MIDNIGHT MARY
US, 1933, 74 minutes, Black and white.
Loretta Young, Ricardo Cortez, Franchot Tone, Andy Divine, Una Merkel, Charlie Grapewin.
Directed by William A. Wellman.
Midnight Mary is perhaps title too far. While Loretta Young, looking beautiful and often glamorous, becomes involved with criminals, she is not exactly a criminal whose nickname should be midnight.
Loretta Young and Una Merkel portray two young women, poor, looking for opportunities, not wise in their choices, becoming involved with gangster Ricardo Cortez.
Franchot Tone is a wealthy lawyer, is attracted to Mary, and she moves away from the gangsters and trains and works as a secretary. A chance encounter with the gangsters means that she separates herself from the lawyer, becomes involved with crimes, serves a prison sentence, and kills the gangster when he intends to kill the lawyer.
In great gallantry, the lawyer comes to her rescue just after she is been found guilty.
An early film from celebrated director, especially of air action films, William A. Wellman.
1. A 1930s Depression and gangster story? American cities, employment, crime, courts, prison?
2. MGM production values, black-and-white photography, gangsters headquarters, lawyers, restaurants, courts? Musical score?
3. The title, Mary and her reputation?
4. The opening, Mary in court, prosecuted, accused of killing? The court official, kind to her, his office? Reminiscences? The flashbacks, the indication of different years, the cumulative effect of seeing Mary’s life and downfall?
5. Mary is young, with Bunny, poor, lacking opportunities? Young and immature? Getting caught up with gangsters?
6. Mary, Leo and his attraction? Her response? Bunny, drinking, flirtation, pregnancy?
7. Mary, leaving Leo, the encounter with Tom, the mutual attraction? The decision to study, typist, secretary, the bond with Tom? Prospects?
8. The new encounter with Leo, her telling Tom she did not love him? The disappearance?
9. Mary, wealth, clothes, participating in the jobs, the robberies, on the lookout? The police? Her arrest? Sentenced to jail? Coming out?
10. Leo, personality, henchmen, tough? The attraction to Mary? The jealousy of Tom?
11. Sam, goofy, Tom’s friend? The irony of his being killed in the car instead of Tom?
12. Leo, learning the truth, determination to kill Tom, the confrontation with Mary, the gun, shooting him? In court? Found guilty?
13. Tom, interrupting the court, his reputation as a lawyer, his declaration of love for Mary, the explanation that she killed Leo to save him? And a nice happy ending?
