Riffraff (1947)A plane takes off from Peru (in a long no-dialogue scene) in a storm with two passengers; it lands in Panama with one. The missing man had valuable oil-location maps; everyone who is after ... See full summary » Director:Ted TetzlaffWriter:Martin Rackin |
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Title: Riffraff (1947)
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Cast
| Complete credited cast: | |||
| Pat O'Brien | ... |
Dan Hammer
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| Anne Jeffreys | ... |
Maxine Manning
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Walter Slezak | ... |
Eric Molinar
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Percy Kilbride | ... |
Pop
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Jerome Cowan | ... |
Walter Gredson
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George Givot | ... |
Major Rues
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Jason Robards Sr. | ... |
Mr. Domingues
(as Jason Robards)
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Marc Krah | ... |
Charles Hasso
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Plot Summary
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Storyline
A plane takes off from Peru (in a long no-dialogue scene) in a storm with two passengers; it lands in Panama with one. The missing man had valuable oil-location maps; everyone who is after them must deal with Dan Hammer, combination private eye, agent, and con man, who can "fix" anything for a fee. Nightclub singer Maxine is on Dan's side... or is she? The rest is lighthearted, white-suited tropical intrigue. Written by Rod Crawford <puffinus@u.washington.edu>
Certificate:
ApprovedParents Guide:
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Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
15 September 1947 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Riff-Raff See more »Company Credits
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Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
Mono (RCA Sound System)Color:
Black and WhiteAspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1
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Maxine Manning: No thanks. That wouldn't keep me in aspirin.
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(uncredited)
Written by Alex Kramer and Joan Whitney
Performed by Anne Jeffreys and backups
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Did You Know?
Quotes
Dan Hammer: Guys around bars talk. Anything you can find out will be worth fifty.Maxine Manning: No thanks. That wouldn't keep me in aspirin.
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Soundtracks
"MONEY IS THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL"(uncredited)
Written by Alex Kramer and Joan Whitney
Performed by Anne Jeffreys and backups
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From its innovative, dialogue-free opening--a tracking shot that moves from a closeup of an iguana atop a boulder, into an aeroplane hanger, and up into the sky--"Riffraff" pulls the viewer in for an enormously enjoyable ride. This is the kind of movie some say is "they don't make anymore": a pure entertainment thriller.
Pat O'Brian may not be everyone's idea of an action hero, but his acting skills make him perfectly acceptable here. The rarely seen Anne Jeffreys is excellent as nightclub singer who becomes O'Brian's investigative partner. And Walter Slezak lends his trademark combination of intelligence and danger.
It isn't quite true that films of this type are not made--Spielberg's "Indiana Jones" series comes to mind--but there was less need, in 1947, for special effects and cruel violence to make plot points. Tetzlaff--the director who also had a career as a cinematographer--relies on characterization and a dynamic visual style to make "Riffraff" a distinctive and exciting experience.