1942, is playing on Turner Classic Movies on Friday, September 7 at 10:15 a.m. est. This is one of Mr. Taylor’s best. Don’t miss it.
Directed by Mervyn LeRoy. Cast: Robert Taylor, Lana Turner, Edward Arnold, Van Heflin, Robert Sterling, Patricia Dane, Glenda Farrell, Barry Nelson. Slick MGM melodrama with convoluted plot about sociology student (and daughter of D.A. Arnold) Turner falling in love with unscrupulous racketeer Taylor. Heflin won Best Supporting Actor Oscar as Taylor’s alcoholic friend.(TCM)
Having only been familiar with Robert Taylor’s body of forgettable [humpf!] work from the thirties (The Broadway Melodies, Camille, etc), seeing him in the title role of Johnny Eager was stunning. Tom Hanks’s 180 degree turn from silly comedies to Philadelphia might be a modern day equivalent. Taylor steps into a role that would seem tailor made for Bogart, Cagney or Robinson, and does an arguably better job than any of them could have. Yes, Lana Turner is present, and yes, Van Heflin won a supporting Oscar, but Taylor owns this film.
Johnny Eager is one of the best films of the 40s, as well as one of the all time greats.
(Taken from a review by Justin Behnke on the IMDB).
Some behind the scenes photos:
Thanks for the heads up!! I hate it when I miss any Robert Taylor film – especially this one.
Pouty Lana Turner is annoying (imo), but Robert Taylor and Van Heflin are great. I wish those two could’ve made a series of “buddy pictures”!
Sounds odd, and many (most) would disagree, but I think the Robert/Van friendship was more interesting in the film than the Robert/Lana romance. Those two guys could’ve just palled around having criminal adventures and I would have been happy. Then again, I’m a woman who has a bit of a crush on both actors. 🤣🤣🤣
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Thanks so much for the reminder of a movie I loved.Would have missed it if not for you! You’re the best! susan
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Thanks so much, Susan.
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Uou’re so welcome, Susan. Judith
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I love love love Robert Taylor and all his movies. I also love love Dale Robertson and William Holden. Maybe you can show more of their movies. Thank you!
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I’m afraid I only do Mr. Taylor. I suspect that you can find information and photos of Messrs. Robertson and Holden online. Judith
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