Johnny O'Clock (1947)

Johnny O’Clock

“Labyrinthine plot, moody and inky images, and a director, Robert Rossen, that on the surface all seem like surefire bets for a film noir that’s undervalued actually add up to one misfire that’s as promising as it is frustrating. Where exactly should we place the blame? It’s a bit hard to tell. Rossen also wrote the script, and maybe this was a case of where there was no one to act as intermediary to point out plot points that aren’t clear or as concise as they should’ve been. Or maybe it’s that I’ve only warmed up to star Dick Powell in very specific films and not as a general film presence. This kind of slow-burn anti-heroism seems beyond his range and capabilities as an actor. Murder, My Sweet mined his plucky persona for darkness and ways in which common men can break bad,” read more

“(OK) Rossen loves his characters, Dick/Powell is hideous but elegant with strange sidekick John Kellog. Women are all seductive and suffering. Drew is the best, hating and kneeling before huge Thomas Gomez better than ever...” read more