Wicked Woman, Femme Fatale in White

Beverly Michaels! Whatever you may think of her from watching this film, we should say she was married to the director of this film. Oddly enough, they were wed four years after this film was made and stayed married for 30 years when Russell Rouse died. The couple had two children. Her magnum opus is our film today and she gives a sultry performance of an evil dame looking to chew up and spit out unsuspecting and vulnerable hunks. We do pull for her, not because we approve of what she is doing, but because she is quite the dish, always clad in smart, white outfits.  Our feature today is 1953's "Wicked Woman."

Clad in white, Billie's (Michaels) bus arrive sin a small California town. She is mean to everyone she meets but eventually gets a dive room at a boarding house and a job at a bar owned by Dora (Evelyn Keys) and her husband, the hunk Matt (Richard Egan). Billie's game is to get any man she likes...and Matt is the guy. The patrons love Billie, for the same reason we do.  Her white outfits, smile, and sex appeal. Billie sees that Dora is a drunkard and this bothers Matt.  The seductress then makes sure Dora always has a double-bourbon in her hand. Dora's alcoholism gets worse and Billie has no trouble moving in.  Suddenly, Matt and Billie are scheming, and Dora is not in their plans.

At the boarding house, Billie has a problem. The old, balding, neighbor, Charlie (Percy Helton). The old guy is a pervert and comes on strong.  Billie kind of needs Charlie because he always is quick to lend her money without asking for it back. Billie uses the old slimy guy. Meanwhile Dora's alcoholism gets worse.  Matt kisses and embraces Billie harder and steamier. Now the femme fatale and chump develop an ambitious plan that both are too stupid to see it will never work. Still, passion wins out and the evil duo act on it. Oh, Charlie? He's onto Billie and now is able to blackmail her. 

Just what will Charlie demand from Billie in return for not going to Dora with her plans? Can Matt see past his masculine instincts and save himself from this veritable succubus? What will be Dora's fate now that Billie has Matt under her spell? This is an erotic good time of bacchanal Beverly Michaels allure. For a steamy and moral tale of unfaithfulness and blackmail, see "Wicked Woman."