It's a bit sad to find such a fine cast in this rather labored and disappointing feature from Warner Brothers. Admittedly, Ted McCord's noirish photography is right on the ball, but Richard Bare's direction is just that - bare! Bare had excellent credentials. In college, he majored in drama and cinematography. He produced and directed "The Oval Portrait" which won the Paul Muni Award for the best college film of the year. Normally, Bare worked in Warner's shorts division and it's unusual to find him directing a feature. I particularly like his work on the Joe McDoakes series of shorts. Bare also seemed to be top of the list when another Hollywood studio needed to borrow a director. Bare was lent to Hal Roach Studios to produce and direct the "So This Is Hollywood" TV series; and to Republic for "Gangbusters" and "Joe Palooka". For his home studio, he produced and directed the "Cheyenne" TV series.
Review of Smart Girls Don't Talk
