Watch Slightly Scarlet

Slightly Scarlet is a classic film noir from 1956 starring John Payne, Rhonda Fleming, and Arlene Dahl. Directed by Allan Dwan and based on a novel by James M. Cain, the movie tells the story of two sisters, June and Dorothy, who get entangled in a web of corruption and deceit. June (Rhonda Fleming) is the smart and seductive redhead who works as a secretary for a powerful politician, Frank Jansen (Kent Taylor). She is tasked with keeping an eye on Jansen's business dealings, but soon finds herself falling for Ben Grace (John Payne), a private investigator hired to investigate Jansen's shady dealings. Ben, on the other hand, is determined to bring Jansen to justice and expose his corruption to the public.

Dorothy (Arlene Dahl) is June's younger sister, who is trying to turn her life around after getting out of prison. She is taken under the wing of Solly (Jmaes Griffith), a gangster who wants to use her to get to Jansen. Dorothy doesn't want any part of Solly's scheme and tries to distance herself from his criminal activities. But Solly is not one to take no for an answer, and Dorothy soon finds herself drawn into his dangerous world.

As the story unfolds, the two sisters find themselves caught up in a complex web of lies, deception, and betrayal. They must navigate their way through a maze of politics, gangsters, and private investigators, all while trying to protect each other and stay alive.

John Payne delivers a strong performance as the tough, no-nonsense private investigator, Ben Grace. He is determined to get to the bottom of Jansen's corruption, even if it means putting himself in harm's way. Rhonda Fleming is also excellent as the smart and sexy June, who is torn between her loyalty to Jansen and her growing feelings for Ben. Arlene Dahl brings depth to the character of Dorothy, who is struggling to find her place in the world and make a new life for herself after prison.

The movie is filled with classic film noir elements, including shady characters, dark alleys, and double-crosses. The cinematography by John Alton is exceptional, with moody lighting and shadows adding to the overall sense of suspense and danger. The musical score by Roy Webb is also noteworthy, with haunting melodies and a jazzy undertone that perfectly captures the mood of the film.

One of the standout sequences in the movie is a tense and exciting car chase through the city streets, as Ben pursues a suspect in a high-speed pursuit. The scene is expertly choreographed and shot, with the camera angles and editing capturing the action in a way that feels both thrilling and realistic.

Overall, Slightly Scarlet is a classic film noir that delivers all the elements fans of the genre love. With strong performances by the cast, exceptional cinematography, and a suspenseful plot, it is a movie that is sure to keep viewers on the edge of their seats from beginning to end.

Slightly Scarlet is a 1956 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 39 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5.