A DANGEROUS PROFESSION
US, 1949, 83 minutes, Black and white.
George Raft, Pat O’ Brien, Ella Raines, Jim Backus, Bill Williams.
Directed by Ted Tetzlaff.
A Dangerous Profession is a small supporting feature, a star vehicle for George Raft after his career portraying criminals, with Pat O’ Brien, noticeably older, after his successful career in the 1930s. The female lead is Ella Raines, audiences expecting her to be a femme fatale – which she is not. There is a good role for Jim Backus as a dedicated detective.
Raft portrays a former policeman who has gone into the bail bond business in partnership with O’ Brien. When a case comes up that involves Ella Raines, with whom Raft has had a relationship, he reluctantly takes up the case and provides the bail. Most of the film involves his looking for the real criminal, leading to a showdown and a fight, but all ends well with the apprehension of the criminal, a reconciliation between the angry policeman and Raft, and Raft and Raines being together at the end.
The film was directed by Ted Tetzlaff, who directed a number of thrillers at this time including The Window.
1. Later filmed film noir? Crime, police, bail bondsmen, criminals, the touch of the femme fatale?
2. Los Angeles in the 1940s, courts, prison, bail bonds, hotels, clubs? Black and white photography? The musical score?
3. The title, bail bonds men, the police, clients and criminals, fraud, robberies, murder?
4. George Raft as Vince Kane, former policeman and successful, the decision to go into the bail bond business, his partnership with Joe Farley, his independence, gambling, flirting, the phone call from Nick, going to the apartment, seeing that it belonged to Lucy, his leaving the card?
5. The crime situation, the murder of the policeman, the apprehension of Barrett, prison, bail, his getting out, with Vince, friends, with Lucy, to the club, his promises, his leaving, being murdered?
6. Vince, in his office, Lucy and the application for bail? Her money and the refusal? Vince going to see her, the memories of the past, their encounter after the breakdown, her wanting a divorce, Vince not asking her to marry him?
7. Dawson coming to the office, the $12,000 for bail? Vince accepting, $9000 in debt to the company? Joe and his attitude, understanding Vince, critical of him? 25 years in the business, his integrity, releasing Vince? Being involved in the showdown?
8. Vince, going to Dawson’s office, seeing Gibney, his idiosyncrasy of letting people go before him through doors? Indication that he was the criminal? Going to the club, discussions with McKay? The shakedown, Vince wanting $50,000?
9. Nick, a good policeman, his voice-over, working with Vince, in the apartment? His disappointment in the bail situation, in Barrett escaping? His hold over Lucy?
10. Vince and his detection, realising the situation? At the club with McKay? With Farley? Taking Lucy to Farley’s house? Her moving from the hotel?
11. The showdown in his apartment, Lucy hiding, his leaving the message, the phone call, Nick in pursuit, the chase? The struggle with Gibney, is a rest? His arrest?
12. Farley wanting Vince to stay on, Nick satisfied, relationship with Lucy?
