Honky Tonk (1941) User Reviews

Gable and Turner in the old west

[blanche-2 · 8/10 · 17 August 2006]

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.

Honky Tonk

[Scarecrow-88 · 7/10 · 10 November 2006]

Well acted little western about a smooth talking con man named "Candyman" Johnson(perfectly played by the always dapper and charming Clark Gable who has never been better)who wishes "to take over" a town of his own and finds one in Yellow Creek. He's head-over-heels for Elizabeth(Lana Turner, her beauty is angelic), a Boston girl who is the daughter of a former con man he once knew and now the judge of Yellow Creek(justice of the peace, played by a wonderful Frank Morgan). The Judge is a bad drunk who doesn't like it all that his daughter is so in love with a trickster who has the uncanny ability to never find a way to stay in any town too long. Claire Trevor has a marvelous scene-stealing supporting part(it seems she's always in these parts, owning the scenes she's in)as a former "colleague" of Candy's who is a professional bar girl always working the gambling tables. Marjorie Main has an entertaining supporting role(another character actress who always steals her scenes)as Mrs. Varner, a woman who was to teach Liz about the ways of being a proper woman(cooking and such). Varner often is quite a fixture in town business whose voice is often heard loud over the others. Albert Dekker is Brazos, the corrupt sheriff of Yellow Creek who is automatically the arch nemesis of Candy's when it becomes clear that our con man has worked the town against their current "lawman"(it's stated by one of the townsfolk that Brazos just put the star on one day and began barking orders). Liz wants Candy to change and boozes him up so that when he wakes, he'll find that they are married. The film's melodrama stems from this unusual courtship and the different ways Liz changes instead of Candy. Bottom line is that Candy is intoxicated by Candy and can not resist his charms. What we later find, as corruption seethes within Yellow Creek as Candy is voted in as sheriff when Brazos is dropped like a bad habit, is that Candy's life has changed in that he loves Liz, but his taking from the town certain profits(60% of the town's earnings seem to fall into his pocket and buy lots of nice outfits for Liz and a nice fancy place to live)will soon upend him. And, the drinking judge hates Candy enough he'll try to use documents of the con man's corruption against him as the town grows restless at what their lawman has swindled them out of.

The film starts out really entertaining with great dialogue as Gable works his charm on everyone around him. Seeing Gable work tricks on unsuspected victims like Dekker's Brazos and the townsfolk with fancy words is also a hoot. Eventually, though, the melodrama is laid on a bit thick and the film bogs down towards the end. Still, the film has such an amazing cast with good leads it's hard not to recommend to western fans.

Vintage Gable and youthful Turner in a good romantic western

[johno-21 · 8/10 · 18 May 2006]

This is Clark Gable in his fifth film after Gone With the Wind and pre-World War II when he was at the peak of his Clark Gable screen persona that he best remembered by as the rugged, devil-may-care, reckless, dangerous, sly, witty, conniving, and handsome character that finds trouble and romance equally irresistible. Kind of like the character that Sean Connery portrayed in his early Bond pictures. This is typical Gable matched up with his feminine romantic adversary this time around in a young Lana Turner in their first film together. Turner is absolutely beautiful. He's a con man and gambler in the old west that flees from town to town one step ahead of the law and anyone he's crossed or bamboozled. He and his side kick Chill Wills land in a town where he ends up in love with the Judge daughter. He and the Judge played by Frank Morgan share a common shady past. Gable buys a saloon and ends up taking over the town but there's plenty of trouble always looming while he simultaneously tries to lead the life of a settled down married man. Claire Trevor, Majorie Main and Albert Dekker are among the supporting cast. Harrold Rosson who photographed The Wizzard of Oz and had 5 Academy Award nominations in his long career is the cinematographer with some scenes shot by 4 time Academy Award nominated and long-time Greta Garbo photographer William H. Daniels. Jack Conway who directed Gable in Boomtwon, Too Hot to Handle, Saratoga and The Hucksters as well as directing such notable films as Red Headed Woman, Libeled Lady and A Tale of Two Cities is the film's director. Franz Waxman provides the score. It's a nice blend of drama, romance and comedy and I would give it an 8.5 out of 10.

Still has retained its (western) charm some 80 years later

[Ed-Shullivan · 7/10 · 18 January 2019]

You cannot go wrong watching a 1940's western that stars the charming and macho Clark Gable who plays a huckster named Candy Johnson with two ladies chasing after him. The first lady is the street smart, poker playing barmaid named 'Gold Dust' Nelson (Claire Trevor) and the second lady who still lives at home with her daddy judge Cotton (Frank Morgan) the one and only Grand Wizard from the 1939 classic Wizard of Oz is the Boston born debutante Elizabeth Cotton (Lana Turner).

There is no one in the modern day age of the 1940's cinema that garners more attention, confidence and natural swagger than the smooth talking Clark Gable who could even charm the skin off of a rattlesnake and he certainly lives up to his reputation in Honky Tonk. No doubt, this is a western with gamblers, gunslingers, bar room brawls and high noon shootouts, but it is also a romantic film so there is a little bit of country charm in it as well.

I would recommend Honky Tonk is worth watching at least twice in a lifetime. I give it a solid 7 out of 10 rating.

The Con Man and the Blonde

[dglink · 7/10 · 6 August 2020]

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.

Something Missing

[GManfred · 7 January 2018]

This picture starts out with great promise; A con-man and his sidekick about to get ridden out of a town on a rail, tarred and feathered, but they turn the tables on the angry mob and 'hightail it' out on the next train. In the next town he meets Lana Turner, and the action and narrative come to a screeching halt as the story becomes a sappy love story with the old west as a backdrop.

I say 'sappy', because there is not a note of veracity in what follows, as unlikely and far-fetched a love story as can be imagined. Gable gives it all he's got but Lana Turner was a lightweight as an actress and is no help. They are both hampered by a sappy script designed to pander to 40's audiences but which nowadays is just irritating, right down to the happy (sappy?) ending. OK for Gable fans but pass on this one if you're not.

A potentially very good comedy caper, but a dark pall hangs over it

[SimonJack · 6/10 · 27 June 2022]

"Honky Tonk" is billed as a comedy, crime and drama film. But, why not a Western, for that's what it is? It's a Western film about a couple of con artists. So, I rate it is a caper-comedy Western. It's probably good that it's not also tagged a romance, because what this film also has is more than - or at least quite different from romance. It has a sub-plot of a love story between the two leads -- Candy Johnson, played by Clark Gable, and Elizabeth Cotton, played by Lana Turner. But, hers is a little hard to believe.

The love angle is a little twisted. That Elizabeth falls for Candy so quickly and totally, and is so blinded to what he does, is odd and strange. Oh, she knows him and who and what he is and has been. But that it makes no difference, even after she sees her dad fall apart and then get killed, casts a shadow on this character. Is Elizabeth really a nice, innocent girl to begin with? Or, has she become hardened, calloused and changed, as her dad, Judge Cotton, says? Frank Morgan plays this role, I think, exceptionally well. But Turner's role seems to be more like that of a lovestruck teenager.

If this film had been made and played out as strictly a comedy caper, it could have been very good. But, a pall hangs over it because of those aspects that are considered the drama. Especially the killings. That, and the pathos of the Judge, as someone who loves his daughter and doesn't want her to be connected with the type of life he has lived. The film just pushes him to the side until he's finally taken care of. But, Elizabeth pays so little heed to him.

Gable's role is very good, as one of those in which he is a fast and smooth talker who can turn things around by his gift of gab. All the supporting roles are fairly good, except that Marjorie Main as Mrs. Varner, and Claire Trevor as Gold Dust Nelson are way underused. The screenplay has some obvious holes - between the drama and the cons and the couple. Another is Candy's overnight jump to wealth and success, and then hosting all the political bigwigs. And, while Gable's character seems to square things so that they come out right in the end, the film leaves one with a sense that the plot was too contrived.

And there are two questions at the end. Does he finally settle down and go straight. And, if not, how much longer will Elizabeth endure his ups and downs before her love wears thin?

Here are some favorite lines from this film.

Judge Cotton, "Did this, uh, fellow Candy Johnson bother you, my dear?" Elizabeth Cotton, "Not half as much as I bothered him."

Candy Johnson, "Yes, sir, the more I look around I think that maybe this is that town." The Sniper, "What town?" Candy, "The town that I ain't gonna get run out of."

Gold Dust Nelson, "Hello, Brazos." Brazos Hearn, "Your table's cooling off." Candy Johnson, "How'd you know that guy was behind you?" Gold Dust, "I've had a lot of practice smelling out snakes."

Elizabeth Cotton, "Order me a steak too. Oh, and a bottle of beer." Candy Johnson, "Well, are you sure you'd like our steaks out here? You know, we eat 'em rare and that isn't Boston style." Elizabeth, "My great-grandfather used to eat them raw - on the hoof." Gold Dust Nelson, "He'd have a hard time in Nevada. Our cows wouldn't stand still for it."

Great cast makes it fun!

[Pat-54 · 6/10 · 27 April 1999]

A very predictable script, but the screen team of Clark Gable and Lana Turner cannot be beat! Plus, the supporting cast is first-rate with Majorie Main, Frank Morgan and Claire Trevor.

Totally Unrepentant

[bkoganbing · 10/10 · 18 April 2004]

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.

Not much rattle in its roll

[funkyfry · 6/10 · 24 October 2002]

A good cast makes the best of the standard melodrama they've been pushed into. Turner's in love with rascal Gable, who can't resist her charms either (possibly for no other reason that they're the biggest stars in the movie). Trevor is his slighted lover, who seems to take it all in a spirit of know-how. Given Morgan's corruption in the first part of the film, the actor can't make his second half conversion seem plausible despite his skills. Some fun moments, but largely forgettable MGM product.

Style and grace is sometimes out of place.

[michaelRokeefe · 5/10 · 17 December 2002]

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.

Top notch western!

[perfectbond · 10/10 · 8 November 2003]

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

Evil wins

[snopes-881-42844 · 7/10 · 20 August 2018]

Innocence is corrupted, a leopard cannot change his spots.

She's Cotton, he's Candy, and the rest is just as sticky...

[moonspinner55 · 4/10 · 8 August 2015]

Cocky confidence man--with the fastest, most dishonest hands in the West--escapes a tar and feathering in a small town, only to wind up in a different community running a casino and chasing after the judge's daughter. Clark Gable is so at ease in the leading role that one can sense him coasting on auto-pilot; he invests this wily character with his own personality, which gives the part its only verve (the writing is too staid). Lana Turner can't do much with her role as the girl-who-won't be-had, and she seems too young and inexperienced for Gable anyway (there's no reason why he should take a fancy to her). Supporting players Frank Morgan, Marjorie Main, Claire Trevor and Chill Wills are far more interesting than the leads, yet a later turn to drama throws a wet blanket over the hijinks. The opening scenes are diverting, as is some of the dialogue ("Was that fella botherin' you?" .. "Not as much as I bothered him!"). ** from ****

Cute romantic comedy

[HotToastyRag · 7/10 · 2 February 2020]

Even back in 1941, nice girls fell in love with bad boys. And even back in 1941, movies were made to celebrate this fantasy, showing that if you're incredibly beautiful, persistent, and devious, you can tame the wildest beast. For every girl who's ever loved the bad boy, rent Honky Tonk to live out your fantasy.

Lana Turner, believe it or not, started her career playing good girls, and she's very cute and sweet in this early comedy. Clark Gable plays a wide-smiling, slick con man, who's used to loving and leaving as he moves his way across the Wild West. He meets his match with Lana, who is just as cunning as she is innocent. Clark tries to get her drunk one night, but it's he who drinks too much, and he wakes up in her bedroom with quite a shock. Lana's loving and affectionate, but she's also wearing a gold band on her finger!

This one's cute and harmless, so don't expect it to be the great emotional movie of the decade. It's a little romantic comedy with a pretty girl and one of the biggest box office draws of the silver screen. Still, for fans of the woman-behind-the-man theory, you'll probably want to rent it.

Gable and Turner--what more could you want?!

[planktonrules · 8/10 · 18 March 2006]

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.

Nine Little Toilers ...

[writers_reign · 5/10 · 20 January 2016]

... and they still can't turn out a decent script. It's not surprising that the majority of writers (and there were nine in total) remain uncredited. I suspect they asked to be disassociated with this turkey rather than being bounced. On paper it has legs, Gable and Turner in the lead, Frank Morgan, Albert Dekker, Claire Trevor and Chill Wills holding their coats, but in practice it's a serious disappointment. If it took nine brains to come up with the idea of one man wanting it all in the wake of a modest success it clearly needed nine directors to make it palatable and all we get is one journeyman, Jack Conway, not even a second-rate Woody Van Dyke. On balance its best forgotten.

Pretty sexy stuff

[pitcairn89 · 9/10 · 4 December 2010]

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.

A Con Man with a Notorious Reputation with the Ladies

[Uriah43 · 5/10 · 11 October 2018]

This film begins with two con men by the names of "Candy Johnson" (Clark Gable) and "The Sniper" (Chill Wills) fleeing from a town where they were about to be tarred and feathered and jumping on a passing train before finally arriving at the town of Yellow Creek, Nevada. While on the train Candy happens to meet a young woman named "Elizabeth Cotton" (Lana Turner) and takes an immediate interest in her. It's only later that he discovers that she is the daughter of a former colleague by the name of "Judge Cotton" (Frank Morgan) who would prefer that his past indiscretions not be revealed. At the same time, however, he is equally insistent that Elizabeth not become too acquainted with Candy because of his notorious reputation with the ladies. Unfortunately, as Candy manages to swindle his way into becoming more rich and powerful this proves to be even more difficult. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that this was an okay film based primarily on the acting abilities of Clark Gable, Lana Turner and Claire Trevor (as "Gold Dust Nelson"). While it's not a great film by any means I suppose it's good enough for a rainy day and for that reason I have rated it accordingly. Average.

10/10

[tacobellinmexico · 10/10 · 14 August 2021]

"Candy" Johnson, a big Wild West scammer, decides to find a town where he could become a big boss. To achieve this, he will have to hide his true identity and not just pretend to be an honest man, but lead the fight against the corrupt sheriff. Nobody in town realizes that the anti-corruption hero is himself a bigger crook. And there's only one person who is stronger than Johnson: a girl he's in love with.

Lana's Gone With the Wind

[miss_meli · 9/10 · 19 January 2010]

...Lana like every other actress was up for the role of Scarlett O'Hara, but the role was not meant for her. The role of Elizabeth Cotton was however. The role of Elizabeth Cotton gives Lana an opportunity to play Scarlett O Hara in a role tailor made for her. There are many similarities between the characters, but more differences than similarities. Truth be told this is really Clark Gable's film. The film gives Clark an extended version of Rhett Butler as Candy Johnson. In fact one can almost picture Rhett Butler going from telling Scarlett O'Hara that he doesn't give a damn to changing his name, becoming Candy Johnson and falling for Elizabeth Cotton on the train. The story is no classic but it sure is fun to watch and cannot be remade today. It needs this cast, its leads and its supporting cast as well; Frank Morgan as Lana's dad, Majorie Main, and of course Gable's sidekick Chill Wills. 6.5 is too low for this film as it's very entertaining.

Lana and Gable Together in Top Form

[JLRMovieReviews · 8/10 · 19 January 2011]

The first of four screen pairings of Clark Gable and Lana Turner has Gable as Candy Johnson, a con artist/card shark who's been run out of one too many towns, with his partner in crime Chill Wills, due to their shady dealings and swindling the "suckers," as he calls them. He decides he wants to find one place and stay there, and go honest, at least partly. The next place down the line on the train is Yellow Creek, Nevada. On the way, he meets Lana, a sweet, pretty young thing, who's going to stay with her father. They of course instantly start making sparks, him coming on to her and Lana trying her best to not let on she likes him. In town, he finds he knows her father, the respected judge, played by Frank Morgan, who really isn't really honest, but is a drunk crook, to put it bluntly, and who puts up a front of respectability and in turn collects taxes and fees and uses them for his own habits. It turns out Candy and the judge go way back, but Lana never knew her father was anything but a good fellow. Claire Trevor is great as a saloon girl/poker dealer, who also knew Candy from the past and who is still harboring a yen for him. And, of course, there's a jerk, who's abusing the position of Sheriff, played by Albert Dekker. Have I got you in the mood for a good, old-fashioned western? Well, you can find it here, but up to a point. Most of the appeal of this is of course Gable and Turner together and their fireworks, with some fast-talking quips by Gable, such as when trying to kiss her, "Why don't you jump in and get wet all over? You'll feel better." and also by costar Marjorie Main, who was Ma Kettle. But after the first hour or so, the novelty wears off and and the melodramatics take over and there's too much talking and not enough action. "Honky Tonk" may be the most known and liked of their movies together, but it's far from perfect. I'd rather give this a 7.5, but I will round up for Gable being in top form and in his element as fast-talking Candy Johnson and for Lana Turner, who never looked more sweet and flirtatious than she does here.

I cried I clapped and this Movie is so underated Said this filmmaker

[songwritr · 10/10 · 10 August 2021]

If you listen to the negative reviews you muight believe Trump won the election too... This is a great great Movie ...You can believe them or you can believe this director actor maker of 3 feature films...Im no con man but thhe negative reviews might be The last time I cried and clapped on a movie and Ibve seen many many was NEVER and Im not a big Cable Fanatic...and this is only the first time I saw a Lana Turner movie that I can remember (might have saw pieces of others) I kept thinking aboyut thre trajic real life things I read about Turner and also the interrsting way I heard she was discovered... I only saw a few glimpses of her older movies I think couldnt name 1 . And wow what a beauty she was in this one I see now why all the Hype cant wait to see another WHAT A MOVIE WHAT CHEMISTY!! WHAT AREAL LOVE STORY.

This film was made as a user's manual . . .

[oscaralbert · 8/10 · 6 December 2018]

. . . to instruct future generations of Pachyderm Party members how to run their "family businesses" (that is, various American governments, large and small). HONKY TONK teaches youth of the elephantine persuasion how to think of U.S. Citizens: As so many "suckers." Though "Candy and Liz" settle for a "60% for us, 40% for the suckers" split of Public Tax Receipts, they do allow for periodic adjustments of this "revenue sharing" formula (which have collectively changed the ratio to 90% for Them, 10% for We Little People consuming the leftover crumbs, with the current Pachyderm Junta's latest "reverse Robin Hood" tax cut for the Rich). HONKY TONK reveals that the Elephant in our room will cram its trunk into our churches, schools, and family planning clinics. Even though Liz appears to have the Wizard of Oz on her side, he's eventually forced to concede that there's nothing in his little black bag for her, and Yellow Creek's obstetrician seconds that motion. Candy proves to be a master of voter suppression and using lame ducks to downsize the powers of any position for which The People vote Pachyderms out of office, something that Today's elephantine HONKY TONK sore losers are doing to us suckers all across America!

This cotton candy, with a swig of brandy, is so dandy

[estherwalker-34710 · 8/10 · 10 August 2022]

Recently, I saw the Errol Flynn western: "Silver River", released a few years after this western. I was struck by the basic similarities in their screen plays. If you liked the present film, you might want to check out that film. Both are available, free, at YouTube.

Here, Clark Gable plays a classic con man named Jeramiah 'Candy' Johnson, who is floored when he sees the beautiful young blonde Elizabeth Cotton(Lana Turner) traveling alone on a train, all the way from Boston to the small western Nevada town of Yellow Creek(which actually exists), to visit her father: Judge Cotton(Frank Morgan, formerly The Wizard of Oz). Seems to me she should have been the one called Candy: eye candy, that is, and he should have been the one called cotton: cotton mouth, that is, for he was a snake that bit you, if he could. .......She dropped her handkerchief after he gave her 'the eye', and she back to him. But after retrieving the dainty, she treated him with disdain for some time, to see if he would be scared off. He wasn't.

MGM was trying to develop Lana as a potential replacement for the untimely deceased Jean Harlow, as their premier blonde bombshell. The 20yo had costarred in a couple of films, but this was to be her first big test. At first , Gable wasn't impressed, as she was terribly nervous saying dialogue with him, in a test. However, he was able to settle her down, and they came across as a believable pair, despite the 20 year age gap. In fact, this was MGM's highest grossing film of the year(1941).

Gable is in his supercocky mode through most of the film, with his frequent trademark smirk. Lana is suitably demure, yet defensive, for a Boston debutant(in the film). After a period of fighting off Candy's come-ons, she finally decides that this apparent bad boy is worth taking a chance on. Just before her father was about to send her back to Boston, she gets Candy drunk, then arranges a marriage ceremony. In the morning, Candy doesn't remember anything about it, but she coyly hints at what happened. Probably, he could have annulled it, given his state of mind, but he stuck with it.

Candy, along with his sidekick, played by Chill Wills, arrived at Yellow Creek with the ambition that he would gradually extend his influence until he became 'the town boss'. To accomplish, he planned on building a saloon to outdo that of the current 'town boss': Brazos(Albert Decker), who owned the only saloon in town and had appointed himself sheriff. Strangely, we never see the outside or inside of Candy's saloon! Candy needs to think up a scheme to finance his saloon. So, he traps Brazos into an apparent Russian Roulette contest. Candy supposedly is shown putting a bullet into an empty six-shooter. Then, he and Brazos take turns pointing the gun at their head while pulling the trigger. Finally, there are only 2 chambers left to test. Brazos loses his nerve and agrees to Candy's demand that he be given $5000 by Brazos to skip Brazos's turn. When Candy points the gun at his head and pulls the trigger, nothing happens. When he does the same with the last chamber, nothing happens. By slight of hand, he had avoided putting a bullet in the gun! ........ To ingratiate the populace, he gives a portion of his reward toward building a church. He discovers that Brazos merely appointed himself sheriff. He suggests an election, with himself as the chief candidate, and wins. Later, he would use tax dollars to build a school, and buy a fire engine, to mollify rumors that he was skimming tax dollars for his own use, especially toward building a mansion, to suitably impress Lana, and host lavish dinner parties, once even including the governor.

When Lana's father learns that she tricked Candy into marrying her, he is furious, having known Candy at times in the past. He makes it his business to learn as many of Candy's illegal doings as possible, and blab them in public. Candy finally puts him on a train for elsewhere, but he outsmarts Candy and doubles back, where he is promptly gunned down by one of Candy's gang. When Lana learns of this, she falls from her buggy, and is taken to her house, where it is learned that she had lost her pregnancy and was in serious medical trouble. Candy is inconsolable and threatens the doctor if he doesn't succeed in saving Lana.

Meanwhile, Candy's gang(why does he need so many?), is now barricaded in town hall, with the citizenry outside, with firearms. Candy enters town hall(why not shot by the citizenry?), and finds that Brazos, who had joined his gang, is now regarded as their leader. Brazos points a gun at Candy and does some talking. But, Candy outmaneuvers him and shoots him dead. Candy tells his gang that the state militia is on their way to help the citizenry, which causes them to flee out the back door. Candy makes his way through the citizenry(again, why isn't he shot), picks up sidekick Wills, and gets on the train for Cheyenne, without checking on Lana. Later, Wills writes to Lana, telling her where they are. Candy is very surprised when she shows up. "I know you didn't come to reform me. You're just crazy about me, the way I am" "Yes, Candyman". The End.

This was the first of 4 films pairing Gable and Lana. However, the other 3 relate to WWII, not the old West. Lana would be married 7 times, but spent her last 23 years without a spouse. This doesn't include her infamous lethal incident with boyfriend gangster Johhny Stompanato, in 1958. ........ Gable's then wife: Carole Lombard, knew he had a weakness for blondes, hence was on the lookout for any hint of an affair between Lana and Gable. There were rumors, of course, but Lana and Gable consistently denied such affairs during this or their subsequent films together. Carole died in a plane crash during the making of their second film together, the next year.

Before signing off, I should mention the periodic appearance of 2 well-known actresses I haven't mentioned. Marjorie Main served as the landlord of the house where Lana and the Judge were renting an apartment, and also as the spokesperson at the town meeting where the Judge was shot. Claire Trevor served as a saloon entertainer and old friend of Candy, who periodically socialized with Candy, and helped when Lana was badly injured.