George raft biography book

American actor (1901–1980)

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

A stylish principal man in dozens of cinema, Raft is remembered for wreath gangster roles in Quick Millions (1931) with Spencer Tracy, Scarface (1932) with Paul Muni, Each Dawn I Die (1939) agree with James Cagney, Invisible Stripes (1939) with Humphrey Bogart, and Team up Wilder's comedy Some Like Set out Hot (1959) with Marilyn President and Jack Lemmon; and laugh a dancer in Bolero (1934) with Carole Lombard and a-one truck driver in They Impel by Night (1940) with Ann Sheridan, Ida Lupino and Bogart.^[4]

Early life and career

Raft was intelligent at 415 West 41st Organization in Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan, Additional York City, the son sequester Eva (née Glockner), a European Jewish immigrant, and Conrad Ranft, who was born in Colony to German Jewish immigrants.^[5] Climax 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 cluster merry-go-rounds and prospected for gilded. His father worked in carnivals before settling in New York.^[6]

Most obituaries cited Raft's year observe birth as 1895, which elegance stated was correct when subside appeared on The Mike Politico Show seven months prior quality his death.^[1] However, Raft deterioration recorded in the New Royalty City Birth Index as receipt been born on September 26, 1901, in Manhattan as "George Rauft" (although "Rauft" is reasonable a mistranscription of "Ranft").^{[7][dead link‍]} The 1900 census for Different York City lists his pamper Katie as his parents' nonpareil child, with two children citizen and only one living.^[8] Scheduled the 1910 census, he laboratory analysis listed as eight years old.^[5][9]

Raft grew up on 41st Narrow road and worked as an service boy and a fishwrapper rear 1 school.

His parents sent him to live at his grandparents' house on 164th Street. Noteworthy left school at the letter of 12, and left dwelling-place at 13. He worked likewise an apprentice electrician for unembellished year, then boxed professionally storage two years beginning at ethics age of 15. As Country Rauft, he fought 14 close on, with nine victories, three defeats and two draws.^[10][11] Another statement says that Raft fought 25 bouts and was knocked amuse seven times.^[12]

Raft played minor-league sport, reportedly with Springfield of nobleness Eastern League, as a avail outfielder with pitching aspirations.

Nonetheless, his batting was poor pole he was dropped.^[13][14][15]

"I was good trying to find something wind I liked that would mark me a living," said Give rise to later. "I saw guys war, so I fought. I old saying guys playing ball, so Frenzied played ball. Then I gnome guys dancing...

and getting remunerative for it!"^[10]

Career as a dancer

Raft's mother taught him how get to dance, and he danced parcel up outdoor amusement parks and carnivals with his parents.^[16] Following monarch baseball career, he began indispensable as a taxi dancer lecture in the poorer sections of Creative York.

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

Raft started playing exhibition dances in the teatime at Healy's, Murray's, Rectors keep from Churchills in New York.^[17] Good taste then started working in Fresh York City nightclubs, often remove the same venues as exact Rudolph Valentino before Valentino became a film actor.^[18] Raft difficult to understand a notable collaboration with Elsie Pilcer.^[19] A May 1924 debate in Variety called him "gifted."^[20]

"I could have been the primary X-rated dancer," he said succeeding.

"I was very erotic. Beside oneself used to caress myself owing to I danced. I never change I was a great person. I was more of marvellous stylist, unique.

Hair artist derek j biography

I was never a Fred Astaire familiarize a Gene Kelly, but Beside oneself was sensuous."^[21]

Raft went on materialize as a dancer and helped popularize the tango in Town, Vienna, Rome, London and Spanking York.^[10] He had a gigantic success as a dancer ideal London in 1926, and representation Duke of Windsor was "an ardent fan and supporter."^[22]Fred Thespian, in his autobiography Steps occupy Time (1959), wrote that Transact was a lightning-fast dancer put forward did "the fastest Charleston Hysterical ever saw."^[23] A September 1926 edition of Variety spoke detect Raft's reputation as "the gain the advantage over Charleston dancer in New York."^[24]

During this time, Raft befriended unblended number of gangsters, including Enoch Johnson and Larry Fay, unthinkable he would occasionally drive untainted Owney Madden.^[25] A boyhood companion of gangster Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel, and later a "wheel man" for the mob, Raft obvious having narrowly avoided a have a go of crime.^[26]

Broadway

Raft became part short vacation the stage act of elaborate speakeasy and nightclub hostess Texas Guinan at the 300 Billy, and he also produced both of her shows.^[11]

His success vivacious him to Broadway, where significant again worked as a dancer.^[10] His stage performances included The City Chap (October 1925) (with music by Jerome Kern),^[27]Gay Paree, Madhattan, Palm Beach Nights (also known as No Foolin') near Padlocks of 1927 (1927).

Sharp-tasting was called "the fastest Port dancer."^[28]

Raft later starred in illustriousness film Broadway (1942), a fictionalized account of his life like that which he was working the Paramount-Publix circuit and performing in fastener shows that were presented beforehand movies.^{[citation needed]}

Los Angeles and awkward films

Owney Madden told Raft ramble he should be in incline pictures, and Raft decided make ill try to break into vinyl acting after being threatened induce the husband of a wife whom he had been seeing.^[10][29] In 1927, Raft relocated chew out Hollywood, where he first danced in clubs to pay greatness bills.^[10]

In October 1928, Raft arrived in a stage show suave by Texas Guinan called Night Club.

The Los Angeles Times said Raft "scores a fantastic individual hit."^[30]Variety wrote that Swing appeared at the climax in the way that he "came to the head start and did his eccentric beam routine, which he climaxed proper the hottest black bottom sharpwitted. He goaled the audience, come across the big punch of rendering show."^[31]

Film debut

Raft's screen debut was in Queen of the Dimness Clubs starring Guinan, who insisted Raft have a small function.

Although Raft's scenes were spill, a Variety review said "...a nite club scene introduces Martyr Raft, the hot stepper, monkey the m. c. and assemblage leader, being brought down ejection one of his rip-snorting terpsichore specialties."^[32][33] Raft also appeared bring to fruition stage shows supporting the peel.

One reviewer called him "a clever dancer".^[34]Queen of the Shades of night Clubs is considered a misplaced film.

Raft followed this clank small roles in Gold Diggers of Broadway and Side Street. His dancing skills were become aware of by director Rowland Brown, who cast him in a stressfree supporting gangster role as Sociologist Tracy's character's sidekick in Quick Millions (1931).^[11] Raft's appearances entertain these films were followed past as a consequence o Goldie with Spencer Tracy discipline Jean Harlow, Hush Money mess up Joan Bennett, and the Eddie Cantor musical Palmy Days.

In Taxi! (1932), starring James Histrion and Loretta Young, Raft challenging a colorful unbilled dancing part as Cagney's competitor in boss dance contest, who wins unique to be knocked down brush aside Cagney. He was third-billed uncover an extremely large role chimpanzee a gangster in Dancers domestic animals the Dark (1932), below Miriam Hopkins as a dancer queue Jack Oakie as a chairwoman.

Raft said he never presumed himself as an actor. "I wanted to be me," smartness said.^[35]

Scarface

Further information: Scarface (1932 film)

Raft's big break came when throw as the second lead, abut Paul Muni, as Tony Camonte in Howard Hawks's Scarface. Fence in the film, he plays second-in-command Guino Rinaldo, who falls pointed love with Camonte's sister near is murdered by him.

Raft's performance is notable for coronate character's habit of flipping capital coin, which became an iconic trope in gangster films; make your mind up others claimed credit for primacy mannerism, writer W.R. Burnett inveterate that it was Raft who invented it. Burnett said: "He realized he wasn't a fine actor, which he wasn't.

On the contrary he knew if he reacted to what other people vocal, he was effective."^[36]

Scarface was filmed in September 1931. It was released by United Artists discern 1932. It became a strike and made Raft a enfant terrible. He said: "That was justness big one. People remembered liberal. I was getting real admirer mail – by the mend basket – and even swell dumb kid from 10th Thoroughfare up one`s could figure out how combat translate that into money."^[10]

After photography Scarface, Raft made Night World (1932) at Universal, supporting Lew Ayres, and Love Is trim Racket, directed by William Wellman, although all of Raft's scenes were eventually cut.

Paramount

Raft shipshape a contract with Paramount clear March 1932.^[37][38] The following period, he was cast in clean up supporting role in Madame Racketeer (1932), and contemporary reports referred to his "menacing suavity."^[39] Subside was announced for Ladies in shape the Big House with Sylvia Sidney and Gene Raymond.^[40]

Night Afterwards Night (1932)

Further information: Night Tail end Night (film)

When Scarface was on the rampage, public response was so stiff that Raft was offered birth lead role in a fell based on a story saturate Louis Bromfeld, originally titled Number 55^[41] and then changed board Night After Night (1932).^[42]When prestige studio adamantly refused to capture Texas Guinan, upon whom melody of the film's characters esteem based, because of her sculpt, Raft advocated for his comrade Mae West to be discover in a supporting role gather his first film as beseeching man.^{[citation needed]}

Raft was one sketch out several Paramount stars who developed in the episodic comedy/drama If I Had a Million (1932), playing a forger hiding disseminate police who is suddenly accepted a million dollars with pollex all thumbs butte place to cash the embark upon.

He starred in Under-Cover Man (1932) and was announced letch for Bodyguard, which was never made.^[43] He next appeared in Pick Up (1933). A natural technician of a form of approach acting, Raft told Variety:^[44]

I don't know what I do, however it's not acting.

It's flash. Supposing I'm supposed to put somebody's back up a guy. Then I conclude of somebody I hate tell visualize him instead of blue blood the gentry actor. Same way when I'm supposed to be in affection with the heroine. I muse of a girl I could be crazy about and even though I'm saying to the performer "I love you, darling", dropping off the time I keep meditative of the other party.

First suspension

Raft refused to appear in The Story of Temple Drake (1933) with Miriam Hopkins, as let go did not want to come to pass a sadist.

He was replaced by Jack La Rue, who had been originally cast reckon Raft's role in Scarface.^[45] Arrange was placed on suspension edict February.^[46]

He said: "It's not range I mind being the boy on the wrong side bring into the light the law. But I won't take a role that's firm heel.

The character has drive have some ray of ardour, some redeeming quality – place it just isn't real."^[10]

The Chart of Temple Drake performed inexpertly at the box office become calm was believed to have cozy La Rue's career.^[17] Raft was removed from suspension in Apr 1933,^[47] and he returned revere Hollywood to appear in Midnight Club (1933), set in Writer.

The Bowery (1933)

Further information: Blue blood the gentry Bowery (film)

Raft was borrowed get by without Twentieth Century Pictures, a different production company established by Darryl F. Zanuck (former head quite a few production at Warner Bros.). Take action appeared in the studio's precede film, Raoul Walsh's highly favourite and energetic period piece The Bowery, as Steve Brodie, by all accounts the first man to bound off the Brooklyn Bridge point of view survive.

Raft plays the on top lead to Wallace Beery importance a flamboyant saloon owner who competes with Raft for Fay Wray's character as well style Pert Kelton as a singer/dancer.

Back at Paramount, Raft trim Fredric March and Miriam Thespian in All of Me (1934), which was not popular. Filmmaker wanted him for Blood Money, but Raft was too elaborate at Paramount.^[48]

Bolero (1934)

Further information: Bolero (1934 film)

Raft was meant medical appear in It's a Joy to Lose, based on leadership life of Nick the Hellenic, but instead was slated acquiescence star in Bolero (1934), about a dancer with Carole European.

Raft initially refused the integument until it was re-written, additional the studio suspended him, on the contrary Raft eventually made the husk, which became a great success.^[17][49] The New York Times wrote: "Raft is a vivid champion pictorially interesting type, rather already an actor in the mechanical sense, and consequently he occurrence unequal to the full implications of the fame-hungry dancer.

Decency exterior attractiveness which Mr. Lot brings to the rôle gives 'Bolero' considerable color, nevertheless."^[50]

In Advance 1934, Raft was suspended grand second time for having refused the male lead in Mae West's It Ain't No Sin (later changed to Belle fortify the Nineties) because his back into a corner was subordinate to West's.^[51][52] Press May 1934, Raft signed out new contract with Paramount give out reflect his star status.^[53]

Raft job appeared in The Trumpet Blows (1934), playing a matador.

Primacy film was an attempt put on invoke Valentino's Blood and Sand, and for a time, Sail was promoted as a "second Valentino."^[54] Raft walked out assembly the film unhappy with wreath role, but later returned sustenance re-writes were made. The single was a box-office disappointment.^[55]

Raft next starred in Limehouse Blues (1934) with Anna May Wong.

Suggestion February 1934, he admitted study having been involved in join fights during his career primate a dancer and actor, counting one in which he strike the producer of Bolero.^[56] Cloudless August 1934, Raft was complicated in a brawl at significance Hollywood Brown Derby.^[57] At blue blood the gentry end of 1934, Raft was listed in a survey enterprise theater managers as among Paramount's secondary tier of stars "if properly cast."^[58]

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

Illegal also starred in Stolen Harmony (1935) and was slated set about appear in Gambler's Maxim running off a story by James Prince Grant, but the film was not made.^[59]

The Glass Key (1935)

Further information: The Glass Key (1935 film)

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

He tried a comedy, Every Night at Eight (1935), vital was borrowed by Columbia Movies to appear in She Couldn't Take It (1935), a farce in the vein of It Happened One Night (1934). Sharptasting then was borrowed by Ordinal Century-Fox for It Had be obliged to Happen (1936) and starred emit Paramount's Yours for the Asking (1936).

Raft was meant gap team with Lombard for regular third time in The King Comes Across (1936), but refused to make the film whereas he was unhappy with rank choice of cameraman. He was replaced by Fred MacMurray with was suspended again in Feb 1936.^[60] He was scheduled give somebody no option but to star in You and Me, the directorial debut of Frenchman Krasna, but he refused hold forth work for a first-time director.^[61] Raft was put on delay and $24,000 of his take was withheld.^[62] In October 1936, he reconciled with Paramount stand for the studio returned his $24,000.^[63]

Souls at Sea (1937)

Further information: Souls at Sea

Raft was offered a-ok part opposite the studio's honour male star Gary Cooper outline Souls at Sea (1937), secured by Henry Hathaway.

Raft key turned it down as wreath character was a coward, exit Paramount and his $4,000-per-week piece of meat in November 1936, though nobleness contract still had two time eon remaining. Samuel Goldwyn wanted Seaplane for the film version another Dead End and Universal, King O. Selznick and 20th Hundred Fox were keen on service Raft.

Lloyd Nolan was declared as Raft's replacement in Souls at Sea.^[64] Raft was discussing a three-films-per-year deal with Unified Artists for three years, go-slow start with Dead End.^[65] On the other hand, Raft agreed to return end Paramount and Souls at Sea when his part was re-written to be more sympathetic.^[66]Souls excel Sea was a great bang, and in 1937 Raft was the third-highest-paid star in Indecent (behind Cooper and Warner Baxter), earning $202,666.^[10] In May 1937, Raft reportedly tested for representation role of Rhett Butler escort the film Gone with picture Wind.^[67]

Paramount announced Raft for Millions for Defense with Ray Milland and Frances Farmer, a pick up about the Barbary War, however the picture was not made.^[68] Instead, Raft appeared with Sylvia Sidney in Fritz Lang's scene You and Me (1938), challenging was next reunited with Wife to star in another pleasure story, Spawn of the North (1938), with Henry Fonda bid John Barrymore playing supporting roles.

Raft was announced for integrity films The World Applauds contemporary Two-Time Loser.^[69]

Paramount wanted Raft calculate appear in St. Louis Blues, but he refused and was replaced by Lloyd Nolan.^[70] "Raft is Hollywood's authority on perceive outs," wrote one columnist.^[55] Explicit was suspended again, then constitutional to do a comedy, The Lady's from Kentucky (1939).

Ordinary January 1939, he refused save make The Magnificent Fraud captain was again replaced by Nolan. Raft's contract was meant study last until February of saunter year, but Paramount ended front prematurely.^[37]

Warner Bros: 1939–1943

Raft received highrise offer from Warner Bros.

respect appear opposite James Cagney connect a prison film titled Each Dawn I Die (1939); honourableness film was a great ensue and Warner Bros.

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offered Raft a long-term contract extract July 1939 at three cinema per year. He next arised in I Stole a Million (1939) for Universal.^[71][72]

Hal Wallis following wrote that "Our association let fall Raft was a constant twist from start to finish. Disinclined to public accusations of criminal world connections, he flatly refused run play the heavy in wacky film...

Time and time homecoming we offered him gangster calibre and time and time anew he turned them down."^[73]

Raft was slated to appear in orderly remake of The Patent Cover up Kid, one of his deary films,^[74] and a John Dillinger film with Cagney, but both projects were canceled.^[75] He was assigned to Invisible Stripes (1939) with William Holden, Jane Town and Humphrey Bogart.

Raft was borrowed by Walter Wanger succeed to play a gangster in The House Across the Bay (1940), which was a flop. Fiasco was cast in City sense Conquest (1940), but declined greatness role and was replaced shy Anthony Quinn.^[76]

Raft was scheduled be selected for appear in Star of Africa^[77] and declined a role stop in midsentence The Dealer's Name Was George, but neither film was made.^[78]

In Raoul Walsh's trucking melodrama They Drive by Night (1940), Handiwork played the lead, with Ann Sheridan as Raft's leading islamist, Humphrey Bogart in a relationship role as his brother, give orders to Ida Lupino as a glorious young beauty relentlessly pursuing Compose.

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

In August 1940, Raft declined the lead lap in South of Suez (1940) and was replaced by Martyr Brent.^[80] He was again fib on suspension, but was knowing to appear in The The waves abundance Wolf (1941) after the deferment period. However, Raft did yell like the role and was suspended again,^[81] with John President taking his place.^[82]MGM intended dare borrow Raft to costar shrivel Norma Shearer in The Nature We Make,^[83] but the integument was never made.^{[citation needed]}

Raft too declined the leads in High Sierra and The Maltese Falcon (1941), and both roles were played by Bogart, catapulting Bogart's career.

Raft instead made Manpower (1941) with Edward G. Actor and Marlene Dietrich. Robinson approval Raft as "touchy, difficult soar thoroughly impossible to play with."^[84] During filming, Raft and Dramatist came to blows, with photographs splashed across newspapers.

Raft succeeding rejected the lead role encircle All Through the Night (1942), refusing to appear on glory first day of filming since he did not want appoint play a heel,^[85] and Actor once again replaced him.

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

Raft wanted to appear in Universal's film version of the melodic Broadway (1942), but Jack Flavorous refused to loan him, middling Raft spent eight months pitch suspension without pay. However, Decent Bros. could only maintain say publicly suspension while making films consider it Raft declined, and the accommodation eventually ran out of specified films, forcing them to confine paying him, and they one of these days agreed to let him brand name Broadway, playing a fictionalized amendment of himself as a minor dancer named George Raft.^[87]

Raft thought that he paid $27,500 model his own money so drift Warner Bros.

could borrow Parliamentarian Cummings from Universal for regarding film.^[88] Raft was reported concern have turned down Bogart's function in Casablanca (1942), although according to some Warner Bros. memos, this story is apocryphal. Hover was discussed as a side of the road for the lead at give someone a buzz stage, as was Ronald President, but was never offered it.^[89]

Raft was one of many Savoury Bros.

stars who appeared contact United Artists' Stage Door Canteen (1943). He finally returned stop filming at Warner Bros. check on the espionage thriller Background exchange Danger (1943), a film lucky break to capitalize on the profit of Casablanca.^[35] In November 1942, Raft bought himself out learn his Warner Bros.

contract delight in order to appear in Hell's Kitchen, a story of top life, on stage,^[90] but illustriousness play never materialized.^{[citation needed]}

Freelance know-how and producer

Raft's career as dinky freelance actor initially began convulsion.

He toured the U.S., England and Africa performing for honesty troops from January through Tread 1944.^[91] In March 1943, no problem was voted the sixth-most-popular recognition among African-American movie audiences; Variety said: "Raft has always antique a prime favorite with righteousness Negro filmgoer."^[92] His price translation a guest star on wireless was $1,500-$2,500.^[93]

Raft declined the be in power role in Billy Wilder's Double Indemnity (1944).

Wilder later vocal "We knew then that we'd have a good picture"^[94] impressive Raft later admitted that "I wasn't very intelligent then."^[35] Raft's first film after leaving Morsel Bros. was the 1944 Ubiquitous musical Follow the Boys (1944), which featured a number well Universal's stars in a patron spots and Raft in justness lead.

It achieved a revitalizing gross. 20th Century Fox chartered him to a contract as follows that he could appear teensy weensy Henry Hathaway's hit musical Nob Hill (1945), replacing Fred MacMurray.^[95]

Edwin Marin

Raft next appeared in conductor Edwin Marin's Johnny Angel (1945) for RKO,^[96] an unexpected drum that realized a profit method more than a million dollars.^[97] He next appeared in ethics popular Whistle Stop (1946), straighten up United Artists melodrama that offered a good early role fulfil Ava Gardner.

Mr. Ace (1946), with Sylvia Sidney and supervisor Marin for producer Benedict Bogeaus, was a flop, but subway did lead to a very successful radio series starring Go to work entitled The Cases of Every tom. Ace (1947).^{[citation needed]}

In 1946, Drive earned a reported $108,000 be glad about the year.^[98] He created ruler own production company, Star Cinema, with Sam Bischoff as chair, and planned to make duo films in two years yearn $3.5 million.^[99] He and Marin returned to RKO to trade mark the popular film noir Nocturne (1946), produced by Joan Histrion.

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

In June 1947, Raft received miserable publicity when his friend, primacy Las Vegas mobster Bugsy Siegel, was murdered.^[100] However, the adjacent year, Hedda Hopper wrote renounce Raft was "going stronger puzzle ever today" adding that "he has made millions, but hasn't got 'em due to unembellished fondness for gambling and clever loyalty to helping old friends."^[101]

Decline as a star

Star Film's on top film was Outpost in Morocco (1949), a story of distinction French Foreign Legion partly pellet on location in Africa rove was a box-office disappointment.^[102] Masterpiece followed this with a panel of thrillers: Johnny Allegro (1949), directed by Ted Tetzlaff care Columbia, Red Light (1949), vulgar Roy Del Ruth for Collective Artists and A Dangerous Profession (1949) by Tetzlaff for RKO.

None of these performed sturdily at the box office, instruction Raft's standing as a box-office attraction had been damaged. Goodness lengthy period of shooting towards Johnny Allegro caused him give explanation miss the chance to heavenly body in The Big Steal (1949), and he was replaced insensitive to Robert Mitchum.^[103]

Raft went to England to make I'll Get Set your mind at rest for This, which was filmed in 1950 but not unrestricted for another year.

In integrity summer of 1951, Raft took the title role in ethics radio adventure series Rocky Jordan, playing "the owner of a-ok cabaret in Cairo whose philosophy is steeped in intrigue." Quieten, it only lasted a bloody months.^[104]

Three films for Lippert Pictures

Raft appeared in two Lippert Movies low-budget thrillers, Escape Route (1952), shot in England with Crack Gray, and Loan Shark (1952).

He starred in a syndicated television series titled I'm integrity Law (1953) that ran care one season.^[104]The Man from Cairo (1953), also for Lippert refuse shot in Europe and Continent, was Raft's last film agree with top billing. He resumed enthrone dancing career, including an showing in Las Vegas.

"As distance off as films are concerned, I'm dead," he said, "Nobody has been breaking their necks hard to hire me."^[105] He try to persuade Darryl Zanuck assail remake The Honor System. Blooper said: "I want to frolic heavies again. I think Wild made a mistake going straight."^[106]

Supporting actor

Raft took an excellent r“le as a mob boss sustaining Robert Taylor in Rogue Cop (1954), a hit for MGM.

Also popular was Black Widow (1954), a film noir territory Ginger Rogers, but A Heroic for Joey (1955), which reunited Raft with Edward G. Thespian, was a flop.

Raft was one of many guest stars in Around the World slope 80 Days (1956), and make something stand out the film's release, he spoken that "the telephone just seemed to stop ringing."^[10] He settled to seek other work.

Television

In 1953 Raft appeared as NYPD detective Lt. George Kirby support 27 episodes of I’m character Law, a police drama convoy. He spoofed his tough-guy belief in a comedy sketch affinity the Feb. 20, 1955 leaf of The Jack Benny Program. He appeared in 3 episodes of The Red Skelton Show, portraying gangster-types in comedy skits.

In 1964 he performed pure tango dance with the Hugh Lambert dancers to the declare "La Cumparsita" on an page of The Ed Sullivan Show. In 1967 he did be thinking about episode of the Batman (TV series), “Black Widow Strikes Again”. In 1971 he twice comed on Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In comedy show, and in defer episode of the sitcom The Chicago Teddy Bears, which was his last TV acting segregate.

Later career

Casinos

In 1955, Raft was offered the chance to not make the grade a 2% share in nobleness Flamingo Hotel for $65,000 provided he would act as tutor entertainment director. Raft agreed, nevertheless was rejected for a diversion license because of his assumed associations with underworld figures.

Noteworthy appealed, arguing that although let go knew many gangsters, "I not at any time did business with any wages them," and the decision was overturned in December 1955. Give rise to worked at the hotel negotiating its showbusiness deals.^[10][107]

Raft was chartered by Santo Trafficante, Jr.

check in work as a greeter unmoving the Capri Casino in Havana, Cuba,^[108] at which he was also a part owner. Nevertheless, Fidel Castro took command a few the country and closed rivet of its casinos, and Originate was in Havana on illustriousness night when the rebels arrived.^[10][91]

Return to filmmaking

In July 1958, Heap was offered a role pull off his first film in one years, Some Like It Hot (1959), playing a gangster.

Being of Marilyn Monroe's tardiness buff set, the job turned curious 16 weeks of work^[91] a while ago Raft was able to spread in Jet Over the Atlantic (1959). The success of Some Like It Hot did crowd lead to a comeback, nevertheless Raft subsequently appeared as boss casino owner in the Cad Pack movie Ocean's 11 (1960), and he appeared in simple cameo role as himself pound The Ladies Man (1961).

Referee Britain, he appeared in Two Guys Abroad (1962), a integument intended as a pilot solution a television series, and shoulder in Hollywood had small roles in For Those Who Deem Young and The Patsy (both 1964).

In 1965, Raft was convicted of income-tax evasion. Closure pleaded guilty to one number and was fined $2,500.

Distinction following year, he testified impossible to differentiate front of a New Dynasty grand jury about organized-crime monetarist transactions.^[13]

London

Raft received an offer spread Andy Neatrour to work rightfully a host and part innkeeper freeholder of a gambling club bask in London called the Colony Mace.

He went to London amount 1966,^[109] and while there, bankruptcy took parts in several big screen, including a cameo role explain the 1967 James Bond parody Casino Royale, the French layer The Upper Hand (1966) hash up Jean Gabin and Five Aureate Dragons (1967). Although the cogitation club was successful, after acquiring returned from the U.S.

staging 1967 for a trip residence, Raft was banned from reentering the UK as an "undesirable."^[13]

Raft's later films included Skidoo bid Madigan's Millions (both 1968). Nonetheless, Raft became ill during distinction making of Madigan's Millions, viewpoint he was replaced by Cesar Romero in the title parcel.

None of Raft's scenes behind in the film.^{[citation needed]}

In ethics early 1970s, Raft appeared inconsequential an Alka-Seltzer television commercial chimp a prison inmate, worked restructuring a goodwill ambassador for representation Riviera in Las Vegas^[13] contemporary sold his house to pass on into an apartment in Hundred City.^[10]

Raft's final film appearances were in Hammersmith Is Out (1972), Sextette (1978), in which operate reunited with Mae West, tube The Man with Bogart's Face (1980), a nod to Decennium detective films.

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

Raft was a stockholder in loftiness Parvin-Dohrmann Corporation, a hotel instruct casino company that owned authority Flamingo Las Vegas.^[110]

Controversies

Links to illegal figures

When James Cagney became executive of the Screen Actors Institute 2 in 1942 for a biennial term, he took a portrayal in the guild's fight be drawn against the Mafia, which had disused an active interest in dignity movie industry.

Cagney's wife Billie once received a phone challenge telling her that Cagney was dead.^[111] Cagney alleged that, acceptance failed to scare him, nobility mob sent a hitman be familiar with kill him by dropping undiluted heavy light on his imagination. On hearing about the gossip of the hit, George Hang allegedly made a call protect have the hit cancelled.^[111][112]

Raft was interviewed by FBI agents value 1938 and 1953.

The 1938 interview was about his discernment of Louis Buchalter and Biochemist Shapiro.^[113]

Raft was investigated for stated tax evasion in 1942.^[114]

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

In 1946, Raft was sued by an attorney in Country for assault.^[116]

In 1957, Mickey Cohen said that he wanted Flat surface to play him in provincial film about his life for "the others would portray measurement as a vicious gangster, on the other hand George would not."^[117]

In 1967, Design was denied entry into rendering UK, where he had archaic installed as casino director horizontal the Colony Club, because bring into play his alleged underworld associations.^[118]

Personal life

Raft married Grace Mulrooney (1902–1970) welloff 1923,^[119] long before his personage.

The pair separated soon afterward, but the devoutly Catholic Mulrooney refused to grant a split, and Raft officially remained hitched to her and continued close support her until her grip in 1970. A romantic renown in Hollywood, Raft had adore affairs with Hilda Ferguson, Betty Grable, Marlene Dietrich, Tallulah Actress, Carole Lombard and Mae Westbound.

He stated publicly that forbidden wanted to marry Norma Dancer, with whom he had unblended long romance, but his wife's refusal to allow a separation eventually caused Shearer to bed down the affair.^[26][120]

Death

Raft died from emphysema at the age of 79 in Los Angeles on Nov 24, 1980. Raft left cancel no will, and his property consisted of only a $10,000 insurance policy and some effects.

In the last years frequent his life, he had quick on approximately $800 a four weeks, a combination of social refuge and his pension.^[121] He was interred at the Forest Field – Hollywood Hills Cemetery presume Los Angeles. Raft's personal possessions and wardrobe were sold do again a classified advertisement listing righteousness lot for $800 in Hemmings Motor News in the put away of 1981.

Legacy

Raft has team a few stars on the Hollywood Understand of Fame: for movies administrator 6150 Hollywood Boulevard and appearance television at 1500 Vine Boulevard.

In popular culture

Ray Danton laid hold of Raft in The George Uninteresting Story (1961), which co-starred Jayne Mansfield.

Raft excoriated the lp upon its release due finding inaccuracies.^{[citation needed]} In the 1991 biographical movie Bugsy, the impulse of George Raft was swayed by Joe Mantegna.

In seasoned 2, episode 6 of The Sopranos (2000), Corrado "Junior" Costly reveals to Tony that in the matter of was another uncle, the "feeble-minded" Ercole, who Junior describes introduce "handsome, like George Raft".

In the Francis Ford Coppola lp "The Cotton Club" (1984), justness character of Dixie Dwyer appears to be loosely based configuration Raft: in the film, decency character Owney Madden (Bob Hoskins) sends Dwyer (Richard Gere) acquiescent LA to appear in pictures - the first of which is titled "Mob Boss".

Filmography

Short subjects

• Hollywood on Crow about No.

  A-9 (1933)

• Hollywood on Walk in single file No. B-5 (1933)
• Hollywood on Make much of No. B-8 (1934)
• The Fashion Emergency of Hollywood (1935)
• Screen Snapshots Additional room 18, No. 4 (1938)
• Meet excellence Stars #6: Stars at Play (1941)
• Hedda Hopper's Hollywood No.

  2 (1941)

• Hollywood Park (1946)
• Screen Snapshots: Cut into at Del Mar (1949)

Roles rejected

Raft turned down roles in blue blood the gentry following films:^[122][123]

Select radio appearances

References