Two heavyweights in this film; Dick Powell (Zane Grey Theater) and Lee J Cobb (On the Waterfront- Johnny Friendly). They carry the film easily and Powell is ably assisted by two women characters played by B actresses. The plot is fairly common; gambling house manager gets involved in murders and has to try to even the score. Even though the plot is not terribly original, Rossen, the director, gets the absolute most out of every scene, and Powell gives the lead character a ton of panache to last for the whole film. The cinematography is first-rate, and all the characters in the story are given some depth, not like the usual cardboard characters of most of the noir films of the genre. Highly recommended

A great cast stars in "Johnny O'Clock," a 1947 noir written and directed by Robert Rossen. It stars Dick Powell, Evelyn Keyes, Lee J. Cobb, Ellen Drew, Thomas Gomez, and Nina Foch.Not that many years have passed since Dick Powell was a singing juvenile, but here he is as Johnny O'Clock, a somewhat cold tough guy who has a partnership with Guido Marchettis (Gomez) in a gambling casino. Johnny's a hard guy to figure - with the hat check girl Harriet (Nina Foch), he's helpful and kind, and it's hard to decide which is the real Johnny.There's a crooked cop who works for Johnny and Guido named Chuck Blayden (Jim Bannon), who's making trouble for Harriet and there's an Inspector Kotch (Lee J. Cobb) who wants Johnny to answer some questions. Then there's the gorgeous, sexy wife of Marchettis, Nelle (Drew), who's had an affair with Johnny and wants him back. In the midst of all this, Harriet is found dead and it's assumed to be suicide.When Harriet's sister (Evelyn Keyes) comes along, there's an instant spark between her and Johnny. But Johnny is in trouble, thanks to a couple of watches, and the disappearance of Blayden.For some reason, this films ends up being a disappointment. Despite Rossen's wonderful direction, it's not tight enough, nor is the story strong enough. One sort of has the feeling of being dropped into the middle of something. That doesn't mean there aren't interesting elements. One is the tiniest hint of homosexuality in the character of Charlie (John Kellogg), an ex-con who works for Johnny and lives with him.The performances across the board are very good, led by Powell as an attractive, solid tough guy with hints of humanity, and Keyes as a strong but vulnerable woman.Still worth seeing.

There's not enough happening in the way of plot to make Robert Rossen's "Johnny O'Clock" a classic of its genre. Suffice to say that it has most of the elements and a few extra touches added in---but it all seems a bit contrived. Dick Powell plays the title role; he's a casino owner with a shady past and a quick delivery (dialog and punches). He's in cahoots with a mobster played by creepy Thomas Gomez and the two fellows keep it civil while the tension begins to build between them. What's never established during most of the film is whether old Johnny is strictly in business for the money or simply rotten to the core like the rest of the characters. Luckily for him, Evelyn Keyes brings out the best of his ambiguous personality and that's enough for Johnny to survive the final shootout and walk away without bleeding to death. The same can't be said for gangster Gomez. He receives about six bullets in the gut and ends up face down on his expensive carpet. "Johnny O'Clock" is fast moving and the rapid-fire dialog fits the storyline to a tee. Others in the cast include Lee J. Cobb who plays the local police investigator without cracking a smile until the final reel. He sees through Johnny's tough-guy act and cuts him as much slack as he can allow. Ellen Drew is along as Gomez's moll and viewers will wonder what this beauty sees in that fellow's oversize frame and nasty disposition. Not much as it turns out. Look for Jeff Chandler in a small role as a mobster working for Gomez who spends most of his time at the poker table. In the end, Johnny wins a reprieve and the love of Ms. Keyes. I guess he was pretty lucky after all.

"Old enough not smart enough" a line from the film by the grieving sister describing her dead sibling.Full of one liners this film so, do the ironing, if required, while waiting for the football results on a Saturday afternoon.Then try one liners like "what I don't know I don't like!", "What did you get out of college?", when next on the phone to a rude petulant child dealing with your credit card application, Gas board, Sainsburys Customer services etc. enquiry.Lee J Cobb convinces me as a cop. No knife carrying "Hoody" on his patch I reckon. The nosey neighbour doing her Miss Marple bit is a nice touch.The film is better described elsewhere. For the record though I would put all your money and house on Seabreeze if you should ever be whisked back in time in an "Ashes to Ashes" kind of way!Of note is a lovely line in the restaurant. (Johnny and girl go and sit on table at late night café. Waiter brings drinks to table before any such order is taken). (Johnny O'Clock) "Who ordered the drinks?" (Waiter)"Have you ever eaten here before?". (Johnny O'Clock) "No" (Waiter) "Well you will need the drinks then".Also "O'Clock O'Clock O'Clock all the time it came ticking in my head" surely the corniest line said by a cuckolded husband?Enjoy the film with the awful title and maybe you might discover a smart Alec answer to the meaning of life when asked one day by a young boy called Reece!