Review of Marked Woman (1937) by Glen O — 06 Jul 2010
Another Warners social conscience melodrama, this one about prostitutes ('clip joint hostesses' as they are euphemistically called here) who stand up to the mob boss Johnny Vanning who has them under his thumb.
Bette Davis chews up the scenery as Mary who becomes the chief informant after her innocent little sister meets an ugly fate at the hands of Vanning (played menacingly by Eduardo Ciannelli). Bogart's performance as upright prosecuting attorney David Graham is more restrained.
He had not yet reached A list status at this point and was still married to Mayo Methot, who has a small part in this film, though their marriage would be on the rocks by the time Bogart met Lauren Bacall on the set of "To Have and Have Not.
" The romantic coda at the end is clunky, doesn't really convince and is out of step with the tone of the rest of the film. Far from either Bogart's or Davis' best performances, it's good to see them on screen together, and this is still an entertaining picture from the consistently reliable Warner stable of melodramas.
This review of Marked Woman (1937) was written by Glen O on 06 Jul 2010.
Marked Woman has generally received positive reviews.
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