Over-Exposed

A young woman learns the craft of photography, and uses her skills (and her wits) to fulfill her glamorous ambitions. This is part of a set called "Bad Girls of Film Noir" but that's a double misnomer. Lila isn't truly bad, just mildly manipulative and although the film is superficially a feminine version of Shakedown it lacks any real edge. I like my noir to be noir through and through, not just in the last 7 minutes. Cleo Moore is the only noteworthy performer in the cast (though Raymond Greenleaf is enjoyable as her mentor) and she's pretty good. It's interesting that one of the things that drives her character is a chip on her shoulder about being ogled, yet the film doesn't hesitate to objectify her, rarely passing up an opportunity to show off her shapely assets. Not bad as a time-killer and the script has some tasty lines, but overall it's forgettable.