Frankie and Johnnie (1936)

User Rating:

4.3/10   

Directors:

John H. Auer
Chester Erskine

Writers:

Lou Goldberg (writer)
Moss Hart (writer)

Release Date:

1 May 1936 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot Keywords:

Character Name In Title

Cast

Helen Morgan	...	Frankie
Chester Morris	...	Johnnie Drew
Lilyan Tashman	...	Nellie Bly
Florence Reed	...	Lou
Walter Kingsford	...	Timothy
William Harrigan	...	Curley
John Larkin	...	Andy
Cora Witherspoon	...	Mrs. Lumpy Thornton

Runtime:

66 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Company:

William Saal Productions

Trivia:

Production was completed in 1934, but the film was not released until 1936, by which time third billed Lilyan Tashman had already been dead for two years.

Movie Connections:

Version of Frankie and Johnny (1966)

Soundtrack:

Camptown Races

Terrific little film

Frankie and Johnnie brilliantly captures the sleazy atmosphere of Riverboat life in St. Louis, 1870. The art direction, cinematography, and costuming must be applauded especially taking into consideration that Republic was certainly not MGM.

The dialog and the direction keep things moving to it's final twist. (I was shocked!! Maybe others wouldn't be.)

For those who are of the politically correct brand, you guys will not like the fried chicken eating wedding sequence with Frankie's comment being, "They (black people) are so simple... so happy... they are not afraid of themselves." I guess one could look at it as a backhanded complement. But even I, who is far from buying into political correctness, had to squirm in my seat. I suppose it is that scene that will keep this otherwise nice film from getting a DVD release. What a shame we are so squeamish. (I'm not, but some are.) But the film takes place in 1870, it was made in 1934. People actually thought like that back then. It proves we've come along way with a long way to go perhaps, but what a measuring stick it is.

Then there's Chester Morris as Johnnie who should have been a big A list star. This film proves what a great actor he was. He could teach a thing or three to the people passing for actors today.

If for no other reason, this movie is worth watching for the legendary singer/actress Helen Morgan in a rare starring role, the other being her incredible tour-de-force in Applause (1929). She may have not have been my first choice for this part, but she does manage to pull it off and she puts her own spin on it. She does have great depth as an actress. It's shame she didn't do more leads. Unfortunately, she only sings two songs, but they are two good ones.

All in all, it's a really good and different type of movie. Highly recommended if you are a fan either of the stars or just want to see a good story well told by good filmmakers and actors and are sick and tired of the garbage coming out of Hollywood here in 2008.