Home
search
more | tips
IMDb > Johnny Come Lately (1943)

Johnny Come Lately (1943) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 5 | slideshow)

Overview

User Rating:
6.4/10   133 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 12% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
William K. Howard
Writers:
John Van Druten (screenplay)
Louis Bromfield (novel)
Contact:
View company contact information for Johnny Come Lately on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
3 September 1943 (USA) more
Genre:
Drama more
Awards:
Nominated for Oscar. more
User Comments:
Mildly interesting Cagney vehicle more

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

James Cagney ... Tom Richards
Grace George ... Vinnie McLeod (as Miss Grace George)
Marjorie Main ... 'Gashouse' Mary McGovern
Marjorie Lord ... Jane

Hattie McDaniel ... Aida
Edward McNamara ... W.M. Dougherty
William Henry ... Pete Dougherty (as Bill Henry)
Robert Barrat ... Bill Swain
George Cleveland ... Willie Ferguson
Margaret Hamilton ... Myrtle Ferguson
Norman Willis ... Dudley Hirsh
Lucien Littlefield ... Blaker
Edwin Stanley ... Winterbottom
Irving Bacon ... Chief of Police
Tom Dugan ... First Cop
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Johnny Vagabond (UK)
more
Runtime:
97 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)
Certification:
Sweden:15 | UK:U | USA:Approved (PCA #9450)

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
3 out of 6 people found the following comment useful:-
Mildly interesting Cagney vehicle, 29 April 2007
7/10
Author: BJJManchester from United Kingdom

One of the occasional independent efforts that the legendary Jimmy Cagney made away from the Warner Bros. studios,JOHNNY COME LATELY is a rather slow,stately melodrama of small-town political corruption near the beginning of the 20th century which is saved by a cast of familiar Hollywood character actors and some enjoyable scenes.Cagney is watchable as always,but kudos here mainly go to Grace George,a veteran stage actress whose only sound film this was.(She appeared in one silent film in the 1910's) Miss George's dignified and distinguished presence is the best aspect the film has going for it;it is a shame she never made another as she would've been a respectable and welcome addition to any film before or afterwards.

Leigh Harline's incessant,cloying musical score is a frequent and irritating distraction,but producer William Cagney(Jimmy's brother) has filled the picture with some popular and well-liked character players such as Margaret Hamilton,Hattie McDaniel,Lucien Littlefield,George Cleveland,Irving Bacon and Arthur Hunnicutt in some good cameos.The inimitable Marjorie Main comes off best as an ageing night-club hostess.Aside from some occasional familiar tough guy frissions(such as a chair being hurled,and a fist fight and shootout),Cagney is oddly subdued as a journalist turned hobo,and his character is essentially decent and honourable.His scenes with Miss George are quietly observational and low-key,but all the better for it and often rather touching.

It may have been somewhat better with big studio backing,but the production values are adequate,though William K. Howard's direction could have been pacier.The best scenes are towards the end when the townspeople stage an uprising against the corrupt politician Dougherty (Edward MacNamara),but his change of mind shortly afterwards doesn't really ring true.Cagney apparently considered his film one of his favourites.It isn't particularly one of his best,compared to such classics as THE PUBLIC ENEMY,YANKEE DOODLE DANDY and WHITE HEAT,but it's still worth a look.

RATING:Six and a half out of Ten

Was the above comment useful to you?
more

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Johnny Come Lately (1943)

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
City for Conquest Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye Gone with the Wind Mrs. Parkington The Rains Came
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits IMDb Drama section
IMDb USA section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.