Marked Woman
Marked Woman
NR | 10 April 1937 (USA)
Marked Woman Trailers

In the underworld of Manhattan, a woman dares to stand up to one of the city's most powerful gangsters.

Reviews
Rijndri

Load of rubbish!!

... View More
Hadrina

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

... View More
Guillelmina

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

... View More
Yazmin

Close shines in drama with strong language, adult themes.

... View More
weezeralfalfa

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.

... View More
evanston_dad

A fairly gritty drama from the Warners factory about a group of women (led by Bette Davis) who stand up against a vicious mob boss. Based on a true story, the film has all the Warners trademarks -- it deals with the dirty underbelly of American cities, and it walks a fine line between realism and sensationalism. The production code was firmly in place by 1937, so it's not as shocking as it would have been had it been made about five years earlier, but it packs a punch nonetheless.This was Davis's first role after her legendary battle with Warners over better parts, and even if the movie doesn't have the makings of a classic, it's easy to see why the part appealed to Davis.Also starring a young Humphrey Bogart as a tough lawyer in the District Attorney's office.Grade: B+

... View More
jzappa

Set in the "underworld" of Manhattan, Marked Woman has Bette Davis as a woman who has the nerve to defy one of the city's most powerful, yet surely the most unbelievably stupid, gangsters. The women of the story are "hostesses." What is not acknowledged obviously is that they are essentially prostitutes. They work in a gambling house in the city.Davis briefly meets and befriends a young man who confides in her that he is not able to pay off the debt he has amassed, not surprised to find out later that he has been murdered. Interrogated by investigator Humphrey Bogart, Davis and the other women refuse to rat out their retarded employer, Johnny (it's always a Johnny) Vanning. They fear him, and while behind closed doors loathing him are helpless to free themselves from him. Davis's younger sister, a goody-good college girl, comes to visit, oblivious to the risky circumstances she has walked into, and gets recklessly, inexplicably, is drawn very quickly into the world, against the urging of her older sister.Look, whether this is dated or not, it displays some of the very worst acting I have ever seen. Yes, Bette Davis and Humphrey Bogart headline the cast, but they are so tacky, almost like they are characters in later movies that love old black and white movie pictures and recite lines from ones they've seen a million trillion times. They are not the only ones. The worst actor is the one who plays the worst character, Johnny Vanning, a hilariously stupid Italian mob boss. He is an actor who cannot act his way out of a paper bag playing a character who cannot think or talk his way out of a paper bag. One of the funniest moments:Johnny runs joints and takes over joints. They all seem to be officially called "joints," even by the city. Never are they ever referred to as anything else. He changes their names to less clever things:One's name is Le Intime. He says, "What does that mean?""It means intimate.""What does that mean?""Affectionate. Being together.""Well why doesn't it say what it means? Charlie. Tell them to change it."He really does not know anything and relies on his henchmen and the people around him, but nobody ever vocalizes this.All of the dialogue is overacted and scripted and corny, the chemistry between all the "hostesses" is trite, and all of my laughter was against the intent of the filmmakers.

... View More
Michael_Elliott

Marked Woman (1937) *** (out of 4) A prosecutor (Humphrey Bogart) tries to get a key witness (Bette Davis) to testify against her gangster boss. The first hour of this film was only so-so but it certainly picked up in the final half hour when the gangsters start going after Davis and her younger sister. I think the story is just standard Warner stuff but the performances by Davis and Bogart makes this a small classic that makes for a good time. Davis is very good in her role, although I felt she came off a tad bit campy whenever she was playing anger. A few of her anger scenes made me smile but for the rest of the time she's on fire. Bogart is also very good in his role and it's always fun seeing him play a clean good guy without any baggage. The supporting cast is also in good form and features nice performances from Lola Lane, Isabel Jewell, Eduardo Ciannelli and Mayo Methot (future Mrs. Bogart). Cagney's buddy Allen Jenkins has a fun cameo. The final courtroom scenes are very well handled with some nice cinematography including a great shot during Bogart's closing statement where the camera swoops down on him.

... View More