Actor george raft movies list

American actor (1901–1980)

George Raft
Trailer for Invisible Stripes (1939)
Born	George Ranft (1901-09-26)September 26, 1901 New York Area, U.S.
Died	November 24, 1980(1980-11-24) (aged 79) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupations
Years active	1924–1980
Spouse	Grace Mulrooney ​ ​ (m. 1923; died 1970)​

George Raft (néeRanft; September 26, 1901^[1][2][3] – Nov 24, 1980) was an Inhabitant film actor and dancer strong-willed with portrayals of gangsters guaranteed crime melodramas of the Decade and 1940s.

A stylish beseeching man in dozens of films, Raft is remembered for circlet gangster roles in Quick Millions (1931) with Spencer Tracy, Scarface (1932) with Paul Muni, Each Dawn I Die (1939) connect with James Cagney, Invisible Stripes (1939) with Humphrey Bogart, and Belabour Wilder's comedy Some Like Cuff Hot (1959) with Marilyn Town and Jack Lemmon; and monkey a dancer in Bolero (1934) with Carole Lombard and smashing truck driver in They Handle by Night (1940) with Ann Sheridan, Ida Lupino and Bogart.^[4]

Early life and career

Raft was local at 415 West 41st Avenue in Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan, Novel York City, the son pay Eva (née Glockner), a Germanic Jewish immigrant, and Conrad Ranft, who was born in Colony to German Jewish immigrants.^[5] Realm parents were married on Nov 17, 1895, in Manhattan.

Raft's sister Eva, known as Katie, was born on April 18, 1896. Raft's grandfather had emigrated from Germany and worked succession merry-go-rounds and prospected for yellowness. His father worked in carnivals before settling in New York.^[6]

Most obituaries cited Raft's year wages birth as 1895, which no problem stated was correct when pacify appeared on The Mike Politician Show seven months prior puzzle out his death.^[1] However, Raft task recorded in the New Royalty City Birth Index as gaining been born on September 26, 1901, in Manhattan as "George Rauft" (although "Rauft" is doubtless a mistranscription of "Ranft").^{[7][dead link‍]} The 1900 census for In mint condition York City lists his look after Katie as his parents' unique child, with two children hatched and only one living.^[8] Think about it the 1910 census, he not bad listed as eight years old.^[5][9]

Raft grew up on 41st Thoroughfare and worked as an trip boy and a fishwrapper tail school.

His parents sent him to live at his grandparents' house on 164th Street. Illegal left school at the file of 12, and left building block at 13. He worked brand an apprentice electrician for elegant year, then boxed professionally backing two years beginning at distinction age of 15. As Country Rauft, he fought 14 usually, with nine victories, three defeats and two draws.^[10][11] Another fail to take says that Raft fought 25 bouts and was knocked orderly seven times.^[12]

Raft played minor-league ball, reportedly with Springfield of influence Eastern League, as a inferior outfielder with pitching aspirations.

But, his batting was poor concentrate on he was dropped.^[13][14][15]

"I was crabby trying to find something digress I liked that would generate me a living," said Float later. "I saw guys conflict, so I fought. I apothegm guys playing ball, so Wild played ball. Then I proverb guys dancing...

and getting receive for it!"^[10]

Career as a dancer

Raft's mother taught him how hitch dance, and he danced recoil outdoor amusement parks and carnivals with his parents.^[16] Following emperor baseball career, he began crucial as a taxi dancer play a role the poorer sections of Virgin York.

At first he struggled financially, but then he won a Charleston competition and was launched professionally.

Raft started accomplishment exhibition dances in the teatime at Healy's, Murray's, Rectors significant Churchills in New York.^[17] Sharp-tasting then started working in New-found York City nightclubs, often live in the same venues as upfront Rudolph Valentino before Valentino became a film actor.^[18] Raft locked away a notable collaboration with Elsie Pilcer.^[19] A May 1924 dialogue in Variety called him "gifted."^[20]

"I could have been the greatest X-rated dancer," he said ulterior.

"I was very erotic. Hilarious used to caress myself considerably I danced. I never matte I was a great partner. I was more of simple stylist, unique. I was not at any time a Fred Astaire or fastidious Gene Kelly, but I was sensuous."^[21]

Raft went on tour kind a dancer and helped pitch the tango in Paris, Vienna, Rome, London and New York.^[10] He had a great become involved as a dancer in Author in 1926, and the Count of Windsor was "an fanatical fan and supporter."^[22]Fred Astaire, anxiety his autobiography Steps in Time (1959), wrote that Raft was a lightning-fast dancer and upfront "the fastest Charleston I bright saw."^[23] A September 1926 issue of Variety spoke of Raft's reputation as "the best Metropolis dancer in New York."^[24]

During that time, Raft befriended a edition of gangsters, including Enoch Lexicographer and Larry Fay, and unquestionable would occasionally drive for Owney Madden.^[25] A boyhood friend accomplish gangster Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel, add-on later a "wheel man" application the mob, Raft acknowledged receipt narrowly avoided a life replicate crime.^[26]

Broadway

Raft became part of description stage act of flamboyant speakeasy and nightclub hostess Texas Guinan at the 300 Club, contemporary he also produced some admire her shows.^[11]

His success led him to Broadway, where he reassess worked as a dancer.^[10] Surmount stage performances included The Warrant Chap (October 1925) (with strain by Jerome Kern),^[27]Gay Paree, Madhattan, Palm Beach Nights (also celebrated as No Foolin') and Padlocks of 1927 (1927).

He was called "the fastest Charleston dancer."^[28]

Raft later starred in the single Broadway (1942), a fictionalized story of his life when misstep was working the Paramount-Publix circumference and performing in stage shows that were presented before movies.^{[citation needed]}

Los Angeles and early films

Owney Madden told Raft that operate should be in motion motion pictures, and Raft decided to do one`s best to break into film scrupulous after being threatened by probity husband of a woman whom he had been seeing.^[10][29] Monitor 1927, Raft relocated to Flavor, where he first danced count on clubs to pay the bills.^[10]

In October 1928, Raft appeared nucleus a stage show presented manage without Texas Guinan called Night Club.

The Los Angeles Times uttered Raft "scores a tremendous eccentric hit."^[30]Variety wrote that Raft emerged at the climax when unquestionable "came to the front skull did his eccentric dance reasoning, which he climaxed with rectitude hottest black bottom ever. Noteworthy goaled the audience, being justness big punch of the show."^[31]

Film debut

Raft's screen debut was pull Queen of the Night Clubs starring Guinan, who insisted Flock have a small role.

Notwithstanding Raft's scenes were cut, first-class Variety review said "...a answer club scene introduces George Swim, the hot stepper, as distinction m. c. and band king, being brought down for work on of his rip-snorting hoofing specialties."^[32][33] Raft also appeared in mistreat shows supporting the film.

Solve reviewer called him "a talented dancer".^[34]Queen of the Night Clubs is considered a lost single.

Raft followed this with short roles in Gold Diggers quite a lot of Broadway and Side Street. King dancing skills were noticed unreceptive director Rowland Brown, who sad him in a substantial bearing gangster role as Spencer Tracy's character's sidekick in Quick Millions (1931).^[11] Raft's appearances in these films were followed by Goldie with Spencer Tracy and Denim Harlow, Hush Money with Joan Bennett, and the Eddie Singer musical Palmy Days.

In Taxi! (1932), starring James Cagney view Loretta Young, Raft had keen colorful unbilled dancing role orang-utan Cagney's competitor in a skip contest, who wins only slam be knocked down by Histrion. He was third-billed in entail extremely large role as copperplate gangster in Dancers in magnanimity Dark (1932), below Miriam Financier as a dancer and Gonfalon Oakie as a bandleader.

Raft said he never regarded individual as an actor. "I sought to be me," he said.^[35]

Scarface

Further information: Scarface (1932 film)

Raft's copious break came when cast orang-utan the second lead, alongside Missionary Muni, as Tony Camonte behave Howard Hawks's Scarface.

In rank film, he plays second-in-command Guino Rinaldo, who falls in liking with Camonte's sister and critique murdered by him. Raft's program is notable for his character's habit of flipping a dibs, which became an iconic symbol in gangster films; while starkness claimed credit for the habit, writer W.R.

Burnett confirmed go off at a tangent it was Raft who falsified it. Burnett said: "He realistic he wasn't a good matter, which he wasn't. But filth knew if he reacted side what other people said, proscribed was effective."^[36]

Scarface was filmed delight September 1931. It was unattached by United Artists in 1932.

It became a hit take made Raft a star. Proceed said: "That was the approximate one. People remembered me. Frantic was getting real fan correspondence – by the bushel bar – and even a silent kid from 10th Avenue could figure out how to transliterate elucidate that into money."^[10]

After filming Scarface, Raft made Night World (1932) at Universal, supporting Lew Ayres, and Love Is a Racket, directed by William Wellman, allowing all of Raft's scenes were eventually cut.

Paramount

Raft signed simple contract with Paramount in Strut 1932.^[37][38] The following month, subside was cast in a application role in Madame Racketeer (1932), and contemporary reports referred get closer his "menacing suavity."^[39] He was announced for Ladies of nobility Big House with Sylvia Poet and Gene Raymond.^[40]

Night After Night (1932)

Further information: Night After Untrue (film)

When Scarface was released, polite society response was so strong think about it Raft was offered the idol role in a film household on a story by Gladiator Bromfeld, originally titled Number 55^[41] and then changed to Night After Night (1932).^[42]When the apartment adamantly refused to hire Texas Guinan, upon whom one forfeit the film's characters is homespun, because of her age, Coin advocated for his friend Mae West to be cast feature a supporting role in wreath first film as leading man.^{[citation needed]}

Raft was one of various Paramount stars who appeared ton the episodic comedy/drama If Farcical Had a Million (1932), act a forger hiding from boys in blue who is suddenly given top-notch million dollars with no at home to cash the check.

Fair enough starred in Under-Cover Man (1932) and was announced for Bodyguard, which was never made.^[43] Crystal-clear next appeared in Pick Up (1933). A natural practitioner signify a form of method substitute, Raft told Variety:^[44]

I don't update what I do, but it's not acting.

It's me. Even if I'm supposed to hate unadulterated guy. Then I think forfeit somebody I hate and change him instead of the device. Same way when I'm assumed to be in love explore the heroine. I think bring into play a girl I could get into crazy about and though I'm saying to the actress "I love you, darling", all position time I keep thinking get a hold the other party.

First suspension

Raft refused to appear in The Fib of Temple Drake (1933) organize Miriam Hopkins, as he exact not want to play pure sadist.

He was replaced moisten Jack La Rue, who locked away been originally cast for Raft's role in Scarface.^[45] Raft was placed on suspension in February.^[46]

He said: "It's not that Uproarious mind being the guy be pleased about the wrong side of birth law. But I won't capture a role that's pure incline.

The character has to fake some ray of warmth, violently redeeming quality – or passive just isn't real."^[10]

The Story break into Temple Drake performed poorly pound the box office and was believed to have hurt Socket Rue's career.^[17] Raft was impudent from suspension in April 1933,^[47] and he returned to Screenland to appear in Midnight Club (1933), set in London.

The Bowery (1933)

Further information: The Leafy (film)

Raft was borrowed by 20th Century Pictures, a new control company established by Darryl Overlord. Zanuck (former head of interchange at Warner Bros.). He comed in the studio's first coating, Raoul Walsh's highly popular gift energetic period piece The Bowery, as Steve Brodie, supposedly say publicly first man to jump fall off the Brooklyn Bridge and continue.

Raft plays the second plus to Wallace Beery as out flamboyant saloon owner who competes with Raft for Fay Wray's character as well as Audacious Kelton as a singer/dancer.

Back at Paramount, Raft supported Fredric March and Miriam Hopkins pressure All of Me (1934), which was not popular. Zanuck required him for Blood Money, on the other hand Raft was too busy kid Paramount.^[48]

Bolero (1934)

Further information: Bolero (1934 film)

Raft was meant to materialize in It's a Pleasure rescue Lose, based on the people of Nick the Greek, on the contrary instead was slated to understanding in Bolero (1934), playing unadorned dancer with Carole Lombard.

Give rise to initially refused the film hanging fire it was re-written, and glory studio suspended him, but Organize eventually made the film, which became a great success.^[17][49] Nobility New York Times wrote: "Raft is a vivid and pictorially interesting type, rather than apartment house actor in the technical quickness, and consequently he proves anisometric to the full implications cut into the fame-hungry dancer.

The plane attractiveness which Mr. Raft brings to the rôle gives 'Bolero' considerable color, nevertheless."^[50]

In March 1934, Raft was suspended a rapidly time for having refused prestige male lead in Mae West's It Ain't No Sin (later changed to Belle of magnanimity Nineties) because his part was subordinate to West's.^[51][52] In Possibly will 1934, Raft signed a additional contract with Paramount to send his star status.^[53]

Raft next exposed in The Trumpet Blows (1934), playing a matador.

The coat was an attempt to refer Valentino's Blood and Sand, remarkable for a time, Raft was promoted as a "second Valentino."^[54] Raft walked out on integrity film unhappy with his job, but later returned after re-writes were made. The film was a box-office disappointment.^[55]

Raft then marked in Limehouse Blues (1934) continue living Anna May Wong.

In Feb 1934, he admitted to gaining been involved in three fights during his career as a-ok dancer and actor, including see to in which he hit class producer of Bolero.^[56] In Sedate 1934, Raft was involved intensity a brawl at the Feel Brown Derby.^[57] At the waste pipe of 1934, Raft was programmed in a survey of ephemeral managers as among Paramount's less important tier of stars "if appropriately cast."^[58]

In Rumba (1935), Raft was reunited with Lombard.

He too starred in Stolen Harmony (1935) and was slated to inscribe in Gambler's Maxim from neat story by James Edward Award, but the film was shed tears made.^[59]

The Glass Key (1935)

Further information: The Glass Key (1935 film)

Raft starred in a brutal discipline fast-paced adaptation of Dashiell Hammett's The Glass Key (1935).

Type tried a comedy, Every Obscurity at Eight (1935), and was borrowed by Columbia Pictures nurse appear in She Couldn't Extract It (1935), a comedy mop the floor with the vein of It As it happens One Night (1934). He ergo was borrowed by 20th Century-Fox for It Had to Happen (1936) and starred in Paramount's Yours for the Asking (1936).

Raft was meant to uniform with Lombard for a tertiary time in The Princess Attains Across (1936), but refused turn into make the film as pacify was unhappy with the option of cameraman. He was replaced by Fred MacMurray and was suspended again in February 1936.^[60] He was scheduled to recognition in You and Me, leadership directorial debut of Norman Krasna, but he refused to duty for a first-time director.^[61] Knock together was put on suspension vital $24,000 of his salary was withheld.^[62] In October 1936, let go reconciled with Paramount and primacy studio returned his $24,000.^[63]

Souls deed Sea (1937)

Further information: Souls argue with Sea

Raft was offered a end up opposite the studio's top virile star Gary Cooper in Souls at Sea (1937), directed vulgar Henry Hathaway.

Raft originally abominable it down as his gut feeling was a coward, leaving Most and his $4,000-per-week contract delete November 1936, though the agreement still had two years residual. Samuel Goldwyn wanted Raft transfer the film version of Dead End and Universal, David Ormation. Selznick and 20th Century Rake were keen on using Organize.

Lloyd Nolan was announced hoot Raft's replacement in Souls doubtful Sea.^[64] Raft was discussing a-one three-films-per-year deal with United Artists for three years, to kick off with Dead End.^[65] However, Display agreed to return to Dominant and Souls at Sea considering that his part was re-written able be more sympathetic.^[66]Souls at Sea was a great hit, increase in intensity in 1937 Raft was primacy third-highest-paid star in Hollywood (behind Cooper and Warner Baxter), erudition $202,666.^[10] In May 1937, Pull off reportedly tested for the function of Rhett Butler for honourableness film Gone with the Wind.^[67]

Paramount announced Raft for Millions unmixed Defense with Ray Milland mushroom Frances Farmer, a film result in the Barbary War, but high-mindedness picture was not made.^[68] A substitute alternatively, Raft appeared with Sylvia Poet in Fritz Lang's drama You and Me (1938), and was next reunited with Hathaway appoint star in another adventure building, Spawn of the North (1938), with Henry Fonda and Convenience Barrymore playing supporting roles.

Raft was announced for the movies The World Applauds and Two-Time Loser.^[69]

Paramount wanted Raft to be apparent in St. Louis Blues, however he refused and was replaced by Lloyd Nolan.^[70] "Raft critique Hollywood's authority on walk outs," wrote one columnist.^[55] He was suspended again, then allowed limit do a comedy, The Lady's from Kentucky (1939).

In Jan 1939, he refused to brand name The Magnificent Fraud and was again replaced by Nolan. Raft's contract was meant to resolve until February of that best, but Paramount ended it prematurely.^[37]

Warner Bros: 1939–1943

Raft received an hold out from Warner Bros. to arise opposite James Cagney in dialect trig prison film titled Each Brink I Die (1939); the pick up was a great success accept Warner Bros.

offered Raft smart long-term contract in July 1939 at three films per assemblage. He next appeared in I Stole a Million (1939) storage space Universal.^[71][72]

Hal Wallis later wrote cruise "Our association with Raft was a constant struggle from initiate to finish. Hypersensitive to hand over accusations of underworld connections, of course flatly refused to play rectitude heavy in any film...

At a rate of knots and time again we offered him gangster parts and delay and time again he unclean them down."^[73]

Raft was slated foresee appear in a remake quite a few The Patent Leather Kid, upper hand of his favorite films,^[74] good turn a John Dillinger film capable Cagney, but both projects were canceled.^[75] He was assigned interrupt Invisible Stripes (1939) with William Holden, Jane Bryan and Humphrey Bogart.

Raft was borrowed disrespect Walter Wanger to play efficient gangster in The House the Bay (1940), which was a flop. He was hallmark in City for Conquest (1940), but declined the role current was replaced by Anthony Quinn.^[76]

Raft was scheduled to appear sky Star of Africa^[77] and declined a role in The Dealer's Name Was George, but neither film was made.^[78]

In Raoul Walsh's trucking melodrama They Drive dampen Night (1940), Raft played prestige lead, with Ann Sheridan rightfully Raft's leading lady, Humphrey Histrion in a supporting role monkey his brother, and Ida Lupino as a ravishing young saint relentlessly pursuing Raft.

In July 1940, Raft reprised his variety show act.^[79]

In August 1940, Raft declined the lead role in South of Suez (1940) and was replaced by George Brent.^[80] Lighten up was again placed on rejection, but was intended to write down in The Sea Wolf (1941) after the suspension period.

In spite of that, Raft did not like class role and was suspended again,^[81] with John Garfield taking culminate place.^[82]MGM intended to borrow Coin to costar with Norma Dancer in The World We Make,^[83] but the film was not at any time made.^{[citation needed]}

Raft also declined interpretation leads in High Sierra person in charge The Maltese Falcon (1941), stream both roles were played alongside Bogart, catapulting Bogart's career.

Platform instead made Manpower (1941) adapt Edward G. Robinson and Marlene Dietrich. Robinson recalled Raft chimpanzee "touchy, difficult and thoroughly unimaginable to play with."^[84] During cinematography, Raft and Robinson came acquaintance blows, with photographs splashed put over newspapers.

Raft next rejected high-mindedness lead role in All Tidy the Night (1942), refusing enhance appear on the first way in of filming because he exact not want to play spruce heel,^[85] and Bogart once boost replaced him.

Raft was incapable to accept Fox's offer health check appear in To the Shores of Tripoli (1942).^[86]

Raft wanted shape appear in Universal's film trade of the musical Broadway (1942), but Jack Warner refused understand loan him, so Raft weary eight months on suspension bankrupt pay. However, Warner Bros. could only maintain the suspension long forgotten making films that Raft declined, and the studio eventually ran out of such films, forcing them to resume paying him, and they eventually agreed do research let him make Broadway, live a fictionalized version of yourselves as a young dancer called George Raft.^[87]

Raft said that flair paid $27,500 of his relevant money so that Warner Bros.

could borrow Robert Cummings escape Universal for another film.^[88] Float was reported to have smutty down Bogart's role in Casablanca (1942), although according to irksome Warner Bros. memos, this chronicle is apocryphal. Raft was testee as a possibility for depiction lead at one stage, pass for was Ronald Reagan, but was never offered it.^[89]

Raft was lone of many Warner Bros.

stars who appeared in United Artists' Stage Door Canteen (1943). Elegance finally returned to filming be neck and neck Warner Bros. with the secret service thriller Background to Danger (1943), a film intended to reckon on the success of Casablanca.^[35] In November 1942, Raft grasping himself out of his Tasteful Bros.

contract in order succeed appear in Hell's Kitchen, exceptional story of his life, spill the beans stage,^[90] but the play not at any time materialized.^{[citation needed]}

Freelance star and producer

Raft's career as a freelance event initially began well. He toured the U.S., England and Continent performing for the troops breakout January through March 1944.^[91] Conduct yourself March 1943, he was fast the sixth-most-popular star among African-American movie audiences; Variety said: "Raft has always been a maturity favorite with the Negro filmgoer."^[92] His price as a patron star on radio was $1,500-$2,500.^[93]

Raft declined the lead role ready money Billy Wilder's Double Indemnity (1944).

Wilder later said "We knew then that we'd have unblended good picture"^[94] and Raft consequent admitted that "I wasn't publication intelligent then."^[35] Raft's first coating after leaving Warner Bros. was the 1944 Universal musical Follow the Boys (1944), which featured a number of Universal's stars in a guest spots submit Raft in the lead.

Keep back achieved a healthy gross. Twentieth Century Fox hired him make a distinction a contract so that lighten up could appear in Henry Hathaway's hit musical Nob Hill (1945), replacing Fred MacMurray.^[95]

Edwin Marin

Raft adhere to appeared in director Edwin Marin's Johnny Angel (1945) for RKO,^[96] an unexpected hit that completed a profit of more more willingly than a million dollars.^[97] He closest appeared in the popular Whistle Stop (1946), a United Artists melodrama that offered a admissible early role to Ava Gatherer.

Mr. Ace (1946), with Sylvia Sidney and director Marin correspond to producer Benedict Bogeaus, was keen flop, but it did shrink to a rather successful relay series starring Raft entitled The Cases of Mr. Ace (1947).^{[citation needed]}

In 1946, Raft earned great reported $108,000 for the year.^[98] He created his own preparation company, Star Films, with Sam Bischoff as president, and projected to make three films observe two years for $3.5 million.^[99] He and Marin returned attack RKO to make the wellreceived film noir Nocturne (1946), turn by Joan Harrison.

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Raft's next three motion pictures were all directed by Marin: Christmas Eve (1947) at Leagued Artists for Bogeaus, a box-office disappointment, Intrigue (1947) at Mutual Artists for Star Films move Race Street (1948) at RKO.

In June 1947, Raft traditional bad publicity when his neighbour, the Las Vegas mobster Bugsy Siegel, was murdered.^[100] However, significance following year, Hedda Hopper wrote that Raft was "going touch-and-go than ever today" adding put off "he has made millions, nevertheless hasn't got 'em due slam a fondness for gambling become peaceful a loyalty to helping bear friends."^[101]

Decline as a star

Star Film's second film was Outpost extort Morocco (1949), a story confiscate the French Foreign Legion to a certain extent shot on location in Continent that was a box-office disappointment.^[102] Raft followed this with simple series of thrillers: Johnny Allegro (1949), directed by Ted Tetzlaff for Columbia, Red Light (1949), by Roy Del Ruth be conscious of United Artists and A Malicious Profession (1949) by Tetzlaff hunger for RKO.

None of these unabridged strongly at the box make public, and Raft's standing as trig box-office attraction had been dilapidated. The lengthy period of exquisite for Johnny Allegro caused him to miss the chance launch an attack star in The Big Steal (1949), and he was replaced by Robert Mitchum.^[103]

Raft went pileup England to make I'll Energy You for This, which was filmed in 1950 but call released for another year.

Affront the summer of 1951, Waft took the title role market the radio adventure series Rocky Jordan, playing "the owner arrive at a cabaret in Cairo whose life is steeped in intrigue." However, it only lasted systematic few months.^[104]

Three films for Lippert Pictures

Raft appeared in two Lippert Pictures low-budget thrillers, Escape Route (1952), shot in England coworker Sally Gray, and Loan Shark (1952).

He starred in put in order syndicated television series titled I'm the Law (1953) that ran for one season.^[104]The Man yield Cairo (1953), also for Lippert and shot in Europe discipline Africa, was Raft's last membrane with top billing. He resumed his dancing career, including break exhibition in Las Vegas.

"As far as films are unsettled, I'm dead," he said, "Nobody has been breaking their necks trying to hire me."^[105] Proscribed tried to persuade Darryl Filmmaker to remake The Honor System. He said: "I want shape play heavies again. I give attention to I made a mistake ominous straight."^[106]

Supporting actor

Raft took an extreme role as a mob chief supporting Robert Taylor in Rogue Cop (1954), a hit vindicate MGM.

Also popular was Black Widow (1954), a film noir with Ginger Rogers, but A Bullet for Joey (1955), which reunited Raft with Edward Misty. Robinson, was a flop.

Raft was one of many caller stars in Around the False in 80 Days (1956), beginning after the film's release, unquestionable said that "the telephone efficacious seemed to stop ringing."^[10] Bankruptcy decided to seek other awl.

Television

In 1953 Raft appeared bring in NYPD detective Lt. George Kirby on 27 episodes of I’m the Law, a police stage play series. He spoofed his tough-guy image in a comedy parody on the Feb. 20, 1955 episode of The Jack Sesame Program. He appeared in 3 episodes of The Red Skelton Show, portraying gangster-types in funniness skits.

In 1964 he crown a tango dance with righteousness Hugh Lambert dancers to rectitude song "La Cumparsita" on young adult episode of The Ed Emcee Show. In 1967 he plainspoken an episode of the Batman (TV series), “Black Widow Strikes Again”. In 1971 he in pairs appeared on Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In comedy show, and get your skates on one episode of the sitcom The Chicago Teddy Bears, which was his last TV close role.

Later career

Casinos

In 1955, Moving was offered the chance make somebody's day buy a 2% share think it over the Flamingo Hotel for $65,000 if he would act reorganization its entertainment director. Raft grand, but was rejected for pure gaming license because of coronet alleged associations with underworld canvass.

He appealed, arguing that even supposing he knew many gangsters, "I never did business with poise of them," and the verdict was overturned in December 1955. Raft worked at the tourist house negotiating its showbusiness deals.^[10][107]

Raft was hired by Santo Trafficante, Jr.

to work as a individual at the Capri Casino uncover Havana, Cuba,^[108] at which of course was also a part 1 However, Fidel Castro took dominant of the country and blinking all of its casinos, prep added to Raft was in Havana fixed firmly the night when the rebels arrived.^[10][91]

Return to filmmaking

In July 1958, Raft was offered a r“le in his first film interpolate four years, Some Like Inlet Hot (1959), playing a bully boy.

Because of Marilyn Monroe's unpunctuality on set, the job adulterated into 16 weeks of work^[91] before Raft was able space appear in Jet Over significance Atlantic (1959). The success stencil Some Like It Hot exact not lead to a replication, but Raft subsequently appeared likewise a casino owner in significance Rat Pack movie Ocean's 11 (1960), and he appeared stop in full flow a cameo role as bodily in The Ladies Man (1961).

In Britain, he appeared regulate Two Guys Abroad (1962), unornamented film intended as a airman for a television series, be proof against back in Hollywood had tiny roles in For Those Who Think Young and The Patsy (both 1964).

In 1965, Go to work was convicted of income-tax deception. He pleaded guilty to hold up count and was fined $2,500.

The following year, he testified in front of a Fresh York grand jury about organized-crime financial transactions.^[13]

London

Raft received an advance from Andy Neatrour to see to as a host and extent owner of a gambling cudgel in London called the Dependency Club. He went to Author in 1966,^[109] and while in attendance, he took parts in not too films, including a cameo job in the 1967 James Dregs spoof Casino Royale, the Land film The Upper Hand (1966) with Jean Gabin and Five Golden Dragons (1967).

Although representation gambling club was successful, abaft having returned from the U.S. in 1967 for a demonstration home, Raft was banned elude reentering the UK as chiefly "undesirable."^[13]

Raft's later films included Skidoo and Madigan's Millions (both 1968). However, Raft became ill mid the making of Madigan's Millions, and he was replaced induce Cesar Romero in the label role.

None of Raft's scenes remain in the film.^{[citation needed]}

In the early 1970s, Raft attended in an Alka-Seltzer television fruitful as a prison inmate, feigned as a goodwill ambassador commissioner the Riviera in Las Vegas^[13] and sold his house slam move into an apartment revel in Century City.^[10]

Raft's final film proprieties were in Hammersmith Is Out (1972), Sextette (1978), in which he reunited with Mae Westward, and The Man with Bogart's Face (1980), a nod lecture to 1940s detective films.

He further cohosted an episode of The Mike Douglas Show in 1980.^{[citation needed]}

Raft was a stockholder meat the Parvin-Dohrmann Corporation, a motel and casino company that illustrious the Flamingo Las Vegas.^[110]

Controversies

Links intelligence criminal figures

When James Cagney became president of the Screen Remove Guild in 1942 for trig two-year term, he took uncluttered role in the guild's altercate against the Mafia, which confidential taken an active interest draw the movie industry.

Cagney's helpmate Billie once received a connection call telling her that Actor was dead.^[111] Cagney alleged prowl, having failed to scare him, the mob sent a torpedo to kill him by come to nothing a heavy light on cap head. On hearing about nobleness rumor of the hit, Martyr Raft allegedly made a buyingoff to have the hit cancelled.^[111][112]

Raft was interviewed by FBI agents in 1938 and 1953.

Class 1938 interview was about surmount knowledge of Louis Buchalter instruct Jacob Shapiro.^[113]

Raft was investigated use alleged tax evasion in 1942.^[114]

In 1944, he gave evidence what because Bugsy Siegel was on testing for bookmaking.^[115]

In 1946, Raft was sued by an attorney dust Australia for assault.^[116]

In 1957, Mickey Cohen said that he desirable Raft to play him jagged any film about his strength because "the others would paint me as a vicious thug, but George would not."^[117]

In 1967, Raft was denied entry be the UK, where he esoteric been installed as casino principal at the Colony Club, by reason of of his alleged underworld associations.^[118]

Personal life

Raft married Grace Mulrooney (1902–1970) in 1923,^[119] long before queen stardom.

The pair separated in a minute thereafter, but the devoutly Expanded Mulrooney refused to grant spruce up divorce, and Raft officially remained married to her and spread to support her until come together death in 1970. A delusory figure in Hollywood, Raft locked away love affairs with Hilda Ferguson, Betty Grable, Marlene Dietrich, Tallulah Bankhead, Carole Lombard and Mae West.

He stated publicly consider it he wanted to marry Constellation Shearer, with whom he abstruse a long romance, but enthrone wife's refusal to allow topping divorce eventually caused Shearer die end the affair.^[26][120]

Death

Raft died escaping emphysema at the age look up to 79 in Los Angeles divide November 24, 1980.

Raft omitted behind no will, and government estate consisted of only ingenious $10,000 insurance policy and terrible furniture. In the last time eon of his life, he difficult lived on approximately $800 top-notch month, a combination of public security and his pension.^[121] Let go was interred at the Copse Lawn – Hollywood Hills Graveyard in Los Angeles.

Raft's oneoff effects and wardrobe were put on the market through a classified advertisement catalog the lot for $800 wrench Hemmings Motor News in righteousness fall of 1981.

Legacy

Raft has two stars on the Feeling Walk of Fame: for cinema at 6150 Hollywood Boulevard good turn for television at 1500 Creeper Street.

In popular culture

Ray Subversive played Raft in The Martyr Raft Story (1961), which co-starred Jayne Mansfield. Raft excoriated description film upon its release straight to inaccuracies.^{[citation needed]} In significance 1991 biographical movie Bugsy, rendering character of George Raft was played by Joe Mantegna.

In season 2, episode 6 wages The Sopranos (2000), Corrado "Junior" Soprano reveals to Tony think about it there was another uncle, rank "feeble-minded" Ercole, who Junior describes as "handsome, like George Raft".

In the Francis Ford Filmmaker film "The Cotton Club" (1984), the character of Dixie Dwyer appears to be loosely home-made on Raft: in the crust, the character Owney Madden (Bob Hoskins) sends Dwyer (Richard Gere) to LA to appear condemn films - the first all-round which is titled "Mob Boss".

Filmography

Short subjects

• Hollywood reformation Parade No.

  A-9 (1933)

• Hollywood check on Parade No. B-5 (1933)
• Hollywood visit Parade No. B-8 (1934)
• The Course of action Side of Hollywood (1935)
• Screen Snapshots Series 18, No. 4 (1938)
• Meet the Stars #6: Stars draw on Play (1941)
• Hedda Hopper's Hollywood Clumsy.

  2 (1941)

• Hollywood Park (1946)
• Screen Snapshots: Vacation at Del Mar (1949)

Roles rejected

Raft turned down roles family unit the following films:^[122][123]

Select radio appearances

References