directed by Lloyd Bacon
Still it is jarring to see Bette Davis, who I remember as a bug eyed chain smoking elderly woman, take the lead in this film. Although I don't think anyone could ever describe Davis as beautiful, she was striking playing a role that was not subtle in its sexuality.
I didn't know it before watching the film but this movie is based on the downfall of Mafia Boss and vice lord Lucky Luciano, who had just received a thirty to fifty year sentence for extortion and prostitution about a year before this film was released.
Much as mob film or television auteurs such as Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola or David Chase would do fifty years later, Bacon hired some real life mob hoodlums to give the film some verisimilitude. Another fun fact about this film is that one of the supporting actresses, Lola Lane, was the inspiration for the comic book character, Lois Lane. As you might expect the fast paced version of the Mid-Atlantic Accent is widely used in this film, primarily by Bette Davis but also by a few other actors and actresses.
Although some people see this as a film noir because of the presence of Bette Davis and of course Humphrey Bogart, I don't. It's just a Warner Bros. crime drama, a good one perhaps but there is no moral ambiguity. There are no conflicted heroes or femme fatales. This film is a morality play. Either because of enforced censorship or studio squeamishness about making heroines out of prostitutes, the film alters the stated occupation of the heroine and her friends from their real life inspirations.
And it's strongly implied that they will give it for the right price. But most of the women deep down inside are fallen angels.
All of them have a sort of feisty feminine energy and independence. They claim not to be afraid of much. And sometimes they're even telling the truth.
As the film opens Mary Dwight (Bette Davis) and her friends/roommates (Lola Lane, Mayo Methot- later Mrs. Humprey Bogart, Isabel Jewell, Rosalind Marquis) are on the verge of leaving their nightclub workplace. They learn that their nightclub is under new management. The notorious gangster Johnny Vanning (Eduardo Ciannelli) is the new owner. He explains that the hostesses will be expected to hustle men for drinks, "play nice" with them, and steer any male customers to the club gambling games. Vanning will remodel the club.
Everyone knows that Vanning plays rough with people who give him problems. So the smart thing to do is not give him any problems. Vanning doesn't like the age of one of Mary's friends and tries to fire her before Mary steps in and defends the older woman.
Intrigued by Mary's guts, Vanning invites her to get to know him better, but Mary wants to keep it strictly business. One of her other friends leaps at the opportunity to get to know the boss better, IF you know what I mean.
A young earnest assistant DA David Graham (Humphrey Bogart) watches in frustration as his boss can't make any headway against the Vanning syndicate. Too many people are afraid to talk. Too many judges and cops are bought off. Too many witnesses take one way rides. Equally inspired and amused by Graham's anger, his boss puts Graham in charge of getting Vanning.
When one of the men that Mary hustled for gambling and champagne can't pay his debt, the syndicate rubs him out. Mary tried to warn him of his danger.
When Graham discovers Mary's name and address in the dead man's effects he takes an interest in Mary. And when Vanning discovers Betty, he takes an interest in her. Mary and her friends are caught in the middle, with no one to help.
Bette Davis played this role in an over the top melodramatic way. It worked because among things she was Bette Davis. She may be tiny but she's one tough cookie. All the dialogue is suitably earnest and snappy. When the hostesses' landlord knocks on their door and enters before they give permission one of the women snarls, "Don't you know how to knock twice?" Blissfully undeterred the rent seeking landlord retorts, "Don't you girls know how to pay once?"
As this is an older movie sex and violence is more implied than shown but there is enough demonstrated to make the film intense enough. It's actually what's not seen that gives this film its impact. Ciannelli is dangerous looking and sounding. Davis had recently lost a lawsuit against Warner Bros. for not giving her better roles. This role kicked off a string of Davis successes.
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