THE FLESH IS WEAK

Milly Vitale and John Derek

THE FLESH IS WEAK (1957). Director: Don Chaffey. 

Marissa Cooper (Milly Vitale) arrives in London and is almost immediately set up by a slick operator named Tony (John Derek), one of the criminal Giani brothers. Tony wines and dines Marissa, sets her up in her own apartment, promises to marry her, all in an attempt to snare her into prostitution by claiming he'll go to jail if she can't get him some big money in a hurry by turning tricks. Surely this is a very involved and expensive way to traffic women, so right away we have a premise that makes little sense, as I imagine pimps generally don't have such patience in turning their girls into hookers. 

Martin Benson and John Derek

Although tame by today's standards, The Flesh is Weak is pretty frank for a fifties film -- in this period British films tended to be more "adult" than in the U.S. Derek gives a good performance as the loathsome Tony, and he is capably if unexcitingly supported by Martin Benson as brother Angelo, the head of their outfit. William Franklyn plays a reporter who is trying to expose the Gianis and help their women, including Marissa, at the same time. Marissa is too stupid to be that sympathetic -- she still wants to stick up for Tony even after he disfigures a woman who let her stay at her apartment! -- and Italian actress Vitale proves too insufficient a performer in this to do much with the part. Patricia Jessel as Millie is much too old and plain to be playing a successful street walker; 37 at the time, she looks much older. 

Verdict: Distinctly minor British exploitation film. *1/2.