Baby Face - 1933 - 7/10
Turned prostitute by her own father, Lily departs the cheap saloon.
She finds work at a large bank and begins her career ascent.
Sleeping with one supervisor (including young John Wayne) after the next.
Beautifully corrosive film, cynical, jungle survival at points.
The headlong fury of this tapers about two thirds in, and the ending is a whitewash.
Audiences knew better, the moralizing conclusion was tacked on for censors.
Fill in your own end.
Barbara Stanwyck is on fire in this essential Pre-Code stunner.
