Johnny Played Rough With Women Who Played Cute!
When an employee at an illegal gambling den dies suspiciously, her sister, Nancy, looks into the situation and falls for Johnny O'Clock, a suave partner in the underground casino. Selfish and non-committal by nature, Johnny slowly begins to return Nancy's affection and decides to run away with her, but conflict within his business threatens their plans. As Johnny tries to distance himself from the casino, his shady past comes back to haunt him.
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Character
Classical in form, grave, earnest and effortless.
- classical in formformally daring
- gravecomic
- earnestironic
- effortlessdemanding
- unpretentiousprestige
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“Is Dick Powell the best thing in Johnny O'Clock?”
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“Is Johnny O'Clock better than its reputation?”
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“Would Johnny O'Clock hit harder if it came out today rather than in 1947?”
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Reviews on TMDB
Written by TMDB members; each links to the original. Not part of Tastebuds's numbers.
- CinemaSerfon TMDB · Mar 20226/10
I have to say I was quite disappointed with this. Dick Powell is the eponymous character, a casino manager who on the face of it is as hard as nails, but a little scratching under the surface reveals that he's actually quite a soft old chap. He's had an affair with the much younger wife (Ellen Drew) of his partner (Thomas Gomez) and she is determined to get him back. Just what is she prepared to do, though? Meantime, Lee J. Cobb is a detective trying to get to the bottom of the mysterious suicide of a woman that brings her sister (Evelyn Keyes) into town, and onto Powell's radar. The crime mystery elements are all too often subsumed in the half-baked romantic intrigues that really drag down the pace to little better than a melodrama with ever so slightly menacing undertones. Powell is quite good in the role, as is Cobb as the moody, but effective policeman - but it was all just a bit dull for me, sorry.
Read the whole review on TMDB - John Chardon TMDB · Feb 20177/10
You play very cute, and nasty! Johnny O'Clock has everything under control. He has a partnership in a thriving casino and all his little peccadilloes are at ease in his world. Then things start to go awry, his partnership with Marchettis comes under severe pressure on account of Mrs Marchettis' dalliances, and worst of all, the hat check girl he had a soft spot for has turned up dead. Johnny is feeling the heat, from every corner of his world it seems. At the time of writing this, Johnny O' Clock has under ten reviews written on IMDb and barely 200 votes cast, one can only assume that Johnny is badly under seen! Without knowing the issues of accessibility on TV and DVD, it may just be that this little noir treasure has slipped through the net of many a genre observer. Without pushing the boundaries of noir and its devilish off shoots, it's a film with all the necessary noir components in place, a tightly accomplished film that definitely deserves a bigger audience. The plot, though very basic in the context of the genre/style it sits in (thus making it easy enough for the casual viewer to enjoy), is a series of double (triple) crosses smothered in a delicate hint of aromatic femme
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Cast
- Dick PowellJohnny O'Clock
- Evelyn KeyesNancy Hobson
- Lee J. CobbInspector Koch
- Ellen DrewNelle Marchettis
- Nina FochHarriet Hobson
- Thomas GomezPete Marchettis
- John KelloggCharlie
- Jim BannonChuck Blayden
- Mabel PaigeSlatternly Woman Tenant
- Phil BrownPhil, Hotel Clerk
Crew
- Robert RossenDirector
- Robert RossenScreenplay
- Burnett GuffeyDirector of Photography
- George DuningOriginal Music Composer
- Warren LowEditor
- Al ClarkEditor
- Jerry GieslerProducer
- Edward G. NealisProducer
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Pairings
Companions we picked from the closest works, and how to take them.
Similar in taste
Closest on the same fourteen dimensions, from everything scored on Tastebuds Other media included when they land close.
Party Girl 195885% alikeBoth grave, classical in form, earnest.
The File on Thelma Jordon 194985% alikeBoth classical in form, grave, earnest.
Appaloosa 200885% alikeBoth classical in form, grave, earnest.
Framed 194784% alikeBoth classical in form, grave, earnest.
Fallen Angel 194583% alikeBoth classical in form, grave, earnest.
The One That Got Away 195782% alikeBoth classical in form, earnest, grave.
Creature from the Black Lagoon 195482% alikeBoth classical in form, grave, earnest.
I Walk Alone 194782% alikeBoth classical in form, grave, earnest.
Grantchester 201479% alikeTelevision · Both classical in form, earnest, grave.
The Rockford Files 197478% alikeTelevision · Both classical in form, earnest.
Often watched with
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