The Painted Smile
The Painted Smile is a 1962 British thriller film directed by Lance Comfort and starring Liz Fraser, Kenneth Griffith, Peter Reynolds and Tony Wickert.[1][2] The film was known in the USA as Murder Can Be Deadly.[3]
The Painted Smile | |
---|---|
Directed by | Lance Comfort |
Written by | Pip and Jane Baker |
Based on | an original idea by Brock Williams |
Produced by | Tom Blakeley |
Starring | Liz Fraser Kenneth Griffith |
Cinematography | Basil Emmott |
Edited by | John Trumper |
Music by | Martin Slavin |
Production companies | Blakeley's Films (M/C) Ltd. Colorama Features Mancunian Film |
Distributed by | Planet Film Distributors (UK) |
Release date | May 1962 (UK) |
Running time | 56 minutes |
Country | United Kingdom |
Language | English |
Plot
Tom, a student, comes under suspicion of murder when he discovers a dead body in the flat of con artist Jo. After he touches the murder weapon, Jo convinces him it is in his interest to dispose of the body. The victim was Jo's partner in crime who has been murdered by a Soho gang boss. However, the suspicions of the police are aroused and Tom becomes the obvious suspect.
Cast
- Liz Fraser - Jo Lake
- Kenneth Griffith - Kleinie
- Peter Reynolds - Mark
- Tony Wickert - Tom
- Craig Douglas - Nightclub Singer
- Nanette Newman - Mary
- Ray Smith - Glynn
- David Hemmings - Roy
- Harold Berens - Mikhala
- Grazina Frame - Lucy
- Richard McNeff - Police Inspector
- Gerald Sim - Plain Clothes Policeman
- Rosemary Chalmers - Gloria
- Mia Karam - Dawn
- Terence Maidment - Henchman
- Bill Stevens - Henchman
- Lionel Ngakane - Barman
- Ann Wrigg - Manageress
Critical reception
The Radio Times wrote, "this dreadfully dull British B-movie makes its brief running time seem like an eternity";[4] while Cinedelica called the film "engaging and without a dull moment. Good stuff."[5]
References
- "The Painted Smile (1961)". BFI. Archived from the original on 16 January 2009.
- "Painted Smile". aveleyman.com.
- "Murder Can Be Deadly". TVGuide.com.
- David Parkinson. "The Painted Smile". RadioTimes.
- "Cinedelica: DVD review: The Painted Smile (1962) / Rag Doll (1958)". cinedelica.com.