Midnight Mary
Directed by William A. Wellman
Written by Gene Markey and Kathryn Scola; original story by Anita Loos
1933/US
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
IMDb page
First viewing/Forbidden Hollywood Vol. 3
Tom Mannering Jr.: [sees Mary in a backless gown across the room at a speakeasy] There, without a doubt, is the most tasty back that these old eyes have ever gazed upon.
This is an OK gangster flick/love triangle done with the typical MGM production values. But the gowns by Adrian are to die for.
Mary Martin (Loretta Young) grew up surrounded by abuse and poverty. Her friend Bunny (Una Merkel) has been a constant companion. Mary’s beauty is the ticket to a way out. She falls in with a gang led by Leo Darcey (Ricardo Cortez). She participates in a theft by the gang in which a couple of people were killed. Mary is taken in for questioning. She does not snitch on anyone and is incarcerated for three years.
When Mary gets out of jail she can’t find honest work. So it’s back to the gang. Leo figures she is his private property and for awhile they are lovers.
One night, Tom Mannering Jr. (Franchot Tone), a weathy young lawyer, falls instantly in love with Mary. But Leo is not going to let her go without a fight. Mary is torn between her love for Tom and her fear that Leo will kill him. With Andy Devine as a guy that always seems to be hanging around to provide comic relief. His schtick gets old pretty fast.
The 20-year-old Loretta Young looks gorgeous and absolutely rocks her many outfits. Cortez and Tone are always a bit bland but do well here. This one has some particularly juicy double entendres. I was glad I watched it if only for the clothes and the art deco vibe.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zizWQ_DJSh8
Trailer – I don’t think Loretta plays a prostitute. She is more of a moll being supported by her gangster boyfriend
