Ideal players are unfortunately wasted in Republic's low-budget, low-octane drama. Helen Morgan, that tragic chantoosie, would seem ideally cast as Frankie, but the tired script gives her nothing to do except look a bit trampy, which she does very well. Likewise, slick, superficial Chester Morris embodies the two-timing Johnny of the song perfectly... or he would if he had any worthwhile dialogue. In her last Film Lilyan Tashman is wasted as Nellie Bly. Once or twice, the movie seems about to capture the simplicity of a tawdry ballad, but never quite gets there. A pity all around.
Review of Frankie and Johnnie
