Customer Reviews

Johnny One Eye [VHS]

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The first thing I did after watching this movie was log onto Amazon and buy a copy of Guys and Dolls: The Stories of Damon Runyon. The plot to this flick (based on a Runyon short story of the same name) is an absolute killer: An ex-hood, long since "gone respectable," is set up by his former partner to take the rap for a killing he was involved in many years ago. Mortally wounded in a shootout but still bent on revenge, he hides out in an abandoned building. There he meets and befriends an injured dog whom he names Johnny One-Eye. Don'cha just love it already?

Made in 1950, this is a next-to-no-budget film noir starring Pat O'Brien and Wayne Morris. It's such an "unknown" that it didn't even make it into the book "Death on the Cheap: The Lost B Movies of Film Noir". In addition to the terrific story, it has some striking, classically noir visuals, especially in the final scenes.

Unfortunately, those plusses are accompanied by some powerful negatives. The DVD comes from Alpha Video, known for releasing low-budget public domain films on low-budget DVDs. With no enhancements or restoration to the video or audio, the quality of Alpha Video releases is often in the "barely-watchable" range. This transfer comes from a pretty terrible film print, with a constant hiss in the soundtrack, multiple splices, a mystifying profusion of "flashes" at the end of each film reel, and a severe fuzziness throughout. Even the digitization process went badly in some places, resulting in blocky artifacts appearing now and then. The film also shows the constraints of its original budget. It was obviously shot quickly and with little attention to detail. Far too much screen time is given to an 8 year old girl whose acting abilities are -- well -- let's just say not much worse than those of the average 8 year old girl.

On balance, it's an interesting piece, and well worth checking out for any fan of film noir. I say "well worth" considering that it can be bought for a pittance, especially if you get one of the "used & new" copies. You won't find MY copy for sale though; I'm hanging onto it.

Great little film. O'Brien is slumming like crazy in this below-zero-budget noir, but he delivers the goods like the true professional he was. And he's well-paired with Wayne Morris as crime partners who've had a falling out. The film's a little lacking in action, but compensates with some nice visuals and a pervasive mood of quiet desperation that infects several of the characters. My favorite aspect is the relationship between O'Brien and the little dog that's been literally kicked to the curb by the craven Morris. O'Brien: "Yeah, I'll call you Johnny. Johnny One-Eye." Great name for a pet. That's like calling your dog "Sammy Two Legs" or "Freddie Fat Ass." Hilarious. The only way it could have been better is if O'Brien had used the little girl as a shield during his climactic shootout with Morris. I'd love to have seen hot lead rip into that annoying, scrunched-up face. Maybe the worst child actress ever. The dog playing Johnny displays a greater emotional range. The visual quality on this Alpha DVD is sub-par, but doesn't detract too much from the many pleasures to be had from spending 77 minutes with the grizzled O'Brien and the faithful Johnny One-Eye.

Johnny One-Eye, 1950 film

The film begins in New York city on a foggy Sunday morning. The Dutchman hops onto a ferry boat just as it leaves the slip. Two men have other plans. Ambrose has a message for Martin. Martin hired four girls to entertain his guests. Martin leaves via a private exit to meet a friend. Can he buy his way out? The DA wants a big win to become Governor. Corey backs a show for his girlfriend. Martin meets Corey outside, there are shots. [A sign advertises Ruppert beer.] Martin, wounded, walks away. There is a reward out for him. Is Corey mean to Elsie's dog? [Symbolism?] Elsie finds Skipper , and returns home. [They have an early model TV console.]

Corey talks to Ambrose about locating Martin. Elsie asks about Santa Claus. Martin takes Skipper to a veterinarian for help, and gets help. Ambrose meets Martin and introduces him to his friend Francis. There is a surprise. [Remember DeSoto cabs?] His lawyer gives Martin advice. Is his wound infected? Can Elsie deliver a message? The tempo picks up. "Don't make a sound." Corey finds Martin and shots are fired. The police arrive and get Martin's sentimental statement before the end.

There is a lot of sentiment covering what would be a run-of-the-mill gangster drama. They don't talk about their racket, you can assume its gambling.

Adapted from the Damon Runyon tale and directed by Robert Florey, JOHNNY ONE-EYE is the nickname that a racketeer in-hiding gives to a dog named Skipper.

SYNOPSIS--
After an arranged meeting with his former partner/turned informant ends in gunfire and his wounding, gangster Martin Martin (O'Brien) takes refuge in an abandoned Greenwich Village building right next to the one where his ex-pal Dane Cory (Morris) is living with girlfriend/burlesque star Lily White (Moran), her 6-year-old daughter Elsie (Reed) and the girl's dog, Skipper.

The evil-hearted Cory kicks Skipper and the badly injured dog seeks shelter with Martin. A veterinarian is unable to help the unfortunate animal, but he does remove the slug from Martin. Later, Cory and Martin both discover each other's whereabouts and a fatal confrontation ensues.


JOHNNY ONE-EYE is available on DVD.

Also recommended:
In his early film career, Parisian-born Robert Florey directed such diverse pictures as the 4 Marx Bros. in THE COCOANUTS (1929) (VHS) (DVD), Bela Lugosi's version of Poe's MURDERS IN THE RUE MORGUE (1932) (VHS only), and EX-LADY (1934) wth Bette Davis (VHS only).


Parenthetical number is a 1 to 10 viewer poll rating found at a film resource website.

(6.0) Johnny One-Eye (1950) - Pat O'Brien/Wayne Morris/Dolores Moran/Gayle Reed/Donald Woods/Barton Hepburn/Raymond Largay/Lyle Talbot