JOHNNY APOLLO

US, 1940, 93 minutes, Black and White.
Tyrone Power, Dorothy Lamour, Edward Arnold, Lloyd Nolan, Charles Grapewin, Lionel Atwill, Marc Lawrence, Jonathan Hale.
Directed by Henry Hathaway.

Johnny Apollo is a pleasing gangster melodrama of 1940. It is the material of so many of the Warner Bros films - however this is a 20th Century Fox production, has Tyrone Power as its star. He is matched by Edward Arnold as his criminal father and Dorothy Lamour is effective as the night club singer in love with him. The film is directed by Henry Hathaway who had previously directed many action films and westerners like Trail of the Lonesome Pine and The Lives of a Bengal Lancer. During the '40s he was to direct many more 'realistic' dramas like Call Northside 777. During a long career he directed a wide range of genre films. While the screenplay rather farfetched, it is handled well and keeps audiences interested.

1. An entertaining gangster prison thriller? Of 1940? For later decades?

2. Production values: black and white photography, atmosphere of prison, the world of gangsters? The musical numbers? ('Nickles and Dimes', 'This is the Beginning of the End'?

3. The title and its exotic touch? Especially in relation to Tyrone Power, to his character's name of Robert Cain? The title for a gangster film?

4. Robert Cain Snr: the opening and his financial deals, the expose, his losing his money, the background of embezzlement, legal advice? His being arrested, out on bail? The headlines? His trying to keep the news from his son? Robert and the rowing, the discovery from the reporters about the truth? His return, the clash with his father? Cain Snr. and his philosophy of success, savagery? His going to prison? The court scene? His entry into prison, being appointed to the boilers? The change in prison, his settling down, rest, better diet, change of perspective? The model prisoner? His being hurt by his son's disowning him? The visit and the reconciliation? The warder telling him about Johnny Apollo? His refusing to see his son? The encounter in prison? The escape, the library, his warning the guards, his being shot? His lingering, recognising his son, the reconciliation? The finale and the comic touch as he shudders as he looks at prison? Edward Arnold's portrayal of the character - making it interesting?

5. Tyrone Power as Cain Jnr, the rowing, his education? The news about his father and his disgust? The return home? The clash of values? His refusal to speak to his father? His decision to help his father. the approach to Mike? His change of name? Doing jobs, becoming more deeply involved in the rackets? Following Mike around? Being used by him? The attraction towards Lucky? His visit to his father and the reconciliation? His being hurt at his father's disdain for him? His tough stances, the lawyer? The expose, his believing in Mike rather than the judge? In prison, the escape, the confrontation with his father, his father's being shot? In isolation, his father's recognition of him. the final reconciliation? The continued support of Lucky and her reconciling him with his father? The happy ending?

6. Mike and his being in prison, corrupt connections, his lawyer, getting out, the rackets, using Johnny Apollo? His henchmen? His attitude towards Lucky - love or just having her around? The judge giving the information and the files, doing a deal with the District Attorney? His alibi in slipping out and murdering the judge in the baths? In prison, the plan for escape, his shooting Cain? The portrait of a gangster? His various henchmen and their work?

7. Lucky as the nightclub singer, lack of education, being around Mike, attracted towards Johnny? Her seeing what was happening, doing the deal with the judge, not being able to persuade Johnny? Walking out of his life? Her concern, helping the reconciliation with his father?

8. Prison, authorities? The law? The corrupt lawyers, alcoholism, helping criminals get past the law? The deals with the District Attorney? Murder?

9. The plausibility of the plot? A contrived plot for cinema storytelling? Enjoyably and effectively?