NOB HILL was released on June 13, 1945 and became one of the top-grossing films of the year. It starred George Raft, Joan Bennett and Vivian Blaine. Set in turn-of-the-century San Francisco, this musical drama benefited from a good script, beautiful photography, and the fine directing of Henry Hathaway. The rough and tumble Barbary Coast versus …
Last month a reader brought to my attention that Criterion was offering one of George’s movies. Then after the fact I found out that another one was broadcast on TCM in the wee hours of May 1. This month I decided to check TCM and Movies! to see what they were broadcasting. Nothing on the …
The pickup scene from Johnny Allegro starring George Raft and Nina Foch is an unusual beginning to a dangerous relationship. Released on May 23, 1949, this film noir thriller featured George as a hero with a shady past and Nina as a smart woman who doesn’t always make smart choices. A commercial success for Columbia, it is a well-written …
George Raft and Nina Foch in Johnny Allegro (1949) Read More »
“Quick Millions” is a pre-code film that was released on May 3, 1931 with Spencer Tracy in his second starring role and featured George Raft as his sidekick. The plot revolves around Tracy who makes a fortune running a protection racket and thinks he has earned a place in society. Not everyone agrees. George performs …
George Raft and Spencer Tracy in Quick Millions (1931) Read More »
Broadway (1942) starred George Raft, Janet Blair, Broderick Crawford and Pat O’Brien. In this semi-autobiographical film, George played himself in his days as one of the most notable dancers of the Roaring Twenties. Complete with bootleggers, speakeasies, showgirls and murder, the film was one of George’s best and showcased his charm and charisma as well …
Scarface was released on April 9, 1932 and starred Paul Muni, George Raft and Ann Dvorak. It is still considered to be one of the best gangster films of the era as well as one of the most violent. Adding to the authenticity were the real bullets and marksmen who were entrusted with the lives of …
Despite checkered early years, George Raft ascended to the height of movie stardom during the Golden Age of Hollywood and was delighted to set his imprint in the forecourt of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre on March 25, 1940. He was the 44th of 200 Hollywood celebrities to be so honored following the ceremony’s inception in 1927.
Broadway (1942) was released on March 23, 1942 and starred George Raft, Pat O’Brien, Broderick Crawford and Janet Blair. George played himself in this drama about crime, speakeasies, bootleggers and nightclub dancers, a backdrop with which George was very familiar. At a time when the public was suffering through a war, this entertaining film provided escape …
This between takes photo of Jack Lemmon and George Raft was shot during the filming of the iconic comedy, “Some Like It Hot”, released 63 years ago on March 19, 1959. It starred Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, and Jack Lemmon with co-stars George Raft, Pat O’Brien, and Joe E. Lewis. It was an instant hit …
Dancers in the Dark was released on March 11, 1932. The pre-code drama starred Miriam Hopkins as a taxi dancer and Jack Oakie as a band leader, but this lobby card featured George Raft who played a gangster and patron of the dance hall. Though very early in his career and with little thespian background, George …