The Velvet Touch (1948)

Broadway star Valerie Stanton, breaking up with her producer-lover Gordon Dunning, unintentionally kills him. In flashback, she recalls meeting new flame Michael Morrell, and Dunning's ... See full summary »

Director:

Jack Gage

Writers:

Walter Reilly (adaptation), Annabel Ross (story),

Stars:

Rosalind Russell, Leo Genn, Claire Trevor

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Rosalind Russell	...	Valerie Stanton
Leo Genn	...	Michael Morrell
Claire Trevor	...	Marian Webster
Sydney Greenstreet	...	Capt. Danbury
Leon Ames	...	Gordon Dunning
Frank McHugh	...	Ernie Boyle
Walter Kingsford	...	Peter Gunther
Dan Tobin	...	Jeff Trent
Lex Barker	...	Paul Banton
Nydia Westman	...	Susan Crane
Theresa Harris	...	Nancy
Russell Hicks	...	Actor 'Judge Brack'
Irving Bacon	...	Herbie
Esther Howard	...	Pansy Dupont
Harry Hayden	...	Mr. Couch

Storyline

Broadway star Valerie Stanton, breaking up with her producer-lover Gordon Dunning, unintentionally kills him. In flashback, she recalls meeting new flame Michael Morrell, and Dunning's machinations leading to the fatal argument. The next day, it appears that Valerie's former rival Marian Webster is the prime suspect. Or is suave police Captain Danbury just playing cat and mouse with her? Nicely catty dialogue.

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Plot Keywords:

accidental killing

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 July 1948 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Voz da Consciência

Company Credits

Production Co:

Independent Artists Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

One of the few sympathetic roles ever played by Sydney Greenstreet.

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Goofs

In scenes set in Sardi's restaurant, many of framed caricatures on wall are full-figure sketches; in reality, all of Sardi's famous caricatures are face-only portraits.

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Quotes

Valerie Stanton: No! No she didn't! Marian didn't kill herself!

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Soundtracks

"THE VELVET TOUCH"
Music by Leigh Harline
Lyrics by Mort Greene
Sung behind credits by male chorus

User Reviews

theater and mystery combined with '40s glamor

"The Velvet Touch" is a wonderful film starring Rosalind Russell as a glamorous Broadway star, Valerie Stanton, who accidentally kills her boyfriend-producer.

The movie's dialogue is sophisticated and so is its New York theater atmosphere - the parties, the clothes, the rivalries, and the lush theater itself which looks like the real thing, but is an elaborate set. Russell's costars include Sydney Greenstreet, Claire Trevor, and Leon Ames. Greenstreet's portrayal of the clever police detective is excellent, and you can see where he would get on Russell's frayed nerves. Trevor, as a rival of Valerie's, gives a marvelous performance. There is a clever juxtaposition between the film's plot and the play in which Valerie Stanton is appearing, Hedda Gabler. I've always considered this movie an unsung gem.