https://goombastomp.com/johnny-oclock-is-both-an-encouraging-and-disappointing-experience/

Edgar Chaput writes well, and he is right to suggest that JOHNNY O'CLOCK is not quite as good as it might have been, but I think he sells the film short here. Dick Powell is very good here for the reasons that Chaput states, but he's fascinating (and rather unique) for turning prickly, petulant and downright adolescent as he allows forces to paint him into a "suicide by cop" corner--which may just be the most up-front and on-target character arc for wise-guy characters in noir.



(And Ellen Drew is not just sexy here, she is truly dangerous--if she can't have Johnny, she's going to get him killed. Drew made the most of her only chance to play a femme fatale, and the two words that most readily come to mind are: "Good Lord!")