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.

(*Most annoyingly over-used movie-quote of all*) - "Gee! You're swell.".... (uttered about umpteen times throughout the course of the story) Now, I wouldn't exactly say that this 1937 Bette Davis/Humphrey Bogart vehicle was terrible - But, believe me, it came pretty damn close.Yes. With "Marked Woman" now being 80 years old - I really did try to keep that point in mind and cut it some slack - But, let me tell ya - It was (without a doubt) actress, Bette Davis (and her irksome, bug-eyed histrionics) that just about ruined this vintage crime/thriller for me.And, I ask you - (With her totally unconvincing and truly nauseating performance as Mary Wright, the clip joint hostess "snitch") - Was Davis really considered to be one of the Hollywood "greats" of her generation?... Was she!?.... 'Cause in this picture - She was downright awful. She really was.And, even though Davis was playing a character who the audience was expected to care about and root for - I absolutely loathed her like I haven't loathed an actress in many a moon..... Sorry. But that's the way i feel.

In more skillful hands "Marked Woman" might have been a classic Warners picture with a very good Bette Davis and Humphrey Bogart, still early in their careers, showing signs of the major stars that they would, not too soon after this film, become.However, the director Lloyd Bacon, was more widely known for his direction of musicals (Footlight Parade, 42nd Street, Gold Diggers of 1937), one of the writers (Robert Rossen) made his film debut with this film, the other writer (Abem Finkel) had his best work in the years ahead. None of them were up to the task of taking a story "fresh from the headlines" and turn it into a compelling drama. It's not even good melodrama.The story of an up and coming DA (Bogart) trying to put away a gangster with the help of 5 "hostesses". Another story involving one of the hostesses(Davis) and her younger, smarter sister. The story of 5 desperate woman trying to scratch out a meager living, by taking advantage of gentlemen who are only too happy to part with their money, if it means having a lovely girl with them all evening. The problem is, taken separately or tied in all together, none of these stories is particularly interesting.It doesn't help that four of the five hostesses are as exciting as watching a bowl of oatmeal. I won't say who is the worst, it doesn't matter, they are all bad. Of course part of the problem is that they don't have very well developed characters to try to do anything with.If you are a fan of Bogart and/or Davis, rent this one, just to get a good look at where they were in their development. But if you are not a fan of them, don't bother, don't waste your time.5 out of 10

Marked Woman was one of those films that was emasculated by the Code when it came out in 1937. Had it been done a few years earlier the women would have clearly been labeled prostitutes instead the euphemistic 'hostess' at a nightclub clip joint. Of course the inspiration for the story wasn't developed yet when the Code came into affect in 1934.The inspiration for the story is what in real life turned out to be the chink in the armor of crime boss Charles 'Lucky' Luciano. The rackets boss controlled prostitution on a large scale and it was the women who worked for him who came to Special Prosecutor Thomas E. Dewey and their testimony is what brought him down. Unlike the crime boss here, Luciano was not charged with murder.Our story in Marked Woman concerns a group of women who worked for boss Johnny Vaning, the Luciano character played with absolute relish by Eduardo Ciannelli. the women are Bette Davis, Isabelle Jewell, Rosalind Marquess, Mayo Methot, and Lola Lane. When a 'john' stiffs on his bill at the clip joint, he's rubbed out and Davis's testimony helps get Ciannelli off. That incidentally was all part of a set up engineered by John Litel as Ciannelli's very shrewd lawyer. Definitely the kind of attorney who really earns his fees from the mob.But when Davis's younger sister Jane Bryan winds up dead, Davis experiences a change of heart. She becomes quite the crusader and this time cooperates with prosecutor Humphrey Bogart for real.Humphrey Bogart is the prosecutor in District Attorney Henry O'Neill's office who is on a mission to take Ciannelli down. His part here is far more of a straight arrow than the usually cynical Bogart we're used to seeing. He's the Dewey figure in the film.When Marked Woman came out Thomas E. Dewey was running for District Attorney of New York County. Dewey was a former Assistant US Attorney for the Southern District in New York and was later made a special prosecutor by joint agreement with Governor Herbert Lehman and Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia. But as luck would have it he was making his first bid for elected office that year. It was as Special Prosecutor not as an elected District Attorney that he brought Lucky Luciano to the bar of justice. I guarantee there was no one in New York County in 1937 who saw Marked Woman and did not know who this film was referring to. It was a great piece of campaign propaganda for him.Of course Ciannelli is convicted and Bogart is the hero of the hour. But it's that last shot of Davis and her friends going off alone and friendless into the night that will stay with you forever. In fact they were the real heroes, but it's oblivion more than likely for them.Marked Woman is an effective, but rather dated film. Davis is good if melodramatic. The best performances are by Ciannelli and Litel. If you want the real story, I highly recommend Richard Norton Smith's excellent biography on Thomas E. Dewey.