"Johnny O'Clock" is a pleasure to watch as it provides a magnificent example of the visual style which is most often associated with the classic film noirs. It uses many of the familiar motifs (e.g. hats, mirrors, clocks, cigarette smoke etc.) in conjunction with some attention grabbing camera-work and inspired use of light and shadow to create the moody environment within which the action takes place.
This crime thriller which was written for the screen by first time director Robert Rossen, tells the story of a casino manager, Johnny O'Clock (Dick Powell), who is confident, conceited and shrewd in his business dealings, but who is also surrounded by treachery and consequently has to be sharp witted to navigate his way through the potential pitfalls and dangers that seem to engulf him on all sides. Despite his astute nature, Johnny does keep a great deal of bad company!
Chuck Blayden (Jim Bannon) is a corrupt cop whose fiancée is the hat check girl in Johnny's casino. He wants a piece of the action and to do this intends to ingratiate himself with Johnny's senior partner, a gangster called Guido Marchettis (Thomas Gomez), so that he can oust Johnny from his role in the business and pocket Johnny's share of the profits. Chuck has a track record of being quick to use his gun, so when he warns Johnny not to get in his way or he'll kill him, the threat is definitely not an empty one. Chuck dumps the hat check girl and shortly after, she's found dead in her apartment. After Chuck's dead body is also found in a river, Johnny and Guido become the main suspects for having killed both victims.
Nancy Hobson (Evelyn Hayes) arrives in New York to find out what happened to her sister Harriet (Nina Foch) who was the hat check girl and Johnny and Nancy enjoy getting to know each other.
After Guido discovers that his wife Nelle (Ellen Drew) had given Johnny an identical watch to one that she'd given him, he becomes convinced that she and Johnny are having an affair and so sends some of his henchmen to kill his partner. The plot fails, however, and when Johnny goes to Guido's place to dissolve their partnership and collect his share of the money, there is a confrontation between the two men before their dispute is finally resolved.
Dick Powell gives a strong performance as a tough, no nonsense character who has to deal with Chuck's treachery, being betrayed by Charlie (John Kellogg) who was an ex-con that Johnny had been generous to, jealous Guido making two attempts on his life and Nell's vengeance which led her to tell the police that she'd seen him kill a man in cold blood. Fortunately his blossoming romance with Nancy does, at least, provide him with some prospect of better times in the future.
Considering the quality of the story, the acting and its stylish look, it's surprising that "Johnny O'Clock" hasn't garnered more acclaim and recognition over the years.
This crime thriller which was written for the screen by first time director Robert Rossen, tells the story of a casino manager, Johnny O'Clock (Dick Powell), who is confident, conceited and shrewd in his business dealings, but who is also surrounded by treachery and consequently has to be sharp witted to navigate his way through the potential pitfalls and dangers that seem to engulf him on all sides. Despite his astute nature, Johnny does keep a great deal of bad company!
Chuck Blayden (Jim Bannon) is a corrupt cop whose fiancée is the hat check girl in Johnny's casino. He wants a piece of the action and to do this intends to ingratiate himself with Johnny's senior partner, a gangster called Guido Marchettis (Thomas Gomez), so that he can oust Johnny from his role in the business and pocket Johnny's share of the profits. Chuck has a track record of being quick to use his gun, so when he warns Johnny not to get in his way or he'll kill him, the threat is definitely not an empty one. Chuck dumps the hat check girl and shortly after, she's found dead in her apartment. After Chuck's dead body is also found in a river, Johnny and Guido become the main suspects for having killed both victims.
Nancy Hobson (Evelyn Hayes) arrives in New York to find out what happened to her sister Harriet (Nina Foch) who was the hat check girl and Johnny and Nancy enjoy getting to know each other.
After Guido discovers that his wife Nelle (Ellen Drew) had given Johnny an identical watch to one that she'd given him, he becomes convinced that she and Johnny are having an affair and so sends some of his henchmen to kill his partner. The plot fails, however, and when Johnny goes to Guido's place to dissolve their partnership and collect his share of the money, there is a confrontation between the two men before their dispute is finally resolved.
Dick Powell gives a strong performance as a tough, no nonsense character who has to deal with Chuck's treachery, being betrayed by Charlie (John Kellogg) who was an ex-con that Johnny had been generous to, jealous Guido making two attempts on his life and Nell's vengeance which led her to tell the police that she'd seen him kill a man in cold blood. Fortunately his blossoming romance with Nancy does, at least, provide him with some prospect of better times in the future.
Considering the quality of the story, the acting and its stylish look, it's surprising that "Johnny O'Clock" hasn't garnered more acclaim and recognition over the years.