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'''''Intrigue''''' is a 1947 American [[film noir]] [[crime film]] directed by [[Edwin L. Marin]] starring [[George Raft]], [[June Havoc]] and [[Helena Carter]]. ''Intrigue'' was intended to be the first of a number of films Raft made, with producer Sam Bischoff, for his own production company, Star Films.<ref name="raft"/> {{TOC limit|limit=2}}
'''''Intrigue''''' is a 1947 American [[film noir]] [[crime film]] directed by [[Edwin L. Marin]] starring [[George Raft]], [[June Havoc]] and [[Helena Carter]]. ''Intrigue'' was intended to be the first of a number of films Raft made, with producer Sam Bischoff, for his own production company, Star Films.<ref name="raft"/> <ref>Intrigue
Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 15, Iss. 169, (Jan 1, 1948): 114. </ref>


==Plot==
==Plot==
Line 54: Line 55:


==Production==
==Production==
The film was based on a story by George Slavin. Film rights were bought by Sam Bischoff, who had formed Star Films, Inc., a company with [[George Raft]]. It was the second of a four picture deal Bischoff had with [[United Artists]] after ''[[Pitfall (1948 film)|Pitfall]]''. The other films in the deal were to star Raft.<ref>Brady, Thomas F. [https://search.proquest.com/docview/107820012 "Bischoff acquired picture for Raft."] ''The New York Times'', February 13, 1947.</ref> Edwin Marin signed to direct.<ref>Brady, Thomas F. [https://search.proquest.com/docview/107812212 "Red Grave sought by RKO for picture."] ''The New York Times'', February 28, 1947.</ref> Bischoff had a credit line of $5 million to make the films.<ref>Brady, Thomas F. [https://search.proquest.com/docview/107961371 "Film deals made by Independents."] ''The New York Times'', May 1, 1947.</ref>{{#tag:ref|Although ''Intrigue'' was billed as the first of the Samuel Bischoff/George Raft films to be produced, no other films were made by that company.<ref name="Notes"/>|group=N}}


In September 1946 [[George Raft]] announced he was forming his own production company, Star Films Inc, in association with Sam Bischoff, who had formed Star Films, Inc., a company with [[George Raft]] in September 1946. This company expected to make three films over two years at a budget of $3,500,000.<ref>RAFT IS ORGANIZING OWN MOVIE STUDIOS: Actor and Sam Bischoff Will Produce as Star Films, Inc. THE NEW YORK TIMES. 13 Sep 1946: 5. </ref> The same month, Bischoff signed a four picture deal with United Artists - three of the movies would star Raft and the fourth would be ''[[Pitfall (1948 film)|Pitfall]]'' (1948) (which wound up starring [[Dick Powell]]).<ref>Of Local Origin
⚫
The plot of ''Intrigue'' was originally meant to involve smuggling blood plasma, but this was changed to whisky and cigarettes at the request of Chinese-American organizations. Raft regretted this change.<ref name="raft">Aaker 2013, p. 129.</ref> Principal photography took place from April 28 to mid-June 1947.<ref>[http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/79329/Intrigue/original-print-info.html "Original print information: 'Intrigue' (1947)."] ''Turner Classic Movies''. Retrieved: November 27, 2015.</ref>
New York Times 26 Sep 1946: 41. </ref> Biscoff obtained $5 million credit from the Bank of America to make these films.<ref>FILM DEALS MADE BY INDEPENDENTS: Bischoff and Brisson Raise Funds for Producing on Own New York Times 1 May 1947: 34. </ref>


In February 1947 Bischoff announced the first film he would make with Raft under the four picture deal would be ''Intrigue'' based on an original story by George Slavin. Slavin's story was inspired by his observations in the Pacific War, where he served with the RAF and American Air Force.<ref>Oriental Black Market Story Will Star Raft
Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 13 Feb 1947: 9. </ref> <ref>BISCHOFF ACQUIRES PICTURE FOR RAFT: Producer and Actor Will Join Forces on 'Intrigue,' Story for Screen by Slavin
By THOMAS F. BRADYSpecial to THE NEW YORK TIMES. 13 Feb 1947: 35. </ref>

Edwin Marin signed to direct in February 1947 by which stage Slavin and Barry Triven were working on a sctipt.<ref>RED GRAVE SOUGHT BY RKO FOR PICTURE: New York Times 28 Feb 1947: 27. </ref> Bischoff wanted [[Gloria Swanson]] to play the femme fetale role.<ref>Hedda Hopper LOOKING AT HOLLYWOOD
Los Angeles Times 9 Apr 1947: A3. </ref> The role eventually went to [[June Havoc]].<ref>U-I WILL DO FILM OF KANTOR NOVEL New York Times 19 Apr 1947: 11. </ref> Helena Carter was borrowed from Universal-International.<ref>DRAMA AND FILM: Carter Break Hailed Los Angeles Times 28 Apr 1947: A2. </ref>

Bischoff had a credit line of $5 million to make the films.<ref>Brady, Thomas F. [https://search.proquest.com/docview/107961371 "Film deals made by Independents."] ''The New York Times'', May 1, 1947.</ref>{{#tag:ref|Although ''Intrigue'' was billed as the first of the Samuel Bischoff/George Raft films to be produced, no other films were made by that company.<ref name="Notes"/>|group=N}}

⚫
The plot of ''Intrigue'' was originally meant to involve smuggling blood plasma, but this was changed to whisky and cigarettes at the request of Chinese-American organizations. Raft regretted this change. "If we had been able to retain the original idea it would have been a lot more exciting," he said.<ref name="raft">Aaker 2013, p. 129.</ref> Principal photography took place from April 28 to mid-June 1947.<ref>[http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/79329/Intrigue/original-print-info.html "Original print information: 'Intrigue' (1947)."] ''Turner Classic Movies''. Retrieved: November 27, 2015.</ref>
===Shooting===
Filming on ''Intrigue'' started 28 April 1947 and continued until mid-June, 1947.<ref>[https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/79329/Intrigue/original-print-info.html "Original print information: 'Intrigue' (1947)."] ''TCM'', 2019. Retrieved: June 26, 2019.</ref> It was [[June Havoc]]'s first film since 1944.<ref>Brady, Thomas F. [https://search.proquest.com/docview/107969960 "U-I will do film of Kantor novel."] ''The New York Times'', April 19, 1947.</ref>
Filming on ''Intrigue'' started 28 April 1947 and continued until mid-June, 1947.<ref>[https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/79329/Intrigue/original-print-info.html "Original print information: 'Intrigue' (1947)."] ''TCM'', 2019. Retrieved: June 26, 2019.</ref> It was [[June Havoc]]'s first film since 1944.<ref>Brady, Thomas F. [https://search.proquest.com/docview/107969960 "U-I will do film of Kantor novel."] ''The New York Times'', April 19, 1947.</ref>


Line 63: Line 75:


==Reception==
==Reception==
===Critical===
In his review of ''Intrigue'' for ''[[The New York Times]]'', Thomas M. Pryor considered the film a "conventional exercise in screen melodramatics " and George Raft's role as "... all so much wasted effort on his part for no one could possibly inject any semblance of verisimilitude into the hopeless botch of incident ''[sic]'' which Barry Trivers and George Slavin set to paper under the impression that they were writing a screen play."<ref>Pryor, Thomas M. (T.M.P.) [https://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9B01E7D9153CE23BBC4C51DFB2668383659EDE "Movie review: 'Intrigue' (1947); Black market activities in Shanghai."] ''The New York Times'', April 24, 1948.</ref>
In his review of ''Intrigue'' for ''[[The New York Times]]'', Thomas M. Pryor considered the film a "conventional exercise in screen melodramatics " and George Raft's role as "... all so much wasted effort on his part for no one could possibly inject any semblance of verisimilitude into the hopeless botch of incident ''[sic]'' which Barry Trivers and George Slavin set to paper under the impression that they were writing a screen play."<ref>Pryor, Thomas M. (T.M.P.) [https://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9B01E7D9153CE23BBC4C51DFB2668383659EDE "Movie review: 'Intrigue' (1947); Black market activities in Shanghai."] ''The New York Times'', April 24, 1948.</ref>


The ''Los Angeles Times'' called it "an intense melodrama which offers George Raft one of his best roles."<ref>'INTRIGUE' VIGOROUS
Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 6 Mar 1948: 7. </ref>
==Radio adaptation==
==Radio adaptation==
On May 10, 1948, George Raft and June Havoc reprised their film roles in ''Intrigue'' with a 60-minute radio adaptation of the film for a "Lux Radio Theater" broadcast.<ref name="Notes">[https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/79329/Intrigue/notes.html "Notes: 'Intrigue' (1947)."] ''TCM'', 2019. Retrieved: June 26, 2019. </ref>
On May 10, 1948, George Raft and June Havoc reprised their film roles in ''Intrigue'' with a 60-minute radio adaptation of the film for a "Lux Radio Theater" broadcast.<ref name="Notes">[https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/79329/Intrigue/notes.html "Notes: 'Intrigue' (1947)."] ''TCM'', 2019. Retrieved: June 26, 2019. </ref>
==Star Films==

Star Films would later made ''[[Outpost in Morocco]]'' (1949).<ref>RAFT WILL MAKE MOVIE IN MOROCCO: Bischoff Arranges for Star to Film Picture in Africa -- May Start on Oct. 15
Special to THE NEW YORK TIMES. 16 July 1947: 27. </ref> They announced plans for ''[[Mississipi Gambler]]'' and a film about Panama written by Robert Graves.<ref>George Raft Plans CYO Film -- Maugham, Actor
By A.H. WEILER. New York Times 7 Dec 1947: 89. </ref> The latter two films were not made neither was another announced project, ''The French Secret Service''.<ref>Betty Hutton Will Portray Theda Bara
Hopper, Hedda. Los Angeles Times (1923-1995); Los Angeles, Calif. [Los Angeles, Calif]03 Sep 1948: 16. </ref> However Raft later appeared in ''[[A Bullet for Joey]]'' for Bischoff.
==References==
==References==
===Notes===
===Notes===
Line 81: Line 100:
* {{tcmdb title|id=79329}}
* {{tcmdb title|id=79329}}
* {{imdb title|id=0039496}}
* {{imdb title|id=0039496}}
*[https://letterboxd.com/film/intrigue/ Intrigue] at Letterbox DVD

*[https://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b6ad3690c Intrigue] t BFI
{{Edwin L. Marin}}
{{Edwin L. Marin}}


Revision as of 06:05, 12 August 2019

Intrigue
Theatrical film poster
Directed byEdwin L. Marin
Written byGeorge Slavin
Barry Trivers
Produced bySamuel Bischoff
StarringGeorge Raft
June Havoc
Helena Carter
CinematographyLucien N. Andriot
Edited byGeorge M. Arthur
Production
company
Star Films
Distributed byUnited Artists
Release dates
  • October 15, 1947 (1947-10-15) (United States)
  • December 6, 1947 (1947-12-06) (New York City)
Running time
90 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Intrigue is a 1947 American film noir crime film directed by Edwin L. Marin starring George Raft, June Havoc and Helena Carter. Intrigue was intended to be the first of a number of films Raft made, with producer Sam Bischoff, for his own production company, Star Films.[1] [2]

Plot

In post-war China, court-martialed pilot Brad Dunham (George Raft) now flies smuggled goods into the country. He attempts to force his immediate superior, Ramon Perez (Marvin Miller), to pay him more, but Perez resists, so Brad steals the cargo back.

The boss of the black-market operation is Tamara Baranoff (June Havoc), who agrees to Brad's demand of a 50% cut of the operation and fires Ramon as a show of good faith. Meanwhile, an American newspaper reporter, Marc Andrews (Tom Tully), a friend of Brad's, shows up in Shanghai to investigate black-market crime.

Brad meets a social worker, Linda Arnold (Helena Carter), and their friendship makes Tamara jealous. She insists that Brad do something about the prying reporter and steer clear of that other woman. Tamara's criminal rival tips off Marc that his pal Brad is involved with the crime ring.

Marc is knifed by Tamara's rival just as he is delivering a copy of his story exposing the black market. His dying wish is that Brad deliver the story for him, telling Brad that it was Tamara whose testimony led to Brad's unjust court-martial.

Brad distributes her black-market goods to needy citizens. Ramon turns up to ambush Brad, but his gun goes off, killing Tamara instead, and Ramon is placed under arrest. Brad and Linda contemplate a new life together.

Cast

Production

In September 1946 George Raft announced he was forming his own production company, Star Films Inc, in association with Sam Bischoff, who had formed Star Films, Inc., a company with George Raft in September 1946. This company expected to make three films over two years at a budget of $3,500,000.[3] The same month, Bischoff signed a four picture deal with United Artists - three of the movies would star Raft and the fourth would be Pitfall (1948) (which wound up starring Dick Powell).[4] Biscoff obtained $5 million credit from the Bank of America to make these films.[5]

In February 1947 Bischoff announced the first film he would make with Raft under the four picture deal would be Intrigue based on an original story by George Slavin. Slavin's story was inspired by his observations in the Pacific War, where he served with the RAF and American Air Force.[6] [7]

Edwin Marin signed to direct in February 1947 by which stage Slavin and Barry Triven were working on a sctipt.[8] Bischoff wanted Gloria Swanson to play the femme fetale role.[9] The role eventually went to June Havoc.[10] Helena Carter was borrowed from Universal-International.[11]

Bischoff had a credit line of $5 million to make the films.[12][N 1]

The plot of Intrigue was originally meant to involve smuggling blood plasma, but this was changed to whisky and cigarettes at the request of Chinese-American organizations. Raft regretted this change. "If we had been able to retain the original idea it would have been a lot more exciting," he said.[1] Principal photography took place from April 28 to mid-June 1947.[14]

Shooting

Filming on Intrigue started 28 April 1947 and continued until mid-June, 1947.[15] It was June Havoc's first film since 1944.[16]

Raft was hospitalised with illness during the Intrigue shoot.[17]

Reception

Critical

In his review of Intrigue for The New York Times, Thomas M. Pryor considered the film a "conventional exercise in screen melodramatics " and George Raft's role as "... all so much wasted effort on his part for no one could possibly inject any semblance of verisimilitude into the hopeless botch of incident [sic] which Barry Trivers and George Slavin set to paper under the impression that they were writing a screen play."[18]

The Los Angeles Times called it "an intense melodrama which offers George Raft one of his best roles."[19]

Radio adaptation

On May 10, 1948, George Raft and June Havoc reprised their film roles in Intrigue with a 60-minute radio adaptation of the film for a "Lux Radio Theater" broadcast.[13]

Star Films

Star Films would later made Outpost in Morocco (1949).[20] They announced plans for Mississipi Gambler and a film about Panama written by Robert Graves.[21] The latter two films were not made neither was another announced project, The French Secret Service.[22] However Raft later appeared in A Bullet for Joey for Bischoff.

References

Notes

  1. ^ Although Intrigue was billed as the first of the Samuel Bischoff/George Raft films to be produced, no other films were made by that company.[13]

Citations

  1. ^ a b Aaker 2013, p. 129.
  2. ^ Intrigue Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 15, Iss. 169, (Jan 1, 1948): 114.
  3. ^ RAFT IS ORGANIZING OWN MOVIE STUDIOS: Actor and Sam Bischoff Will Produce as Star Films, Inc. THE NEW YORK TIMES. 13 Sep 1946: 5.
  4. ^ Of Local Origin New York Times 26 Sep 1946: 41.
  5. ^ FILM DEALS MADE BY INDEPENDENTS: Bischoff and Brisson Raise Funds for Producing on Own New York Times 1 May 1947: 34.
  6. ^ Oriental Black Market Story Will Star Raft Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 13 Feb 1947: 9.
  7. ^ BISCHOFF ACQUIRES PICTURE FOR RAFT: Producer and Actor Will Join Forces on 'Intrigue,' Story for Screen by Slavin By THOMAS F. BRADYSpecial to THE NEW YORK TIMES. 13 Feb 1947: 35.
  8. ^ RED GRAVE SOUGHT BY RKO FOR PICTURE: New York Times 28 Feb 1947: 27.
  9. ^ Hedda Hopper LOOKING AT HOLLYWOOD Los Angeles Times 9 Apr 1947: A3.
  10. ^ U-I WILL DO FILM OF KANTOR NOVEL New York Times 19 Apr 1947: 11.
  11. ^ DRAMA AND FILM: Carter Break Hailed Los Angeles Times 28 Apr 1947: A2.
  12. ^ Brady, Thomas F. "Film deals made by Independents." The New York Times, May 1, 1947.
  13. ^ a b "Notes: 'Intrigue' (1947)." TCM, 2019. Retrieved: June 26, 2019.
  14. ^ "Original print information: 'Intrigue' (1947)." Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved: November 27, 2015.
  15. ^ "Original print information: 'Intrigue' (1947)." TCM, 2019. Retrieved: June 26, 2019.
  16. ^ Brady, Thomas F. "U-I will do film of Kantor novel." The New York Times, April 19, 1947.
  17. ^ "Briefs from the lots." Variety, May 16, 1947, p. 80.
  18. ^ Pryor, Thomas M. (T.M.P.) "Movie review: 'Intrigue' (1947); Black market activities in Shanghai." The New York Times, April 24, 1948.
  19. ^ 'INTRIGUE' VIGOROUS Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 6 Mar 1948: 7.
  20. ^ RAFT WILL MAKE MOVIE IN MOROCCO: Bischoff Arranges for Star to Film Picture in Africa -- May Start on Oct. 15 Special to THE NEW YORK TIMES. 16 July 1947: 27.
  21. ^ George Raft Plans CYO Film -- Maugham, Actor By A.H. WEILER. New York Times 7 Dec 1947: 89.
  22. ^ Betty Hutton Will Portray Theda Bara Hopper, Hedda. Los Angeles Times (1923-1995); Los Angeles, Calif. [Los Angeles, Calif]03 Sep 1948: 16.

Bibliography

  • Aaker, Everett. George Raft: The Films. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, 2013. ISBN 978-0-7864-6646-7.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Intrigue_(1947_film)&oldid=910455955"