Karen Morley plays Marlene Dietrich to Wallace Berry in this John Ford pre code film. If Sternberg could ocuppy himself of something as low as wrestling he might’ve knock it off the park. Material is a bit alien for Ford but in the best sequences he and Berry find real meat on his character's moral dissolution.

Amiable, innocent wrestler Wallace Beery falls in love with Karen Morley. Morley, newly released from prison, loves sleazy, but handsome, Ricardo Cortez. After Cortez deserts her, pregnant Morley marries Beery. Lots of complications ensue before goodness wins out in the end.

John Ford directed this surprisingly touching soap opera with Beery at his most syrupy [a la The Champ (1931)]. Karen Morley is very good. Ricardo Cortez was the best sleazy villain in the movies [see also Her Man (1930), Midnight Mary (1933), and Mandalay (1934)].

Laura is released from a German prison and meets the popular wrestler Polakai. When her former lover and partner in crime Nicky returns to America, she manipulates Polakai into going, too. Once there, Laura's old habits and Polakai's love for her combine into a toxic blend, leading the wrestler to become involved with Nicky and other crooked promoters. What will happen once the naive German realizes the truth about Laura? "Flesh" is an early John Ford film, with a screenplay boasting help from Moss Hart and an uncredited William Faulkner. It's a solid drama with fine performances.

He may have taken his name off this during his lifetime, but there's no doubt it's a John Ford picture: broad, low "ethnic" comedy (in this case, German) balanced by beautifully shot or revelatory poignant moments. 

A kinetic film, despite covering a rather hoary narrative. It may be pure rumor, but I get a kick imagining Barton Fink struggling to write this Beery feature.

Quite silly movie from uncredited Dir: John Ford about a German wrestler (Wallace Beery) who is conned by an ex jailbird (Karen Morley) along with her partner (Ricardo Cortez). Beery acts the fool very well and the movie rolls along from Germany to the USA where Beery is fooled into fighting for the world championship, but told to lose it. Hard to believe these old style wrestlers with half a ton of fat around their stomachs were even able to stand let alone fight. Beery's attempt at a German accent wears thin very quickly and although Morley holds her own, the movie is low on entertainment value of any kind.

The film is a bit slow at times, but John Ford who apparently removed his directing credit keeps it together thanks to nice performances from Beery, Morley and Ricardo Cortez.

Amiable, innocent wrestler Wallace Beery falls in love with Karen Morley. Morley, newly released from prison, loves sleazy, but handsome, Ricardo Cortez. After Cortez deserts her, pregnant Morley marries Beery. Lots of complications ensue before goodness wins out in the end.

John Ford directed this surprisingly touching soap opera with Beery at his most syrupy [a la The Champ (1931)]. Karen Morley is very good. Ricardo Cortez was the best sleazy villain in the movies [see also Her Man (1930), Midnight Mary (1933), and Mandalay (1934)].

He may have taken his name off this during his lifetime, but there's no doubt it's a John Ford picture: broad, low "ethnic" comedy (in this case, German) balanced by beautifully shot or revelatory poignant moments. 

A kinetic film, despite covering a rather hoary narrative. It may be pure rumor, but I get a kick imagining Barton Fink struggling to write this Beery feature.

Includes Cat Burglar (Scene Stealer).

Gritty, hard little film heavily influence by German Expressionism with Karen Morley as a grabber with a conscience and Ricardo Cortez as one with none who set out to use good-natured wrestler Beery, almost unbelievably gullible, when they are released from prison. The film doesn't go for easy answers which makes it better than most.

Provocative title would never be used today since it conjures up the inference of either a bloody horror film or pornography but it suits this film well.

Laura is released from a German prison and meets the popular wrestler Polakai. When her former lover and partner in crime Nicky returns to America, she manipulates Polakai into going, too. Once there, Laura's old habits and Polakai's love for her combine into a toxic blend, leading the wrestler to become involved with Nicky and other crooked promoters. What will happen once the naive German realizes the truth about Laura? "Flesh" is an early John Ford film, with a screenplay boasting help from Moss Hart and an uncredited William Faulkner. It's a solid drama with fine performances.