Films

 

Honky Tonk (MGM 1941)

Lana sitting on Clark's lap while Frank Morgan looks on in 1941's "Honky Tonk".

Production Dates: June 1941-August 1941

Release Date: October 1, 1941.

Credited Cast and Crew:

Lana Turner, Clark Gable, Frank Morgan, Claire Trevor.

Directed by: Jack Conway

Writing Credits: Marguerite Roberts, John Sanford, Annalee Whitmore

Produced by: Pandro S. Berman

Original Music by: Franz Waxman, James Allen Bland, James Kerrigen, Henry Tucker

Non-Original Music by: Theo A. Metz

Cinematography by: Harold Rosson, William H. Daniels

Synopsis: Gable as a gambler trying to become respectable and Turner as the lady who falls for him.

My Review: What a film! Gable and Turner are terrific here. Despite the fact that Clark and Lana were 20 years apart and he was old enough to be her father, MGM paired them romantically in four films from 1941 to 1954. Honky Tonk is set in the Old West and it's amusing as Hell to see the new "It" girl dressed in 19th (?) century clothing. Gable is as Gable as he ever was here and Lana matches him scene for scene.

Another thing that the viewer will notice about the film is the sexual innuendo! Every time the newly weds are supposedly making love, the camera goes to a shot of dolls dressed in the character's clothing, while the actor's dialogue can be heard. Interesting how MGM got away with that, since the Production Code was already strictly enforced by that time.

Your Review: What are YOUR thoughts on this film? Contact me at Liza@lanaturneronline.com

Highlights and Trivia

*Clark Gable wasn't impressed with ingénue Lana during her Gone With the Wind screen test in 1937. Due to her inexperience and her intimidation of working with one of her childhood idols, she failed her screen test badly. Fast forward four years to 1941 and now Lana is experienced and is also a big star, fresh off of her success in Ziegfeld Girl. Gable can't believe how far she's come and sends flowers to her dressing room with a note that says "Baby, you sure have learned a thing or two"...

Purchase Honky Tonk:

VHS

 

Photo Gallery

Lana puts her shoes on in 1941's "Honky Tonk". Lou Valentino Collection    Gable the charmer in "Honky Tonk" (1941). Lou Valentino Collection    Lana and Clark in a kissin' closeup for "Honky Tonk", 1941.    Lana ignoring Clark's advances in 1941's "Honky Tonk".    Lana resting between scenes of "Honky Tonk" in 1941.    Lana isn't letting Gable go in 1941's "Honky Tonk".    Lana sports some serious sleeves in 1941's "Honky Tonk".    Legendary flirt Lana snuggles up to an uninterested Clark Gable on the set of 1941's "Honky Tonk".    Lana looking casual in 1941's "Honky Tonk".    Clark Gable gazes at Lana adoringly in a scene from 1941's "Honky Tonk".   

A lobby card for 1941's "Honky Tonk".   

 

 

 

 

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