Johnny Angel (1945)

Tough sea captain Johnny Angel (George Raft) finds his father's ship adrift at sea and boards it. He finds no trace of anyone on board, including his father. So Johnny tows the ship into New Orleans and begins investigating, wooing dames and punching faces where needed.Raft gets a lot of flack these days for being a stiff or limited actor. Okay he wasn't the most versatile or charismatic actor around but he still had a good screen presence and could deliver when needed. Here the only problems are his love scenes with Signe Hasso which are just uncomfortable to watch. But when he's angry-man-out-for-justice, then he's pretty compelling. I do agree with others' assessment, however, that with a stronger lead like Bogart this would probably be a more appreciated film. A punchier script wouldn't hurt, either. The cast backing Raft up is pretty good. Hoagy Carmichael steals his scenes as cab driver Celestial O'Brien (what a great name). He also sings "Memphis in June." Signe Hasso and Claire Trevor play the good and bad girl respectively. Take a wild guess which of those parts is more interesting. Marvin Miller as the mama's boy owner of the steamship line and Margaret Wycherly as his overprotective nursemaid are the kinds of characters that make a so-so noir into something more. Nice score from Leigh Harline and atmospheric photography by Harry J. Wild. It's not a strong film noir at all and it does drag in the middle but it is enjoyable, especially for Raft and Trevor fans.

"Johnny Angel" is a 1945 noir starring George Raft, Signe Hasso, Claire Trevor, Hoagy Carmichael, and Marvin Miller. Johnny Angel (Raft) endeavors to find out who stole a gold shipment from his father's ship and killed his father, who was the captain. He discovers that there was a survivor on the ship, which seems empty when he boards it -- Paulette (Signe Hasso). Her father was killed by the hijackers, and she's trying to clear his name by finding out who took the gold.No one from my generation can see Marvin Miller without thinking of him as Michael Anthony, the associate of John Beresford Tipton, who used to give random people $1 million. I'm still waiting for him to show up at my house. Here, Miller plays the weak husband of Lilah (Trevor). Lilah is madly in love with Johnny, and he wonders if she may know something about the missing gold.The big problem here is Raft. I admit that I like him - he had a certain presence, and sometimes even warmth, but he was a very specialized actor. In the right role, he had all the bells and whistles, such as in Nocturne, but in the wrong role, he was ordinary. He wasn't really a leading man. Johnny Angel was a part for Bogart or Mitchum. Without that gravitas, it falls flat. Bogart certainly had a lot to thank him for, since he turned down High Sierra, Casablanca, and The Maltese Falcon. Amazing.Still, it's pretty good, with the film elevated by the presence and singing of Hoagy Carmichael, one of my all-time favorites, as well as the marvelous Trevor and Signe Hasso.

JOHNNY ANGEL (1945) would have a better status today, if it wasn't for its Gangster Theme Title. The Danish Title 'Gold From Casablanca' would have been a far better marketing handle. The film's plot is written well. All three writers, who contributed to the script, are renowned for their work in Film-Noir: Frank Gruber – The Mask of Dimitrios (1944), Charles G. Booth – The House on 92nd Street (1945) & Steve Fisher – Dead Reckoning (1947). The film's Cinematographer Harry J. Wild is also well-known for his great work in the Film-Noirs Murder, My Sweet (1944) & Macao (1952). There are excellent Character Actors who have appeared over the years in several of Humphrey Bogart's Great WWII Adventure/Film Noir Flicks – Claire Trevor - Key Largo (1948), Hoagy Carmichael -To Have and Have Not (1944) & Martin Miller - Dead Reckoning (1947). JOHNNY ANGEL is a Great 'B' that garnered 'A' returns for RKO Radio Pictures, it should be made available on DVD.

Despite its lackluster title, based on a book with an equally unexciting name, "Mr. Angel Comes Aboard," "Johnny Angel" stands out for its dazzling camera-work by Harry J. Wild--too bad it wasn't shot on location in New Orleans, but "The Naked City" was still three years away to popularize filming in the streets of big towns--and for the well-written noir script. The acting is sufficient for the story being told with Claire Trevor as Lilah (as in Delilah) Gustafson making an alluring femme fatale. And who can best Margaret Wycherly as a domineering mother (in this case a domineering nanny)?-with shades of Ma Jarrett already visible. The music by the multi-talented Hoagy Carmichael is added spice, but why "Memphis in June" when the film is about New Orleans? The story is a good one with the elements of mystery and suspense handled just right by director Edwin L. Marin so that too much is not revealed too soon. Seaman Johnny Angel discovers his father's ship deserted with signs of fowl play aplenty. In his mind he knows his father is dead, but why? A mysterious French lady in a green raincoat (Signe Hasso)was seen leaving the ship once it was towed in to harbor at New Orleans. Angel must find this vanishing woman to unlock the door to the enigma and to uncover the ones responsible for the dastardly deed. He works for George 'Gusty' Gustafson, portrayed as a nefarious milksop by Marvin Miller, later of TV's "The Millionaire" fame.Gusty who owns and operates the Gustafson Shipping Company is preoccupied with satisfying his demanding wife, Lilah, no easy task, who also has the hots for Angel. Lilah was a former entertainer at the popular hang-out, "The Jewel Box." When one of the girls at the club states, "I wish I could sing like she could." The bartender replies, "Who said she could sing?"