Movie spotlight
Attorney Walter Colby has ties to the mob, but he begins to regret his criminal affiliations. When his girlfriend, showgirl Flaxy Martin, who also has shady connections, becomes a suspect in a murder, Walter takes the fall. However, on his way to prison, he escapes, determined to bring the real killer to justice.
A ruthless gangster, Walter "Wally" Sherman, frames his former partner, Dick Martin, for murder and then manipulates Dick's naive wife, Flaxy, into helping him escape justice. Wally's manipulative schemes escalate as he tries to maintain control over Flaxy and evade the authorities, leading to a dangerous and tragic confrontation. The film explores themes of greed, betrayal, and the destructive nature of obsession within the gritty underworld.
Flaxy Martin is a lesser-known but often appreciated entry in the film noir canon. While it may not reach the heights of genre classics, it is recognized for its atmospheric direction, strong performances from its lead actors, and a convoluted plot typical of the era's crime dramas. Audiences and critics generally found it to be an engaging, if somewhat predictable, crime thriller.
Praised for its dark, atmospheric portrayal of the criminal underworld.
Virginia Mayo delivers a compelling performance as the titular character caught in a web of deceit.
The plot, while intricate, is considered somewhat derivative of other noir films.
Google audience: N/A
The film was originally intended to star Ida Lupino and Robert Mitchum, but scheduling conflicts led to Virginia Mayo and Zachary Scott taking the lead roles.
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It's not often you see Virginia Mayo play an unsavoury character but she does it quite well here as the eponymous and rather duplicitous character. She's the girlfriend of "Colby" (Zachary Scott). He is a lawyer. Deep down a decent one, but...