FLAXY MARTIN

US, 1949, 86 minutes, Black and white.
Virginia Mayo, Zachary Scott, Dorothy Malone.
Directed by Richard L. Bare.

A typical adventure film of the forties with the Warner Bros black and white style. Virginia Mayo has appeared in this kind of role as a gangster's moll and Zachary Scott had appeared in many similar films. The material is conventional but quite well presented in its way. A contribution to the gangster genre.

1. The focus of the title on Flaxy? Was the film really about her? this kind of title for this kind of melodrama?

2. The impact of this kind of melodrama? its appeal to audiences? A style of the forties, the taut characterisation? Black and white photography, American Locations? Warner Bros thriller style?

3. How important was characterisation? How contrived? The contrivance and twists of the plot? The ingredients that audiences liked?

4. The structure: the initial characterisations, the twists, the end? Justice being done?

5. The focus on the character of Watt: the performance and style of Zachary Scott? Watt as ambitious, the lawyer, trying to be rod of the hold that Flaxy had over him? His smartness in legal dealings? His sacrificing himself for Flaxy? His behaviour in the trial? the chip on his shoulder and his time in prison? the need to escape? The effect of the encounter with Nom? His continued bitterness? His capacity to be helped, confronted? The satisfaction of the ending for him? How was he portrayed?

6. The portrayal of Flaxy as the glamorous role? Her smile and great satisfaction? Her playing up to people? Her being frightened for her life? The final dilemma with Hap and Watt?

7. The portrayal of Hap as a boss? Typical villain?

8. Roper, his being pushed around, his trying to be tough in return? the melodrama of his chase of Watt? Catnap and the ugly murderer?

9. Nora and the balance she offered the film? The ordinary person from an ordinary world? The encounter with Watt? Her trying to help him? The comedy and drama of their escape? How convincing was her love for Watt? Her persuasion at the end, a credible heroine?

10. The importance of atmosphere for these films, convincing minor characters like the police, drivers...?

11. How were these old melodramas the equivalent of fables about life and morality, law and justice, individuals and society? How successful were they on all levels?