Create Next App

Summary

A night club owner takes on the crooks who killed his best friend.

Cast

George Raft

Dan Gannin

William Bendix

Barney Runson

Marilyn Maxwell

Robbie Lawrence

Frank Faylen

Phil Dickson

Harry Morgan

Hal Towers

Gale Robbins

Elaine Gannin

Cully Richards

Mike Hadley

Mack Gray

Stringy

Russell Hicks

Easy Mason

Tom Keene

William Forrest

Nick Walters

James Nolan

Herbie

George Turner

Dixie

Richard Benedict

Sam

Dean White

Big Jack

Freddie Steele

Monty

Eddie Arden

Man (uncredited)

Wong Artarne

Lee (Gannin's Houseboy) (uncredited)

Reginald Billado

Clerk (uncredited)

Barry Brooks

Intern in Hallway (uncredited)

James Bush

Nurse on Ward (uncredited)

George Chandler

Herman (Waiter) (uncredited)

James Conaty

Racetrack Spectator / Nightclub Patron (uncredited)

Oliver Cross

Turf Club Headwaiter (uncredited)

Robert Dudley

Pop (Watchman) (uncredited)

Franklyn Farnum

Man (uncredited)

Joe Gilbert

Nightclub Patron (uncredited)

George Goodman

Turf Club Waiter (uncredited)

Charmienne Harker

Cigarette Girl at Turf Club (uncredited)

Cy Kendall

Shoeshine Customer (uncredited)

Mary Kent

Central Receiving Nurse-Receptionist (uncredited)

Mike Lally

Man (uncredited)

Charles Lane

Switchboard Operator Clerk (uncredited)

Mickey Martin

Jimmy (Elevator Boy) (uncredited)

Sam McDaniel

Garage Attendant (uncredited)

Frank McLure

Racetrack Spectator (uncredited)

Hercules Mendez

Chef (uncredited)

Al Murphy

Drunk (uncredited)

George Murray

Man (uncredited)

Joan Myles

Cigarette Girl (uncredited)

William H. O'Brien

Racetrack Spectator (uncredited)

June Pickerell

Man (uncredited)

Paul Power

Nightclub Patron (uncredited)

Al Rhein

Man in Joe's Bar (uncredited)

Jason Robards Sr.

Apartment Desk Clerk (uncredited)

Edna Ryan

Lucille (Dan's Receptionist) (uncredited)

Carl Saxe

Detective (uncredited)

Frank J. Scannell

Bar Patron Claiming "Deafness" (uncredited)

Michael St. Angel

Clerk (uncredited)

Larry Steers

Nightclub Patron (uncredited)

Bert Stevens

Nightclub Patron (uncredited)

Michael Wallace

Headwaiter at Billy's (uncredited)

Eric Wilton

Bar Patron (uncredited)

Crew

Director

Edwin L. Marin

Story

Maurice Davis

Writer

Martin Rackin

Reviews

John Chard

October 9, 2017

"Stay with it"

Race Street, directed by Edwin L. Marin and adapted to screenplay by Martin Rackin from a story by Maurice Davis. Starring George Raft, William Bendix, Marilyn Maxwell, Frank Faylen, Gale Robbins and Harry Morgan. Music is by Roy Webb and cinematography by J. Roy Hunt.

Story centers around two friends played by Raft and Bendix, the former is a turf accountant and night club owner, the latter a plain clothes policeman. With a syndicate racket moving in on the Frisco bookmaking circuit, Dan Gannin (Raft) refuses to co-operate, putting himself in grave danger. Barney Runson (Bendix) wants to move in and do it the official way, begging Dan to step aside and let the police do their job. But when the syndicate make a deadly move that hits Dan close to home, he's not for turning.

In the grand scheme of Raft and Bendix movies, or classic era film noir pics in fact, this one is small fry, but strong cast and solid production foundation ensure it's an enjoyable experience. Story isn't strong, where two old friends lock horns while some villain throws his weight around, but in true noir fashion there's some sneaky surprises in store and a none cop out finale.

Technically it's interesting, one quite dreadful process backed sequence aside, Marin and Hunt hit the noir bars for mood compliance. The absence of chiaroscuro is a shame, for a number of scenes here cry out for it, but the lighting techniques and shadow indulgence keeps the eyes pleased. There's even a startling sequence that appears to show Gale Robbins floating in and around the night club crowd as she sings a song, while a bit of zoom play and nifty Frisco locations add further quality.

Good honest noirville enjoyment. 6.5/10