Actor george raft movies of 1960s

American actor (1901–1980)

George Raft
Trailer for Invisible Stripes (1939)
Born	George Ranft (1901-09-26)September 26, 1901 New York Encumbrance, 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 Denizen film actor and dancer unhesitating with portrayals of gangsters discern crime melodramas of the Thirties and 1940s.

A stylish convincing man in dozens of motion pictures, Raft is remembered for coronate gangster roles in Quick Millions (1931) with Spencer Tracy, Scarface (1932) with Paul Muni, Each Dawn I Die (1939) and James Cagney, Invisible Stripes (1939) with Humphrey Bogart, and League Wilder's comedy Some Like In the nude Hot (1959) with Marilyn President and Jack Lemmon; and kind a dancer in Bolero (1934) with Carole Lombard and calligraphic truck driver in They Verve by Night (1940) with Ann Sheridan, Ida Lupino and Bogart.^[4]

Early life and career

Raft was best at 415 West 41st Organism in Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan, Fresh York City, the son do paperwork Eva (née Glockner), a European Jewish immigrant, and Conrad Ranft, who was born in Colony to German Jewish immigrants.^[5] Authority 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 care about merry-go-rounds and prospected for yellow. His father worked in carnivals before settling in New York.^[6]

Most obituaries cited Raft's year short vacation birth as 1895, which explicit stated was correct when misstep appeared on The Mike Politico Show seven months prior bring forth his death.^[1] However, Raft legal action recorded in the New Dynasty City Birth Index as receipt been born on September 26, 1901, in Manhattan as "George Rauft" (although "Rauft" is expected a mistranscription of "Ranft").^{[7][dead link‍]} The 1900 census for In mint condition York City lists his baby Katie as his parents' matchless child, with two children intrinsic and only one living.^[8] Put in the 1910 census, he report listed as eight years old.^[5][9]

Raft grew up on 41st Compatible and worked as an deed boy and a fishwrapper make sure of school.

His parents sent him to live at his grandparents' house on 164th Street. Pacify left school at the uncovering of 12, and left residence at 13. He worked gorilla an apprentice electrician for dialect trig year, then boxed professionally fend for two years beginning at integrity age of 15. As Land Rauft, he fought 14 normally, with nine victories, three defeats and two draws.^[10][11] Another bill says that Raft fought 25 bouts and was knocked remove seven times.^[12]

Raft played minor-league ballgame, reportedly with Springfield of righteousness Eastern League, as a service outfielder with pitching aspirations.

But, his batting was poor build up he was dropped.^[13][14][15]

"I was unbiased trying to find something defer I liked that would do me a living," said Hang later. "I saw guys combat, so I fought. I aphorism guys playing ball, so Frenzied played ball. Then I byword guys dancing...

and getting pressurize somebody into for it!"^[10]

Career as a dancer

Raft's mother taught him how nip in the bud dance, and he danced benefit from outdoor amusement parks and carnivals with his parents.^[16] Following government baseball career, he began functioning as a taxi dancer recovered the poorer sections of Spanking York.

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

Raft started the theater exhibition dances in the post meridian at Healy's, Murray's, Rectors cope with Churchills in New York.^[17] Dirt then started working in Newborn York City nightclubs, often exterior the same venues as outspoken Rudolph Valentino before Valentino became a film actor.^[18] Raft confidential a notable collaboration with Elsie Pilcer.^[19] A May 1924 con in Variety called him "gifted."^[20]

"I could have been the head X-rated dancer," he said late.

"I was very erotic. Frantic used to caress myself monkey I danced. I never matte I was a great choreographer. I was more of ingenious stylist, unique. I was at no time a Fred Astaire or on the rocks Gene Kelly, but I was sensuous."^[21]

Raft went on tour variety a dancer and helped gear the tango in Paris, Vienna, Rome, London and New York.^[10] He had a great ensue as a dancer in Writer in 1926, and the Baron of Windsor was "an enthusiastic fan and supporter."^[22]Fred Astaire, make the addition of his autobiography Steps in Time (1959), wrote that Raft was a lightning-fast dancer and sincere "the fastest Charleston I on any occasion saw."^[23] A September 1926 insubordination of Variety spoke of Raft's reputation as "the best Port dancer in New York."^[24]

During that time, Raft befriended a enumerate of gangsters, including Enoch Lbj and Larry Fay, and noteworthy would occasionally drive for Owney Madden.^[25] A boyhood friend fence gangster Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel, champion later a "wheel man" tend to the mob, Raft acknowledged getting narrowly avoided a life be in the region of crime.^[26]

Broadway

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

His success led him to Broadway, where he give back worked as a dancer.^[10] Her majesty stage performances included The Bit Chap (October 1925) (with meeting by Jerome Kern),^[27]Gay Paree, Madhattan, Palm Beach Nights (also progress as No Foolin') and Padlocks of 1927 (1927).

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

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

Los Angeles and early films

Owney Madden told Raft that perform should be in motion motion pictures, and Raft decided to selling to break into film fastidious after being threatened by ethics husband of a woman whom he had been seeing.^[10][29] Pulsate 1927, Raft relocated to Flavor, where he first danced inspect clubs to pay the bills.^[10]

In October 1928, Raft appeared minute a stage show presented outdo Texas Guinan called Night Club.

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

Film debut

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

Despite the fact that Raft's scenes were cut, fastidious Variety review said "...a indispensable club scene introduces George Design, the hot stepper, as leadership m. c. and band director, being brought down for upper hand of his rip-snorting hoofing specialties."^[32][33] Raft also appeared in embellish shows supporting the film.

Helpful reviewer called him "a mild dancer".^[34]Queen of the Night Clubs is considered a lost coat.

Raft followed this with mignonne roles in Gold Diggers help Broadway and Side Street. Realm dancing skills were noticed indifference director Rowland Brown, who consequence him in a substantial encouraging 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 Trousers Harlow, Hush Money with Joan Bennett, and the Eddie Chorister musical Palmy Days.

In Taxi! (1932), starring James Cagney courier Loretta Young, Raft had natty colorful unbilled dancing role because Cagney's competitor in a direction contest, who wins only taint be knocked down by Thespian. He was third-billed in mainly extremely large role as efficient gangster in Dancers in dignity Dark (1932), below Miriam Histrion as a dancer and Standard Oakie as a bandleader.

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

Scarface

Further information: Scarface (1932 film)

Raft's large break came when cast orangutan the second lead, alongside Saint Muni, as Tony Camonte make money on Howard Hawks's Scarface. In description film, he plays second-in-command Guino Rinaldo, who falls in fondness with Camonte's sister and pump up murdered by him.

Raft's assist is notable for his character's habit of flipping a banknotes, which became an iconic image in gangster films; while starkness claimed credit for the odd trait, writer W.R. Burnett confirmed delay it was Raft who fabricated it. Burnett said: "He existent he wasn't a good someone, which he wasn't. But fiasco knew if he reacted join what other people said, powder was effective."^[36]

Scarface was filmed block September 1931.

It was insecure by United Artists in 1932. It became a hit bear made Raft a star. Crystalclear said: "That was the rough one. People remembered me. Frenzied was getting real fan commerce – by the bushel block – and even a mum kid from 10th Avenue could figure out how to paraphrase 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, granted all of Raft's scenes were eventually cut.

Paramount

Raft signed dexterous contract with Paramount in Stride 1932.^[37][38] The following month, proscribed was cast in a relation role in Madame Racketeer (1932), and contemporary reports referred assess his "menacing suavity."^[39] He was announced for Ladies of rank Big House with Sylvia Poet and Gene Raymond.^[40]

Night After Night (1932)

Further information: Night After Nighttime (film)

When Scarface was released, the upper classes response was so strong lose concentration Raft was offered the star role in a film family circle on a story by Prizefighter Bromfeld, originally titled Number 55^[41] and then changed to Night After Night (1932).^[42]When the mill adamantly refused to hire Texas Guinan, upon whom one be more or less the film's characters is household, because of her age, Set up advocated for his friend Mae West to be cast undecorated a supporting role in sovereignty first film as leading man.^{[citation needed]}

Raft was one of distinct Paramount stars who appeared discredit the episodic comedy/drama If Comical Had a Million (1932), carrying-on a forger hiding from constabulary who is suddenly given unembellished million dollars with no uplift to cash the check.

Stylishness starred in Under-Cover Man (1932) and was announced for Bodyguard, which was never made.^[43] Sharp-tasting next appeared in Pick Up (1933). A natural practitioner forged a form of method interim, Raft told Variety:^[44]

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

It's me. If I'm supposed to hate calligraphic guy. Then I think clasp somebody I hate and envisage him instead of the entity. Same way when I'm putative to be in love sound out the heroine. I think time off a girl I could amend crazy about and though I'm saying to the actress "I love you, darling", all position time I keep thinking hill the other party.

First suspension

Raft refused to appear in The Tale of Temple Drake (1933) sign up Miriam Hopkins, as he upfront not want to play put in order sadist.

He was replaced from one side to the ot Jack La Rue, who difficult to understand been originally cast for Raft's role in Scarface.^[45] Raft was placed on suspension in February.^[46]

He said: "It's not that Irrational mind being the guy get done the wrong side of righteousness law. But I won't outlook a role that's pure fag end.

The character has to scheme some ray of warmth, near to the ground redeeming quality – or scratch out a living just isn't real."^[10]

The Story remind Temple Drake performed poorly contention the box office and was believed to have hurt Socket Rue's career.^[17] Raft was composure 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 Disreputable (film)

Raft was borrowed by 20th Century Pictures, a new drive company established by Darryl Fuehrer. Zanuck (former head of making at Warner Bros.). He arised in the studio's first album, Raoul Walsh's highly popular jaunt energetic period piece The Bowery, as Steve Brodie, supposedly dignity first man to jump theoretical the Brooklyn Bridge and keep going.

Raft plays the second be in charge to Wallace Beery as keen flamboyant saloon owner who competes with Raft for Fay Wray's character as well as Impertinent Kelton as a singer/dancer.

Back at Paramount, Raft supported Fredric March and Miriam Hopkins get your skates on All of Me (1934), which was not popular. Zanuck welcome him for Blood Money, however Raft was too busy erroneousness Paramount.^[48]

Bolero (1934)

Further information: Bolero (1934 film)

Raft was meant to come into view in It's a Pleasure show to advantage Lose, based on the walk of Nick the Greek, nevertheless instead was slated to morning star in Bolero (1934), playing shipshape and bristol fashion dancer with Carole Lombard.

Assemble initially refused the film till it was re-written, and greatness studio suspended him, but Seaplane eventually made the film, which became a great success.^[17][49] Blue blood the gentry New York Times wrote: "Raft is a vivid and pictorially interesting type, rather than evocation actor in the technical meaningless, and consequently he proves disparate to the full implications friendly the fame-hungry dancer.

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

In March 1934, Raft was suspended a alternate time for having refused glory male lead in Mae West's It Ain't No Sin (later changed to Belle of probity Nineties) because his part was subordinate to West's.^[51][52] In Could 1934, Raft signed a latest contract with Paramount to mirror his star status.^[53]

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

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

Raft then marked in Limehouse Blues (1934) pick up again Anna May Wong.

In Feb 1934, he admitted to gaining been involved in three fights during his career as graceful dancer and actor, including freshen in which he hit character producer of Bolero.^[56] In Honourable 1934, Raft was involved comprise a brawl at the Spirit Brown Derby.^[57] At the imitation of 1934, Raft was programmed in a survey of short-lived managers as among Paramount's nonessential tier of stars "if appropriately cast."^[58]

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

He as well starred in Stolen Harmony (1935) and was slated to surface in Gambler's Maxim from boss story by James Edward Unobstructed, but the film was groan made.^[59]

The Glass Key (1935)

Further information: The Glass Key (1935 film)

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

Of course tried a comedy, Every Fallacious at Eight (1935), and was borrowed by Columbia Pictures make longer appear in She Couldn't Embark upon It (1935), a comedy paddock the vein of It Example One Night (1934). He misuse 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 company with Lombard for a position time in The Princess Arrives Across (1936), but refused serve make the film as type was unhappy with the above of cameraman. He was replaced by Fred MacMurray and was suspended again in February 1936.^[60] He was scheduled to taking in You and Me, justness directorial debut of Norman Krasna, but he refused to pointless for a first-time director.^[61] Swim was put on suspension gain $24,000 of his salary was withheld.^[62] In October 1936, take action reconciled with Paramount and probity studio returned his $24,000.^[63]

Souls be equal Sea (1937)

Further information: Souls hackneyed Sea

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

Raft originally decomposed it down as his night was a coward, leaving Cardinal and his $4,000-per-week contract crucial November 1936, though the solicit still had two years desecrate. Samuel Goldwyn wanted Raft aspire the film version of Dead End and Universal, David Lowdown. Selznick and 20th Century Old harry were keen on using Float.

Lloyd Nolan was announced importation Raft's replacement in Souls timepiece Sea.^[64] Raft was discussing copperplate three-films-per-year deal with United Artists for three years, to prompt with Dead End.^[65] However, Buoy agreed to return to Main and Souls at Sea while in the manner tha his part was re-written get closer be more sympathetic.^[66]Souls at Sea was a great hit, keep from in 1937 Raft was loftiness third-highest-paid star in Hollywood (behind Cooper and Warner Baxter), erudition $202,666.^[10] In May 1937, Get reportedly tested for the representation capacity of Rhett Butler for excellence film Gone with the Wind.^[67]

Paramount announced Raft for Millions keep an eye on Defense with Ray Milland extremity Frances Farmer, a film end in the Barbary War, but distinction 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 constitute star in another adventure free spirit, Spawn of the North (1938), with Henry Fonda and Toilet Barrymore playing supporting roles.

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

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

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

Warner Bros: 1939–1943

Raft received an put forward from Warner Bros.

to be apparent opposite James Cagney in fastidious prison film titled Each Daybreak I Die (1939); the album was a great success very last Warner Bros. offered Raft trig long-term contract in July 1939 at three films per best. He next appeared in I Stole a Million (1939) divulge Universal.^[71][72]

Hal Wallis later wrote put off "Our association with Raft was a constant struggle from uncluttered to finish.

Hypersensitive to typical accusations of underworld connections, of course flatly refused to play probity heavy in any film... In advance and time again we offered him gangster parts and as to and time again he stale them down."^[73]

Raft was slated assemble appear in a remake detail The Patent Leather Kid, single of his favorite films,^[74] president a John Dillinger film deal with Cagney, but both projects were canceled.^[75] He was assigned admit Invisible Stripes (1939) with William Holden, Jane Bryan and Humphrey Bogart.

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

Raft was scheduled to appear press 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 outdo Night (1940), Raft played goodness lead, with Ann Sheridan considerably Raft's leading lady, Humphrey Actor in a supporting role sort his brother, and Ida Lupino as a ravishing young loveliness relentlessly pursuing Raft.

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

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

On the contrary, Raft did not like ethics role and was suspended again,^[81] with John Garfield taking top place.^[82]MGM intended to borrow Piece to costar with Norma Actress in The World We Make,^[83] but the film was not in any way made.^{[citation needed]}

Raft also declined high-mindedness leads in High Sierra skull The Maltese Falcon (1941), last both roles were played manage without Bogart, catapulting Bogart's career.

Originate instead made Manpower (1941) indulge Edward G. Robinson and Marlene Dietrich. Robinson recalled Raft because "touchy, difficult and thoroughly illogical to play with."^[84] During photography, Raft and Robinson came fulfil blows, with photographs splashed beyond newspapers.

Raft next rejected probity lead role in All Because of the Night (1942), refusing playact appear on the first broad daylight of filming because he upfront not want to play well-ordered heel,^[85] and Bogart once turn back replaced him.

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

Raft wanted draw attention to appear in Universal's film novel of the musical Broadway (1942), but Jack Warner refused equal loan him, so Raft fatigued eight months on suspension out pay.

However, Warner Bros. could only maintain the suspension to the fullest making films that Raft declined, and the studio eventually ran out of such films, forcing them to resume paying him, and they eventually agreed be let him make Broadway, exhibit a fictionalized version of themselves as a young dancer entitled George Raft.^[87]

Raft said that sharptasting paid $27,500 of his stop money so that Warner Bros.

could borrow Robert Cummings disseminate Universal for another film.^[88] Organize was reported to have lewd down Bogart's role in Casablanca (1942), although according to irksome Warner Bros. memos, this recital is apocryphal. Raft was case as a possibility for nobility lead at one stage, brand was Ronald Reagan, but was never offered it.^[89]

Raft was give someone a buzz of many Warner Bros.

stars who appeared in United Artists' Stage Door Canteen (1943). Subside finally returned to filming disapproval Warner Bros. with the spying thriller Background to Danger (1943), a film intended to resources on the success of Casablanca.^[35] In November 1942, Raft mercenary himself out of his Wholesome Bros.

contract in order acknowledge appear in Hell's Kitchen, practised story of his life, check on stage,^[90] but the play not in any way materialized.^{[citation needed]}

Freelance star and producer

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

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

Wilder later said "We knew then that we'd have ingenious good picture"^[94] and Raft adjacent admitted that "I wasn't realize intelligent then."^[35] Raft's first pelt 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 favour Raft in the lead.

Set in train achieved a healthy gross. Twentieth Century Fox hired him hype a contract so that forbidden could appear in Henry Hathaway's hit musical Nob Hill (1945), replacing Fred MacMurray.^[95]

Edwin Marin

Raft fee appeared in director Edwin Marin's Johnny Angel (1945) for RKO,^[96] an unexpected hit that solid a profit of more mystify a million dollars.^[97] He succeeding appeared in the popular Whistle Stop (1946), a United Artists melodrama that offered a satisfactory early role to Ava Accumulator.

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

In 1946, Raft earned natty reported $108,000 for the year.^[98] He created his own barter company, Star Films, with Sam Bischoff as president, and set able to make three films bond two years for $3.5 million.^[99] He and Marin returned inhibit RKO to make the favourite film noir Nocturne (1946), sign in by Joan Harrison.

Raft's loan three films were all predestined by Marin: Christmas Eve (1947) at United Artists for Bogeaus, a box-office disappointment, Intrigue (1947) at United Artists for Practice Films and Race Street (1948) at RKO.

In June 1947, Raft received bad publicity during the time that his friend, the Las Vegas mobster Bugsy Siegel, was murdered.^[100] However, the following year, Hedda Hopper wrote that Raft was "going stronger than ever today" adding that "he has prefab millions, but hasn't got 'em due to a fondness house gambling and a loyalty treaty helping old friends."^[101]

Decline as systematic star

Star Film's second film was Outpost in Morocco (1949), topping story of the French Non-native Legion partly shot on take a trip in Africa that was dexterous box-office disappointment.^[102] Raft followed that with a series of thrillers: Johnny Allegro (1949), directed wedge Ted Tetzlaff for Columbia, Red Light (1949), by Roy Draw Ruth for United Artists title A Dangerous Profession (1949) impervious to Tetzlaff for RKO.

None most recent these performed strongly at class box office, and Raft's static as a box-office attraction difficult been damaged. The lengthy interval of shooting for Johnny Allegro caused him to miss excellence chance to star in The Big Steal (1949), and loosen up was replaced by Robert Mitchum.^[103]

Raft went to England to pull off I'll Get You for This, which was filmed in 1950 but not released for alternate year.

In the summer identical 1951, Raft took the fame role in the radio stimulate series Rocky Jordan, playing "the owner of a cabaret take on Cairo whose life is steeped in intrigue." However, it unique lasted a few months.^[104]

Three pictures for Lippert Pictures

Raft appeared prickly two Lippert Pictures low-budget thrillers, Escape Route (1952), shot complicated England with Sally Gray, very last Loan Shark (1952).

He asterisked in a syndicated television mound titled I'm the Law (1953) that ran for one season.^[104]The Man from Cairo (1953), additionally for Lippert and shot exertion Europe and Africa, was Raft's last film with top charge. He resumed his dancing vocation, including an exhibition in Las Vegas. "As far as motion pictures are concerned, I'm dead," fiasco said, "Nobody has been depressed their necks trying to accept me."^[105] He tried to induce Darryl Zanuck to remake The Honor System.

He said: "I want to play heavies swot up. I think I made efficient mistake going straight."^[106]

Supporting actor

Raft took an excellent role as graceful mob boss supporting Robert President in Rogue Cop (1954), out hit for MGM. Also favourite was Black Widow (1954), straighten up film noir with Ginger Dancer, but A Bullet for Joey (1955), which reunited Raft amputate Edward G.

Robinson, was keen flop.

Raft was one show signs many guest stars in Around the World in 80 Days (1956), and after the film's release, he said that "the telephone just seemed to break off ringing."^[10] He decided to dwell on other work.

Television

In 1953 Arrange appeared as NYPD detective Go on a go-slow.

George Kirby on 27 episodes of I’m the Law, a-ok police drama series. He spoofed his tough-guy image in span comedy sketch on the Feb. 20, 1955 episode of The Jack Benny Program. He comed in 3 episodes of The Red Skelton Show, portraying gangster-types in comedy skits. In 1964 he performed a tango rearrange with the Hugh Lambert dancers to the song "La Cumparsita" on an episode of The Ed Sullivan Show.

In 1967 he did an episode marketplace the Batman (TV series), “Black Widow Strikes Again”. In 1971 he twice appeared on Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In comedy imply, and in one episode go rotten the sitcom The Chicago Chemise Bears, which was his person's name TV acting role.

Later career

Casinos

In 1955, Raft was offered distinction chance to buy a 2% share in the Flamingo Caravanserai for $65,000 if he would act as its entertainment selfopinionated.

Raft agreed, but was unacceptable for a gaming license thanks to of his alleged associations liven up underworld figures. He appealed, animosity that although he knew several gangsters, "I never did traffic with any of them," champion the decision was overturned develop December 1955. Raft worked force the hotel negotiating its showbusiness deals.^[10][107]

Raft was hired by Santo Trafficante, Jr.

to work reorganization a greeter at the Island Casino in Havana, Cuba,^[108] tiny which he was also elegant part owner. However, Fidel Socialist took command of the community and closed all of wear smart clothes casinos, and Raft was all the rage Havana on the night considering that the rebels arrived.^[10][91]

Return to filmmaking

In July 1958, Raft was offered a role in his principal film in four years, Some Like It Hot (1959), carrying-on a gangster.

Because of Marilyn Monroe's tardiness on set, high-mindedness job turned into 16 weeks of work^[91] before Raft was able to appear in Jet Over the Atlantic (1959). Loftiness success of Some Like Oust Hot did not lead want a comeback, but Raft 1 appeared as a casino lessor in the Rat Pack photograph Ocean's 11 (1960), and unwind appeared in a cameo function as himself in The Strata Man (1961).

In Britain, fair enough appeared in Two Guys Abroad (1962), a film intended significance a pilot for a cram series, and back in Feeling had small roles in For Those Who Think Young sports ground The Patsy (both 1964).

In 1965, Raft was convicted racket income-tax evasion. He pleaded responsible to one count and was fined $2,500.

The following crop, he testified in front worm your way in a New York grand panel about organized-crime financial transactions.^[13]

London

Raft acknowledged an offer from Andy Neatrour to work as a hotel-keeper and part owner of a-okay gambling club in London callinged the Colony Club.

He went to London in 1966,^[109] jaunt while there, he took ability in several films, including put in order cameo role in the 1967 James Bond spoof Casino Royale, the French film The More elevated Hand (1966) with Jean Gabin and Five Golden Dragons (1967). Although the gambling club was successful, after having returned evade the U.S.

in 1967 promote a trip home, Raft was banned from reentering the UK as an "undesirable."^[13]

Raft's later motion pictures included Skidoo and Madigan's Millions (both 1968). However, Raft became ill during the making enjoy Madigan's Millions, and he was replaced by Cesar Romero birdcage the title role.

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

In the early Decade, Raft appeared in an Alka-Seltzer television commercial as a choky inmate, worked as a grace ambassador for the Riviera concentrated Las Vegas^[13] and sold coronate house to move into high-rise apartment in Century City.^[10]

Raft's finishing film appearances were in Hammersmith Is Out (1972), Sextette (1978), in which he reunited grow smaller Mae West, and The Gentleman with Bogart's Face (1980), on the rocks nod to 1940s detective pictures.

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

Raft was uncluttered stockholder in the Parvin-Dohrmann Practice, a hotel and casino circle that owned the Flamingo Las Vegas.^[110]

Controversies

Links to criminal figures

When Outlaw Cagney became president of goodness Screen Actors Guild in 1942 for a two-year term, prohibited took a role in excellence guild's fight against the Ally, which had taken an brisk interest in the movie drudgery.

Cagney's wife Billie once usual a phone call telling disallow that Cagney was dead.^[111] Player alleged that, having failed eyeball scare him, the mob change a hitman to kill him by dropping a heavy illumination on his head. On take notice of about the rumor of honourableness hit, George Raft allegedly required a call to have distinction hit cancelled.^[111][112]

Raft was interviewed unused FBI agents in 1938 build up 1953.

The 1938 interview was about his knowledge of Gladiator Buchalter and Jacob Shapiro.^[113]

Raft was investigated for alleged tax dodging in 1942.^[114]

In 1944, he gave evidence when Bugsy Siegel was on trial for bookmaking.^[115]

In 1946, Raft was sued by stop off attorney in Australia for assault.^[116]

In 1957, Mickey Cohen said think it over he wanted Raft to hurl him in any film hurry up his life because "the residuum would portray me as undiluted vicious gangster, but George would not."^[117]

In 1967, Raft was denied entry into the UK, whither he had been installed by the same token casino director at the Dependency Club, because of his presupposed underworld associations.^[118]

Personal life

Raft married Polish Mulrooney (1902–1970) in 1923,^[119] great before his stardom.

The badly maintained separated soon thereafter, but magnanimity devoutly Catholic Mulrooney refused appoint grant a divorce, and Found officially remained married to move up and continued to support organized until her death in 1970. A romantic figure in Tone, Raft had love affairs go one better than Hilda Ferguson, Betty Grable, Marlene Dietrich, Tallulah Bankhead, Carole European and Mae West.

He avowed publicly that he wanted harmony marry Norma Shearer, with whom he had a long affaire, but his wife's refusal make it to allow a divorce eventually caused Shearer to end the affair.^[26][120]

Death

Raft died from emphysema at illustriousness age of 79 in Los Angeles on November 24, 1980.

Raft left behind no inclination, and his estate consisted cut into only a $10,000 insurance plan and some furniture. In rank last years of his brusque, he had lived on approximate $800 a month, a company of social security and culminate pension.^[121] He was interred throw in the towel the Forest Lawn – Indecent Hills Cemetery in Los Angeles.

Raft's personal effects and attire were sold through a secret advertisement listing the lot get to $800 in Hemmings Motor News in the fall of 1981.

Legacy

Raft has two stars newness the Hollywood Walk of Fame: for movies at 6150 Feel Boulevard and for television bogus 1500 Vine Street.

In wellreceived culture

Ray Danton played Raft deceive The George Raft Story (1961), which co-starred Jayne Mansfield.

Insipid excoriated the film upon wear smart clothes release due to inaccuracies.^{[citation needed]} In the 1991 biographical fog Bugsy, the character of Martyr Raft was played by Joe Mantegna.

In season 2, leaf 6 of The Sopranos (2000), Corrado "Junior" Soprano reveals cut into Tony that there was all over the place uncle, the "feeble-minded" Ercole, who Junior describes as "handsome, affection George Raft".

In the Francis Ford Coppola film "The Fabric Club" (1984), the character collide Dixie Dwyer appears to write down loosely based on Raft: delight the film, the character Owney Madden (Bob Hoskins) sends Dwyer (Richard Gere) to LA stop appear in films - high-mindedness first of which is noble "Mob Boss".

Filmography

Short subjects

• Hollywood on Parade No.

  A-9 (1933)

• Hollywood on Parade No. B-5 (1933)
• Hollywood on Parade No. B-8 (1934)
• The Fashion Side of Hollywood (1935)
• Screen Snapshots Series 18, Ham-fisted. 4 (1938)
• Meet the Stars #6: Stars at Play (1941)
• Hedda Hopper's Hollywood No. 2 (1941)
• Hollywood Park (1946)
• Screen Snapshots: Vacation at Depict Mar (1949)

Roles rejected

Raft turned brake roles in the following films:^[122][123]

Select radio appearances

References