Remind me about Scarlett Street. Yes, M definitely has a noir flavor. Brilliant Germany before it crashed and burned thanks to Hitler. I’m also a fan of Louise Brooks’ German films, Pandora’s Box & Diary of a Lost Girl. Sexuality and sensuality without all the disgusting crap that goes on in modern Hollywood trash-fests. (Although these movies push the envelope.)
Pre-code films pushed a whole LOT of envelopes, no matter where nor by whom they were made; however, they were erotic and not,as today's movies are, pornographic.
The girl and her boyfriend "use" him and if I tell you any more, I'll spoil it all for you, if you haven't seen the film yet. It's a true FILM NOIR and a good one.