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| Johnny O\'Clock | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical Poster | |
| Directed by | Robert Rossen |
| Produced by | Edward G. Nealis |
| Written by | Story: Milton Holmes Screenplay: Robert Rossen |
| Starring | Dick Powell Evelyn Keyes Lee J. Cobb |
| Music by | George Duning |
| Cinematography | Burnett Guffey |
| Editing by | Al Clark Warren Low |
| Distributed by | Columbia Pictures |
| Release date(s) | January 23, 1947 (U.S.A.) |
| Running time | 85 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| All Movie Guide profile | |
| IMDb profile | |
Johnny O\'Clock (1947) is a American crime film noir directed by Robert Rossen and written by Robert Rossen, based on a story written by Milton Holmes. The drama features Dick Powell, Evelyn Keyes, Lee J. Cobb, among others.Johnny O\'Clock at the Internet Movie Database.
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Slick, egotistical Johnny O\'Clock (Powell) is a partner in a gambling house that has seen better days. When the hat-check girl is found murdered, he gets involved with crooked cops and criminals that includes his shady partner in the casino, Pete.
In addition to trying to deal with the partner that may bring about his downfall, and the murder of Harriet the hatcheck, O\'Clock also juggles the many women in his life including Pete\'s wife.
Time Out film guide notes "Despite good performances and fine camerawork from Burnett Guffey, Rossen\'s first film as director is a disappointingly flat thriller...Since they remain totally unmemorable (through no fault of the actors concerned), the subsequent action tends to become little more than a sequence of events mechanically strung together." Time Out. Film review, 2006. Last accessed: January 20, 2008.
The staff at Variety magazine gave the film kudos, writing, "This is a smart whodunit, with attention to scripting, casting and camerawork lifting it above the average. Pic has action and suspense, and certain quick touches of humor to add flavor. Ace performances by Dick Powell, as a gambling house overseer, and Lee J. Cobb, as a police inspector, also up the rating...Although the plot follows a familiar pattern, the characterizations are fresh and the performances good enough to overbalance. Dialog is terse and topical, avoiding the sentimental, phoney touch. Unusual camera angles come along now and then to heighten interest and momentarily arrest the eye. Strong teamplay by Robert Rossen, doubling as director-scripter, and Milton Holmes, original writer and associate producer, also aids in making this a smooth production."Variety. Film review, January 23, 1947. Last accessed: January 20, 2008./
Bosley Crowther gave the film a mixed review because of the film\'s slow pace, and wrote, "But the slowness and general confusion of the plot for two-thirds of the film does not make for notable excitement, and the shallowness of the mystery as to who\'s doing all the killing relieves it of any great suspense. It is mainly a matter of watching Mr. Powell go through his paces stylishly while a large cast of actors and actresses give him customary support. Evelyn Keyes plays the good little lady who brings out the best in him and Ellen Drew is the sleek and slinky vixen who gets him into jams. Thomas Gomez is oily as the villain and Lee J. Cobb does another able tour as a weary police inspector who finally closes the case. A great deal of drinking and smoking is done by all concerned."Crowther, Bosley. The New York Times, film review, March 27, 1947. Last accessed: January 20, 2008.
 American films of the 1940s |
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