MartinHafer Good govt league DA Wayne--corrupt what does crook have on her? kruger tells sullivan he's going to give lattimore evidence on him! then stands VERY close to him with gun good up until shooting--then didn't make a lot of senseWhen the story begins, a grand jury is furious that the District Attorney (Otto Kruger) has not prosecuted a murder trial that would expose the mob running the town. So, they petition the governor to send in a special prosecutor, Mr. Lattimore (Brian Aherne) to look into things. In his first case, Lattimore is opposed by a sharp lady lawyer, Paula Rogers (Constance Bennett). Soon, the unlikely pair begin dating...which is a problem since the head mobster (Barry Sullivan) has some sort of control over Rogers. What's next?I really liked this film up to the shooting that occurred towards the middle of the movie. At that point, things just didn't make a ton of sense and the story seemed like it could have used a re-write to smooth things out a bit. It wasn't terrible then...but it wasn't the most satisfying turn in the picture and why Paula was being blackmailed didn't seem that compelling. Still, on balance, the good still outweighed the bad and it is worth your time.

JohnHowardReid Despite the engagement of a third-string director in Mr. Blatt (who did far, far better work with "Escape in the Desert"), this movie will still appeal to solid fans of Constance Bennett (here making one of her final films as a leading actress, although her career would continue in shine in minor roles.) Unfortunately, "Smart Woman", despite its engaging title, was not the catalyst Constance needed to remain at the very top. True, it's a high grade woman's picture, featuring polished performances all around, plus elegant photography and attractive sets. In fact, production values shine all around!The script, alas, despite its promising plot, is only moderately interesting. It lacks oomph! Worse still, the direction never sparkles and rates no more than very disappointingly routine.

blanche-2 Constance Bennett is the "Smart Woman" in this 1948 film, and Brian Aherne is the attorney on the opposite side who falls in love with her.Due to a corrupt political machine, the DA (Otto Kruger) has refused to indict on several cases. For that reason, a special prosecutor, Robert Larrimore (Aherne) is brought in. Larrimore and attorney Paula Rogers (Bennett) face off in court, and Larrimore falls for her right away and begins dating her. When the DA is killed, mobster Frank McCoy (Barry Sullivan) is arrested, and he appeals to Paula to help him. Larrimore will be trying for the state, and Paula has reason to fear that the situation will hurt their relationship.This is a pretty good movie, though it's easy to figure out Paula's problems very early on. The cast is good, with a mix of '30s stars like Aherne, Bennett, Kruger, character actors like James Gleason and John Eldredge, as well as '40s newcomers Sullivan and O'Shea (who married Virginia Mayo).The film was produced by Bennett herself, who was no longer the big star she had been in the '30s, thanks to now being 43 years old. The supporting roles for her had started in 1940 with "Two-Faced Woman," when she was 36. Fortunately things are better for women now, but age has always been a huge issue for women in Hollywood. Bennett, a luminous beauty in the '30s, is a good example. Bennett was an excellent businesswoman, and her reputation for glamor served her well in her cosmetics business and also a clothing business. She worked tirelessly during the war effort and, married to a general, entertained the troops who stayed overseas after WW II (she was an accomplished singer). She also did a nightclub act."Smart Woman" is not as good as Bennett's other production, Paris Underground, but it's serviceable.

beyondtheforest Constance Bennett's career seemed to be on the skids by the 1940s, which saw her appearing in B-movies and supporting roles. By 1948, she was producing her own films (she also produced Paris Underground in 1945). Both of these films are well-made late career entries for a fading star.In Smart Woman, Bennett is supported by a strong cast, which includes Brian Aherne and Barry Sullivan, plus a host of reliable supporting players such as Otto Kruger (whom I remember as the older man opposite Joan Crawford in Chained) and Selena Royle (also opposite Joan Crawford in Damned Don't Cry).The script is intelligent if not a roaring success. The chemistry between Bennett and her co-stars does not run particularly hot, but Bennett does get a chance to wear some gorgeous Adrian gowns and prove she is still a good-looking woman at the (then) advanced age of 43. The photography is polished and Bennett seems to be lit and photographed very, very carefully. There are even some noirish camera angles and shadow play. Bennett's performance is strong and does not appear dated with any evidence of her days as a silent film star. Her style seems contemporary, although Bennett is no longer the hypnotic beauty of her precode heyday.As Bennett's second production effort, it is a solid vehicle for her, and an interesting film overall, but it was just not powerful enough to give her career any boost. After this, it was all supporting roles. But the film can easily be recommended as a glossy, well-made women's picture. If the film had a low budget, it's impossible to tell.