So I’m starting to dive into Lana Turner’s films in preparation for a book I’m writing, so I thought that the It’s in the Name of the Title Blogathon was the perfect opportunity to grab Johnny Eager, featuring Lana and Robert Taylor. This was my first experience with Robert, and I have to say, I want MORE. He was so great in this playing the gangster tortured by love (more on how he was tortured by love in real life during filming a bit later).
I also loved Lana in this. I did not know what I was missing and I’m excited to dive into her career more.
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Synopsis
The movie opens with a supposed reformed gangster named Johnny Eager (Taylor) who is now on parole and working as a taxi driver. He meets a couple of sociology students, one of whom is Liz Bard (Lana). She’s immediately taken by him, and when she encounters him in a precarious position, she fully falls for him and the two start a relationship.
We soon learn though, although she’s in love with him, he seems to be fighting his love for her and instead uses her by making her think she killed his attacker and Johnny helped cover it up. He does this to gain control of her father so he can open up his new dog racing track and get rich. What he doesn’t expect is that Liz falls apart after thinking she killed someone. When he finally comes to visit her a few days later, she’s a wreck and tells him that once he’s no longer in danger of being prosecuted, that she’s going to go to the police and confess everything because she can’t live with what she’s done, but is so in love with him that she doesn’t want to jeopardize anything for him either.
He finally admits that he’s in love with her and decides to bring the supposed dead man, who is very much alive, to her and prove to her that she didn’t do anything wrong. The gangster redeems himself in the end, but
**SPOILER**
There is no happy ending for our starcrossed lovers.
The Players
Lana Turner
I really enoyed Lana in this movie. Her character arc was convincing as she was first the woman in love and then the one losing her mind. She acted this out very well, and it was impressive to watch.
Robert Taylor
As I mentioned, this is my first experience with Robert and he did not disappoint. I was to seek out more of his films because of this movie. He’s the gangster that you want to hate (and do), but then for him to fall so in love with Liz that he gives it all up for her just pulls at your heartstrings.
Van Heflin
Van is BRILLIANT in this. There is a reason he won an Oscar for his performance as Johnny’s friend Jeff. He has some of the best lines, plays being drunk super well, and is a refreshing foil to Johnny. He’s really the only friend that Johnny has and is determined to stick by him even when Johnny screws up or treats him poorly.
Background Trivia
The Affair!
So the biggest scandal of this film is the affair between Lana and Robert. While affairs in classic Hollywood were not uncommon, Robert wanted to leave his wife Barbara Stanwyck for Lana at the time. Barbara apparently “injured” her wrist over the whole ordeal, so Lana decided to break it off, insisiting that she was not in love with him like he was with her.
What if…?
Lana and Robert had gotten married..
So even though Robert wanted to leave, Lana breaking it off actually kept him and Barbara together for another 10 years before they got divorced. He only married once more and Barbara never married again. I wonder what would have happened if Lana and Robert had gotten married. Would it have lasted? Could she have avoided the whole situation with the real life gangster, also named Johnny?
If you like alternative history or biographical/historical fiction, I write that as well under the pen name Dottie Fray.
If you choose to buy this film, I may earn a commission as an Amazon affiliate, check out the DVD!
This article was originally posted for the It’s in the Name of the Title Blogathon, check out all the entries!
Loved reading this, I just reviewed her film with Sean Connery in Another Time, Another Place.. recommend it for the behind the scenes story and a film where you will need tissues. Thanks for this review and the interesting back story and looking forward to your book (s) too!
This is one I have read about but never seen. Now I must! Have always been a big Lana Turner fan…she really was a fine actress as well as great beauty. And need to see Heflin’s award-winning performance – he is great in everything!
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I absolutely love Van Heflin’s performance in this film. Like you said, he won an Oscar for a reason. I haven’t seen this one for years – time to see it again!
Hi again! I wanted to sign up for the Bing & Bob Blogathon, but comments on that page are closed. Is it too late to sign up?
They are?? I didn’t even know you could do that. I’ll see what’s wrong with it.
Yes, it’s still open! What would you like to write about?
Thank you for letting me know! Buried in my settings it had it checked to close them after 28 days. That’s a dumb setting lol. It’s open now. Sorry about that! And again, thank you!
Reading your excellent review of Johnny Eager makes me realize I haven’t seen enough Lana Turner films! Thank you for putting this one on my radar and good luck with the book!
I have never seen this film and after I read your review, I must! Taylor, Turner, and Heflin? I am in! xox
I’m a big Johnny Eager fan, and love everybody’s performance in this film. Van Heflin is a standout, of course — you’re so right about him deserving that Oscar — but I’m especially fascinated by Patricia Dane, who played Garnet. I thought she did a great job with a small part. Enjoyed your write-up — and best of luck on your book!
— Karen
I saw the trailer for this but haven’t seen the film. Lana Turner and Robert Taylor would be such a great onscreen couple, so this looks like it might be a good one. Thanks again for joining the blogathon!
Great review Kristen, I must admit I had never heard of that film before! If I remember correctly, Robert Taylor was my grandmother’s favourite actor (she found him very handsome anyway haha). I really haven’t seen many of his movies, but I loved The Broadway Melody of 1936 and Waterloo Bridge (he has a wonderful chemistry with Vivien Leigh in it), so I definitely recommend them. Otherwise, I’m not the biggest Lana Turner’s fan, but I also need to see more of her films. This one sounds like a great option!
By the way, I have nominated you and your lovely blog for a Sunshine Blogger Awards! Congratulations 🙂 https://thewonderfulworldofcinema.wordpress.com/2024/07/03/a-fourth-sunshine-blogger-award-for-the-wonderful-world-of-cinema/