Race Street (1948)

Race Street, directed by Edwin L. Marin and adapted to screenplay by Martin Rackin from a story by Maurice Davis. Starring George Raft, William Bendix, Marilyn Maxwell, Frank Faylen, Gale Robbins and Harry Morgan. Music is by Roy Webb and cinematography by J. Roy Hunt.Story centers around two friends played by Raft and Bendix, the former is a turf accountant and night club owner, the latter a plain clothes policeman. With a syndicate racket moving in on the Frisco bookmaking circuit, Dan Gannin (Raft) refuses to co-operate, putting himself in grave danger. Barney Runson (Bendix) wants to move in and do it the official way, begging Dan to step aside and let the police do their job. But when the syndicate make a deadly move that hits Dan close to home, he's not for turning.In the grand scheme of Raft and Bendix movies, or classic era film noir pics in fact, this one is small fry, but strong cast and solid production foundation ensure it's an enjoyable experience. Story isn't strong, where two old friends lock horns while some villain throws his weight around, but in true noir fashion there's some sneaky surprises in store and a none cop out finale.Technically it's interesting, one quite dreadful process backed sequence aside, Marin and Hunt hit the noir bars for mood compliance. The absence of chiaroscuro is a shame, for a number of scenes here cry out for it, but the lighting techniques and shadow indulgence keeps the eyes pleased. There's even a startling sequence that appears to show Gale Robbins floating in and around the night club crowd as she sings a song, while a bit of zoom play and nifty Frisco locations add further quality.Good honest noirville enjoyment. 6.5/10

George Raft plays Gannin, a bookie who is, despite this, basically an honest guy. His pal, Hal (Harry Morgan) approaches him to say that some mobsters want in on his own bookmaking business. Well, these creeps turn out to mean business and when Hal refuses to cooperate, they murder him in a very vivid and brutal scene (one of the best in the film). Naturally, Gannin isn't happy but things are about to get rough for him as well, as the mobsters soon approach him as well. Now he could work with the detective (William Bendix) to expose these rats but, naturally, Gannin only likes to handle things alone. Does he possibly stand a chance?! Well, since it's George Raft, you certainly assume so!This film turned out to be a lot better than I expected. No, George Raft was just as stiff and unbelievable as he usually was in films. However, the plot offered some nice twists and kept me guessing. Plus the ending came as a HUGE surprise to me! Well worth seeing...almost deserving an 8...but not quite making it due to Raft's very ordinary sort of performance.Ironically, later Harry Morgan would play Bill Gannon on "Dragnet"...the show that helped make him a household name.

RACE STREET – 1948This is the last of a half dozen films done by George Raft and director Edwin L. Marin. In this one Raft is a San Fransisco bookie on the verge of quitting the racket. He has just opened a night club and is in love with a hot looking dame, Marylyn Maxwell. The plan comes crashing down when childhood friend, Harry Morgan is murdered. A group of thugs are offering "accident protection" to the local bookie crowd. Morgan refuses to cough up and he goes for a long tumble down a flight of stairs. In the mix now is another of Raft's childhood buddies, William Bendix. Bendix is however a San Francisco Police Detective. Bendix knows all about the heavy boys leaning on the bookies and wants help from Raft. Raft refuses to help as he intends to settle the score his own way. Raft however is not as bright as he thinks. The racket boys take him for a ride and tell him it is his turn to "join" the protection scheme. He asks for time to think the matter over. By all means, the mob tells Raft as they give him a right curb stomping. Bendix finds Raft recovering from his "friendly talk" in a hospital ward. Raft still will not help Bendix with any info.Needless to say the story continues with Raft seeking payback. A nice turn here is dolly Maxwell ending up to be not quite, the loving girlfriend. She is quite sharp looking in a non-blonde role. There are a couple of twists and turns in the film but nothing really wild.Director Marin and Raft both did better work on their earlier films, the under-rated NOCTURNE and JOHNNY ANGEL. Some nice cinematography though is featured throughout this one from, Roy J. Hunt. Hunt's work includes, I WALKED WITH A ZOMBIE, TRAIL STREET, THE DEVIL THUMBS A RIDE, CROSSFIRE, RETURN OF THE BADMEN, KILL OR BE KILLED and THE LAWLESS.Worth a watch.

George Raft was a much better actor than people (and himself) gave him credit for. The fact that 20 years after his first film he was still making good movies is a credit to his durability and star power.This is a pretty good crime movie with many twists. Raft plays Dan Gannin, a bookie, who with the love of his girl "Robbie" (Marilyn Maxwell) wants to leave the race track racket for good. There is a protection racket starting to operate. Dan has told them he is not interested and being friends with Barney (William Bendix), a detective, helps to keep them at bay. His childhood friend Hal (a young Harry Morgan) is not so lucky - he is killed by some thugs who throw him down stairs.That is all Dan needs to flush the rats out. It leads him after a few twists and turns to Robbie's brutish husband Phil Dixon, who is very much alive and well (she had told Dan that he had been killed in the war). Frank Faylen plays Dixon. He was in so many films in the 40s, often playing vile characters but always memorable in a "Say, wasn't he the guy"!! way. Playing a harassed father in the TV series "Dobie Gillis" finally made him a household name.The deceiving Robbie was played by former singer Marilyn Maxwell, She was blonde (although a beautiful brunette in this film) pretty and curvaceous but just couldn't break through the ranks into stardom. Gale Robbins played Dan's sister Elaine but the role was just an excuse to let her sing a couple of songs - which she did very well. Charles Lane plays a sly hotel clerk. See it for the co-stars alone.Recommended.