Honky Tonk

I can't add much to what has already been written about this film, except a couple of observations. One is that I am surprised by how sexy the dialogue is, and some of the situations. Parts of it play almost like a Pre-Code film. For example, when Lana wakes up the morning after "clinching" her marriage to Gable, she is in a double bed. She looks over at his side of the bed, and sees just his pillow there, as he has already gotten up. He soon comes into the room, and the story continues. What is amazing, for the post-Code year of 1941, is that they obviously slept in the same bed. As everyone knows, from 1934 until the 1960s, married couples were always limited to twin beds. Or I thought they were. I wonder how many other films got away with this? Perhaps because it is an "historical" story, the censors excused it. There are some other scenes in the film that also push the 1941 envelope- some subtle, some pretty obvious.

I agree with the others posters who point out the great chemistry between Gable and Turner. They played well in all their films together. Gable is at his height here as "Gable." The amusing, macho character everyone always remembers. Mostly by way of Rhett Butler. This was pretty much his film persona at the time. It's interesting when you watch his early '30s films, when he had a perhaps wider range of parts. He often played sensitive, educated men in those films (after his initial period playing gangsters). Doctors, a minister, flyers, an Italian soldier, Fletcher Christian, etc. I kind of wish he had played more of those types later in his career. But the public seemed to prefer him as endearing rascals.

Among a group of great character actors, Marjorie Main is the standout, for me. I love all her snide comments and zingers, which are always on the mark. She was one of those supporting actors who could steal a scene from just about anyone. And she often acted as kind of a Greek chorus, summing up the goings on. You can't help but think of Ma Kettle, as they are similar types.

Anyway, this is a pretty enjoyable film. Gable at his peak, Turner on her way up, and MGM at its zenith. And some racy dialogue, to boot.

This romantic western is often overlooked. This is the first Clark Gable and Lana Turner tandem. Turner is a Boston maiden who finds herself out west and falling in love with a gambling ne're do well(Gable). Gable half heartedly wants to start living respectable; but after buying a saloon with gambling winnings, he gets the hankering to run the whole town. It is not easy to walk the straight and narrow especially with an old flame(Claire Trevor)in the mix. In spite of good intentions, this drama grows stale. Very good support from Marjorie Main, Frank Morgan, Chill Wills, Lew Harvey and Albert Dekker. Gable is Gable and Turner is drop dead beautiful...the sizzle caused by the two may be just cause to watch.

I can't believe the relatively low score for this movie! It is unfathomable to me. I don't usually gush about movies but I enjoyed this film immensely. Dashing Clark Gable and glamorous Lana Turner have terrific chemistry and their witty (and later amorous) exchanges were pure enjoyment to behold. The supporting cast is also excellent. The sharply written screenplay is a perfect balance of romance, drama, action, and even comedy such as when Candy smooth talks his way through jams) that is executed with such aplomb and zest that I was on cloud nine after watching this film. This is not only one of my favorite westerns but also one of my favorite films period. It's a shame it isn't as much in the public consciousness as it deserves to be. Highest recommendation! 10/10

MY absolute all time favorite Clark Gable movie is Honky Tonk. Gable's Candy Johnson is more perfect characterization for him than Rhett Butler was. This movie is in the pinnacle of Gable's career between Gone With The Wind and Carole Lombard's death.

Gable and Chill Wills are a pair old West con men who we first see actually conning their way out of a tar and feathering. They sneak aboard a train and Gable meets Lana Turner who he falls head over heels for. He soon finds out she's the daughter of a fellow grifter, Frank Morgan, who's the justice of the peace of the town they've arrived at. And the fun starts.

Lana Turner in the beginning of her career had a certain winsomeness that was very effective on the screen. You can see the same thing in another of her films with Gable, Homecoming. Supposedly Gable and she had a fling during this film and this was when Gable had that storybook marriage to Carole Lombard.

Gable and Turner get great support her with a cast that includes Frank Morgan, Chill Wills, Marjorie Main, Henry O'Neill, Claire Trevor, and Albert Dekker. The film begins with a con and actually ends with one as Gable cons the bad guys into giving up, I won't reveal how.

Finally I like this film because even though he gets the girl and even might be settling down, Gable is totally unrepentant about his past. Very unusual for 1941 Hollywood.

Fast talking conman "Candy" Johnson is a kissing cousin to a Rhett Butler without card tricks; oozing charm that disarms men and women alike, Candy arrives in the Western town of Yellow Creek and, through corruption, rises to the top both politically and economically. Made only two years after "Gone with the Wind," "Honky Tonk" has some echoes of the Selznick epic woven into its melodramatic scenario. However, the primary throwback to the Civil War epic is Clark Gable, who not only looks exactly as he did as Butler, but his performance closely tracks the earlier iconic role as well. Cocky and flashing his trademark grin, Gable flirts, cons, and shoots with the best, aided and abetted by Chill Wills as his bewhiskered side-kick, "The Sniper."

The twenty-year age difference between Gable and the film's female lead, Lana Turner, passes without remark, because Gable's charms are understandably ageless. At age 20, Turner is already glamorous and incandescent with her bleached blonde hair and pale flawless skin, which glow in Harold Rosson's crisp black-and-white camera-work. Beyond Wills, the other supporting players are skilled veterans. Sharp and tough, Claire Trevor is always fascinating to watch, and she provides romantic rivalry for Turner and gal-pal friendship for Gable. Frank Morgan as Turner's alcoholic father and Albert Dekker as Gable's rival for power are effective, and Marjorie Main supplies the needed light moments. All told, the stars and cast are the film's primary assets.

Directed by Jack Conway, "Honky Tonk" is a predictable, but entertaining star vehicle for Gable and a showcase for emerging star Lana Turner. As such, fans of Turner will be entranced, while Gable's followers will consider the film essential viewing.