ridiculous rating

It's no definitive masterpiece but it's damn close.

Dreadfully Boring

Blistering performances.

Interesting movie for its subtext, which amounts to an evolving bond of sisterhood among a nightclub's crew of hookers that includes Davis's Mary. Because it's Production Code 1937, the girls are described as hostesses rather than what they really are. For example, note how Betty (Bryan) says she got a $100 bill from her gentleman for "cab fare" and not for services rendered. At the same time, being 1930's Warner Bros., I kept expecting the gangster element to take over. But, it doesn't, no shooting at all, despite the iconic presence of Bogart. Still it's early in his career and his role is limited to an Ass't DA, instead. There's no real plot, rather character progression among the girls makes up the real core, even though it occurs inside Vanning's (Ciannelli) gangster context. Davis does well in the lead, her theatrical tendencies pretty well under control. But, I especially like the plain-faced Emmy Lou (Jewell) who injects genuine feeling into her role as a woman marked for death. I also like the way none of the girls are made glamorous. They're attractive, but in conventional ways, as it should be.All in all, the 90-minutes would amount to a rather tame and forgettable gangster flick without this unusual subtext. It's that emergent fellow-feeling among the apparently disreputable that makes the film worth catching up with. Note too, how no one woman, even star Davis, leads the others into the bonding, a common Hollywood cliche elevating the "hero". Instead the sense of community grows organically out of common adversity. I expect much of that departure is due to leftist screenwriter Robert Rossen, who later fell afoul of the notorious Hollywood blacklist. And, oh yes, ignore Bogart's PC induced come-on that he tenders to Davis at film's end as though a conventional pairing up is somehow needed. The invite simply comes out of the blue like a clumsy last minute contrivance. Instead, the real ending is the final shot of the sisterhood arm-in-arm entering the mists of an uncertain future, but with a new-found bonding. I expect that's Rossen last second trumping of the imperious Code.

Despite the introductory disclaimer, it's generally acknowledged that this film was inspired by the court case involving NYC mobster kingpin Lucky Luciano and associates, which took place the year before, in 1936. They were found guilty of trafficking in compulsory prostitution, which involved most organized prostitution in Manhattan. Unfortunately, the Motion Picture Production Code forbade mention of prostitution in films. Thus, another charge was adopted for the film : murder. Unfortunately, it's a rather weak case for first degree murder, as the girl witness, Emmy Lou(Isabel Jewell), testified that mob kingpin Johnny Vanning(Eduardo Cainnelli), didn't intentionally push Betty Strauber(Jane Bryan) down the stairs to her death, but rather slapped her: the force knocking her off balance. Sure sounds like an accidental homicide! But, in the film, apparently, it qualifies as first degree murder, justifying the sentence of 30-50 years in prison for Vanning and his associates..... There is a prior murder, generally blamed on Vanning's goons, but unproven in court. Ralph Krawford was a patron at Vanning's Café Intimate, writing a check for his lavish spending. He took an evening taxi with Mary Strauber(Bette Davis), going first to her apartment, then Krawford presumably continuing on to the Waldorf Astoria. The taxi they rode in was followed by a taxi containing 2 of Vanning's goons. They were following because they (supposedly) knew that Krawford's check was no good. How did they figure that out without going to a bank(this being late evening?) In the morning, it was reported that Krawford's body was found in an alley. In a pocket, was a slip of paper bearing Mary Strauber's name and address. Thus, Mary was traced, and she was arrested as a prime suspect. She had an interview with David Graham(Humphrey Bogart). She tells him what she saw and heard, but he isn't satisfied. He suspects she knows more. Later, she fabricates a story she thinks he will like. But, in court, it is proven to be erroneous. Graham was very disappointed in her, but what did he expect when she had no more truth to divulge?....... Bette Davis was wonderfully animated and believable, throughout. Eduardo was also good as the gangster kingpin. Bogart was quite handsome and smartly dressed, in contrast to his disheveled look in many of his prior films. It's hard to believe he is the same Bogart who played the desperado Duke Mantee, in "Petrified Forest"! He gives a wonderful speech in his closing statement in the trial. The judge also gave a great summary speech. In spite of the several criticisms I've leveled at the screenplay, I believe it's a worthwhile film to watch.

***SPOILERS*** Based on the downfall of Mafia Kingpin Lucky Luciano "Marked Woman" also has the two stars of the previous years top gangster film "The Petrified Forest" Bette Davis & Humphrey Bogart as nightclub "hostess" Mary Dwight and NYC D.A David Graham back together again.It's when mob "Boss of Bosses" Johnny Vanning, Eduardo Ciannell, took over the "Intimate Nightclub" that the girls working there started to feel the heat. Not just from Johnny but the D.A David Graham who's job It was to put him behind bars and have him shipped out of the country as an indescribable alien. In trying to get someone who works for Vanning to turn evidence against him D.A Graham finds that one of his nightclub hostesses Mary Dwight's home address was found on the body of Ralph Krawford, Damian O'Flynn. It was Mary who was last seen with Krawford who tried to skip out of town, after not paying his tab at the Intimate Nightclub, hours before his body was found shot to death!With D.A Graham getting Mary to testify against her boss Vanning she completely fall apart on the stand under the grueling cross-examination of Vanning's high priced lawyer Gordon, John Litel. It's a defeated D.A Graham who feels that his star witness Mary Dwight either double-crossed him or was intimidated by Vanning's hoods to have her throw the what he felt was an air-tight case against the Mafia chieftain. It's earlier when Mary's sweet pretty and innocent, in not knowing what kind of business her big sister was involved in, kid sister Betty, Jane Bryan, who came to visit her that the awful truth about Mary hit the poor girl right between the eyes! That's when the police and D.A Graham busted into Mary's rooming house and pinched her as being an accessory in the Ralph Krawford murder! Betty felt deeply hurt and humiliated in what her sister who claimed to be a fashion model, really was; A B-girl in a mob clip-joint. Betty now throwing off her wholesome All-American girl image decides against her sister Mary's strong objections to get into the same kind of work that she's in that was soon to end up with disastrous results!***SPOILER ALERT*** Not at all knowing what she was getting into Betty, who was also a virgin, ended up being pushed down a flight at the "Intimate Nightclub" by an outraged Vanning for refusing to put out for one of the club's rich and sex hungry costumers Bob Crandall, William B. Davidson, who spends all of his free time and money there. With Mary out on the streets looking for her sister she gets the shocking news from D.A Graham that Betty was found dead in an empty lot with her skull bashed in!It took a lot for Mary to come clean in what she knew about Vanning's involvement in the sex and protection rackets and after also getting brutally worked over by one of Vanning's thugs Charlie Delaney, Ben Welden, she finally decided, together with a number of her hostess friends, to testify against Vanning in open court. This time around D.A Graham didn't have any trouble at all convicting Vanning and his band of hoodlums, including Charlie, having them sent up the river, to Sing Sing State prison, for a stretch of 30 to 50 years.In the end Mary and her friends could hold their heads up high in them knowing that they finally put to end to Johnny Vanning's vice-like control of the City of New York as well as having him pay for his involvement in Betty's murder; Even though he wasn't convicted for it. As for D.A Graham he had bigger and better goals withing for him on the horizon including the Governorship of the State of New York as well as running as his party's stander barer for the Presidency of the United States of America.

In more skillful hands "Marked Woman" might have been a classic Warners picture with a very good Bette Davis and Humphrey Bogart, still early in their careers, showing signs of the major stars that they would, not too soon after this film, become.However, the director Lloyd Bacon, was more widely known for his direction of musicals (Footlight Parade, 42nd Street, Gold Diggers of 1937), one of the writers (Robert Rossen) made his film debut with this film, the other writer (Abem Finkel) had his best work in the years ahead. None of them were up to the task of taking a story "fresh from the headlines" and turn it into a compelling drama. It's not even good melodrama.The story of an up and coming DA (Bogart) trying to put away a gangster with the help of 5 "hostesses". Another story involving one of the hostesses(Davis) and her younger, smarter sister. The story of 5 desperate woman trying to scratch out a meager living, by taking advantage of gentlemen who are only too happy to part with their money, if it means having a lovely girl with them all evening. The problem is, taken separately or tied in all together, none of these stories is particularly interesting.It doesn't help that four of the five hostesses are as exciting as watching a bowl of oatmeal. I won't say who is the worst, it doesn't matter, they are all bad. Of course part of the problem is that they don't have very well developed characters to try to do anything with.If you are a fan of Bogart and/or Davis, rent this one, just to get a good look at where they were in their development. But if you are not a fan of them, don't bother, don't waste your time.5 out of 10