Though not consistently successful, Johnson's overall output clearly marks him as one of the best scenarists to work within the Hollywood system. Prolific and versatile, he wrote or co-wrote impressive American portraits ("Jesse James" 1939, "The Grapes of Wrath" 1940), urban thrillers ("The Woman in the Window" 1944) and tough action capers ("Flaming Star" 1960, "The Dirty Dozen" 1967), as well as a host of memorable comedies. His occasional attempts during the 1950s to direct his own screenplays were generally less successful, though he did well enough by "The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit"
