Honky Tonk

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.

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

This is a slick MGM western that pulls out all the stops. It combines the finest actors and supporting actors, excellent production values and excellent writing to make a very enjoyable picture. I'm sure that some might be put off by the style of film, as it's pretty predictable and breaks no particular new ground. However, to audiences who were paying to see a "Clark Gable Picture", they were getting exactly what they paid for--the King of Hollywood in all his macho-ness combined with the radiant Ms. Turner in an involving western about professional gambler Gable and his desire to make a fortune any way he can to initially please his new wife, but forgetting WHY over the course of the film. It's all you'd expect from a top-notch studio with top-notch stars.

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.

Clark Gable is a rogue trying to go straight, and Lana Turner is his wife in "Honky Tonk," a western from MGM that also stars Claire Trevor, Frank Morgan, and Marjorie Main.

Gable is Candy Johnson, who blows into town, and after he wins $5,000, opens his own gambling establishment. He meets Elizabeth (Turner), whose father (Morgan) is an old crook with a respectable front as a judge. After he and Elizabeth get married, Candy gets a taste of power and starts trying to take over the town. All his efforts initially were for his bride, but his intentions get away from him.

The two stars really make this film. Turner and Gable have great chemistry, as they proved in other films together (this was their first). Gable is in his Rhett Butler phase and is at his handsomest and most charming in this pre-war era - clever, tough, sexy, and soft-hearted.

The very young Turner is a good match for him - she seems overwhelmed by Candy at first, but she's got her own toughness, too, and knows what she wants. Claire Trevor is Candy's ex-girlfriend, and she's excellent as a woman who knows all there is to know about Candy and has been around the block a few times herself.

"Honky Tonk" is a big MGM picture with wonderful stars and first-class production values. The script isn't the greatest, but you'll hardly notice.