A Dangerous Profession **** (1949, George Raft, Ella Raines, Pat O’Brien, Jim Backus, Bill Williams, Roland Winters) – Classic Movie Review 13,964

The way above-par 1949 RKO black and white film noir thriller A Dangerous Profession is written by Martin Rackin and Warren Duff, and stars George Raft, Ella Raines and Pat O’Brien.

Director Ted Tetzlaff’s 1949 RKO black and white film noir thriller A Dangerous Profession is written by Martin Rackin and Warren Duff, and stars George Raft, Ella Raines, and Pat O’Brien, along with Jim Backus, Bill Williams, and Roland Winters.

Former cop Vince Kane (George Raft) falls for Lucy Brackett (Ella Raines) while investigating the mystery death of bailed robbery suspect Claude Brackett (Bill Williams), who it turns out was married to Raines, in this way above par B-movie thriller with a splendid array of all the usual ingredients.

The fast pace, intriguing realistic atmosphere, excellent performances by the industrious cast, and effective noir-style black and white cinematography (by Robert De Grasse) and direction are the main clues to the film’s success.

Pat O’Brien and Jim Backus add lustre as Raft’s partner Joe Farley and a small-time detective Police Lt. Nick Ferrone. Backus is also the Narrator.

Cast: George Raft, Ella Raines, Pat O’Brien, Jim Backus, Bill Williams, Roland Winters, Robert Gist, Betty Underwood, David Wolfe [David Bauer], Mack Gray, Lynne Roberts, Jonathan Hale, Paul Maxey, Steven Flagg, Don Dillaway.

A Dangerous Profession is directed by Ted Tetzlaff, runs 79 minutes, is written by Martin Rackin and Warren Duff, is shot in black and white by Robert De Grasse, is produced by Sid Rogell (executive producer) and Robert Sparks, and is scored by Frederick Hollander [Friedrich Hollaender].

© Derek Winnert 2026 – Classic Movie Review 13,964

Check out more reviews on http://derekwinnert.com