It's hard to see any effort in the film. There's no comedy to speak of, no real drama and, worst of all.

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

There's a more than satisfactory amount of boom-boom in the movie's trim running time.

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

George Raft investigates what happened to his father and the cargo bound for Louisiana. The cargo had gold aboard and someone made off with the shipment killing everyone on board.Signe Hasso spends about 40 minutes of the film on the lamb. She is running away from just about everyone and everything here. In this film, she is vulnerable and cautious, so unlike her memorable turn as Elsa Gephardt in "The House on 92nd Street."Claire Trevor is her usual dame and would you believe she is married to Marvin Miller, a sheepish man who is dominated by the woman who reared him, a cold calculating Margaret Wycherly.You may very well guess who the culprit is after a while, but you would never believe how the person is done in and by whom.

Despite its lackluster title, based on a book with an equally unexciting name, "Mr. Angel Comes Aboard," "Johnny Angel" stands out for its dazzling camera-work by Harry J. Wild--too bad it wasn't shot on location in New Orleans, but "The Naked City" was still three years away to popularize filming in the streets of big towns--and for the well-written noir script. The acting is sufficient for the story being told with Claire Trevor as Lilah (as in Delilah) Gustafson making an alluring femme fatale. And who can best Margaret Wycherly as a domineering mother (in this case a domineering nanny)?-with shades of Ma Jarrett already visible. The music by the multi-talented Hoagy Carmichael is added spice, but why "Memphis in June" when the film is about New Orleans? The story is a good one with the elements of mystery and suspense handled just right by director Edwin L. Marin so that too much is not revealed too soon. Seaman Johnny Angel discovers his father's ship deserted with signs of fowl play aplenty. In his mind he knows his father is dead, but why? A mysterious French lady in a green raincoat (Signe Hasso)was seen leaving the ship once it was towed in to harbor at New Orleans. Angel must find this vanishing woman to unlock the door to the enigma and to uncover the ones responsible for the dastardly deed. He works for George 'Gusty' Gustafson, portrayed as a nefarious milksop by Marvin Miller, later of TV's "The Millionaire" fame.Gusty who owns and operates the Gustafson Shipping Company is preoccupied with satisfying his demanding wife, Lilah, no easy task, who also has the hots for Angel. Lilah was a former entertainer at the popular hang-out, "The Jewel Box." When one of the girls at the club states, "I wish I could sing like she could." The bartender replies, "Who said she could sing?"

This should have been rated higher since it had several people who usually keep your attention: George Raft, Claire Trevor, Signe Hasso and Hoagie Carmichael. The story moved along pretty well but had an unsatisfying ending. Overall, it was simply an unmemorable story and film. Too bad, because Raft usually adds an edge to almost every film he's in: a true, convincing tough guy. In this movie, the plot revolves around him trying to find his father's killer.It's worth a look, but I wouldn't go out of my way to find this movie or buy it sight unseen. You're not missing anything if you don't find it.

Shades of the "Mary Celeste" as a seemingly deserted ship looms out of the mist off the coast of New Orleans. It's boarded by George Raft whose father was it's captain. Raft (more animated than usual} uncovers a complex plot. The colorful New Orleans backgrounds and good performances make this an above average noir film. Claire Trevor is excellent as a double crossing blonde and Hoagy Carmichael plays to type as a ubiquitous taxi driver and sings "Memphis In June". All very nicely put together.