FLAXY MARTIN (1949)

There's no better DAME than Virginia Mayo when it comes to a FEMME FATALE in a film noir. After making WHITE HEAT (1949), Mayo embodied the epiphany of the gangster moll. The role of Verna Jarrett in WHITE HEAT (1949) would become Mayo's signature role of her career. Prior to WHITE HEAT (1949), Mayo had played another gangster moll that would serve as a dress rehearsal for WHITE HEAT (1949). Mayo excels in the role of the double-crossing, cold-hearted femme fatale  Flaxy Martin in the forgotten film noir FLAXY MARTIN (1949). Comparing the two molls, I believe that Flaxy Martin may have been more ruthless, but then again Verna Jarrett did shoot Cody's mother in the back.

Zachary Scott may not have star billing, but he has more screen time than Virginia Mayo who has. Scott nearly steals the film from his leading lady, but not quite. Though Mayo may be absent during the middle portion of the film, she returns in full force stealing every scene up to the finale. 

FLAXY MARTIN (1949) is just another missed opportunity for Scott to regain his notoriety. Four years prior, Scott received accolades for his performance in MLDRED PIERCE (1945) as Joan Crawford's sleazy love interest Monty. Unfortunately for Scott, he was not able to make FLAXY MARTIN (1949) his own, even though he has most screen time and is the main character of the film. 

Our film noir opens with a murder and an eyewitness who can identify the killer. The witness trembles in fear to the police as she describes the suspect " He was BIG and UGLY with a SCAR over his left eye. I will never forget that face." The description leads the police to hitman Caesar ( Jack Overman) who works for the local crime boss Hap Richie (Douglas Kennedy). Hap calls his lawyer Walt Colby (Zachary Scott) to bail Caesar out of jail.

Walt Colby isn't thrilled about being awakened at 2:30 in the morning to post bail on the thugs like Caesar who have SAWDUST FOR BRAINS. Walt goes even further standing up to his crime boss telling him that this is not what he signed up for. Hap quickly put his LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE  on RETAINER in his place. Hap reminds Walt that he works for him. The problem is Walt's MORAL ETHICS makes him a LIABILITY everytime he has to do UNSAVORY legal work for his mob boss. Walt would have cut his ties with Hap long ago, it wasn't for the CHEAP NIGHTCLUB SONGBIRD named Flaxy Martin.

After a client consultation with Hap's thug Caesar at the jailhouse, Walt decides to call up his CHEAP NIGHTCLUB SONGBIRD. The camera pans inside her apartment, where we meet the gorgeous femme fatale Flaxy Martin played by Virginia Mayo. Flaxy slowly drags on her cigarette, waiting for the cue to answer the phone. After several rings, Flaxy is instructed to answer by Hap, who is seated across from her in her apartment.

 Flaxy Martin happens to be on Hap's payroll as a nightclub singer and possibly his MAIN SQUEEZE but its never disclosed. Something tells me there is more between Flaxy and her boss, though she is supposed to be mob attorney Walt Colby's girlfriend. I think there's a FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS arrangement between Flaxy and Hap but it's kept the secret to keep Walt on the hook.

Flaxy definitely keeps Walt dangling on the hook, even though she knows that his days are numbered after he gets Caesar ACQUITTED. Walt tells Flaxy he wants out from Hap's organization.  Flaxy promises Walt that she would go away with him, a few months after he gets Caesar's ACQUITTAL. Walt caves in, like Flaxy, knew he would.

Flaxy hires one of her girlfriends, Peggy Farrar ( Helen Westcott) to pose as Caesar's alibi for the night in question. Flaxy gives her word to Hap that Peggy can be TRUSTED. Peggy's testimony won over in the court canceling out the eye witness's statement. Walt got Caesar acquitted, only to become Hap's muscle once again free to commit another murder may be his.

Soon after, Walt tells Hap that the KEY WITNESS Peggy came to see him, telling him that she was PAID OFF for her TESTIMONY. It seems that Peggy is demanding ten thousand dollars to keep quiet. Walt protests to his mob boss about his objections in how corrupt this case has become. Walt tells Hap he plans to go see the District of Attorney in the morning about this matter.

Hap is convinced more than ever that his attorney can't be trusted. It is time to look for another attorney, Walt has reached his EXPIRATION DATE. But before Walt can meet his DEMISE, there is another matter at hand. Hap has to show his paid alibi, Peggy Farrar, what happens to girls like her, who get too GREEDY.

Flaxy pays her BACKSTABBING gal pal, Peggy, a social call. Flaxy teaches Peggy a lesson SLAPPING her around for double-crossing her. Flaxy reminds Peggy that she's already received a grand from Hap to keep quiet about the arrangement. Peggy cries uncle and begs Flaxy to call Hap telling him that she didn't mean it. But it's a little too late for that, the wheels are already set in motion when Flaxy lets Caesar into the room. Peggy stood in TERROR after seeing Hap's brute LOOMING in the corner. Before Flaxy leaves Peggy alone with Caesar, she says FAREWELL to her soon to be a departed friend.

" I told you  that you talk too much."

As soon as Flaxie leaves the apartment, she could hear Peggy's SCREAMS outside the door. At first, we could tell that Flaxie may have had a bit of EMPATHY for her friend for a split second. But that emotion is short-lived, when she bears a GRIN on her face, as she leaves the apartment building. The next time, we see poor Peggy, her body is being fished out of the river attached to an anchor. I guess Peggy learned too late that SMART GIRLS DON'T TALK.

Instead of Walt being next on Caesar's hit list, Hap has a different plan for getting rid of his attorney, which involves Flaxy's complete cooperation . Flaxy convinces Walt that she is under suspicion for Peggy's murder. Of course, Walt is too willing to play SIR GALAHAD  to save his DAMSEL IN DISTRESS to take away the implication from Flaxy. Walt's love for his cheap nightclub songbird is so BLIND that he CLAIMS he's the one that killed Peggy Farrar, not knowing that he 'd play right into Hap's hands.

Walt IMPLICATED himself in Peggy's murder, thinking that he wouldn't be convicted because there's no evidence to support his claim. Unfortunately for a Walt, there is a surprise witness in court, courtesy of Hap that backs up Walt's GUILTY plea. A cab driver claims that he drove Walt to the docks. He also states that he witnesses a heated confrontation between Walt and some dame. The cabbie continues to say that he heard the dame threatened Walt that she was gonna go to the DA and spill everything she knew. That's when he saw Walt hit the dame with a pipe or something. The cabbie told the court he fled the scene right after that.

Walt jumps to his feet declaring his INNOCENCE. Walt was counting on the lack of evidence to get him free. But with this new FALSE evidence, Walt is found guilty for a murder he didn't commit. But he only has himself to blame, confessing to the crime to save the woman he loved. 

Walt finally sees the BIG picture now, after learning that he had been doublecrossed by Flaxy and Hap by a client he had helped when he was a lawyer. Walt intends to do everything in his power, to redeem himself in the eyes of the law. But Walt wants PAYBACK  for the two, who had sent him up the river for twenty years. Walt makes his break while en route by train to the prison. Walt becomes so exhausted during his escape that he collapses in front of a female motorist.

The next morning, Walt finds himself looking up at the librarian who saves his life. Dorothy Malone in her natural hair color plays the somewhat naive "GOOD GIRL" Nora Carson.  Walt is grateful to his Florence Nightingale who has picked him off the street and brought him to her home. Walt finds the act a little peculiar for a young woman who lives alone, bringing a complete stranger to where she lives. Nora sound s little NUTS to me too. But Nora didn't know that Walt was a FUGITIVE from JUSTICE or did she ? Nonetheless, Nora is just Walt needs in his life, to regain his moral compass after working for the likes of Hap Richie.

Walt tells Nora that he will be leaving right away. But Nora suggests that he stayed on until the evening to make his departure, which makes you wonder if Nora knows more than what she leads on. After leaving a complete stranger in her house for she could work at the library, Nora returns with a bag of groceries to cook a home cooked meal for her MAN ON THE LAM. 

Before Nora cooks the steak she bought her fugitive, she shows Walt the front page of the newspaper. The cat is out of the bag, Walt knows that Nora knows who he is. But Nora still wants to help for some reason. But  Walt's blissful interlude would soon come to an end when he is reported to the police by a Gladys Kravitz 's type ( nosey neighbor). However, the local sheriff is not the only one, who comes to investigate the new stranger in town. 

One of Hap's thugs named Roper (Elisha Cook Jr.) had been on the MANHUNT, ever since word got out about Walt's escape. Roper was out to settle a score with Walt, who constantly berated him about his height and his sixth-grade education when Walt worked for Hap. Roper is not your typical Hap Thug, that Walt credits to have SAWDUST FOR BRAINS. Roper had just enough SMARTS to come through the back door to interfere with the sheriff's questioning Walt and Nora.

After shoving the local sheriff in the closet, Roper cuffs Walt and Nora together using the sheriff's handcuffs. Walt and Nora are driven to a remote area in the woods, where they to be killed and buried. Roper holds a gun on Walt and Nora, while they watch Roper's sidekick dig a hole is meant to be their final resting place. When the grave was completed, Roper calls Walt and Nora closer for he can PLUG them. But Walt's survival skills enable him to  OVERPOWER Roper while dragging Nora along, who is still handcuffed to him. Roper ends up being tossed in the grave along with his sidekick, both very much alive. Walt is NO coldblooded killer, but his decision not to kill them, could turn around and bite him afterwards.

Walt and Nora manage to scramble over to Roper 's car to make their getaway.  Walt tells Nora that he needs to go back to find Caesar to  CLEAR HIS NAME. Walt drops off his librarian and heads back to where all the trouble began. Walt looks for Peggy's real killer, Hap's thug Caesar. However, Walts finds out that DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES, after finding Caesar's corpse in his apartment. Suddenly the phone rings inside the apartment, Walt answers to find Roper on the other end of the line, taunting him.

Walt manages to exit Caesar's apartment building alive. But not from Roper 's grasp, who followed the city bus bound Walt to another part of the city. The game of cat and mouse begins, who will OUTSMART the other. Walt runs inside the apartment building taking the stairs all the way to the roof. Instead of following Walt inside, Roper takes the fire escape.

 Once on the roof, Walt feels TRAPPED  because he is UNARMED. To Walt's surprise, he is now joined by Roper who has climbed off the fire escape to the roof. Roper comes at Walt, with his finger pressing on the trigger of his gun. Instead of dislodging bullets, the gun only clicks. Quickly, Walt makes his move throwing crate at Hap's thug. Walt comes at Roper physically overpowering him, until Roper brings out the switchblade. It seems that Hap's toy mobster is only good with his weapons. Once Walt manages to get the switchblade from Roper, their FACE-OFF only ends one way in the true FILM NOIR FASHION, having Roper plunge off the rooftop to his death.

Next, we find our femme fatale Flaxy Martin who has been MIA for the middle portion of the film has returned, but she is a little on edge. Flaxy calls Hap telling him that she doesn't feel safe and she is going to leave town. Haps talks Flaxy down and tells her, he will be right over. When Flaxy gets off the phone, she hears a familiar voice coming from the shadows inside her apartment. she recognizes him as the man she supposedly loved but double-crossed. Immediately the CHEAP NIGHTCLUB SONGBIRD tries to convince Walt that she only double-crossed him to save him from Hap's wrath.

Walt is not buying what Flaxy selling but plays along for good measure. Flaxy tries to regain Walt's trust by telling him that she go away with him after double-crossing Hap out of 40 grand. When Hap arrives, he is surprised to be AMBUSHED by his ex-attorney he helps sent UP THE RIVER. After Walt frisked 40 grand out of Hap, he hands the DOUGH to over Flaxy.

Flaxy loves MONEY so much, that she determined to keep it all for herself. But sometimes GREEDY DAMES end up like Peggy Farrar, which is why Flaxy is not taking any chances. Flaxy takes out her insurance policy a GUN to ensure her getaway. While Flaxy holds Walt and Hap at gunpoint. Walt tells Flaxy " You DOUBLE-CROSSED  yourself this time, didn't you SWEETHEART? Just like I  knew you would." 

Walt explains to his CHEAP NIGHTCLUB SONGBIRD that she hasn't a chance because she would have to kill the both of them to make it out alive. Hap and Walt form a temporary alliance backing Flaxy in a corner. But this ALLEY CAT is not going to jail for anybody. Flaxy starts shooting up the place and then the lights went out. Flaxy attempts to make her get away but is stopped in her tracks by Walt. When the lights are turned back on, we see Hap's dead body on the floor.  
   

 Walt takes great pleasure in telling Flaxy that she is going to JAIL for MURDER of Hap Richie. Flaxie pleas with Walt to let her escape and that he can keep the 40 grand. Walt takes the 40 grand and splits, but not before he calls the POLICE on his CHEAP NIGHTCLUB SONGBIRD. Poor Flaxy ends up being LOCKED in her apartment until the police arrive. Flaxy is found  HOVERING over Hap's corpse trying to dispose of the gun. It looks like Flaxy Martin has finally been out DOUBLE-CROSSED.

As for Walt, he planned to run away with Hap's 40 grand, but his librarian friend convinced him otherwise. Walt turned in Hap's DIRTY MONEY to the police and himself as well. Though Walt would NOT be convicted for Peggy Farrar's murder, he still could face PERJURY charges, which can be up to two years in prison. Nora promised Walt that she would wait for him.
       
                        FILM FACTS

Virginia Mayo was released from her seven-year contract from Samuel Goldwyn after five years. Goldwyn told Mayo that he had no suitable roles for her in his next films that he would be producing. Mayo went over to Warner Brothers, where Goldwyn had loaned her out the previous year to do SMART GIRLS DON'T TALK (1948). Mayo signed a seven-year contract with Warner Brothers and made her first picture as a contract player called FLAXY MARTIN (1949).

The role of hardworking honest-enough attorney Walt Colby in FLAXY MARTIN (1949) was a change of pace from his notable roles of sleazy playboys and villains. Unfortunately, Scott would get into a horrible rafting accident the following year, which sent him into the dark realm of depression due to being severely injured. Scott did continue to make films but mainly focused on stage and television work.

Despite having THIRD  billing in FLAXY MARTIN (1949) Dorothy Malone would make only two more films for Warner Brothers. Unfortunately, the studio lost interest in Malone and decided not to pick up her contract.

                IMMORTAL DIALOGUE 

" Ok answer!! Act sleepy !!"

" When it comes right down to it. I guess I'd almost do anything for you ."

" Oh, Sir I'm telling you the truth. Caesar was with me the whole evening. We closed The Montreaux Bar together. The bartender will tell you that .( ha ha ha)."

" Sure, they ain't got nothin' on Caesar. Just because some old dame says she recognizes him from a police photo, that makes no case."

" What do you think I got? SCRAMBLED EGGS for BRAINS? I'm another Caesar."

Nora: " Funny isn't it, I always had a DREAD of being BURIED."
Walt: " You're NOT going to be BURIED."

Walt: " You DOUBLE-CROSSED yourself this time, didn't you sweetheart? Just like I knew you would."

                               THE CAST
                   Flaxy Martin ... VIRGINIA MAYO
                   Walt Colby ... Zachary Scott
                   Nora Carson... Dorothy Malone
                   Sam Malko ... Tom D'Andrea
                  Peggy Farrar ... Helen Westcott
                  Hap Richie ... Douglas Kennedy
                     Roper... Elisha Cook Jr.
                  Max ( Detective) ... Douglas Fowley
                  Joe ( Detective) ... Monte Blue
                  Caesar .... Jack Overman
                 Charles McMachon ... Max Wagner

              MY BOTTOM LINE IS ...
FLAXY MARTIN (1949) is a forgotten gem that needs to be rediscovered. Virginia Mayo gives a great performance of the gangster moll with a HEART OF ICE. Mayo portrays Flaxy Martin as a torch singer who only carries a torch for herself. Mayo excels showing us (the audience) that Flaxy only love is money and herself, everything else is expendable especially MEN. Mayo has made a career playing self-absorbed dames in some of her best pictures like THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES (1946) and WHITE HEAT (1949).

My opinion is that FLAXY MARTIN needed more of Virginia Mayo and less of Zachary Scott. Unfortunately, Mayo does not appear throughout the film, in fact, she is missing in the middle portion leaving Scott to carry the picture. Is he successful? Not completely, Scott's overacting and inability to be leading man gets the better of him. Scott excels better as idle playboys and shady characters in the supporting cast.  But in FLAXY MARTIN (1949), Scott is a bit out of his realm playing the lead as an honest enough, hard-working attorney who is lead astray.

FLAXY MARTIN (1949) is a genuine B-grade film noir that still entertains us through its storytelling despite miscasting of Zachary Scott. Although Scott was miscast, he doesn't completely drop the ball. In my opinion, another actor like Cornel Wilde or Victor Mature would have been more suited for the role. As for Virginia Mayo's portrayal of Flaxy Martin is a blueprint for the ideal femme fatale in a film noir. After FLAXY MARTIN (1949), Mayo went on to play Verna Jarrett in WHITE HEAT (1949), one of the Ultimate Femme Fatale in Film Noir history.