The Flesh Is Weak (1957) Sex Trade Brit Noir

Directed by Don Chaffey. 

Written by Lee Vance  and based on an original story by Deborah Bedford additional scenes were by Roger Falconer.

Cinematography by Stephen Dade and the Music was by Tristram Cary. 

The film stars John Derek as Tony Giani, Milly Vitale as Marissa Cooper, William Franklyn as Lloyd Buxton, Martin Benson as Angelo Giani, Freda Jackson as Trixie, Norman Wooland as Inspector Kingcombe, Harold Lang as Henry, Patricia Jessel as Millie, John Paul as Sergeant Franks, Denis Shaw as Saradine, Joe Robinson as Lofty, Roger Snowden as Benny, Patricia Plunkett as Doris Newman, Shirley Anne Field as Susan

Another film about prostitution in the UK that actually preceded the already reviewed here  Room 43 aka Passport To Shame . Both films are very similar in there story lines. Young women are lured into the prostitution rackets through elaborate schemes. The schemes are perpetrated by underworld connected big time pimps with huge stables of girls. Both The Flesh Is Weak and Room 43 follow one foreign female recruit into the biz. In this film the woman, Marissa Cooper (supposedly Italian), falls for her pimp Tony Giani who plans to turn her out as a streetwalker. In Room 43 the woman, Malou a young French Girl is framed of a crime and is "helped out" by a friendly English woman who offers her a job in the UK. The woman is actually the madame of a whorehouse run by a pimp named Braggi. 

Milly Vitale as Marissa Cooper

John Derek as Tony Giani

Martin Benson left as Angelo Giani

This film explores the relationship of Marssisa with her pimp along with the reformer Investigative journalist Lloyd Buxton who works to breakup the rackets. While Room 43 explores the relationship between recruit Marlou and the cab driver who is paid to marry her. This marriage was an essential part of the recruitment process that was laid out better in Room 43. Once married the girls could not be deported if arrested for prostitution. Though barely alluded to, Italian emigrant Marissa has the last name of Cooper when later booked which indicates that she has had that quickie marriage.

The basic story is recruiters for the Giani brothers prostitution racket spots Marissa (Milly Vitale) when she first arrives in London. 

Through connections, they get her a job at The Golden Bucket as a hostess B-Girl. It's a sort of dance hall front for the racket. While at The Golden Bucket, Marissa is pawed by a obnoxious drunk, and Tony Giani (John Derek), who has not made himself known as of yet, steps in and rescues her.

Marissa falls for Tony.                                                                                                                          

After they part Tony goes up to the Giani Brothers office above a cafe and we see that it was all part of a con. The man Tony knocked down was muscle employed by the Giani Brothers. 

Tony invites her to his weekend place. After six weeks of plying her with love, jewels, and furs, and creating a nice domestic ambiance, Tony tells her that his business deals fell though and that he needs money.

Marissa offers to go back to work at The Golden Bucket to help out. Tony tells her that there is a better way. All she has to do is be friendly to one of the men he owes money to and that he can maybe get an extension on his loan. She agrees to help.

When Marissa finally figures out what is going on and tries pack up and leave Toy frames her and she goes to prison for six months. Once she gets out, Lloyd Buxton convinces her to give evidence against the Giani Brothers.

Noirsville

An interesting film about the prostitution racket. John Derek, Milly Vitale, William Franklyn, and Martin Benson are all convincing enough. 7/10 For an interesting post code companion piece about a day in the life of a Times Square hooker check out Hot Skin And Cold Cash.