Richard Eyer (Johnny Rocco), Stephen McNally (Rocco), Coleen Gray (Lois), James Flavin (Mooney), Russ Conway (Inspector Garron), Leslie Bradley (Father Regan), Frank Wilcox (Lane), M.G. (Matty) Fain (Fdino), Harry Loftin (motorcycle policeman), Bob Mitchell (choir leader), The Mitchell Boys' Choir (themselves), William Bakewell (police scientist), John Mitchum (detective at stakeout), Thomas Browne Henry (Farrington), Ralph Brooks.
Director: PAUL LANDRES. Screenplay: James O'Hanlon and Samuel F. Roeca. Sory: Richard Carlson. Photography: William Margulies. Film editor: George White. Art director: Dave Milton. Set decorator: Joseph Kish. Wardrobe: Roger J. Weinberg. Make-up: John Holden. Construction supervisor: James West. Property master: Sam Gordon. Music composed and conducted by Edward J. Kay. Assistant director: Herb Mendelson. Production manager: Edward Morey. Music editor: Jerry Irvin. Continuity girl: Virginia Mazzuca. Sound editor: Charles Schelling. Sound recording engineer: Ralph Butler. Producer: Scott R. Dunlap.
A Scott R. Dunlap Production for Allied Artists. No recorded New York opening. U.S. release: December 1958. Australian release through Paramount: 21 April 1960. 84 minutes.
SYNOPSIS: A sedan used in smuggling narcotics speeds north from Tijuana. In it are Mooney (James Flavin), Rocco (Stephen McNally) and Rocco's young son (Richard Eyer). A motorcycle cop over takes it. Mooney suddenly brakes the sedan, the officer slams into it and is killed.
COMMENT: Starring Richard Eyer, "that wonderful boy from Friendly Persuasion," to quote the film's advertising catch-line, Johnny Rocco turns out to be a dreary, flag-waving offering that offers precious little in the way of entertainment.
Only one or two dialogue exchanges among the mobsters show any real bite or flair.
The cast is largely wasted. Not that it's exactly a sterling assembly anyway, especially young Richard Eyer who (thanks to plodding and unsympathetic direction) is absolutely dreadful.
Production values are minimal. In all, a typical Scott R. Dunlap production.
Director: PAUL LANDRES. Screenplay: James O'Hanlon and Samuel F. Roeca. Sory: Richard Carlson. Photography: William Margulies. Film editor: George White. Art director: Dave Milton. Set decorator: Joseph Kish. Wardrobe: Roger J. Weinberg. Make-up: John Holden. Construction supervisor: James West. Property master: Sam Gordon. Music composed and conducted by Edward J. Kay. Assistant director: Herb Mendelson. Production manager: Edward Morey. Music editor: Jerry Irvin. Continuity girl: Virginia Mazzuca. Sound editor: Charles Schelling. Sound recording engineer: Ralph Butler. Producer: Scott R. Dunlap.
A Scott R. Dunlap Production for Allied Artists. No recorded New York opening. U.S. release: December 1958. Australian release through Paramount: 21 April 1960. 84 minutes.
SYNOPSIS: A sedan used in smuggling narcotics speeds north from Tijuana. In it are Mooney (James Flavin), Rocco (Stephen McNally) and Rocco's young son (Richard Eyer). A motorcycle cop over takes it. Mooney suddenly brakes the sedan, the officer slams into it and is killed.
COMMENT: Starring Richard Eyer, "that wonderful boy from Friendly Persuasion," to quote the film's advertising catch-line, Johnny Rocco turns out to be a dreary, flag-waving offering that offers precious little in the way of entertainment.
Only one or two dialogue exchanges among the mobsters show any real bite or flair.
The cast is largely wasted. Not that it's exactly a sterling assembly anyway, especially young Richard Eyer who (thanks to plodding and unsympathetic direction) is absolutely dreadful.
Production values are minimal. In all, a typical Scott R. Dunlap production.
