A Dangerous Profession

A Dangerous Profession

Theatrical release poster
Directed by Ted Tetzlaff
Produced by Robert Sparks
Written by Warren Duff
Martin Rackin
Starring George Raft
Ella Raines
Pat O'Brien
Narrated by Jim Backus
Music by Frederick Hollander
Roy Webb
Cinematography Robert De Grasse
Edited by Frederic Knudtson
Distributed by RKO Pictures
Release dates
  • November 26, 1949 (1949-11-26) (US)[1]
Running time
79 minutes
Country United States
Language English

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.[2][3] The supporting cast features Jim Backus.

Plot

The story begins as Police Lt. Nick Ferrone (Jim Backus) explains what bail bondsmen do and tells the viewers the setting is Los Angeles, California. One such man is Vince Kane (George Raft), a former police detective who worked with Ferrone. When one of his customers, Claude Brackett (Bill Williams), is murdered, Kane decides to investigate. He has two reasons for investigating: the curiosity of a former cop and it seems that he has fallen in love with Brackett's widow Lucy, an old flame.

Cast

Production

The film was known as The Bail Bond Story. Jean Wallace played the female lead but was fired after four days.[4]

Reception

Box Office

The film recorded a loss of $280,000.[5]

Critical

The New York Times gave the film a mixed review, and wrote, "Laconic and familiarly tough are the words for Raft's performance as the torch-bearing bail bonds-man. Ella Raines is decorative if little else as the object of his affections; Pat O'Brien contributes a standard portrayal as his hard business partner; James Backus is professional as a tenacious detective lieutenant and Bill Williams is adequate in the brief role of the embezzler. A Dangerous Profession, in short, proves that the bail-bond business can be dangerous and that it also can be the basis for an exceedingly ordinary adventure."[6]

References

  1. "A Dangerous Profession: Detail View". American Film Institute. Retrieved May 13, 2014.
  2. A Dangerous Profession at the Internet Movie Database.
  3. Everett Aaker, The Films of George Raft, McFarland & Company, 2013 p 143-144
  4. THEDA BARA MOVIE GOES TO COLUMBIA: De Sylva's 'The Great Vampire' Will Be Distributed by Studio -- 'Champion' Suit Ruling By THOMAS F. BRADYSpecial to THE NEW YORK TIMES.. New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] 07 May 1949: 10.
  5. Richard B. Jewell, Slow Fade to Black: The Decline of RKO Radio Pictures, Uni of California, 2016
  6. The New York times. Film review, "A Dangerous Profession, With George Raft Playing a Bail Bondsman", December 12, 1949. Last accessed: January 18, 2008.

External links

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