FEMALE JUNGLE
US, 1955, 73 minutes, Black and white.
Burt Kaiser, Kathleen Crowley, John Carradine, Lawrence Tierney, Jayne Mansfield.
Directed by Bruno Ve Sota.
Female Jungle is a supporting feature of the mid-50s, small-budget although it has recognised character actors including John Carradine and Laurence Tierney. However, in this film Jayne Mansfield was introduced. She won a Golden Globe for most promising actress in 1957 and, over a period of ten years, appeared in some strong comedies (The Sheriff of Fractured Jaw) and some very mediocre films.
This film is standard material. After a Hollywood premiere, an actress is murdered. There are various suspects including an alcoholic policeman who was present at the club (Lawrence Tierney), a patron who was in love with her (John Carradine) and a cartoonist who is the actual murderer (Burt Kaiser who created the story and co-wrote the screenplay). Director Bruno Ve Sota appears in a supporting role as the husband of someone who works in the club. He had a varied career as director, writer and actor.
The film is in many ways a routine investigation and solving of the murder mystery. It is done in the film noir style, light and shadow, darkness, action – with the touch of the femme fatale.
1.Interesting B-feature of the 1950s? Murder investigation?
2.The black and white photography, the club, the streets, homes? Authentic Los Angeles atmosphere? Musical score?
3.The title – its relevance? Simply a title for provocation?
4.The opening, the actress, her being killed, her jewellery being stolen? The background of her work, well known to the police, her relationships?
5.The focus on the police, Jack Stevens and his drinking, the four hours that he could not remember, his encounter with Candy Price? His fear that he might have been the murderer? His following through on the investigation?
6.Sergeant Dwayne, tough, the investigation, violent towards Claude Almstaed? Calming down, fighting Stevens? The confrontation with Alex Voe?
7.Alex and Peggy Voe, the tensions in the marriage, Peggy working at the club, at home, Alex and his work as a cartoonist, the visit of Claude Almstaed, the request? The clash with Peggy, his ousting Claude? His being interrogated by the police? Peggy and her going out with Almstaed, to his home, the fear of violence? The truth about Claude? His wanting to warn Peggy? Alex and the interrogation, the revelation of the truth, his need for money, his liaison with Candy Price, fearing the actress would go to the police, murdering her, stealing the jewellery? Claude finding the sketch in his portfolio?
8.Candy Price, good-time girl, in the apartment block, the liaison with Alex? Information to the police? Her death?
9.Popular and basic ingredients of this kind of murder mystery?
