Johnny Eager (1942)

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(472 ratings)

Robert Taylor toughened up his image considerably with this gangster movie, which was unusual both in its plot and origins, having come from MGM, which was generally not known for its crime movies. Taylor plays a parolee who is pretending to follow the straight-and-narrow as a hardworking cabbie,… More Robert Taylor toughened up his image considerably with this gangster movie, which was unusual both in its plot and origins, having come from MGM, which was generally not known for its crime movies. Taylor plays a parolee who is pretending to follow the straight-and-narrow as a hardworking cabbie, but is really the mastermind behind a dog-racing track being built with mob money. Eager works every angle, has a gang that's generally in line, and also has a loyal right-hand man in Jeff Hartnett (Van Heflin, who won an Oscar), his educated assistant, who drinks too much and waxes poetic when he isn't looking after Johnny's interests (and sometimes when he is, too). Eager has only one problem, special prosecutor John Benson Farrell (Edward Arnold) -- who was also the attorney instrumental in sending Eager up -- who has gotten an injunction against the track's opening. But the hood sees an opening when he accidentally crosses paths with a young sociology student, Lisbeth Bard (Lana Turner), who is drawn to him romantically, and then finds out that she's Farrell's step-daughter. After romancing her for a few months, he sets her up in a scam, making her believe that she killed one of Eager's men (Paul Stewart). He "generously" gets her away from the scene and then informs Farrell of what has happened, pointing out that he holds the evidence against Lisbeth. Farrell has no choice but to withdraw the injunction, and the track opens, but problems ensue when rival mobsters decide to try and cut in on Eager and his racket, and he finds out that Lisbeth is so guilt-ridden over her "crime," that she's destroying herself mentally. Eager can't figure out why she feels the way she does or what to do about it, or even if he should do anything to help her, but with Jeff's help, he discovers a nobler side to his nature. Realizing that she really does love him, and knowing it's not possible for the two of them to be together, he goes out in a blaze of glory -- laced with a special irony built into the plot -- solving Lisbeth's problem and also curing her of her love for him, and settling a score or two in the process. ~ Bruce Eder, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 47 min.
Directed By: Mervyn LeRoy
Written By: James Edward Grant, John Lee Mahin
Genres: Drama, Classics

In Theaters: Feb 18, 1942 Wide
On DVD: Jun 30, 1993
Studio: MGM

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy, Variety
Mervyn LeRoy's picture is more a melodrama than a crime-gangster due to star Robert Taylor and the studio behind it (MGM), but it's worth seeing for Van Heflin's Oscar performance as the cynical alcoholic given to philosophical observations.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Nothing can save this syrupy crime melodrama from its eagerness to please as a romantic sudser.

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Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

Tough little actioner, Lana never more beautiful. Van Heflin excellent in support. Worthwhile
Cindy I

With this film about a gangster in love with a girl out of his league, Robert Taylor showed the world that he was more than just a (VERY) pretty face. He showed his soft romantic side that all the ladies loved, but also pulled a badass out of his hat that satisfied the male audience.… More
With this film about a gangster in love with a girl out of his league, Robert Taylor showed the world that he was more than just a (VERY) pretty face. He showed his soft romantic side that all the ladies loved, but also pulled a badass out of his hat that satisfied the male audience. Lana Turner did a fine job as his love interest (she'd really show her stuff a few years later in The Postman Always Rings Twice), and Van Heflin won an Oscar as Eager's alcoholic sidekick. A good example of 40's film noir.

Cast

            Robert Taylor as Johnny Eager

            Lana Turner as Lisbeth Bard

            Edward Arnold as John Benson Farrell

            Van Heflin as Jeff Hartnett

            Robert Sterling as Jimmy Courtney

            Patricia Dane as Garnet

            Glenda Farrell as Mae Blythe

            Henry O'Neill as Mr. Verne

            Diana Lewis as Judy Sanford

            Barry Nelson as Lew Rankin

            Charles Dingle as A. Frazier Marco

            Paul Stewart as Julio

            Don Costello as Billiken

            Lou Lubin as Benjy

            Connie Gilchrist as Peg Fowler

            Robin Raymond as Matilda Fowler

            Leona Maricle as Miss Mines

            Byron Shores as Policeman

            Hooper Atchley
            
            Arthur Belasco
            
            Gladys Blake
            
            Joyce Bryant as Woman

            Jack Carr as Cupid

            John Dilson as Pawnbroker

            Mike Pat Donovan as Switchman

            Edward Earle
            
            Harrison Greene
            
            Cy Kendall as Bill Halligan

            Art Miles as Lt. Allen

            James C. Morton as Card Player

            Nestor Paiva as Tony

            Emory Parnell as Traffic Cop

            Alex Pollard as Butler

            Alonzo Price
            
            Janet Shaw as Girls in Verne's Office

            Elliott Sullivan as Ed

            Beryl Wallace as Mabel

            Anthony Warde as Guard

            Pat West as Hanger-on

            Joe Whitehead as Ruffing

            Stanley Price as Man

            Georgia Cooper as Wife

            Cliff Danielson as Floyd Markham

            Alice Keating as Maid

            Richard Kipling as Husband

            Douglass Newland as Cop

            Charles Thomas as Bus Conductor

            Gohr VanVleck as Frenchman

            Joe Downing as Ryan
See full cast