This week’s movie was the 1949 Warner Bros. picture “Flaxy Martin,” with Virginia Mayo, Zachary Scott, Dorothy Malone, Tom D’Andrea, Helen Wescott, Douglas Kennedy, Elisha Cook Jr., Douglas Fowley and Monte Blue.
Written by David Lang, photographed by Carl Guthrie, art direction by Ted Smith, edited by Frank Magee, sound by Everett A. Brown, dialogue direction by John Maxwell, set decoration by Lyle B. Reifsnider, special effects by William McGann and Edwin DuPar, makeup by Perc Westmore, orchestrations by Charles Maxwell, music by William Lava.
Produced by Saul Elkins, directed by Richard Bare.
“Flaxy Martin” is available on DVD from Warner Archive.
The New York Times apparently did not review “Flaxy Martin,” and the Los Angeles Times dismissed it with a few lines – just the second half of a double bill with
“A Kiss in the Dark.” I had to dig down to the trades for a review, which is telling.
Harrison’s Reports said (Jan. 22, 1949):
This is a routine crime melodrama, offering nothing unusual in the way of plot development, but it should prove to be a fair entertainment for those who like the depiction of underworld activities. Following the formula set for pictures of this type, it has the usual quota of chases, gun battles and murders, all of which makes for a fair degree of excitement and suspense throughout. The story, however, is completely lacking in human interest, and none of the characters is sympathetic. The thing against the picture is the familiarity of the plot construction; any typical moviegoer should know in advance just how it will progress and end.
For Monday, we have a mystery woman. And, incredibly enough, she does not approve of such goings-on…
Update: This is Frances Morris.
For Tuesday, would you believe it? Our mystery guest does not approve of such goings-on. Even Back of the Head Guy doesn’t approve of such goings-on.
Update: This is Jack Overman.
For Wednesday, we have a mystery woman. She’s smoking in bed, and we at the Daily Mirror HQ do not approve of such goings-on.
Update: This is Helen Westcott.
Brain Trust roll call: Howard Mandelbaum (mystery movie and both mystery guests), Don Danard (Tuesday’s mystery thug) and Mary Mallory (Tuesday’s mystery thug).
For Thursday, our semi-mysterious guest does not approve of such goings-on.
Update: This is Douglas Fowley, the frazzled movie director in “Singin’ in the Rain.”
We also have this even less mysterious mystery guest. With Wednesday’s mystery guest as Back of the Head Woman.
Update: This is Douglas Kennedy.
Brain Trust roll call: Howard Mandelbaum (Wednesday’s mystery woman), Jenny M. (mystery movie, Tuesday’s mystery thug and Wednesday’s mystery woman) and Sylvia E. (Tuesday’s mystery thug).
For Friday, our non-mysterious gunman is about to discover he’s out of bullets.
Update: Elisha Cook Jr.
Also for Friday, our non-mystery guests make their getaway.
Update: Zachary Scott and Dorothy Malone.
And finally, our unmysterious leading lady definitely does not approve of such goings-on.
Update: Flaxy Martin (Virginia Mayo) regrets her evil ways.
Brain Trust roll call: Howard Mandelbaum (Thursday’s mystery guests), David Inman (Thursday’s mystery detective), B.J. Merholz (mystery movie), Gary (Wednesday’s mystery floozy and Thursday’s mystery detective), Mary Mallory (mystery movie, Wednesday’s mystery floozy and Thursday’s mystery guests), Sylvia E. (mystery movie and all mystery guests), Don Danard (Thursday’s mystery detective) and Thom and Megan (mystery movie and Tuesday’s, Wednesday’s and Thursday’s mystery guests).
ladailymirror.com 
Virginia Brissac.
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An excellent guess. But, alas, I’m afraid not.
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Claire Du Brey.
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Very interesting guess. But, alas…
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She reminds me very strongly of Patsy Kelly, but Patsy isn’t really in the Monday category.
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A good guess, but alas….
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FORCE OF EVIL (1948)
Monday: Esther Somers
Tuesday: Jack Overman
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Up another noir alley: FLAXY MARTIN (1949)
Monday: Frances Morris
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Today looks like Joe Santos.
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Alas, I’m afraid not.
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Today’s Mystery Man is Jack Overman. At least I think it is!!!!!
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Jack Overman todaty.
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FORCE OF EVIL, with Thomas Gomez as Back of the head guy.
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Helen Westcott.
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Kim Hunter. A Powell Pressburger flic?
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An interesting guess, but alas, wrong studio.
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Helen Westcott
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Helen Westcott
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Tuesday – Jack Overman
Movie – Flaxy Martin
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I think Tuesday’s guy is Jack Overman, but not sure.
Still on the hunt.
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And is Monday’s image of Minerva Urecal?
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Alas, I’m afraid not.
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Douglas Fowley, Douglas Kennedy. I believe Monte Blue stands behind Fowley.
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Douglas Fowley today. Other than that, I got nothing.
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They all are in Flaxy Martin.
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Perhaps she is Helen Westscott who I always think is someone else. And Douglas Fowley for Thursday.
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Walter Abel today?
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Alas, I’m afraid not.
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FLAXY MARTIN. Leah Baird Monday, Dorothy Malone Wednesday, Douglas Fowley and Doug Kennedy today.
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Helen Westcott Wednesday and BOTH today.
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John Boles (in the hat) on Thursday?
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Good guess, but alas, I’m afraid not.
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Whew!
The movie is “Flaxy Martin” 1949
Mon. – my ‘guess #2’ is Frances Morris
Tues – Jack Overman
Wed – Helen Wescott
Thur – Douglas Kennedy and Douglas Fowley (I think)
Fri – will bring either Elisha Cook Jr. and Tom D’Andrea and/or our headliners: Zachary Scott, Virginia Mayo, Dorothy Malone
What a storyline! Looking forward to Saturday’s breakdown.
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It’s Doug or Douglas Fowley on Thursday.
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Thursday’s #2 guest looks like Neil Hamilton.
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Alas, I’m afraid not.
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Our movie is Flaxy Martin with Helen Westcott for Wednesday, Jack Overman for Tuesday, and Douglas Fowley and Douglas Kennedy for today.
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Elisha Cook, Jr.
Zachary Scott and Dorothy Malone
Virginia Mayo
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Ah, yes, Flaxy Martin. With Zachery, Virginia, Dot Malone and Elisha Cook Jr…one of my favorite character actors…He once played Marilyn Monroe’s brother. Cousin? Uncle?
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Elisha Cook Jr., Zachary Scott, Dorothy Malone, and Virginia Mayo today. Frances MOrris Monday.
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Flaxy Martin. And I didn’t even recognize Zachary Scott.
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