The Shakedown (1959 film)

The Shakedown is a 1959 black and white British crime-drama film directed by John Lemont, starring Terence Morgan, Hazel Court, and Donald Pleasence.[1] A ruthless crook runs a blackmail operation, falls for an undercover cop, and is murdered by one of his victims.

The Shakedown
Original British poster
Directed byJohn Lemont
Written byJohn Lemont
Leigh Vance
Produced byNorman Williams
Starring
CinematographyBrendan J. Stafford
Edited byBernard Gribble
Music byPhilip Green
Theme song "SHAKEDOWN". sung by Kathy Kirby.
Production
company
Ethiro-Alliance
Distributed byJ. Arthur Rank Film Distributors
Release date
January 1960 (1960-01)
Running time
92 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

The film was banned in Finland (known there as Häväistyksen kauppiaat).

Plot

Augustus ("Augie") Cortona is released from prison and opens a modelling school and photographic studio that serves as a front for amateurs to take erotic photographs. It's a blackmail set-up: the participants are photographed through a one-way mirror.

Scotland Yard investigate Cortona and send undercover officer Mildred Eyde to enrol as a model. Cortona falls for Eyde.

Eyde's cover is blown when an ex-con recognizes her. Police raid the studio to rescue her. Cortona tries to flee but is shot by one of his blackmail victims. As Cortona lies dying, despite her feelings of disgust, Eyde tries to comfort him. With his last breath, Cortona says "You're a bitch".

Cast

Production

The film was made at Twickenham Film Studios, and on location.

Critical reception

In a contemporary review, Kine Weekly wrote: "Full-blooded sex melodrama, unfolded beneath the shadows of blue and red lamps. It tells how a comely policewoman, aided by the vice squad, busts a nude photography racket, created to circumvent the Street Offences Act, and ends a gang war. The play, vigorously acted, shrewdly directed and lavishly mounted, seldom taxes the imagination, but, apart from one nude picture contains no crude gimmicks."[2]

Leslie Halliwell called the film "A semi-remake set in the squalid London so beloved of film makers at the time, before it became 'swinging'. Of no interest or entertainment value."[3]

The Radio Times Guide to Films gave the film 2/5 stars, writing: "[the film] sets out to shock with sleazy settings and sensationalist suggestions of nudity. However, few of the misdemeanors from this period piece would raise even a blush today. Director John Lemont forgets to concentrate on the storyline, which grinds to its inevitable conclusion."[4]

In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 David Quinlan rated the film as “mediocre” and wrote: ''Exploitative tough thriller.''[5]

References
  1. "The Shakedown | BFI | BFI". Explore.bfi.org.uk. Archived from the original on 12 July 2012. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
  2. "The Shakedown". Kine Weekly. 512 (2727): 26. 7 January 1960.
  3. Halliwell, Leslie (1989). Halliwell's Film Guide (7th ed.). London: Paladin. p. 906. ISBN 0-586-08894-6.
  4. Radio Times Guide to Films (18th ed.). London: Immediate Media Company. 2017. p. 826. ISBN 9780992936440.
  5. Quinlan, David (1984). British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959. London: B.T. Batsford Ltd. p. 373. ISBN 0-7134-1874-5.


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