In recognition of George’s 129th birthday, here is a seldom seen photo from 1947 taken on a night street in Soho. Always well dressed, he certainly could strike a dramatic pose. No one embodied the Golden Age of Hollywood better.
Halfway through TCM’s Summer Under the Stars 2024, there are four films with George to watch. August 17, The Ladies Man at 10 pm. August 28, Manpower at 11:15 am and Around the World in 80 Days at 6 am. August 31, Some Like it Hot at 8 pm.
Invisible Stripes, released on December 30, 1939, was not the most successful film with George and Bogart. That honor belongs to They Drive by Night (1940). However, Invisible Stripes provides a telling glimpse into the life of an ex-con prior to World War II. George was never incarcerated but he was acquainted with that world …
George Raft and Humphrey Bogart in Scenes from Invisible Stripes (1939) Read More »
Night After Night was released on October 30, 1932, and is notable as George Raft’s first leading man role and the debut of Mae West. In a memorable scene, a hat-check girl enthuses over Mae West’s jewels, “Goodness, what beautiful diamonds,” and she replies, “Goodness had nothing to do with it, dearie.” The diamonds were …
Night After Night (1932) Starring George Raft and Mae West Read More »
George Raft, Claire Trevor and Signe Hasso starred in the film-noir thriller Johnny Angel. Released on October 25, 1945, it was a significant hit for RKO, a studio known for film-noir. This film revolves around George’s quest to find his father’s killer. The supporting cast is first-rate, the script absorbing, and the filming appropriately moody. …
George Raft and Claire Trevor in Johnny Angel (1945) Read More »
George Raft was born on September 26, 1895, in New York City. He rose from a childhood on the streets to success as a Broadway dancer and later reached the heights of fame and fortune in the burgeoning film industry of the 1930s known as the Golden Age of Hollywood. Though most often associated with …
Manpower was released on August 9, 1941, and was a hit for Warner Bros. It starred Edward G. Robinson, Marlene Dietrich and George Raft with a strong supporting cast. Take two men and one beautiful, sexy woman, and the plot isn’t hard to guess, but how they get there is less predictable. IMDB calls it …
George Raft and Marlene Dietrich in Manpower (1941) Read More »
They Drive by Night was released on August 3, 1940, and starred George Raft, Ann Sheridan, Ida Lupino, and Humphrey Bogart supported by Alan Hale and Roscoe Karns. This is one of those films that was perfectly cast and director Raoul Walsh knew exactly how to bring out the best from his actors. Joe Fabrini …
George Raft and Humphrey Bogart in They Drive by Night (1940) Read More »
Every Night at Eight was released on August 2,1935, and starred George Raft, Alice Faye, Patsy Kelly, and Frances Langford in her debut role. A musical with romantic and comedic elements directed by Raoul Walsh, it was a commercial success for Paramount. George, Alice, and Patsy were bankable stars and Frances was already a success …
George Raft and Alice Faye in Every Night at Eight (1935) Read More »
Midnight Club was released on July 29, 1933, and starred George Raft, Clive Brook and Helen Vinson. It was satisfying entertainment with both comedic and dramatic elements. The story is about a detective who infiltrates a ring of jewel thieves, and the able cast delivers well enough though the script is a bit lacking. George …