| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Bette Davis | ... | ||
| Humphrey Bogart | ... | ||
| Lola Lane | ... |
Dorothy 'Gabby' Marvin
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| Isabel Jewell | ... |
Emmy Lou Eagan
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Rosalind Marquis | ... |
Florrie Liggett
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| Mayo Methot | ... |
Estelle Porter
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| Jane Bryan | ... |
Betty Strauber
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| Allen Jenkins | ... |
Louie
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| Eduardo Ciannelli | ... |
Johnny Vanning
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| John Litel | ... |
Gordon
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| Ben Welden | ... |
Charlie Delaney
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| Damian O'Flynn | ... |
Ralph Krawford
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| Henry O'Neill | ... |
District Attorney Arthur Sheldon
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| Raymond Hatton | ... |
Vanning's Lawyer
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Carlos San Martín | ... |
Head Waiter
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In this roman-a-clef for the infamous Lucky Luciano Trial, Mary Dwight and four roommates work as hostesses at the Club Intime, a "clip joint" that offers gambling, liquor, and female companionship to the "big spender" clientèle. When ruthless thug and pimp Johnny Vanning takes over all the clubs in town, the girls are forced to follow Vanning's rules and kick back on their "tips" in exchange for protection. Although she is not a hardened old hand like Gabby and Estella, Mary knows enough to sidestep Vanning's amorous advances. Unfortunately the more naive Mary Lou is impressed by Vanning's oily veneer of materialism and accepts invitations to "entertain" at the gangster's private parties. Mary's naive younger sister Betty arrives from college just when Mary and her roommates are arrested as material witnesses in the murder of one of the casino's non-paying customers. Vanning's corrupt lawyer frees the others but pressures Mary to commit perjury in order to discredit crusading ... Written by duke1029
A night-club owner called Johnny Vanning (Eduardo Ciannelli) was exploiting his hostesses, one of whom was Mary Dwight (Bette Davis). She was asked with her companions of the Club Intime to induce clients to drink, gamble and spend freely
A few nights later Mary brings a sucker, Rulph Krawford (Damian O'Flynn) to the club After Krawford loses a large amount of money gambling and then refuses to pay off the debt, Vanning orders his henchman Charley Delaney (Ben Welden) to get rid of him
When special prosecutor, David Graham (Humphrey Bogart), questions Mary concerning Krawford's assassination, she denies in providing any helpful information
Bogart's performance successfully applied malice determination and calmly exhibited compassion and concern He was particularly effective, both firm, and penetrating, in his courtroom scenes, which served as an early warm-up for similar role twelve years later in Nicholas Ray's "Knock On Any Door."
Mayo Methot was also in the cast as one of the hostesses and it was during the filming that Bogart took her as his second wife