Raw Deal (1948)

Joe Sullivan is itching to get out of prison. He's taken the rap for Rick, who owes him $50 Grand. Rick sets up an escape for Joe, knowing that Joe will be caught escaping and be shot or ... See full summary »

Director:

Anthony Mann

Writers:

Leopold Atlas, John C. Higgins,

Stars:

Dennis O'Keefe, Claire Trevor, Marsha Hunt

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Dennis O'Keefe	...	Joseph Emmett (Joe) Sullivan
Claire Trevor	...	Pat Cameron
Marsha Hunt	...	Ann Martin
John Ireland	...	Fantail
Raymond Burr	...	Rick Coyle
Curt Conway	...	Spider
Chili Williams	...	Marcy
Regis Toomey	...	Police Capt. Fields (as Richard Fraser)
Whit Bissell	...	Murderer
Cliff Clark	...	Gates

Storyline

Joe Sullivan is itching to get out of prison. He's taken the rap for Rick, who owes him $50 Grand. Rick sets up an escape for Joe, knowing that Joe will be caught escaping and be shot or locked away forever. But with the help of his love-struck girl Pat and his sympathetic legal caseworker Ann, Joe gets further than he's supposed to, and we are posed with two very important questions: Is Joe really the cold and heartless criminal he appears to be, or is there a heart of gold under that gritty exterior? And does Joe belong with the tough, street-wise Pat, or with the prim, moralizing Ann?

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Plot Keywords:

set up | prison | policeman | mobster | violence | 

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Taglines:

Bullets! Women! -- Can't Hold a Man Like This!

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Genres:

Crime | Film-Noir | Drama

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 May 1948 (USA)

Also Known As:

Corkscrew Alley

Company Credits

Production Co:

Edward Small Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

79 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Joseph Emmett Sullivan: You're wonderful, baby. I don't know what I'd do without you.
Pat Cameron: Remember to tell me later. With gestures.

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Connections

Featured in A Personal Journey with Martin Scorsese Through American Movies (1995)

User Reviews

More great noir from Anthony Mann...

Anthony Mann stylishly directs this jailbreak, film noir thriller. Dennis O'Keefe is the escapee who is taking the rap for his crime boss, Raymond Burr. Burr is responsible for springing him, but only with the hope that he gets killed in the attempt and is thus silenced. O'Keefe's dame is assuredly played by Claire Trevor, who helps him through the road blocks and dragnets, but is severely jealous once another woman enters the picture. John Alton's cinematography perfectly captures the noir-like atmosphere of San Francisco as does Trevor's voice-over narration accompanied by the haunting sound of a theremin playing.