JOHNNY COME LATELY (United Artists, 1943), Directed by William K. Howard, stars James Cagney in his second independent venture outside his long term reign at Warner Brothers (1930-1942), with his first being for Grand National Pictures (1936-1937). Following his Academy Award winning performance as song and dance man, George M. Cohan in YANKEE DOODLE DANDY (1942), it was time for Cagney to venture independently on his own merits. Under the presentation/ production by his brother, William Cagney, his first choosing for something against type is that of a good-natured vagrant drifting to a small town where his presence becomes an asset to an elderly woman, wonderfully enacted by Miss Grace George (not to be confused with Gladys George), a popular theatrical actress in her only movie. Though his name isn't Johnny, Cagney's character comes to terms of being called a "tramp," "vagrant" or a "Johnny Come Lately," yet a pleasant surprise from his usual New York City tough guy roles much beloved by his fans.
Based on the novel "McLeod's Folly," by Louis Bromfield, set in early 1900s in the town of Pittsfield, the story opens with character development involving Vinnie McLeod (Grace George), an elderly woman publisher/ editor of a local newspaper, the Shield and Banner, founded by her late husband many ago. She also lives in the home built by him called McLeod's Folly along with her niece, Jane (Marjorie Lord), a society editor at her newspaper, and Aida (Hattie McDaniel), her housekeeper. Vinnie is also known for using her basement to feed homeless drifters. Jane is in love with Peter (William Henry), son of W.W. Dougherty (Edward McNamara), a fearful big boss ruling both town and rival newspaper with intentions of running for politics. Vinnie refuses to write articles supplied by him to support his corrupt campaign. With her newspaper regarded old-fashioned and lacking funds for any updates, her luck changes when coming to the courtroom looking for news to witness vagrant Tom Richards (James Cagney), and about to be sentenced to a road gang by the judge. Having met Richards earlier in the park reading Charles Dickens' book, "The Pickwick Papers," she thus learns Tom of his newspaper experience. Without funds of new hired help, Vinnie takes a chance on Tom as both her boarder and $35 a week reporter. With staff members including Jane, Willie Ferguson, its only reporter for 35 years (George Cleveland), and his sister, Myrtle (Margaret Hamilton), Tom revamps and improves the newspaper. At the risk of Vinnie losing her establishment, mortgaged by Daugherty, and Jane losing Peter, she and Tom go on with their editorials on Daugherty while Daugherty has plans of his own.
The supporting players feature Robert Barrat (Bill Swaine, a state capital politician); Clarence Muse, Lucien Littlefield, Irving Bacon, Victor Kilian, John "Skins" Miller and Arthur Hunnicutt. Marjorie Main's semi-comical performance is a welcome presence as "Gashouse Mary" McGovern, owner of a social club who pays "protection money" to Daugherty.
Often claimed as a minor James Cagney movie, JOHNNY COME LATELY has quite a nostalgic feel from another era with underscoring by Leigh Harline. With this performance, Cagney further displays his fine acting ability as a simple guy both trusting and educated. He doesn't disappoint his fans with some good fist fights and gun shooting while battling with the bad guys. With Cagney heading the cast, JOHNNY COME LATELY rightfully belongs to Grace George giving a sincere performance that could have been enacted by either theatrical legend of Laurette Taylor or silent screen veteran of Lillian Gish, Her performance makes one wish Grace George appeared in a few more movies.
Being a lesser known Cagney drama of the 1940s, JOHNNY COME LATELY, which runs 97 minutes, has become available on video cassette (1990s) and later DVD. Although frequently broadcast on late night television from the 1950s to 1980s, JOHNNY COME LATELY has yet to have become a Johnny Come Lately on cable television. What a wonderful rediscovery both movie and Grace George would be whenever it should be televised again. (***)
Based on the novel "McLeod's Folly," by Louis Bromfield, set in early 1900s in the town of Pittsfield, the story opens with character development involving Vinnie McLeod (Grace George), an elderly woman publisher/ editor of a local newspaper, the Shield and Banner, founded by her late husband many ago. She also lives in the home built by him called McLeod's Folly along with her niece, Jane (Marjorie Lord), a society editor at her newspaper, and Aida (Hattie McDaniel), her housekeeper. Vinnie is also known for using her basement to feed homeless drifters. Jane is in love with Peter (William Henry), son of W.W. Dougherty (Edward McNamara), a fearful big boss ruling both town and rival newspaper with intentions of running for politics. Vinnie refuses to write articles supplied by him to support his corrupt campaign. With her newspaper regarded old-fashioned and lacking funds for any updates, her luck changes when coming to the courtroom looking for news to witness vagrant Tom Richards (James Cagney), and about to be sentenced to a road gang by the judge. Having met Richards earlier in the park reading Charles Dickens' book, "The Pickwick Papers," she thus learns Tom of his newspaper experience. Without funds of new hired help, Vinnie takes a chance on Tom as both her boarder and $35 a week reporter. With staff members including Jane, Willie Ferguson, its only reporter for 35 years (George Cleveland), and his sister, Myrtle (Margaret Hamilton), Tom revamps and improves the newspaper. At the risk of Vinnie losing her establishment, mortgaged by Daugherty, and Jane losing Peter, she and Tom go on with their editorials on Daugherty while Daugherty has plans of his own.
The supporting players feature Robert Barrat (Bill Swaine, a state capital politician); Clarence Muse, Lucien Littlefield, Irving Bacon, Victor Kilian, John "Skins" Miller and Arthur Hunnicutt. Marjorie Main's semi-comical performance is a welcome presence as "Gashouse Mary" McGovern, owner of a social club who pays "protection money" to Daugherty.
Often claimed as a minor James Cagney movie, JOHNNY COME LATELY has quite a nostalgic feel from another era with underscoring by Leigh Harline. With this performance, Cagney further displays his fine acting ability as a simple guy both trusting and educated. He doesn't disappoint his fans with some good fist fights and gun shooting while battling with the bad guys. With Cagney heading the cast, JOHNNY COME LATELY rightfully belongs to Grace George giving a sincere performance that could have been enacted by either theatrical legend of Laurette Taylor or silent screen veteran of Lillian Gish, Her performance makes one wish Grace George appeared in a few more movies.
Being a lesser known Cagney drama of the 1940s, JOHNNY COME LATELY, which runs 97 minutes, has become available on video cassette (1990s) and later DVD. Although frequently broadcast on late night television from the 1950s to 1980s, JOHNNY COME LATELY has yet to have become a Johnny Come Lately on cable television. What a wonderful rediscovery both movie and Grace George would be whenever it should be televised again. (***)