When an employee at an illegal gambling den dies suspiciously, her sister, Nancy, looks into the situation and falls for Johnny O'Clock, a suave partner in the underground casino. Selfish and non-committal by nature, Johnny slowly begins to return Nancy's affection and decides to run away with her, but conflict within his business threatens their plans. As Johnny tries to distance himself from the casino, his shady past comes back to haunt him.
Acting
Dick Powell's world-weary charm carries every scene.
Direction
Rossen crafts claustrophobic tension in cramped casino spaces.
Cinematography
Gorgeous shadows that swallow characters whole.
Director
Robert Rossen
Dick Powell
Johnny O'Clock
Evelyn Keyes
Nancy Hobson
Lee J. Cobb
Inspector Koch
Ellen Drew
Nelle Marchettis
Nina Foch
Harriet Hobson
Thomas Gomez
Pete Marchettis
John Kellogg
Charlie
Jim Bannon
Chuck Blayden
Mabel Paige
Slatternly Woman Tenant
Phil Brown
Phil, Hotel Clerk
Fred Aldrich
Hotel Doorman
Brooks Benedict
Card Player
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Robert Rossen wrote this while blacklisted; his leftist politics lurk in the systemic corruption themes.
Dick Powell reinvented himself here—former crooner playing world-weary cynics became his post-war brand.
US
