While "Flaxy Martin" may not reach the heights of its A-list cast, the film manages to entertain with its B-list noir appeal, albeit with some notable shortcomings.
One of the film's main drawbacks lies in the weak characterization of Walter Colby (Zachary Scott), the mob lawyer protagonist who unrealistically decides to sever ties with the notorious crime boss, Hap Richie (Douglas Kennedy). It becomes hard to believe that Walter, fully aware of the danger posed by Hap, would openly challenge him and threaten to expose his criminal activities without fearing severe retribution.
Additionally, the film struggles to explain why Walter fails to see through the shallow and materialistic Flaxy (Virginia Mayo). Her true motivations, centered on financial gain, are glaringly obvious to the audience, raising questions about Walter's infatuation with her.
As the story progresses, Walter's makes a decision to remain in the organization after Flaxy dissuades him. She is having an affair with Hap, who pressures Walter into defending Caesar (Jack Overman), Hap's enforcer, when he faces murder charges.
Caesar is eventually acquitted through the organization's manipulation of Peggy Farrar (Helen Westcott), who commits perjury to secure his freedom. However, Peggy's ill-conceived attempt to blackmail Hap leads to her demise at the hands of Caesar, aided by Flaxy.
In an unexpected turn, Walter takes the fall for Flaxy, even though witnesses have placed her at the crime scene. During the trial, Walter fails to anticipate that Hap would coerce a witness (a cabdriver) into incriminating him. Given that Walter was aware of Hap's previous tampering with witnesses, his failure to recognize this possibility seems implausible.
Furthermore, Walter's overall plan remains unclear. By confessing to Peggy's murder, even without the cabdriver's perjured testimony, he seemingly believes that a lack of evidence would lead the jury to overlook his confession. This aspect raises questions about the character's judgment and logical consistency.
Following Walter's improbable escape on a train, he encounters the compassionate Nora Carson (Dorothy Malone), who selflessly helps him recover. Nora, unlike the morally dubious Flaxy, presents a stark contrast as a virtuous character.
However, the sudden appearance of Hap's underling Roper (Elisha Cook Jr.), who manages to track down Walter, feels contrived and lacks proper explanation. The newly minted couple's escape following Roper's attempt to bury them alive in a remote location further stretches the boundaries of plausibility.
While Nora advocates for Walter to turn himself in, his decision to seek out Caesar as a potential source of exoneration raises further doubts. The film fails to establish a clear motive for Walter's belief in Caesar's ability to help him. Presumably, it's Walter's intention to forcibly extract a confession from Caesar, but how does he intend to carry this out?
Subsequently, Walter discovers Caesar's murder, evidently at the hands of Roper, leading to a climactic rooftop confrontation. The expected showdown between Roper and Walter concludes predictably, with the latter emerging victorious.
Flaxy Martin's final act sees Flaxy reemerge after her absence, confronting both Hap and Walter. In a poorly lit room, Flaxy ends up killing Hap, firing her gun erratically.
Regrettably, the denouement fails to provide a satisfying conclusion. Walter, who had previously upheld moral integrity, abruptly decides to run off with $40,000 stolen from Hap. However, Nora convinces him to reconsider and ultimately turn himself in. The film leaves the audience wondering about Walter's fate, as he still faces the prospect of imprisonment for murder.
Despite the film's shortcomings, Zachary Scott delivers a commendable enough performance despite being hindered by a role that paints him as naïve and gullible. Virginia Mayo's unsympathetic portrayal of Flaxy coupled with her comeuppance feels predestined, leaving little room for surprise or depth.
Dorothy Malone, on the other hand, shines as Nora, portraying her as a genuinely good-hearted character who elicits the audience's empathy. While Nora emerges as the most likable character among the principal cast, some may argue that her depiction borders on being excessively virtuous.
In the end, "Flaxy Martin" struggles to transcend its B-list script, even with the inclusion of A-list actors. While the film offers moments of intrigue within the noir genre, it falls short in terms of character development and plot execution, preventing it from achieving its full potential.