Joe Erie (Jack Kehoe)

Character Analysis

Joe Erie doesn't have the skills or the confidence to be in the same league as Johnny and Henry, but he's a good egg. He's also a bit of a peacemaker—when Johnny gets mad about Luther retiring, Joe says,

JOE ERIE: Aw come on, it was the only thing to do. He knew he was holdin' ya back.

The one time Joe decides to get clever in this movie, he tells Lt. Snyder that Johnny's retired from grifting and that

JOE ERIE: He packed it in and enrolled in detective school.

Oooh, burn.

Joe ends up with a busted nose for his cleverness, but he remains loyal to his conmen friends. He gets in on the big con of Doyle Lonnegan to avenge the death of his friend, Luther. And even though he's a little nervous and bumbling, he stumbles his way through his lines and he's able to play a small but important role.