Frankie and Johnnie (1936)

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:

If You Want My Heart

great cast in a disappointing film

Ideal players are unfortunately wasted in Republic's low-budget, low-octane drama. Helen Morgan, that tragic chantoosie, would seem ideally cast as Frankie, but the tired script gives her nothing to do except look a bit trampy, which she does very well. Likewise, slick, superficial Chester Morris embodies the two-timing Johnny of the song perfectly... or he would if he had any worthwhile dialogue. In her last Film Lilyan Tashman is wasted as Nellie Bly. Once or twice, the movie seems about to capture the simplicity of a tawdry ballad, but never quite gets there. A pity all around.