Manpower (1941)
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64% of users liked it
(204 ratings)
Manpower was Warner Bros' latest reworking of 1932's Tiger Shark, with power-company linemen substituting for tuna fisherman. While repair some downed lines in a heavy thunderstorm, Hank McHenry (Edward G. Robinson) saves the life of his best pal Johnny Marshall (George Raft). While Johnny… More Manpower was Warner Bros' latest reworking of 1932's Tiger Shark, with power-company linemen substituting for tuna fisherman. While repair some downed lines in a heavy thunderstorm, Hank McHenry (Edward G. Robinson) saves the life of his best pal Johnny Marshall (George Raft). While Johnny emerges from the experience unscathed, Hank is permanently crippled. He takes this misfortune in stride, but Johnny vows to look after Hank's best interests for the rest of their lives. When Hank marries blowzy nightclub hostess Fay Duval (Marlene Dietrich), Johnny is disdainful, convinced that Fay is playing Hank for a sucker. While recuperating in Hank's home after a slight injury, Johnny confesses to Fay that he's in love with her, a feeling that turns out to be mutual. Out of loyalty to Hank, Johnny refuses to have anything to do with Fay, who finally decides to leave town rather than break up the men's friendship. But Fay cannot stay away from Johnny, forcing him to confront the ever-trusting Hank with the truth, leading inexorably to the film's violent conclusion on a precariously high utility pole. A few comic interludes aside, Manpower is virile, gutsy entertainment; the fact that Edward G. Robinson and George Raft did not get along at all during shooting-resulting in a well-publicized on-set fistfight-only adds to the film's crackling tension. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Raoul Walsh
- Genres
- Drama, Romance
- In Theaters
- Jan 1, 1941 Limited
Critic Reviews
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Michael E. Grost, Classic Film and Television
Working man melodrama with good visual style.
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Lively, overwrought and conventional.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
No Featured Audience Ratings Found…
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Cast
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Edward G. Robinson
as Hank McHenry
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Marlene Dietrich
as Fay Duval
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George Raft
as Johnny Marshall
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Alan Hale
as Jumbo Wells
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Frank McHugh
as Omaha
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Eve Arden
as Dolly
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Barton MacLane
as Smiley Quinn
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Ward Bond
as Eddie Adams
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Walter Catlett
as Sidney Whipple
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Joyce Compton
as Scarlett
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Lucia Carroll
as Flo
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Egon Brecher
as Pop Duval
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Cliff Clark
as Cully
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Joseph Crehan
as Sweeney
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Ben Welden
as Al Hurst
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Barbara Pepper
as Polly
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Dorothy Appleby
as Wilma
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Murray Alper
as Lineman
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Jean Ames
as Thelma
- Lynne Baggett
- Diana Barrymore
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Joyce Bryant
as Miss Brewster
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Georgia Caine
as Head Nurse
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Nat Carr
as Waiter
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Eddy Chandler
as Detective
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Chester Clute
as Clerk
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Joe Devlin
as Bartender
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Roland Drew
as Man
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Ralph Dunn
as Man at Phone
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Faye Emerson
as Nurse
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Eddie Fetherstone
as Man
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James Flavin
as Orderly
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Brenda Sue Fowler
as Saleslady
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William Gould
as Desk Sergeant
- Fred Graham
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Carl Harbaugh
as Noisy Nash
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John Harmon
as Benny
- Harry Harvey Jr.
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Herbert Heywood
as Watchman
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Harry Holman
as Justice of the Peace
- William Hopper
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Vera Lewis
as Wife
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Frank Mayo
as Doorman
- William Newell
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Lee Phelps
as Detective
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Jane Randolph
as Coat Check Girl
- Drew Roddy
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William Royle
as Cop
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Cliff Saum
as Man
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Jeffrey Sayre
as Man
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Harry Seymour
as Piano Player
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Charles Sherlock
as Man
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Harry Strang
as Foreman
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Robert Strange
as Bondsman
- Charles Sullivan
- Elliott Sullivan
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Dorothy Vaughan
as Mrs. Boyle
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Nella Walker
as Floorlady
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Billy Wayne
as Taxi Driver
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Dick Wessel
as Lineman
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Joan Winfield
as Nurse
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Isabel Withers
as Head Nurse
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John Kelly
as Bouncer
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Leah Baird
as Matron
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Pat McKee
as Bouncer
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W. Beal Wong
as Chinese Singer
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Muriel Barr
as Model
- Gayle Mellott
- Al Herman