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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] It was filmed in the United Kingdom.

The Shakedown
Original British poster
Directed by	John Lemont
Written by	John Lemont Leigh Vance
Produced by	Norman Williams
Starring	Terence Morgan Hazel Court Donald Pleasence Bill Owen Robert Beatty Harry H. Corbett
Cinematography	Brendan J. Stafford
Edited by	Bernard Gribble
Music by	Philip Green Theme song "SHAKEDOWN". sung by Kathy Kirby.
Production company	Ethiro-Alliance
Distributed by	J. Arthur Rank Film Distributors
Release date	January 1960 (1960-01)
Running time	92 minutes
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English

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

Plot

Augustus ("Augie") Cortona, a recently released convict, opens up a modelling school and photographic studio that serves as a front for a service enabling amateurs to take erotic photographs, while blackmailing some of the participants by taking pictures through a two-way mirror of their participation. Meanwhile, a longstanding feud with a rival gangster who took over his operation while he was imprisoned continues. Scotland Yard decide to investigate Cortona by sending an officer, Mildred Eyde, (Hazel Court), to operate undercover by enrolling as a student model. Cortona is smitten by Eyde and begins to woo her.

Eyde's cover is blown when Spettigue is informed that she is a policewoman by a fellow con who recognizes her. Police raid the studio in order to rescue her. Cortona tries to flee but is shot by a waiting blackmail victim who has been pushed too far by repeated threats of exposure and demands for ever more money. As Cortona is dying, despite her feelings of moral disgust, Mildred's pity kneels down, and tries to comfort him. But with his last breath, Cortona repulses her, and says "You're a Bitch". Mildred is led away, appalled.[2]

Cast

• Terence Morgan as Augie Cortona
• Hazel Court as Mildred Eyde
• Donald Pleasence as Jessel Brown
• Bill Owen as David Spettigue
• Robert Beatty as Chief Inspector Bob Jarvis
• Harry H. Corbett as Gollar
• Gene Anderson as Zena
• Eddie Byrne as George, Barman
• John Salew as John Arnold
• Georgina Cookson as Miss Firbank
• Linda Castle as Sylvia
• Jackie Collins as Rita Mason (credited as Lynn Curtis)
• Joan Haythorne as Miss Ogilvie
• Sheila Buxton as Nadia
• Dorinda Stevens as Grace
• Jack Lambert as Sergeant Kershaw
• Charles Lamb as Pinza
• Edward Judd as Bernie
• Larry Taylor as Second Thug
• Angela Douglas as Model
• Arthur Lovegrove as Barman
• Paul Whitsun-Jones as Fat Drinker
• Diana Chesney as Purple Woman
• Timothy Bateson as Estate Agent
• Neal Arden as Harry Bowers

Production

The film was made at Twickenham Film Studios, and on location. A collection of location stills and corresponding contemporary photographs is hosted at reelstreets.com.[3]

Critical reception

TV Guide wrote: "the performances are all strong and believable, and fast-paced direction helps to gloss over some of the inadequacies in the predictable script."[2]

External links

• The Shakedown at IMDb

References

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