Johnny Eager

1942

Johnny Eager

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TOMATOMETER

Total Count: N/A

78%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 524
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Movie Info

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.

Cast

Robert Taylor
as Johnny Eager
Lana Turner
as Lisbeth 'Liz' Bard
Van Heflin
as Jeff Hartnett
Edward Arnold
as Farrell
Glenda Farrell
as Mae
Robert Sterling
as Jimmy
Diana Lewis
as Judy
Patricia Dane
as Garnet
Charles Dingle
as Marco
Henry O'Neill
as Verne
Barry Nelson
as Rankin
Paul Stewart
as Julio
Connie Gilchrist
as Peg
Cy Kendall
as Halligan
Don Costello
as Billiken
Lou Lubin
as Benjy
Robin Raymond
as Matilda Fowler
Cliff Danielson
as Floyd Markham
Leona Maricle
as Miss Mines
Joseph Downing
as Ryan
Byron Shores
as Joe Agridowski
Nestor Paiva
as Tony
Douglass Newland
as Cop
Gladys Blake
Alonzo Price
as Man
Edward Earle
as Man
Hooper Atchley
as Man
Stanley Price
as Man
Beryl Wallace
as Mabel
Georgia Cooper
as Wife
Richard Kipling
as Husband
Sheldon Bennett
as Headwaiter
Joyce Bryant
as Woman
Anthony Warde
as Guard
Elliott Sullivan
as Ed
Pat West
as Hanger-on
Jack Carr
as Cupid
Art Miles
as Lt. Allen
Mike Pat Donovan
as Switchman
Gohr Van Vleck
as Frenchman
Janet Shaw
as Girls in Verne's Office
Joe Whitehead
as Ruffing
Alice Keating
as Maid
John Dilson
as Pawnbroker
Charles Thomas
as Bus Conductor
Arthur Belasco
as Card Player
Larry Clifford
as Card Player
Harrison Greene
as Card Player
James C. Morton
as Card Player
Alex Pollard
as Butler
Emory Parnell
as Traffic Cop
Joe Downing
as Ryan
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Critic Reviews for Johnny Eager

All Critics (3) | Top Critics (2)

  • Mr. Taylor won't toughen up. He's too nice to be a melodramatic mobster, and he shows it. Lana Turner is similarly handicapped: Metro has swathed her best assets in a toga, swears that she shall become an actress, or else.

    Feb 27, 2018 | Full Review…

    James Agee

    TIME Magazine
    Top Critic

  • 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.

    Sep 29, 2009 | Rating: C+ | Full Review…

    Emanuel Levy

    Variety
    Top Critic

  • Nothing can save this syrupy crime melodrama from its eagerness to please as a romantic sudser.

    Dec 26, 2004 | Rating: C | Full Review…

    Dennis Schwartz

    Ozus' World Movie Reviews
View All Critic Reviews (3)

Audience Reviews for Johnny Eager

  • Feb 19, 2010
    Great gangster flick from start to finish
    Brody M Super Reviewer
  • Aug 26, 2008
    a surprisingly good film with one of the most beautiful screen couples i've seen in lana turner and robert taylor. these two aren't noted for their acting skills but they manage all right, especially taylor playing a dashing but amoral thug. what makes the film work however is the startling performance of van heflin as johnny eager's best friend, an alcoholic intellectual type who is pretty obviously in love with johnny. he's the pivotal character bringing the flat performances of the two leads to life and making eager's redemption in the last act believable. one of the best and most sympathetic portrayals of a gay character in classic hollywood and heflin well deserved his only academy award
    Stella D Super Reviewer
  • Feb 23, 2008
    Tough little actioner, Lana never more beautiful. Van Heflin excellent in support. Worthwhile
    jay n Super Reviewer
  • Jan 20, 2008
    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.
    Cindy I Super Reviewer
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