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The George Raft Story (1961) |
Film biography of the actor and his trademark coin flipping
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The 1961 film "The George Raft Story" is a biography of the motion picture actor
who worked from the 1930's to the 1960's.
The film was known in the United Kingdom as "Spin of a Coin".
George starts out working for New York gangsters and also as a professional dancer.
He then moves to Los Angeles and his good looks and dancing ability get him movie roles but he is stereotyped as a gangster.
George Raft would frequently appear in films flipping a large coin and Ray Danton, the actor starring as Raft
gets to flip coins. At the end of the film a coin lands on a table displaying the obverse of a
United States Benjamin Franklin half dollar.
1. Title
In the 1920's George Raft is appearing as a dancer at a New York nightclub frequented by prohibition gangsters.
He meets Sheila Patton, a dancer and singer.
2. George meets Sheila
They become partners for a while.
George likes to flip a coin while hanging out at the club.
3. George flips
The coin flies into the air.
4. Up in the air
The coin is too small to identify but might be a US half dollar.
George gets into a fight with a powerful gangster and it is suggested that he take his good looks to Hollywood.
5. Los Angeles
George meets Benjamin 'Benny' Siegal, a powerful Los Angeles gangster and they become friends.
He also picks up a new dance partner, June Tyler, and an actor's agent Milton.
6. George, Benny, June, and Milton
George gets some film roles and finally gets to appear as a gangster in the film "Scarface",
a film based on the career of Mob chief Al Capone.
7. Filming "Scarface"
George is ready to flip his coin.
8. George ready
The coin flies into the air
9. George flips
Another film gangster confronts George's character.
10. The scene continues
George's character meets a typical end.
11. The end of George (in the film)
The film is a big hit and George is now a star.
12. His name up in lights
While appearing in Chicago to promote the film he is summoned to meet the "big man".
13. George meets the big man
Al Capone tells George that he liked the film.
Back in Hollywood George is tired of playing gangsters and gets to play a profesional dancer
in the film "Bolero".
14. Rehearsing "Bolero"
The film is another hit and George now has money coming in.
15. George meets Lisa Lang
Lisa becomes his latest girlfriend until she inadvertently insults his mother.
16. Made it in Hollywood
Several years go by, George's temper costs him film roles, and he moves into an apartment.
17. Lonely George
George is playing Solitaire and a former friend Sam visits him.
18. Sam visits George
Sam tells George that the filmmaker Billy Wilder wants George to play a gangster in his upcoming film
"Some Like it Hot" and he takes the role. George pulls out a coin.
19. George holds his coin
George flips the coin and it lands on the table.
20. Coin lands on the table
A close-up of the coin appears.
21. Coin close-up
The coin is a US Benjamin Franklin half dollar.
United States Franklin half dollar:
22. United States Franklin half dollar 1950
Silver, 30.6 mm, 12.5 gm
Franklin half dollars were minted from 1948 to 1963.
Franklin half dollars were minted from 1948 to 1963.
Cast, Directors, Writers:
Ray Danton as George Raft
Julie London as Sheila Patton
Barrie Chase as June Tyler
Jayne Mansfield as Lisa Lang
Brad Dexter as Benny Siegal
Herschel Bernardi as Sam (Actor's agent)
Director: Joseph M. Newman
Writers: Crane Wilbur, Daniel Mainwaring
Julie London as Sheila Patton
Barrie Chase as June Tyler
Jayne Mansfield as Lisa Lang
Brad Dexter as Benny Siegal
Herschel Bernardi as Sam (Actor's agent)
Writers: Crane Wilbur, Daniel Mainwaring
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