The Shakedown (1959 film)
The Shakedown is a 1959 crime-drama film directed by John Lemont, starring Terence Morgan, Hazel Court, and Donald Pleasence.[1] It was filmed in the United Kingdom.
The Shakedown | |
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Original British poster | |
Directed by | John Lemont |
Produced by | Norman Williams |
Written by | John Lemont Leigh Vance |
Starring | |
Music by | Philip Green Theme tone "SHAKEDOWN". sung by Kathy Kirby. |
Cinematography | Brendan J. Stafford |
Edited by | Bernard Gribble |
Production company | Ethiro-Alliance |
Distributed by | J. Arthur Rank Film Distributors |
Release date | January 1960 |
Running time | 92 minutes |
Country | United Kingdom |
Language | English |
The film was banned in Finland (known there as Häväistyksen kauppiaat).
Plot
Augie Cortona, a recently released convict, opens up a photographic studio and modelling school that serves as a front for a service enabling amateurs to take erotic photographs while blackmailing some of the participants. Meanwhile, a longstanding feud with a rival gangster who took over his operation while he was imprisoned continues. Scotland Yard decide to investigate Cortona by sending an officer, Mildred Eyde, to operate undercover by enrolling as a student model. Cortona is smitten by Eyde and begins to woo her.
Eyde's cover is blown when another criminal recognizes her. As Cortona decides what to do with her, police raid the studio in order to rescue her. Cortona tries to flee but is shot by a waiting blackmail victim who has been pushed too far by repeated threats of exposure and demands for ever more money. As Cortona is dying, Mildred kneels down to comfort him. With his last breath, Cortona says "Bitch". Mildred is led away, upset.[2]
Cast
- Terence Morgan as Augie Cortona
- Hazel Court as Mildred Eyde
- Donald Pleasence as Jessel Brown
- Bill Owen as David Spettigue
- Robert Beatty as Chief Inspector Bob Jarvis
- Harry H. Corbett as Gollar
- Gene Anderson as Zena
- Eddie Byrne as George, Barman
- John Salew as John Arnold
- Georgina Cookson as Miss Firbank
- Linda Castle as Sylvia
- Jackie Collins as Rita Mason (credited as Lynn Curtis)
- Joan Haythorne as Miss Ogilvie
- Sheila Buxton as Nadia
- Dorinda Stevens as Grace
- Jack Lambert as Sergeant Kershaw
- Charles Lamb as Pinza
- Edward Judd as Bernie
Critical reception
TV Guide wrote: "the performances are all strong and believable, and fast-paced direction helps to gloss over some of the inadequacies in the predictable script."[2]
External links
References
- "The Shakedown | BFI | BFI". Explore.bfi.org.uk. Archived from the original on 12 July 2012. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
- "The Shakedown Review". Movies.tvguide.com. Retrieved 10 May 2014.