I am also surprised, reading the high praise reaped on this film from the other reviewers. Sure, I quite liked the film, but "jaw droppingly awesome" no no no!!! I'd reserve comments like that for Barbara Stanwyck or Bette Davis - not Loretta Young, for crying out loud!!! Critics were not impressed with the movie either, but it was hugely popular as the movie public flocked to see Loretta's fall, suffering and redemption. There is no denying Loretta Young's beauty. From what I have read it was the first time she was given a character with a bit of depth and she really proved herself. Definitely her expressive eyes were made the most of - the first shot of her reading "Cosmopolitan" her eyes showed her feelings - she is confidant she will get off, then as the film reverts to a flashback, her eyes express fright as she is sent to a juvenile detention centre.
Mary is on trial for murder and as she waits for the jury and talks to the kindly clerk (Charley Grapewin) - she relives her life. Her mother dies, then she is caught shop-lifting (she is just an innocent bystander, but that doesn't stop the judge sending her up for 3 years). On her release she is ready for excitement and along with her friend Bunny (Una Merkel) falls in with racketeer, Leo Darcy (dishy Ricardo Cortez). Again nothing "naughty" seems to happen to give the film a "pre-code" status - even Mary's dresses are not revealing. The only suggestive scene is when Bunny reveals her pregnancy and Mary says "he'll just have to marry you then" and when Mary is trying on fur coats. There is also some violence towards women as well.
Mary seems keen to accept all the good things in life that Leo can provide but when a policeman is shot she has to face reality. She is caught and goes to jail rather than rat on her friends. When she is released she is determined to earn her living in an honest way. She becomes a secretary and, of course, falls for her boss, Tom Mannering Jnr. (Franchot Tone). Leo has already entered the picture - he was impressed with her loyalty and when he finds her down and out on a park bench, finds it easy to persuade her to return to the good life. When Leo finds Mary and Tom chatting, he sees red and is determined to gun Tom down, but Mary stops him with a gun.
It is a very enjoyable film but definitely not as wonderful as a few reviewers would have you believe. I agree with Dan - to me it is an old fashioned melodrama and not a pre-coder.
Recommended.
Mary is on trial for murder and as she waits for the jury and talks to the kindly clerk (Charley Grapewin) - she relives her life. Her mother dies, then she is caught shop-lifting (she is just an innocent bystander, but that doesn't stop the judge sending her up for 3 years). On her release she is ready for excitement and along with her friend Bunny (Una Merkel) falls in with racketeer, Leo Darcy (dishy Ricardo Cortez). Again nothing "naughty" seems to happen to give the film a "pre-code" status - even Mary's dresses are not revealing. The only suggestive scene is when Bunny reveals her pregnancy and Mary says "he'll just have to marry you then" and when Mary is trying on fur coats. There is also some violence towards women as well.
Mary seems keen to accept all the good things in life that Leo can provide but when a policeman is shot she has to face reality. She is caught and goes to jail rather than rat on her friends. When she is released she is determined to earn her living in an honest way. She becomes a secretary and, of course, falls for her boss, Tom Mannering Jnr. (Franchot Tone). Leo has already entered the picture - he was impressed with her loyalty and when he finds her down and out on a park bench, finds it easy to persuade her to return to the good life. When Leo finds Mary and Tom chatting, he sees red and is determined to gun Tom down, but Mary stops him with a gun.
It is a very enjoyable film but definitely not as wonderful as a few reviewers would have you believe. I agree with Dan - to me it is an old fashioned melodrama and not a pre-coder.
Recommended.