Shakedown (1950)

33% want to see it
(3 ratings)

Two-bit photographer Howard Duff wins a big newspaper assignment by romancing his lady boss (Peggy Dow). Duff is sent to take a picture of criminal Brian Donlevy, who doesn't like to be captured on celluloid. Donlevy takes a liking to Duff and asks him to frame one of the crook's less cooperative… More Two-bit photographer Howard Duff wins a big newspaper assignment by romancing his lady boss (Peggy Dow). Duff is sent to take a picture of criminal Brian Donlevy, who doesn't like to be captured on celluloid. Donlevy takes a liking to Duff and asks him to frame one of the crook's less cooperative henchmen (Lawrence Tierney). Duff plays both sides of the fence, informing the henchman that his boss had planned to frame him. Shortly afterward, Donlevy is killed by a car bomb, and Duff becomes famous taking a picture of the event. Eventually Duff pulls one double-cross too many and is himself killed by the surly henchman--but not before taking a snapshot of his murderer in the act. Hard to believe, but Howard Duff makes his character in Shakedown somewhat likable, so that the audience is eager to see what sort of scam he'll pull next. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 20 min.
Directed By: Joseph Pevney
Genres: Drama

Critic Reviews

Nick Schager, Lessons of Darkness
Sluggish and not nearly sordid enough.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
A routine story that is more about a depiction of the American drive for material success than an exposé newspaper story.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

No Featured Audience Ratings Found…

Cast

            Howard Duff as Jack Early

            Brian Donlevy as Nick Palmer

            Peggy Dow as Ellen Bennett

            Lawrence Tierney as Coulton

            Bruce Bennett as David Glover

            Anne Vernon as Nita Palmer

            Stapleton Kent as City Editor

            Peter Virgo as Roy

            Charles Sherlock as Sam

            Elsie Baker as Maid

            Ralph Brooks
            
            Douglas Carter Beane as Photographer

            Peggie Castle
            
            Jack Chefe as Proprietor

            Chester Conklin as Man

            Roy Engel as Captain

            Charles Flynn as Fireman

            Rock Hudson as Doorman

            Donald Kerr as Newsboy

            Will Lee
            
            Leota Lorraine as Guest

            John Miller as Brownie

            Forbes Murray as Mr. Spencer

            Kenneth Patterson as Thurman

            Jack Reitzen as Fat Man

            Jack Rice as Floorwalker

            Kay Riehl as Mrs. Spencer

            Steve Roberts as Magazine Representative

            Steve Wayne as Reporter

            Josephine Whittell as Mrs. Worthington

            William E. Marks as Detective

            Bert Davidson
            
            W.J. O'Brien
            
            Carl Sklover as Taxi Driver

            Wendy Waldron as Information Clerk

            Doretta Johnson as Nurse
See full cast

Now you can share movies with your friends on Facebook!

Discover movies your friends are watching
Keep track of what you want to see
Add your reviews to your Timeline

Get Started