It's surprising whom you'll meet while being kicked out of town, and in the case of party girl Cleo Moore, it's an old drunk taking her picture. He offers her easy cash for some cheesecake shots and after she figures out that he's not on the make accepts. She finds his vintage photography fascinating and decides not to skip town, becoming his assistant and learning the ropes about the photography business.
As time goes by, Cleo becomes a top New York photographer, first in a swanky nightclub, and later, a free-lance photographer trying top get into photo journalism. She also works in high society spots and attracts the attention of a lively aging dowager who is stunned how beautiful Moore's photos make her look.
In spite of being a shapely platinum blonde who seems to have little scruples, Moore is actually quite honorable as she turns down the opportunity to take blackmail photos. A sudden tragic shot threatens to destroy her career altogether, and this is where the film switches gears into "Film Noir Light". A young Richard Crenna plays the integrity driven reporter who helps her out and keeps her on the right track.
Cleo Moore was one of many Marilyn Monroe knock-offs in the 1950's, and also one of the few who showed sincerity in her performances. Other noteworthy performances come from Richard Greenleaf as the old photographer helping her out, Donald Randolph as a pompous nightclub owner, and especially Isobel Elsom as the mambo-dancing octogenarian, a lively old doll who could be best described as the "Disco Sally" of her day.
As time goes by, Cleo becomes a top New York photographer, first in a swanky nightclub, and later, a free-lance photographer trying top get into photo journalism. She also works in high society spots and attracts the attention of a lively aging dowager who is stunned how beautiful Moore's photos make her look.
In spite of being a shapely platinum blonde who seems to have little scruples, Moore is actually quite honorable as she turns down the opportunity to take blackmail photos. A sudden tragic shot threatens to destroy her career altogether, and this is where the film switches gears into "Film Noir Light". A young Richard Crenna plays the integrity driven reporter who helps her out and keeps her on the right track.
Cleo Moore was one of many Marilyn Monroe knock-offs in the 1950's, and also one of the few who showed sincerity in her performances. Other noteworthy performances come from Richard Greenleaf as the old photographer helping her out, Donald Randolph as a pompous nightclub owner, and especially Isobel Elsom as the mambo-dancing octogenarian, a lively old doll who could be best described as the "Disco Sally" of her day.