Juke Girl (1942)

One of my all time favorites.

Must See Movie...

Good movie but grossly overrated

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

"Juke Girl" is a film from "Warner Bros" which quickly faded into obscurity not long after its release in 1942. The leads, Ann Sheridan and Ronald Reagan were in a far better film that came out the same year, "King's Row." The plot is very confusing and it's hard to keep up with what is going on from one scene to the next. A good supporting cast is largely wasted and Alan Hale in particular, has nothing to do. A few punch up scenes and location photography can't compensate for a poor story. This is only for hardened fans of the old days of Hollywood.

Immediately when you see Ronald Reagan you know you've got a pretty "B" film comin. He was never gonna be an A-list actor wanted by the studios to do the stuff Gable or Cagney was doing. Ann Sheridan is in this but this a really minor effort.The story in this isn't bad but it's sorta...well...dumb. Basics are 2 guys come into a town that grows produce 9 months out of the year. We learn the only place you can sell your stuff is to 1 guy who short changes everyone to the point of almost poverty. Ronald Reagan steps in and...saves the day.There are good performances in this but all are by the supporting cast. Alan Hales is his typical self but shines like he always did. George Tobias plays the guy who gets screwed over for the last time with crop pricing. He plays a Greek fella and does it well. Ann Sheridan is her typical pretty self but is pretty generic.I think a lot of my rating is due to the title itself...Juke Girl. Ann Sheridan plays the Juke Girl but she's not even close to the focus of this film. It should have been called..."Big Bean Rip-Off." They gave this film the title to obviously cash in on her looks and fame at the time. It's sorta obvious.A fairly decent film. It reminded me a lot of Phenix City Story. Mainly the corruption part but isn't near as effective as that film. Just keep looking at Ann Sheridan and watch Ronald Reagan act himself to a hero's end.

People criticize Ronald Reagan's acting ability - granted, he never gained superstar status, and he was quite limited. However, for what he did, he could be very charming. He also always seemed relaxed in front of the camera.Reagan costars here with Ann Sheridan in 1942's "Juke Girl," sort of a weaker "Grapes of Wrath," with Gene Lockhart as an unscrupulous businessman who is cheating the local farmers by paying them low prices and making sure they can't sell anywhere else. Reagan and Richard Wharf, as Steve and Danny, are two drifters who arrive in a small town populated by farmers. There Steve meets and falls for Lola (Sheridan) who works in the local bar. As he endeavors to help a local farmer, Nick (George Tobias) who has fought with Madden (Lockhart) and has now seen his crops destroyed, Steve gets more than he bargained for. The result is murder.Entertaining Warner Brothers effort, perhaps not the most original plot you've ever seen, but you'll keep watching. Ann Sheridan was kind of a poor man's Rita Hayworth - the redhead had that been around the block presence, a low voice, and a toughness, all of which were appealing in any film in which she appeared. Gene Lockhart does a great job as a bully who underneath is terrified, and George Tobias is sympathetic as Nick Garcos, who wants to buck the system. Reagan comes off well as a determined young man who believes in doing the right thing.If you're a fan of Sheridan's or love the Warner's potboilers, this is worth seeing.

Randy D wrote an excellent review, saying just about everything that needed saying.But I want to add a note about Betty Brewer. First, what a personality! Her life seems to have been tragic. Details are shrouded in some mystery, but whenever she pops up in a film, if she doesn't steal the whole movie, she at least sure steals the scenes she's in.That's why I wish she had made more, and I wish she had stayed active into her adulthood.The other actors in this enjoyable film mostly did very well for themselves, and for us.The Reagan-Sheridan team always works magic; Richard Whorf is another of those actors who should have attained more "household-name" status, but he stayed busy in films and television a long time, including directing, apparently right up until his untimely death.There was a long list of great Warner Brothers actors, including Alan Hale, and others, such as Willie Best, who might not be known as of a particular studio.Howard da Silva played a bad guy, and every time I see him, I just marvel at his range. His Benjamin Franklin in the movie "1776" was just about perfect.Ronald Reagan doesn't get much of a break from critics, but in "Juke Girl" he was great. He looked good and his acting was right on.Ann Sheridan probably could do no wrong.Together, the actors and the story -- although some of the dialog could have used some work -- create a very good movie.