[80] Raft was again placed on suspension but was meant to go back off it to appear in The Sea Wolf (1941), but he did not like the role and was suspended again. Raft was discussed as a possibility for the lead at one stage, but never offered it. "[29], Raft later made a semi-autobiographical film called Broadway (1942) about this period, in which he plays himself and worked on the Paramount Publix circuit, performing in stage shows that were presented before movies. The film was highly popular. Herald-Examiner Collection, photo dated June 21, 1947. Sam Goldwyn wanted Raft for the film version of Dead End and Universal, David O. Selznick and 20th Century Fox were keen on using Raft; Lloyd Nolan was announced as Raft's replacement in Souls at Sea. United States Census 1910; Census Place: Manhattan Ward 12, New York, New York; Roll: T624_1025; Page: 19A; Enumeration District: 0668; Image: 1107; FHL Number: 1375038.
He left school at the age of 12, and left home aged 13.
[12] In May 1937 Raft reportedly tested for the role of Rhett Butler in the film of Gone with the Wind.[67]. [113] Cagney alleged that, having failed to scare him and the guild off, they sent a hit man to kill him by dropping a heavy light onto his head. Possibly Interesting Facts About George Raft. [61] Raft was put on suspension and $24,000 of his salary was withheld.
Raft was a very good friend of Bugsy Siegel and even testified on his behalf in court. [48], He was meant to be in It's a Pleasure to Lose, based on the life of Nick the Greek, but instead made Bolero (1934), playing a dancer opposite Carole Lombard. [5][10]"After growing up in New York's tough Hell's Kitchen area, Raft was a boxer, electrician, and baseball player before landing a job as a dancer in nightclubs in the 1920s.
“The guy who would give away front row seats at concerts to people he didn’t know. The crime was never solved. [citation needed], In 1944 he gave evidence when Bugsy Siegel was on trial for bookmaking. [citation needed] Raft attended the opening of the Flamingo Hotel. "I want to play heavies again", he said. [15][16][17], "I was just trying to find something that I liked that would make me a living", said Raft later. George's elder sister, Eva, known as "Katie", was born on April 18, 1896. Herald-Examiner Collection, photo taken on June 25, 1947, Photographer’s Eye: Todd Blubaugh – Too Far Gone, Check Out These July Photo Friends Events, Women and Outdoor Promotion: The Los Angeles Camera Club ca. Herald-Examiner Collection, photo dated November 21, 1939. "[3]) Raft's first film after leaving Warners was Follow the Boys (1944), a musical at Universal, which featured a number of Universal's stars in a guest spots and Raft in the lead. At the time of the shooting, Siegel’s pal Smiley was in the house along with Virginia Hill’s cook, brother, and secretary. The following year he testified in front of a New York grand jury about Mafia financial transactions. He had glamorous friends and dangerous enemies. [39] He was announced for Ladies of the Big House with Sylvia Sidney and Gene Raymond.[40]. Instead Raft made Manpower (1941), with Edward G. Robinson and Marlene Dietrich.
He taught me to speak a certain way with rhythm and depth of voice.
[19] He then started working in New York City nightclubs, often in the same venues as Rudolph Valentino before Valentino became a movie actor. (He envisioned The Flamingo attracting both high rollers and average vacationers.) Herald-Examiner Collection, photo dated August 20, 1940. [42] When the studio adamantly refused to hire Texas Guinanâupon whom one of the movie's characters was basedâbecause of her age, Raft advocated another friend, Mae West, to be cast in a supporting role in his first film as leading man. The assailant disappeared into the night. He enjoyed drinking champagne with movie stars in nightclubs but also cherished a quiet night at home. [19] Raft was taken off suspension in April 1933. He was linked to the deaths of many rival gangsters, including Joe Masseria, Salvatore Maranzano, three brothers in the Fabrizzo family, and Harry “Big Greenie” Greenberg, who was his personal friend. Two days earlier, Mae West had died, and the two stretchers holding the stars' bodies were briefly alongside one other in the hallway of the mortuary for a coincidental silent reunion almost half a century after their first film together. In July 1940 he reprised his vaudeville act. George Ranft was born in Hell’s Kitchen, New York City in 1901…though there are some reports that he was born in 1895.. 2. Despite his success in illegal activities, Siegel desired to be a legitimate businessman. Raft was borrowed by Twentieth Century Pictures, a new production company established by Darryl F. Zanuck (former head of production at Warners). This photo shows George Raft at the Desert Inn, a popular resort in Palm Springs. In November 1942, Raft bought himself out of his Warners contract in order to do Hell's Kitchen on stage. Rath had been deeply involved in Twin Cities Church since becoming a member in 2001. "[93] His price as a guest star on radio was $1,500-$2,500. [citation needed]. (The cause of death was ruled to be suicide.). He was passionate about his work. This photo was taken hours after they were ambushed in their car. 1910; Census Place: Manhattan Ward 12, New York, New York; Roll T624_1025; Page: 19A; Enumeration District: 668; Image: 1104. [47] He returned to Hollywood to make Midnight Club (1933), set in London. He starred in a syndicated TV series I'm the Law (1953) which ran one season. [64] Raft was discussing a three-film-a-year deal with United Artists for three years, to start with Dead End. Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. "[25] A September 1926 edition of Variety spoke of Raft's reputation as "the best Charleston dancer in New York. [91] He ended up never doing the play on stage. She eventually moved to Europe where she married, raised a son, and died on March 24, 1966, in Austria. The film was a box office disappointment. Raft had an excellent role as mob boss supporting Robert Taylor in Rogue Cop (1954), a hit at MGM. [12] He decided to look for other work.
If you don't follow the rules, your comment may be deleted. Raft's performance was notable for his character's frequently flipping a coin (a nickel) during scenes, which became an iconic trope in gangster films. Siegel worked in various endeavors in Southern California including the numbers racket (an illegal lottery), prostitution, and the U.S./Mexico drug trade.
Cagney's wife, Billie, once received a phone call telling her that Cagney was dead. George was a man who loved God as first priority.” Gil Mathew performed the religious comedy “Fish Eyes” with Rath more than 100 times over the past 10 years. Back at Paramount he was in Yours for the Asking (1936). FT M-F. After running away from home at 17 (wearing the first pair of shoes she claimed she ever owned), she landed in Chicago and found work delivering messages and packages for gangsters. Lorraine Jewett is a freelance writer who lives in Nevada County. George Raft didn’t want to give the name. Raft then was borrowed by 20th Century Fox for It Had to Happen (1936).
Suddenly, shots exploded through the front window. As noted, Siegel’s friend and associate Allen Smiley was sitting on the couch next to Seigel when the shooting occurred but escaped unharmed. Back at Paramount Raft supported Fredric March and Miriam Hopkins in All of Me (1934), which was not popular. Unfortunately, the project was fraught with delays, material shortages, rising costs, and personnel problems caused by Siegel’s arrogance and violent outbursts. Zanuck wanted him for Blood Money but he was too busy at Paramount. Rath had just celebrated his 62nd birthday June 4. Here, Siegel grabs a cup of water during a break in his trial for the murder of Harry Greenberg (aka Harry Schachter), a friend of Siegel and employee of mobsters Lucky Luciano and Meyer Lansky. [88] The success of Some Like It Hot did not lead to a comeback, but Raft managed to get roles as a casino owner in Ocean's 11 (1960), and had a cameo as himself in The Ladies Man (1961).
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