The Painted Smile [Murder Can Be Deadly] ** (1962, Liz Fraser, Kenneth Griffith) – Classic Movie Review 11,956

A con artist (Liz Fraser) and her partner in crime, using their good looks for a confidence scam, fall foul of a London murderer-on-the-run (Kenneth Griffith)

Director Lance Comfort’s 1962 British thriller film The Painted Smile [Murder Can Be Deadly] stars Liz Fraser, Kenneth Griffith, Peter Reynolds and Tony Wickert. It is written by Pip Baker and Jane Baker, based on an original idea by Brock Williams.

A small-time conwoman crook called Jo Lake (Liz Fraser) and her partner in crime Mark Davies (Peter Reynolds), using their good looks for a confidence scam, fall foul of a London murderer-on-the-run by the name of Kleinie (Kenneth Griffith). Student Tom (Tony Wickert) is suspected of murder after Jo lures him back to her flat where he discovers a dead body in her bedroom and touches the murder weapon. The victim is Jo’s partner, stabbed to death by the Soho gang leader Kleinie, and Jo persuades the drunk Tom he must drive off and dispose of the body. Kleinie then attempts to convince Jo that he didn’t murder her partner.

This sinister but rather empty and mechanical London-set short B-movie suspenser from the early Sixties boasts little action and too much chat, and has not got too much mileage left in it.

However, it certainly has its period charms, and it is very nice to see the stars and other iconic players in their prime, though, including Nanette Newman, David Hemmings and popular English pop singer Craig Douglas (born Terence Perkins, 13 August 1941). His UK chart-topper ‘Only Sixteen’ (1959), sold more copies in the UK than Sam Cooke’s original US version.

The Painted Smile received a Region 2 DVD release in 2009 in a double bill with Comfort’s 1961 film Rag Doll [Young, Willing and Eager}.

Douglas also starred in the 1962 film It’s Trad, Dad.

The cast are Liz Fraser as Jo Lake, Kenneth Griffith as Kleinie, Peter Reynolds as Mark, Tony Wickert as Tom, Craig Douglas as Nightclub Singer, Nanette Newman as Mary, Ray Smith as Glynn, David Hemmings as Roy, Harold Berens as Mikhala, Grazina Frame as Lucy, Richard McNeff as Police Inspector, Gerald Sim as Plain Clothes Policeman, Rosemary Chalmers as Gloria, Mia Karam as Dawn, Terence Maidment as Henchman, Bill Stevens as Henchman, Lionel Ngakane as Barman, and Ann Wrigg as Manageress.

The Painted Smile [Murder Can Be Deadly] is directed by Lance Comfort, runs 60 minutes, is made by Blakeley’s Films, Mancunian Film and Colorama Features, is released by Planet Film Distributors (UK), is written by Pip Baker and Jane Baker, is shot by Basil Emmott, is produced by Tom Blakeley, and scored by Martin Slavin.

© Derek Winnert 2022 Classic Movie Review 11,956

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