Smart Woman (1948)

A special prosecutor (Brian Aherne) is assigned when a grand jury is dissatisfied with the efforts of the district attorney (Otto Kruger) to prosecute crime in its city. And why would he? He's involved up to his teeth in crime and racketeering. Meanwhile, an attorney (Constance Bennett) is being blackmailed by the D.A.'s partner in crime (Barry Sullivan). Directed by Edward A. Blatt (BETWEEN TWO WORLDS). In the late 1940s as actors were freed by the studio system, many formed their own production companies to make their own films (Humphrey Bogart's Santana productions and Joan Fontaine's Rampart productions to name just two). One of the most popular actresses in the 1930s, Constance Bennett found her career floundering in the late 1940s and she formed Constance Bennett productions and SMART WOMAN was the result. While the film offers a juicy role for her, it's not much more than a melodramatic potboiler. It's watchable but it's also forgettable and did nothing to stop her sinking career and by 1951, her film career was over (she did return one more time in 1966 for MADAME X). Worth checking out for Bennett fans but everyone else can pass. With Michael O'Shea, James Gleason, Isobel Elsom and Selena Royle.