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Rogue Cop
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Wikipedia article
'Rogue Cop' is a 1954 American film noir directed by Roy Rowland, based on the novel by William P. McGivern, and starring Robert Taylor, Janet Leigh, and George Raft.Everett Aaker, 'The Films of George Raft', McFarland & Company, 2013 p 159
Plot
Christopher Kelvaney is a crooked police officer who takes bribes and payoffs from criminals and other nefarious folk. His brother Eddie is a young member of the police force who is honest and loyal.
In a penny arcade, a drug dealer is stabbed to death by a man who claims the territory for himself, and Eddie witnesses the murderer flee. Mob boss Dan Beaumonte gives orders to Kelvaney to buy his brother's silence. Eddie refuses, and Kelvaney is unable to persuade Eddie's sweetheart, nightclub singer Karen Stephenson, to change his mind.
The ruthless Beaumonte brutally mistreats his moll Nancy Corlane, who then tries to help Kelvaney do what he has to do. Kelvaney exposes the fact that Karen was once a mobster's girlfriend in Miami. He gets her to admit that she's not in love with Eddie and is willing to let him go if it will save his life.
An out-of-town button-man named Langley is brought in to kill both brothers, but succeeds only in killing Eddie. His conscience aroused, Kelvaney goes after the mob leaders himself. He admits his corruption to superiors, but asks for a chance to bring them evidence that will convict those responsible for his brother's murder. In order to bring down Beaumont's entire syndicate, Kelvaney his prepared to tell what he knows about all of their illegal activities, even though this will implicate himself. Kelvaney succeeds in apprehending Langley, although he is shot in the process. He asks for forgiveness for his crooked ways on the way to the hospital
Cast
* Robert Taylor as Det. Sgt. Christopher Kelvaney
* Janet Leigh as Karen Stephenson
* George Raft as Dan Beaumonte
* Steve Forrest as Eddie Kelvaney
* Anne Francis as Nancy Corlane
* Robert Ellenstein as Det. Sidney Y. Myers
* Robert F. Simon as Ackerman
* Anthony Ross as Father Ahearn
* Alan Hale, Jr. as Johnny Stark
* Peter Brocco as George 'Wrinkles' Fallon
* Vince Edwards as Joey Langley
* Olive Carey as Selma
* Roy Barcroft as Lt. Vince D. Bardeman
* Dale Van Sickel as Manny
* Ray Teal as Patrolman Mullins
* Nesdon Booth as Detective Garrett
* Robert Burton as Inspector Adrian Cassidy
Production
The film was based on a 1954 novel by William McGiven, who had written the novel on which 'The Big Heat' was based. The 'New York Times' called it "a classic study in guilt, retribution and atonement - without for an instant forgetting to tell an exciting story of swift action."Criminals at Large
By ANTHONY BOUCHER. New York Times 2 May 1954: BR28.
MGM bought the screen rights prior to publication in November 1953 and assigned Nicholas Nayfack to produce. Sidney Boehm, who had adapted 'The Big Heat', wrote the script.5% WAGE RISE SET FOR FILM WORKERS: Union and Producers Reach Agreement on 4-Year Pact Retroactive to Oct. 25
By THOMAS M. PRYORSpecial to THE NEW YORK TIMES. New York Times 5 Nov 1953: 40.
In March 1954 MGM assigned Robert Taylor to star, with shooting to begin in May. Filming was pushed back on another Taylor film, 'Many Rivers to Cross'.COLUMBIA ASKING RIGHTS TO MUSICAL: Lot Owns Drama Version of 'My Sister Eilean,' but Wants Title to 'Wonderful Town'
Special to THE NEW YORK TIMES. New York Times 30 Mar 1954: 24.
In April 1954 Roy Rowland was assigned to directSCENARIST SIGNS TO BE A DIRECTOR: Richard Murphy Will Work in Dual Capacity on 'Gentle Wolfhound' at Columbia
By THOMAS M. PRYORSpecial to The New York Times. New York Times 2 Apr 1954: 23. Support roles were given to Janet Leigh, Steve Forrest and George Raft; the latter was making his first "A" picture in some years.Drama: Raft Sinister 'Rogue Cop' Star; Eighth Film for Stewart, Mann Set
Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 3 Apr 1954: 17.
It was the last film Leigh made under her contract at MGM where she had been for eight years.JANET LEIGH SIGNS CONTRACT AT U.-I.: Actress, Leaving M-G-M After 8 Years, to Make 4 Films -- Also Seeks Columbia Pact
By THOMAS M. PRYORSpecial to The New York Times. New York Times 17 Apr 1954: 7.
Anne Francis was cast as Raft's moll. Francis described it as "the one part I've been waiting for" and it led to her being signed to a long term contract by MGM.Actress' Tenacity Pays Off: Tenacity of Anne Francis Gets Results in Hollywood
Hopper, Hedda. Los Angeles Times (10 Oct 1954: D1.
Reception
Box Office
According to MGM records the film earned $1,417,000 in the US and Canada and $1,092,000 elsewhere resulting in a profit of $920,000.Critical response
Film critic Bosley Crowther gave the film a positive review and wrote, "This is not a new thesis. They've been making movies on it for years. And 'Rogue Cop' is not so exceptional in its construction or performance that it is likely to cause surprise. But it is a well-done melodrama, produced and directed in a hard, crisp style, and it is very well acted by Robert Taylor in the somewhat disagreeable title role...For what it is in the line of crime pictures, there's a lot to be said for 'Rogue Cop.'"[https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9C03E4D6113EE53BBC4052DFBF66838F649EDE Crowther, Bosly]. 'The New York Times,' film review, September 18, 1954. Last accessed: January 18, 2008.It led to a brief comeback in "A" pictures for George Raft.
Awards
'Nominations'* Academy Awards: Oscar, Best Cinematography, Black-and-White, John F. Seitz; 1955.
References
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