User reviews

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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

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 ****

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.

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.

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 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.

"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 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.

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.

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.

Movie goers marvel how married Hollywood couples can sustain a tight, happy relationship when their spouses perform romantic love making scenes with others of the opposite sex. The reality is there can be intense jealousies bubbling just below the surface. Such was the situation when Clark Gable and Lana Turner were filmed in a torrid love scene in October 1941' "Honky Tonk," the year's second highest box office hit.

Carole Lombard, wife to Gable since the spring of 1939, knew of her husband's affinity with blondes. Her inability to bear children heightened her jealousies whenever Gable was matched with blonde actresses on the set. Lana Turner, 20, twenty years Clark's junior and a known party girl, was the perfect foil in Carole's marriage. Before filming began for "Honky Tonk," Lombard marched into MGM boss Louis Mayer's office and told him to inform Ms. Turner to lay off Gable if any romantic sparks happened to arise. In her autobiography, Turner claimed "I doubt that Carole believed the rampant press speculations about 'fireworks' on the set between the two 'powerful sex symbols' Gable and I were supposed to be." Lombard read the script to "Honky Tonk" and was aware of one particularly steamy bedroom scene between the two. She arrived at the MGM studio to observe the filming that day. Turner wrote, "One day I was playing a scene with Clark, and when I turned to look toward Jack Conway, the director, what I saw instead was the beautiful face of Mrs. Gable. Why, I'm not sure, but my knees went watery and I became so flustered that I excused myself and fled to my dressing trailer. I stayed there, trying to collect myself, until a knock came on the door. 'They're ready to shoot, Miss Turner,' a voice said. When I peeked out, there was no sign of Carole Lombard. I assume that Gable must have asked her to leave, saying that the kid was nervous. When I apologized to him, pretending that I'd forgotten something and had to run to the trailer for it, that famous smile lit up his face. He said simply, 'I understand.'" "Honky Tonk" became the first of four pictures between Gable and Turner. The MGM publicity machine was in full press mode when promoting the film, with ads blaring "Clark Gable kisses Lana Turner and it's screen history" and "Let's be specific, they're terrific." There's much speculation Lombard was anxious to return to Los Angeles to check on the two after she attended a war bond rally in her home state of Indiana in January 1942 when Turner and Gable were again paired in their second film "Somewhere I'll Find You." Lombard chose to quickly fly home to California rather than take a lumbering train, ending in a fatal plane crash outside Las Vegas on a refueling stopover.

Lombard's jealousy was ironic since the Turner and Gable got off to a rocky start three years earlier when she auditioned with the actor in a screen test. "She couldn't read lines," Gable recalled of the 17-year-older. "She didn't make them mean anything; it was obvious she was an amateur." Between that time and the making of "Honky Tonk," MGM groomed Lana as the next Jean Harlow and as a replacement for 'box office poison' Joan Crawford. After 1941's musical hit "Ziegfeld Girl," Turner impressed MGM so much the studio assigned her opposite Gable in the big-scale production "Honky Tonk" alongside Frank Morgan as her father Judge Cotton, and Clair Trevor as 'Gold Dust' Nelson. Gable witnessed the upward trajectory in Turner's career and sent her a bouquet of flowers on the first day of the shoot, with a note reminding her of his earlier public comments, "I'm the world's worst talent scout, Clark." Turner plays Elizabeth Cotton, who at first considers 'Candy" Johnson (Gable) as a polecat who's out to shake the last dollar of everyone he meets. Her father the judge is as crooked as they come and is good friends with Candy. She eventually warms up to him, they get married, and through his shady deals is able to provide her with riches she only could dream. The town's citizens rebel at his practices, but through his skillful rhetoric, Candy is able to achieve something practically unimaginable. Meanwhile, Elizabeth's on death door after a miscarriage, setting up for one heck of an emotional bang-up scene.

Film reviewer Derek Winnert noted director Jack Conway "ensures that there is enough easy-going action, adventure, romance and kisses to please the fans of both stars. Gable and Turner are a very effective team, with plenty of sizzling chemistry." "Honky Tonk" was remade into a 1974 made-for-TV movie with Richard Crenna, Will Meer, and Margo Kidder.