This film is somewhat
based on the trial of Sicilian gangster Lucky Luciano. At one time, he controlled all
prostitution in New York and he was the head of the Genovese crime family. Mary Dwight and her four roommates work
as nightclub hostesses at a club now run by Johnny Vanning (Lucky Luciano). Johnny has just taken ownership of the club
and he’s out to change everything.
His main goal is income. He
lays his rules on the line for everyone working for him including the
hostesses. Vanning starts to put the
moves on Mary but she avoids more involvement with him. Mary’s sister Betty comes for a visit
on her college break and she doesn’t know what Mary and her roommates really do
for a living. Mary is paying for
Betty to go to school and she doesn’t want any of this to change. Unfortunately, one of the men last seen
with Mary is found dead in the river.
Both Davis and Bogart
do a good job in their roles for this film. The story and characters seem realistic and believable. In 1937, there were not a lot of job options
for single women and the Great Depression started in 1929 and ended in 1941. The median family income was $1160 from
1935 to 1936, usually with the husband as the earner. This was $20-25 a week for expenses. Single women were on the margins and seemed
invisible. Those seeking relief or
employment were scorned for taking jobs and money away from men. Typical employment for women was
clerical, factory, nursing and cleaning.
3 ½* (I liked this movie)
96
min, Crime directed by Lloyd Bacon, Michael Curtiz with Bette Davis, Humphrey
Bogart, Lola Lane, Isabel Jewell, Rosalind Marquis, Mayo Methot, Jane Bryan,
Allen Jenkins, Eduardo Ciannelli, John Litel, Ben Welden, Damian O’Flynn, Henry
O’Neill, Raymond Hatton.
Note: Imdb 7.4 out of 10, 100% critic 71% audience on
Rotten Tomatoes, Amazon 4.3* out of 5* with 57 reviews.
Special Note: This movie was made after Bette Davis walked out on her
studio of Warner Bros. She lost
some money but she did it to receive bigger roles. Code of this era required the women to be called hostesses.
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