Madame Racketeer

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Madame Racketeer
Madame Racketeer.jpg
Directed by Harry Wagstaff Gribble
Alexander Hall
Written by Malcolm Stuart Boylan
Harvey Gates
Produced byHarry Wagstaff Gribble
Starring Alison Skipworth
Richard Bennett
George Raft
Cinematography Henry Sharp
Music by John Leipold
Production
company
Distributed byParamount Pictures
Release date
  • July 23, 1932 (1932-07-23)
Running time
72 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Madame Racketeer is a 1932 American pre-Code comedy film featuring Alison Skipworth, Richard Bennett and George Raft. The movie was directed by Harry Wagstaff Gribble and Alexander Hall. [1] It was produced and distributed by Paramount Pictures.

Contents

Plot

Cast

Production

The film was based on an original screenplay based on the life of a real woman. [2] It was sold under the title The Countess of Auburn. This was changed to The Sporting Widow then Madame Racketeer. [3] In March 1932 Paramont announced Alison Skipworth would star. [4]

In April 1932 Irving CUmmings signed to direct. [5] George Raft was cast later that month. [6] Raft had recently signed a long-term contract with Paramount off the back of his strength of his work in Scarface but that film had not gone into wide release yet. [7]

Numerous retakes were done after the film was completed. [8]

The movie was one of 23 films put into receivership by Paramount in January 1933. [9]

Reception

The New York Times said "part of it is funny, part of it is amusing enough and some of it is a little on the sadward side." [10]

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References

  1. ↑ Everett Aaker, The Films of George Raft, McFarland & Company, 2013 p 28
  2. ↑ ON THE ROAD TO HOLLYWOOD Hall, Chapin. New York Times April 24, 1932: X3.
  3. ↑ HOLLYWOOD IN REVIEW Hall, Chapin. New York Times June 5, 1932: X3.
  4. ↑ MOTHER-LOVE THEME EXPLOITED: Noted Trio Slated for Roles in "Counless of Auburn Kingsley, Grace. Los Angeles Times March 1, 1932: A7.
  5. ↑ FILMS BASED ON FALLON CAREER: Kingsley, Grace. Los Angeles Times April 18, 1932: 11
  6. ↑ Raft's Suavity Utilized in Film Los Angeles Times April 17, 1932: B20.
  7. ↑ Vagg, Stephen (February 9, 2020). "Why Stars Stop Being Stars: George Raft". Filmink.
  8. ↑ HOLLYWOOD IN REVIEW Hall, Chapin. New York Times July 17, 1932: X3.
  9. ↑ 23 FILM PLAYS PUT INTO RECEIVERSHIP: Paramount Bondholder's Plea Is Granted to Guard the Pictures Against Seizure. VALUED AT $10,000,000 Held by Subsidiary, Whose Notes Were Used to Secure Loans From Banks. New York Times January 31, 1933: 19.
  10. ↑ Madame Racketeer. L.N. New York Times ]July 23, 1932: 6
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