Johnny Allegro

Last updated
Johnny Allegro
Johnny Allegro poster.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Ted Tetzlaff
Screenplay by Guy Endore
Karen DeWolf
Story by James Edward Grant
Produced by Irving Starr
Starring George Raft
Nina Foch
George Macready
Cinematography Joseph F. Biroc
Edited byJerome Thoms
Music by George Duning
Color process Black and white
Production
company
Columbia Pictures
Distributed by Columbia Pictures
Release date
  • May 26, 1949 (1949-05-26)
Running time
81 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Johnny Allegro is a 1949 American film noir directed by Ted Tetzlaff and starring George Raft. An ex-gangster (Raft), temporarily working as a federal agent, runs afoul of a counterfeiting crime lord (Macready) who enjoys hunting. [1] It was one of several thrillers Raft made in the late 1940s. [2]

Contents

Plot

Johnny Allegro (George Raft) escaped from prison in New York and is trying to rebuild his life working as a florist in a large hotel in Los Angeles. He meets Glenda Chapman (Nina Foch) when she asks for his help in avoiding police detectives who are following her. But Treasury agents ask Allegro to help them by working undercover for them to stop the plot that Glenda is involved in. Allegro has no choice but to cooperate because they know that he is an escaped prisoner. At the same time Glenda and Allegro are falling in love even though Glenda is married. Glenda takes Allegro with her to an island off the coast of Florida where Morgan Vallin (George MacReady), her husband, is the mastermind of a plot to bring down the American government by flooding the U.S. economy with counterfeit currency. Vallin is a sadistic criminal who enjoys toying with his victims. He doesn't trust Allegro nor even his wife. Allegro manages to contact the Treasury agents with a short wave radio on one of the boats at the wharf. Allegro finds out where the counterfeit bills are hidden on the island. The Treasury agents arrive after Allegro kills Vallin in a desperate fight. The agents tell Allegro that he can rest easy about returning to prison now that his cooperation has resulted in the end of the threat. As they all sit in the boat leaving the island, Allegro and Glenda hug. [3]

There is also a Cold War subtext, never explicitly mentioned. For example, Vallin says his co-conspirators are not fond of his lavish lifestyle and one of them later cringes at the word 'profit' in regard to the money they've made off the counterfeiting. It's ironic then, that one of the good guys, Schultzy, played by Will Geer, was an actual American communist.

Cast

Production

The film was originally known as The Big Jump. [4] Then it was known as Hounded.

George Raft signed on to make the film in July 1948. It was his first movie at Columbia since She Couldn't Take It (1935). [5] Jane Greer was sought for the female lead. [6] However Nina Foch, who had just enjoyed a big stage success with John and Mary , took the role.

Filming started in December 1948. [7] Filming went for longer than intended, meaning Raft missed out on starring in The Big Steal and the role went to Robert Mitchum, with leading lady Jane Greer. [8] Some scenes were shot at Catalina Island, which was renamed 'Palm Island' for the film. [9]

Reception

The Los Angeles Times thought the film had "polish and novelty as a melodrama" but was still essentially a B picture. "Raft does well enough in a routine way although there is not too much illumination in this performance." [10]

The New York Times said "nothing of any slight distinction" except a scene where someone is killed with a bow and arrow "has been written into this low-grade fiction... Nothing with any vague resemblance to vivid acting is contributed by Mr. Raft, who has become one of the most indifferent and comatose actors extant." [11]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George Raft</span> American actor (1901–1980)

George Raft was an American film actor and dancer identified with portrayals of gangsters in crime melodramas of the 1930s and 1940s. A stylish leading man in dozens of movies, Raft is remembered for his gangster roles in Quick Millions (1931) with Spencer Tracy, Scarface (1932) with Paul Muni, Each Dawn I Die (1939) with James Cagney, Invisible Stripes (1939) with Humphrey Bogart, and Billy Wilder's comedy Some Like It Hot (1959) with Marilyn Monroe and Jack Lemmon; and as a dancer in Bolero (1934) with Carole Lombard and a truck driver in They Drive by Night (1940) with Ann Sheridan, Ida Lupino and Bogart.

Joseph M. Newman was an American film director most famous for his 1955 film This Island Earth. His credits include episodes of The Twilight Zone and The Alfred Hitchcock Hour.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">William Eythe</span> American actor (1918–1957)

William John Eythe was an American actor of film, radio, television and stage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Howard Duff</span> American actor (1913–1990)

Howard Green Duff was an American actor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nina Foch</span> American actress (1924–2008)

Nina Foch was an American actress who later became an instructor. Her career spanned 6 decades, consisting of over 50 feature films and over 100 television credits. She was the recipient of numerous accolades, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress, and a National Board of Review Award for Best Supporting Actress. Foch established herself as a dramatic actress in the late 1940s, often playing cool, aloof sophisticates.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeff Richards (actor, born 1924)</span> American baseball player and actor

Jeff Richards was an American minor league baseball player with the Portland Beavers, who later became an actor. He was sometimes credited as Dick Taylor and Richard Taylor.

<i>Johnny OClock</i> 1947 film by Robert Rossen

Johnny O'Clock is a 1947 American film noir crime film directed by Robert Rossen and starring Dick Powell, Evelyn Keyes, Lee J. Cobb and Ellen Drew. It was distributed by Columbia Pictures.

<i>Red Light</i> (film) 1949 film noir

Red Light is a 1949 American film noir crime film starring George Raft and Virginia Mayo, and directed and produced by Roy Del Ruth. Based on the story "This Guy Gideon" by Don "Red" Barry, it features strong religious overtones.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Helena Carter</span> American actress (1923–2000)

Helena Carter was an American film actress in the 1940s and 1950s who is best known for her work in the film Invaders from Mars as Dr. Patricia Blake. From 1947 to 1953 she would appear in 13 films, during which time she also worked as a model.

<i>The House Across the Bay</i> 1940 American film

The House Across the Bay is a 1940 film directed by Archie Mayo, starring George Raft and Joan Bennett, produced by Walter Wanger, written by Myles Connolly and Kathryn Scola, and released by United Artists. The supporting cast features Lloyd Nolan, Walter Pidgeon and Gladys George.

<i>The Ladys from Kentucky</i> 1939 film by Alexander Hall

The Lady's from Kentucky is a 1939 film directed by Alexander Hall and starring George Raft and Ellen Drew. It was written by Malcolm Stuart Boylan from a story by Rowland Brown. The screenplay involves a failing bookie (Raft) who becomes half owner of a racehorse, with a Kentucky lady (Drew) owning the other half. ZaSu Pitts plays a supporting role.

<i>Rumba</i> (1935 film) 1935 film by Marion Gering

Rumba is a 1935 American musical drama film starring George Raft as a Cuban dancer and Carole Lombard as a Manhattan socialite. The movie was directed by Marion Gering and is considered an unsuccessful follow-up to Raft and Lombard's smash hit Bolero the previous year.

<i>A Dangerous Profession</i> 1949 film by Ted Tetzlaff

A Dangerous Profession is a 1949 American film noir directed by Ted Tetzlaff, written by Warren Duff and Martin Rackin, and starring George Raft, Ella Raines and Pat O'Brien. The film was one of a series of thrillers in which Raft appeared in the late 1940s, with decreasing commercial results.

<i>Ill Get You for This</i> 1951 British film by Joseph M. Newman

I'll Get You for This is a 1951 British thriller film by Joseph M. Newman starring George Raft, Coleen Gray, and Enzo Staiola. It was made from an adaptation by George Callahan and William Rose of James Hadley Chase's 1946 book of the same name. The setting was shifted from Las Vegas in the novel to an Italian gambling resort.

<i>Intrigue</i> (1947 film) 1947 film by Edwin L. Marin

Intrigue is a 1947 American film noir crime film directed by Edwin L. Marin and starring George Raft, June Havoc and Helena Carter. Intrigue was intended to be the first of a number of films Raft made, with producer Sam Bischoff, for his own production company, Star Films. It was one of several movies Raft made with Marin.

<i>Loan Shark</i> (film) 1952 film by Seymour Friedman

Loan Shark is a 1952 American crime film noir directed by Seymour Friedman and starring George Raft, Dorothy Hart and Paul Stewart.

<i>The Return of Monte Cristo</i> (1946 film) 1946 film by Henry Levin

The Return of Monte Cristo is a 1946 American historical adventure film directed by Henry Levin and starring Louis Hayward, Barbara Britton and George Macready. It was produced by Edward Small for distribution by Columbia Pictures. A swashbuckler, it is a sequel to The Count of Monte Cristo (1934) and The Son of Monte Cristo (1940).

<i>Davy Crockett, Indian Scout</i> 1950 film by Lew Landers

Davy Crockett, Indian Scout is a 1950 American Western film directed by Lew Landers and starring George Montgomery and Ellen Drew. Wartime hero Johnny McKee had a small role in the film, as did Jim Thorpe. The film was shot at the Motion Picture Centre, with filming commencing June 1948. Much of the footage was taken from the 1940 film Kit Carson, starring Jon Hall, Dana Andrews, and Clayton Moore.

<i>The Gallant Blade</i> 1948 film by Henry Levin

The Gallant Blade is a 1948 American Cinecolor adventure film directed by Henry Levin and starring Larry Parks.

Sky Liner is a 1949 American film noir action crime film directed by William Berke. It was released on the bottom half of double bills.

References

  1. Everett Aaker. The Films of George Raft, McFarland & Company, 2013, pg 138.
  2. Vagg, Stephen (February 9, 2020). "Why Stars Stop Being Stars: George Raft". Filmink.
  3. "Johnny Allegro (1949) - Ted Tetzlaff | Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related | AllMovie".
  4. THOMAS F BRADY (Nov 20, 1948). "ACADEMY AWARDS WILL BE AT STUDIO". New York Times. ProQuest   108240057.
  5. Schallert, E. (Jul 1, 1948). "Donna reed will play 'one woman' title role". Los Angeles Times. ProQuest   165851640.
  6. Schallert, E. (Nov 19, 1948). "'Murder is my business' heflin gotham venture; lake set in 'hurricane'". Los Angeles Times. ProQuest   165878819.
  7. Schallert, E. (Dec 13, 1948). "Lamour company set; slate of comics heavy; nina foch now siren". Los Angeles Times. ProQuest   165865388.
  8. THOMAS F. BRADY (Dec 23, 1948). "MITCHUM IN LEAD OF 'THE BIG STEAL': RKO Moves Actor Into Role Originally Given to Raft -- Bank Tightens Loans". New York Times. p. 25.
  9. T. F. (Jan 16, 1949). "HOLLYWOOD DIGS OUT". New York Times. ProQuest   105795779.
  10. Schallert, E. (Jun 14, 1949). "Slickness all but masks weak spots in 'allegro'". Los Angeles Times. ProQuest   165991896.
  11. Crowther, Bosley (31 May 1949). "The Screen". New York Times.