A slick lawyer attempts to get away with murder in Smooth as Silk, a fast-paced film noir thriller starring Kent Taylor and Virginia Grey. When Paula Marlowe (Grey) learns boyfriend Mark Fenton (Taylor) represents the nephew of theatrical producer Stephen Elliott, the ambitious actress two-times the attorney and begins seeing his client so she can score a role in his uncle's play. Successfully landing a part, Paula quickly trades up to Stephen (John Litel), who announces their engagement at a party on opening night. Determined to get even, Fenton kills Stephen and frames his ruthless ex as part of a plan to use his legal knowledge to pull off the perfect crime.