Slightly Scarlet

Year: 1956

Runtime: 99 mins

Language: English

Director: Allan Dwan

CrimeThrillerDramaCrime

Emerging from a vice‑ridden city’s underbelly, James M. Cain’s most explosive drama follows kleptomaniac Dorothy Lyons, freshly paroled and placed under the watch of her sister June, a secretary to the ostensibly “reform” politician Frank Jansen. Crime associate Ben Grace, working for boss Sol “Solly” Caspar, sees an opportunity to smear Jansen’s campaign by using Dorothy. Determined and seductive, Dorothy will do anything to get what she wants, even as she becomes entangled with Ben, the very man June secretly loves.

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Slightly Scarlet (1956) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

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Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 11:38

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies with a dark seduction like in Slightly Scarlet

Stories where irresistible allure becomes a weapon in a corrupt world.Explore movies like Slightly Scarlet where irresistible, manipulative characters entangle themselves in webs of political and criminal corruption. If you enjoyed the seductive tension and femme fatale energy of Slightly Scarlet, these thrillers and noir films deliver similar stories of dangerous allure and moral decay.

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Narrative Summary

Narratives in this thread typically revolve around a charismatic but morally ambiguous character who uses charm and manipulation as tools for personal gain or survival. They become pawns or players in a larger, corrupt system, and the story unfolds as their schemes clash with the brutal realities of power, often ending in tragedy or profound moral compromise.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on seduction as a narrative force, set against a dark, cynical backdrop of crime or political intrigue. They share a high-tension mood, a steady, deliberate pacing that builds towards a clash, and a heavy emotional weight stemming from the exploitation of desire.

Political corruption thrillers similar to Slightly Scarlet

Thrillers where the quest for power corrupts every personal connection.Discover movies similar to Slightly Scarlet that delve into the dark world of political corruption, blackmail, and smear campaigns. If you liked the tense, gritty atmosphere of Slightly Scarlet's mayoral campaign plot, these dramas and thrillers explore how the hunger for power destroys integrity and personal bonds.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern follows a political figure or their associates whose campaign or position is threatened by a ruthless opponent. The plot methodically unveils a web of blackmail and manipulation, often using personal weaknesses as leverage, creating a steady buildup of suspense that questions whether any innocence can survive in a corrupt system.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their core theme of political corruption and the specific narrative device of a calculated smear campaign. They share a dark tone, steady pacing that builds tension, moderate complexity with layered character motivations, and a heavy emotional weight derived from the crushing pressure of compromised morals.

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Slightly Scarlet

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More About Slightly Scarlet

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Discover movies like Slightly Scarlet that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.