Loan Shark (1952)

At the request of factory owners and union leaders, a tough ex-con infiltrates a gang of loan sharks who are preying on financially desperate factory workers.

Director:

Seymour Friedman

Writers:

Martin Rackin (screenplay by), Eugene Ling (screenplay by)

Stars:

George Raft, Dorothy Hart, Paul Stewart

Cast

Complete credited cast:
George Raft	...	Joe Gargen
Dorothy Hart	...	Ann Nelson
Paul Stewart	...	Lou Donelli
John Hoyt	...	Vince Phillips
Helen Westcott	...	Martha Haines
Henry Slate	...	Paul Nelson
Russell Johnson	...	Charlie Thompson
Margia Dean	...	Ivy
Benny Baker	...	Tubby
Lawrence Dobkin	...	Walter Kerr (as Larry Dobkin)

Storyline

A vicious loan shark ring has been preying on factory workers. When several workers at a tire factory suffer violence at the hands of the loan sharkers, a union leader and the factory owner try to recruit ex-con Joe Gargan to infiltrate to the gang. At first Joe does not want to get involved, but changes his mind when his brother-in-law dies at the hands of a savage loan shark hood. Joe works his way into the mob, but in order to keep his cover, Joe can't tell anyone what he is up to. This results in him being disowned by his sister and girl friend.

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Plot Keywords:

gambling | tire company | bloody nose | union | pay phone | 

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Taglines:

He knew every racket's strength . . . and every woman's weakness!

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Film-Noir | Thriller

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

Final film of The Kennedy Center Honors: A Celebration of the Performing Arts (1985). However, she continued to appear on television into the 1960s, most notably as a regular panelist on "Stump the Stars."

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Goofs

When Joe is on a dark street waiting to meet his tire plant boss, he lights a cigarette. He has his right hand up to block the wind, but it is obviously concealing a small light, as it stays lit for a beat or two after the match in his other hand is moved away and goes out.

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Quotes

Vince Phillips: Go on in the bedroom.
Nancy - Vince's Moll: Well, what'll I do in there alone?
Vince Phillips: Play with your fur coats.

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Connections

References Scarface (1932)

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Soundtracks

Peru
by Victor Young and Edward Heyman

User Reviews

Good tough crime film

While not a fan of Raft's starring qualities for major studio films, I really enjoy him in tough little black and white B films like this. Low budget, filmed quickly, they seem a good fit for his real life tough, sometimes lowlife persona and abilities. I intend this as a compliment to Raft and if you watch "Loan Shark" you will see what I mean.

In addition to Raft you have here a fine supporting cast including one of the best John Hoyt crime performances of his long distinguished career.

Factories, lunch boxes and cheap hoods. Really evokes the underside of the 1950's and moves along briskly. Surprisingly entertaining.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 May 1952 (USA)

Also Known As:

Loan Shark

Filming Locations:

Hollywood, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$250,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Encore Productions Inc.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

80 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1