The Shakedown | |
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![]() Theatrical release poster | |
Directed by | William Wyler |
Written by | Charles Logue Clarence Marks |
Produced by | Carl Laemmle, Jr. |
Starring | James Murray Barbara Kent |
Cinematography | Jerome Ash Charles J. Stumar |
Edited by | Richard Cahoon Lloyd Nosler |
Music by | Joseph Cherniavsky |
Distributed by | Universal Pictures |
Release date |
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Running time | 70 min |
Country | United States |
Languages | Sound (Part-Talkie) English |
Budget | $50,000 |
The Shakedown is a 1929 American part-talkie pre-Code action comedy-drama sports film directed by William Wyler and starring James Murray, Barbara Kent and Jack Hanlon.
This film was released in two versions a part-talking version for English speaking audiences and a Synchronized version for non-English speaking audiences. The International Sound Version survives in an Italian archive with the original synchronized soundtrack. This print of The Shakedown was converted into a silent version by the staff of the George Eastman House in 1998 and released on Blu-ray without the original soundtrack.[ citation needed ] The original part-talkie version appears to be lost.
Dave Roberts is a professional boxer who loses intentionally in fixed matches. Dave's life on the margins changes after he meets an honest woman and rescues an orphan from an oncoming train. As he cares for the woman and child, he must decide whether to continue his derelict ways or rebel against those who have been manipulating him.
The film featured a theme song entitled "Dear Little Boy Of Mine" which was composed by Ernest R. Ball and J. Keirn Brennan.