The Velvet Touch

• Director: John Gage
• AMG Rating:
• Genre: Thriller
• Movie Type: Psychological Thriller
• Themes: Miscarriage of Justice
• Main Cast: Rosalind Russell, Leo Genn, Claire Trevor, Sydney Greenstreet, Leon Ames
• Release Year: 1948
• Country: US
• Run Time: 97 minutes

Plot

Based upon a story by William Mercer, The Velvet Touch stars Rosalind Russell as Valerie Stanton, a celebrated Broadway actress whose latest smash comedy is coming to the end of its successful run. The play's producer, Gordon Dunning, has produced all of Stanton's hits for the last decade, and takes credit for making her the star she is today. He is therefore upset when she informs him that she wishes to make a break with him by both marrying Michael Morrell, a renowned architect, and by taking a stab at one of the classic roles -- namely Hedda Gabler -- under the auspices of another producer. Dunning has no intention of letting her move forward with her plans, and he tells her that if she refuses to continue working with him in light, profitable comedies, he will reveal unflattering information about her to Morrell. Frightened that this will destroy her relationship, Stanton picks up a statue from Dunning's desk and delivers a fatal blow. Fortunately, because she is wearing her trademark long black gloves, there are no fingerprints, and Stanton creates a plausible alibi. Suspicion therefore shifts to Marian Webster, a rival of Stanton's who finds the body and was once romantically involved with Dunning. Stanton seems to have gotten away with murder -- but can she avoid making any mistakes as police captain Danbury proceeds with the investigation? ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide

Cast

• 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, Columnist; Lex Barker - Paul Banton; Nydia Westman - Susan Crane; Theresa Harris - Nancy; Irving Bacon - Harvey; Esther Howard - Pansy Dupont; Harry Hayden - Mr. Crouch; William Erwin - Howard Forman; Martha Hyer - Helen Adams; Louis Mason - Terry; James Flavin - Sgt. Oliphant; Charles McAvoy - Barney Soper; Dan Foster - Eddie Brown; Russell Hicks - Judge Brack; James Todd - George Tesman; Joyce Arling - Mrs. Elvested; Phillip Barnes - Ejlert Lovborg; Bessie Wade - Bertha; Michael St. Angel - Jimmy; Bess Flowers - Woman at Party; Jim Drum; Allan Ray; Bill Wallace - Reporter

Credit

Travis Banton - Costume Designer, John Gage - Director, Chandler House - Editor, Roland Gross - Editor, Leigh Harline - Composer (Music Score), Constantin Bakaleinikoff - Musical Direction/Supervision, Mort Greene - Songwriter, Leigh Harline - Songwriter, Fred Phillips - Makeup, William Flannery - Production Designer, Joseph Walker - Cinematographer, Frederick Brisson - Producer, Darrell Silvera - Set Designer, Maurice Yates - Set Designer, Russell A. Cully - Special Effects, William Mercer - Screen Story, Leo Rosten - Screenwriter, Annabel Ross - Short Story Author