by James L. Neibaur (Author)
George Raft's career trajectory is quite fascinating, from the stirring image of a gangster coldly flipping a coin in Scarfaceto achieving stardom as a leading man, and finally ending his career once again playing small roles as a gangster in Hollywood films. This book is a film-by-film look at Raft's long career with movies like Bolero, in which he was able to exhibit his formidable skill as a dancer, Souls at Sea, Each Dawn I Die, Johnny Angel, and Red Light; exploring the adventure films, action dramas, and post-war film noir productions that continue to define the actor's career. Raft is also known for turning down films that later became classics like The Maltese Falcon and Double Indemnity. His minimalist style is often dismissed as limited but it is filled with nuance and his best work remains relevant in the 21st century.