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'''''The George Raft Story''''' is a 1961 American [[biographical film]] of Hollywood film star [[George Raft]]. [[Ray Danton]] portrays Raft and the film was directed by [[Joseph M. Newman]]. The picture was retitled '''''Spin of a Coin''''' for release in the United Kingdom, a reference to Raft's character's nickel-flipping trick in ''[[Scarface (1932 film)|Scarface]]'' (1932), the film that launched Raft's career as an actor known for portraying gangsters. |
'''''The George Raft Story''''' is a 1961 American [[biographical film]] of Hollywood film star [[George Raft]]. [[Ray Danton]] portrays Raft and the film was directed by [[Joseph M. Newman]]. The picture was retitled '''''Spin of a Coin''''' for release in the United Kingdom, a reference to Raft's character's nickel-flipping trick in ''[[Scarface (1932 film)|Scarface]]'' (1932), the film that launched Raft's career as an actor known for portraying gangsters. |
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==Overview== |
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The film is a largely fictionalized version of Raft's turbulent life and career. [[Neville Brand]] appears briefly as [[Al Capone]], recreating his role from the 1959 television series ''[[The Untouchables (1959 TV series)|The Untouchables]]''. Although other characters were fictional, Moxie was based on Raft's long-time friend and associate [[Mack Gray]]. [[Bugsy Siegel|Benjamin 'Bugsy' Siegel]] is a major character. No mention is made in the film of Raft's long-estranged wife Grayce (Mulrooney) or early mob benefactor [[Owney Madden]]. |
The film is a largely fictionalized version of Raft's turbulent life and career. [[Neville Brand]] appears briefly as [[Al Capone]], recreating his role from the 1959 television series ''[[The Untouchables (1959 TV series)|The Untouchables]]''. Although other characters were fictional, Moxie was based on Raft's long-time friend and associate [[Mack Gray]]. [[Bugsy Siegel|Benjamin 'Bugsy' Siegel]] is a major character. No mention is made in the film of Raft's long-estranged wife Grayce (Mulrooney) or early mob benefactor [[Owney Madden]]. |
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George Raft and Mack Gray had played themselves almost two decades earlier in a markedly different but equally fictionalized biographical movie about Raft's early days as a dancer reluctantly involved with gangsters entitled ''[[Broadway (1942 film)|Broadway]]'' (1942). |
George Raft and Mack Gray had played themselves almost two decades earlier in a markedly different but equally fictionalized biographical movie about Raft's early days as a dancer reluctantly involved with gangsters entitled ''[[Broadway (1942 film)|Broadway]]'' (1942). |
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==Plot== |
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George Raft works in New York as a dancer at the Dreamland Casino. He associates with gangsters and goes into working at mob-controlled night clubs. One night he protects a cigarette girl, Ruth Harris, from being sexually harassed by a gangster. This causes his life to be in danger so he moves to Hollywood. |
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He breaks into filmmaking as an extra, then is cast as a gangster in ''Scarface''. Al Capone asks to meet Raft and the actor fears for his life, but Capone reveals he likes the movie. At a party, Raft punches out a manager and they become friends. |
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Raft becomes a big star. He broadens his image making a dancing movie, ''Bolero''. That is a hit but then Raft starts demanding rewrites and turning down gangster roles. He leaves his girlfriend for a Hollywood star he has an affair with. |
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Raft has financial trouble with the IRS and his friend Benny "Bugsy" Siegel is killed. He has to sell his Hollywood mansion and move into a small apartment. He gets a job working at a casino in Havana, but this ends when Castro comes to power. |
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Back in Hollywood he is offered to fix a fight by promoted Johnny Fuller but refuses. He gets a job in a [[Billy Wilder]] film ''Some Like It Hot''. |
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==Cast== |
==Cast== |
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* [[Ray Danton]] as [[George Raft]] |
* [[Ray Danton]] as [[George Raft]] |
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==Production== |
==Production== |
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Allied Artists announced the film in 1959 as part of a slate of projects including ''Streets of Montamarte'' with [[Lana Turner]] as [[Suzanne Valadon]], ''[[The Purple Gang]]'' with [[Barry Sullivan (actor)|Barry Sullivan]], ''Teacher was a Sexpot'' with [[Mamie Van Doren]], ''[[Confessions of an Opium Eater|Confessions of an English Opium Eater]]'', ''[[Pay or Die]]'' with [[Ernest Borgnine]] as [[Joseph Petrosino]] and ''[[The Big Bankroll]]'' about [[Arnold Rothstein]].<ref>Scott, J. L. (1959, Sep 08). Wald rushes plans for 'hell raisers'. Los Angeles Times |
Allied Artists announced the film in 1959 as part of a slate of projects including ''Streets of Montamarte'' with [[Lana Turner]] as [[Suzanne Valadon]], ''[[The Purple Gang]]'' with [[Barry Sullivan (actor)|Barry Sullivan]], ''Teacher was a Sexpot'' with [[Mamie Van Doren]], ''[[Confessions of an Opium Eater|Confessions of an English Opium Eater]]'', ''[[Pay or Die]]'' with [[Ernest Borgnine]] as [[Joseph Petrosino]] and ''[[The Big Bankroll]]'' about [[Arnold Rothstein]].<ref>Scott, J. L. (1959, Sep 08). Wald rushes plans for 'hell raisers'. Los Angeles Times</ref><ref>Of local origin. (1959, Sep 08). New York Times</ref> It was announced again in 1960 with Ben Schwalb to be producer.<ref>Allied artists schedules 14 pictures next year. (1960, May 02). Los Angeles Times</ref> |
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Schwalb said that filming would start October 7, 1960.<ref>FILMLAND EVENTS. (1960, Sep 09). Los Angeles Times |
Schwalb said that filming would start October 7, 1960.<ref>FILMLAND EVENTS. (1960, Sep 09). Los Angeles Times</ref> Filming wounded up being delayed several more months. Ray Danton signed to play Raft, Brad Dexter was Bugsy Siegel and Jayne Mansfield played an unnamed star. Joseph Newman agreed to direct.<ref>Scheuer, P. K. (1961, May 16). Brennan and conte winners of west. Los Angeles Times</ref> |
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The Las Vegas comedy team Pepper Davis and Tony Reece was signed to play a support role. [[Frank Gorshin]] was also cast.<ref>Nobu McCarthy may do film in jan. (1961, Jun 16). Los Angeles Times |
The Las Vegas comedy team Pepper Davis and Tony Reece was signed to play a support role. [[Frank Gorshin]] was also cast.<ref>Nobu McCarthy may do film in jan. (1961, Jun 16). Los Angeles Times</ref> |
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Danton, borrowed from Warner Bros, was cast on the strength of his performance in ''[[The Rise and Fall of Legs Diamond]]''. Danton said he decided not to "do an impersonation of Raft... That solved most of my problems right there. I watched a lot of his old films and noticed a sort of strong suppressed hostility."<ref name="ray">Alpert, D. (1962, Jan 28). The last of the big-time mobsters. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) Retrieved from https://search.proquest.com/docview/168033711</ref> |
Danton, borrowed from Warner Bros, was cast on the strength of his performance in ''[[The Rise and Fall of Legs Diamond]]''. Danton said he decided not to "do an impersonation of Raft... That solved most of my problems right there. I watched a lot of his old films and noticed a sort of strong suppressed hostility."<ref name="ray">Alpert, D. (1962, Jan 28). The last of the big-time mobsters. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) Retrieved from https://search.proquest.com/docview/168033711</ref> |
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Danton says he only met Raft once and the actor told him ""We have to make careful they [the filmmakers] don't make this guy [Raft] into a heavy." Danton later said "I thought it was a strange, obtuse thing to say."<ref name="ray"/> |
Danton says he only met Raft once and the actor told him ""We have to make careful they [the filmmakers] don't make this guy [Raft] into a heavy." Danton later said "I thought it was a strange, obtuse thing to say."<ref name="ray"/> |
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Dean Jennings wrote ''The George Raft Story'' in five instalments for the ''Saturday Evening Post''. He was entitled to 20% of what Raft made from a picture based on his story. In June 1961 Jennings said he had no received anything and was suing.<ref>Hopper, H. (1961, Jun 19). Entertainment. Los Angeles Times |
Dean Jennings wrote ''The George Raft Story'' in five instalments for the ''Saturday Evening Post''. He was entitled to 20% of what Raft made from a picture based on his story. In June 1961 Jennings said he had no received anything and was suing.<ref>Hopper, H. (1961, Jun 19). Entertainment. Los Angeles Times</ref> |
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Jayne Mansfield's character is based on [[Betty Grable]].<ref>{{Cite web|website=Turner Classic Movies|url=http://www.tcm.turner.com/tcmdb/title/26604/The-George-Raft-Story/articles.html|title=The George Raft Story|first=Glenn|last= Erickson}}</ref> |
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Director Joseph Newman had directed Raft in ''[[I'll Get You for This]]'' (1951). |
Director Joseph Newman had directed Raft in ''[[I'll Get You for This]]'' (1951). |
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Filming started in July 1961.<ref>Two english players in 'reach for glory'. (1961, Jun 29). Los Angeles Times |
Filming started in July 1961.<ref>Two english players in 'reach for glory'. (1961, Jun 29). Los Angeles Times</ref> |
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==Release== |
==Release== |
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Revision as of 18:28, 13 January 2020
| The George Raft Story | |
|---|---|
 Ray Danton in The George Raft Story | |
| Directed by | Joseph M. Newman |
| Screenplay by | Crane Wilbur |
| Produced by | Ben Schwalb |
| Starring | Ray Danton Jayne Mansfield Julie London Barrie Chase |
| Cinematography | Carl E. Guthrie |
| Edited by | George White |
| Music by | Jeff Alexander |
| Distributed by | Allied Artists |
Release date |
|
Running time | 106 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $1.2 million |
The George Raft Story is a 1961 American biographical film of Hollywood film star George Raft. Ray Danton portrays Raft and the film was directed by Joseph M. Newman. The picture was retitled Spin of a Coin for release in the United Kingdom, a reference to Raft's character's nickel-flipping trick in Scarface (1932), the film that launched Raft's career as an actor known for portraying gangsters.
The film is a largely fictionalized version of Raft's turbulent life and career. Neville Brand appears briefly as Al Capone, recreating his role from the 1959 television series The Untouchables. Although other characters were fictional, Moxie was based on Raft's long-time friend and associate Mack Gray. Benjamin 'Bugsy' Siegel is a major character. No mention is made in the film of Raft's long-estranged wife Grayce (Mulrooney) or early mob benefactor Owney Madden.
George Raft and Mack Gray had played themselves almost two decades earlier in a markedly different but equally fictionalized biographical movie about Raft's early days as a dancer reluctantly involved with gangsters entitled Broadway (1942).
Plot
George Raft works in New York as a dancer at the Dreamland Casino. He associates with gangsters and goes into working at mob-controlled night clubs. One night he protects a cigarette girl, Ruth Harris, from being sexually harassed by a gangster. This causes his life to be in danger so he moves to Hollywood.
He breaks into filmmaking as an extra, then is cast as a gangster in Scarface. Al Capone asks to meet Raft and the actor fears for his life, but Capone reveals he likes the movie. At a party, Raft punches out a manager and they become friends.
Raft becomes a big star. He broadens his image making a dancing movie, Bolero. That is a hit but then Raft starts demanding rewrites and turning down gangster roles. He leaves his girlfriend for a Hollywood star he has an affair with.
Raft has financial trouble with the IRS and his friend Benny "Bugsy" Siegel is killed. He has to sell his Hollywood mansion and move into a small apartment. He gets a job working at a casino in Havana, but this ends when Castro comes to power.
Back in Hollywood he is offered to fix a fight by promoted Johnny Fuller but refuses. He gets a job in a Billy Wilder film Some Like It Hot.
Cast
- Ray Danton as George Raft
- Jayne Mansfield as Lisa Lang
- Julie London as Sheila Patton
- Barrie Chase as June Tyler
- Frank Gorshin as Moxie Cusack
- Barbara Nichols as Texas Guinan
- Brad Dexter as Benny 'Bugsy' Siegel
- Robert Strauss as Frenchie
- Herschel Bernardi as Sam
- Margo Moore as Ruth
- Neville Brand as Al Capone
- Joe De Santis as Frankie Donatella
- Jack Lambert as Jerry Fitzpatrick
- Jack Albertson as Milton
- John Bleifer as Mr. Raft
Production
Allied Artists announced the film in 1959 as part of a slate of projects including Streets of Montamarte with Lana Turner as Suzanne Valadon, The Purple Gang with Barry Sullivan, Teacher was a Sexpot with Mamie Van Doren, Confessions of an English Opium Eater, Pay or Die with Ernest Borgnine as Joseph Petrosino and The Big Bankroll about Arnold Rothstein.[1][2] It was announced again in 1960 with Ben Schwalb to be producer.[3]
Schwalb said that filming would start October 7, 1960.[4] Filming wounded up being delayed several more months. Ray Danton signed to play Raft, Brad Dexter was Bugsy Siegel and Jayne Mansfield played an unnamed star. Joseph Newman agreed to direct.[5]
The Las Vegas comedy team Pepper Davis and Tony Reece was signed to play a support role. Frank Gorshin was also cast.[6]
Danton, borrowed from Warner Bros, was cast on the strength of his performance in The Rise and Fall of Legs Diamond. Danton said he decided not to "do an impersonation of Raft... That solved most of my problems right there. I watched a lot of his old films and noticed a sort of strong suppressed hostility."[7]
Danton says he only met Raft once and the actor told him ""We have to make careful they [the filmmakers] don't make this guy [Raft] into a heavy." Danton later said "I thought it was a strange, obtuse thing to say."[7]
Dean Jennings wrote The George Raft Story in five instalments for the Saturday Evening Post. He was entitled to 20% of what Raft made from a picture based on his story. In June 1961 Jennings said he had no received anything and was suing.[8]
Jayne Mansfield's character is based on Betty Grable.[9]
Director Joseph Newman had directed Raft in I'll Get You for This (1951).
Filming started in July 1961.[10]
Release
The film was known in the UK as Spin of a Coin.[11]
References
- ^ Scott, J. L. (1959, Sep 08). Wald rushes plans for 'hell raisers'. Los Angeles Times
- ^ Of local origin. (1959, Sep 08). New York Times
- ^ Allied artists schedules 14 pictures next year. (1960, May 02). Los Angeles Times
- ^ FILMLAND EVENTS. (1960, Sep 09). Los Angeles Times
- ^ Scheuer, P. K. (1961, May 16). Brennan and conte winners of west. Los Angeles Times
- ^ Nobu McCarthy may do film in jan. (1961, Jun 16). Los Angeles Times
- ^ a b Alpert, D. (1962, Jan 28). The last of the big-time mobsters. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) Retrieved from https://search.proquest.com/docview/168033711
- ^ Hopper, H. (1961, Jun 19). Entertainment. Los Angeles Times
- ^ Erickson, Glenn. "The George Raft Story". Turner Classic Movies.
- ^ Two english players in 'reach for glory'. (1961, Jun 29). Los Angeles Times
- ^ SPIN OF A COIN. (1962, Monthly Film Bulletin, 29, 95. Retrieved from https://search.proquest.com/docview/1305821558
External links
- The George Raft Story at IMDb
- The George Raft Story at AllMovie
- The George Raft Story at the TCM Movie Database
- The George Raft Story at BFI
- The George Raft Story at Letterbox DVD