trying to track down a murderer, with a few twists and turns. Viewers will recognize Gordon Dunning, played by Leon Ames, who often had roles of authority, -- the sheriff, the DA, the commissioner, the captain on a ship. Rosalind Russell (10 years after playing Sylvia Fowler in "The Women") plays Valerie Stanton, a stage actress ( although Agnes Moorhead would also have been PERFECT for this role). Leo Genn, Claire Trevor (Key Largo, The High & Mighty), Frank McHugh, and Walter Kingsford also play very believable characters. Note also Theresa Harris, the dresser, who was also in "The Women" with RR. Good solid story from 1948, no obvious plot-holes.

As always, Rosalind Russell gives a superb performance in "The Velvet Touch." She gets a lot of great support from veteran pro Claire Trevor, who is on to her as well as Leo Genn and Leon Ames.As Valerie Stanton, an ambitious actress who knows her craft quite well, Russell etched a memorable portrait of a woman bent on self-destruction. She knows that she can switch from comedy to drama and she will do anything to prove the point. Of course, killing Ames is by accident, but it happened and she did cover it up.Genn loves her as tragically reveals that he knows what she has done.Sidney Greenstreet plays the police inspector with that Peter Falk-like Columbo attitude. He is polite but yet knows that something is amiss with Valerie.Leave it to Roz Russell to play that ending scene while waiting in the wings is Greenstreet. He is ready to escort her to a new destination. Yet, he allows her to take her final bows. Bravo!