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 U.S. as Murder Can Be Deadly.[3]
The Painted Smile | |
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Original British quad poster | |
Directed by | Lance Comfort |
Produced by | Tom Blakeley |
Written by | Pip Baker Jane Baker |
Based on | an original idea by Brock Williams |
Starring | Liz Fraser Kenneth Griffith |
Music by | Martin Slavin |
Cinematography | Basil Emmott |
Edited by | John Trumper |
Production company | Blakeley's Films (M/C) Ltd. Colorama Features Mancunian Film |
Distributed by | Planet Film Distributors (UK) |
Release date | May 1962 (UK) |
Running time | 60 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 killed by a Soho gang leader. 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.