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 acknowled... (read more) 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.

This was a fantastic film. The acting was totally over-the-top and beautifully dramatic. The subject was somewhat controversial for 1937 but Mary's profession was carefully danced around the entire film. Beautiful actresses, Humphrey Bogart, great st... (read more) This was a fantastic film. The acting was totally over-the-top and beautifully dramatic. The subject was somewhat controversial for 1937 but Mary's profession was carefully danced around the entire film. Beautiful actresses, Humphrey Bogart, great story.

Saw this on a whim when it was playing at the local classic film theatre. How can you lose with Bette Davis and Humphrey Bogart? I loved all the over-the-top dramatic scenes, typical gangster and cop cliches, and the way they avoided mentioning that ... (read more) Saw this on a whim when it was playing at the local classic film theatre. How can you lose with Bette Davis and Humphrey Bogart? I loved all the over-the-top dramatic scenes, typical gangster and cop cliches, and the way they avoided mentioning that most of the main characters were prostitutes, even though it was essential to the plot.

One of my fav Bette Davis movies in which she plays a 'clip joint hostess' in gambling joints run by the mob. Bette plays Mary Dwight, girl who keeps one step ahead and knows all the angles until she gets into a jam that leads to tragic circumstances... (read more) One of my fav Bette Davis movies in which she plays a 'clip joint hostess' in gambling joints run by the mob. Bette plays Mary Dwight, girl who keeps one step ahead and knows all the angles until she gets into a jam that leads to tragic circumstances. The movie also stars Humphrey Bogart as a crusading D.A. and his real-life wife at the time, Mayo Methot as the over-the-hill hostess, Estelle. The movie is based on the life events of Lucky Luciano who was indicted because of testimonies of prostitutes.

A promising story has its message and tone muddled by the restrictions of the Production Code. Although very procedural with sometimes atrocious dialogue it has a certain winking, titillating self-knowledge. The acting isn't as good as you'd think it... (read more) A promising story has its message and tone muddled by the restrictions of the Production Code. Although very procedural with sometimes atrocious dialogue it has a certain winking, titillating self-knowledge. The acting isn't as good as you'd think it would be, but Bogart is good playing against type and Davis hones a trademark character type for later, better projects.

Bette Davis was great in this, as was Humphrey Bogart. The story could have been better but it's definitely worth watching.

This is a turning point for Bette Davis, who fires up the screen with an intensity that is almost unmatched for the time. Yes, the presentation is somewhat-neutered due to the standards of the production code, but the film is still entertaining.

bette davis is not bad in this--her 'comeback' vehicle after losing a legal battle with warner bros. and bogart is a nice surprise as the crusading d.a. but isabel jewell as the hot, slutty southern gal emmy lou is the movie. she even wears a dress ... (read more) bette davis is not bad in this--her 'comeback' vehicle after losing a legal battle with warner bros. and bogart is a nice surprise as the crusading d.a. but isabel jewell as the hot, slutty southern gal emmy lou is the movie. she even wears a dress that canonero copied for madonna in dick tracy. and eduardo cianelli is a slimy delight as the underworld boss johnny vanning.

the very best thing in this film is the very end, where the girls walk arm in arm in to the fog and in to oblivion. it more than makes up for davis' game try at playing a whore (it's like jodie foster--can you honestly believe her?), the whitewasihng to keep the film in code and those pitiful torch songs.

now had glenda farrell played mary, this film would be a pre-noir classic for sure!

The plot remains surprisingly current as it hinges on one unfortunate, but lingering prejudice: who trusts the testimony of a woman of "questionable morals?" Worth a look.

awesome movie!! bogart and davis have excellent roles, the plot is ridiculously great and i highly recommend that everyone check out this film.