Question (SPOILER)

Yes, it bothered me very much, as I state in my own review of this film. Even though I couldn't understand why her door wasn't locked and her gun not readily accessible. Gunned down, stuffed in a mattress like garbage and just as forgotten as yesterdays trash. It actually made me quite angry. I couldn't believe that the woman who turned out to be the real "Mrs Neill" was as naive about her husband's activities as she made out. And that a tough cop like Mcgraw would so readily lap it up. If she really was a decent person you would expect some sort of an emotional reaction; knowing that someone else took bullets intended for her, even if this possibility was in the job description. I don't usually get emotional enough to "talk at" movies, but I felt like "telling" that smug blonde that maybe the woman who died for her was someone's daughter, wife or mother. It was interesting to note that her police ID found by the killers gave her division as the Parks Department. Back then, the only assignments for policewomen other than running lost children centers or searching female arrestees was as rape and purse-snatching decoys, usually in parks.

I do recall reading somewhere that about 20 minutes was cut from this film. Footage which actually did depict the characters reacting emotionally to her death. And, most interestingly showing that McGraw's murdered partner was in fact on the take. I wonder if this is true. The film (great as it is) would certainly make more sense from this perspective. If so, I 'd love to see the complete story.

Yes Yes, I agree about nothing being made of her being shot. I just posted that statement before. I just saw the movie on TCM today and I only saw it once before. I kept thinking maybe they cut out something because I couldn't believe they wouldn't show someone checking the body to see if she was still breathing, for God's sake. This spoiled the movie for me because Marie Windsor was one of my favorites actresses.

Absolutely. I glad to see you noticed this also. Sam Spade's partner was a heel and he still felt a duty to him so it's inconceivable that this policewoman would be tossed aside without a thought - particullary since it was Brown's incompetence that got her killed (why was he with the blonde instead of protecting his charge?)

A lot of people keep raising this same issue but I don't understand why. What did you expect would happen? I can't imagine any scene involving him reacting to her death that would make any sense.

Once it turns out she's not the real Mrs. Neale, she doesn't matter in the context of the story. As much as he cared for his friend and partner, he had to basically step over his body and continue on with the assignment. That's just as true in her case. He had to get the real Mrs. Neal to the Grand Jury. That's just how it is.

Also, as much as he disliked the fake Mrs. Neale, it would have been completely out of character and disingenuous for him to have had any sort of emotional reaction. Finding out she was a cop wouldn't have made a difference. She was not only investigating him but actively trying to entice him to stray. If he was ever tempted to take the money it would have been because she was such a total pain.

Let's not forget, Brown was also smitten with Mrs. Sinclair. It may sound cold but he was distracted. The fact she turned out to be the actual 'package' he had to deliver made it that much better.


Woman, man! That's the way it should be Tarzan. [Tarzan and his mate]