MovieChat Forums > Nocturne (1946) Discussion > George Raft

George Raft

posted 16 years ago by The_Dying_Flutchman
9 replies | jump to latest

was a hugely dull sack of clots. No talent that I could see, but then I am a fan of decent acting. Flipping a coin was his ability. How charming.

Nothing is more beautiful than nothing.

[–] franzkabuki 11 years ago

Yeah, he´s terribly wooden here with his overall blandness and flat delivery of dialogue - the guy just stiffly walks into a scene, mechanically reads his lines and off he goes to the next set-up. No conviction whatsoever. Which is pity because the dialogue here isn´t so bad - someone like Dick Powell, whom I just yesterday watched giving an outstanding performance in the underrated Cry Danger, surely could have hammered something considerably better out of the role.

"facts are stupid things" - Ronald Reagan

[–] kimmylita 11 years ago

OMG, you are so right! Stiff as a board and no sex appeal or chemistry with the female leads.

[–] carolmr527 11 years ago

This is one of the few movies in which I find Raft sexy.

[–] creek_girl 11 years ago

I agree with Carolmr.

"Psychos do not explode when sun light hits them, I don't give a *beep* how crazy they are!"

[–] whiskeyTango-06 9 years ago

watch him in "souls at sea" and -- wow -- he could act in that film!

[–] cabbageboy316 9 years ago

The problem Raft had in this particular film is that he seemed unaware of the shift in how screen detectives acted. By 1946 people enjoyed the quirkier Bogart or Dick Powell type of screen detective and this film honestly seems written with someone like that in mind. Raft is not a cynical actor. He fits more into the world of 1930s crime movies, or as noted something like Souls at Sea that offered a different role for him.

On close examination Joe Warne in this film is a total nutjob. He goes around in this film shoving people into pools, harassing random women, tearing up pianos, punching fellow cops, etc. I'd have been interested to see what Dana Andrews could do with this role, since he could do the "obsessed cop" act better than Raft (Laura) and also the "brutal cop" act as well (Where the Sidewalk Ends). Here however it seems like the film excuses Warne's loony behavior.

[–] bnwfilmbuff 9 years ago

Raft nails this role. His low key, dead pan approach keeps the pace of this movie moving at just the right pace. The only movie that rivals this for Raft is A Dangerous Profession. As for Nocturne; Great cast, great script; very enjoyable movie watching experience.

[–] jonkennedy 9 years ago

Totally agree. Souls at Sea (1937) with Gary Cooper is probably his best film, acting-wise. Not nearly as "stiff" in that one. He and Coop must have really got along.

[–] celias911 8 years ago

I think hes good in this 1. There are many worse actors out there. I dont think lynn bari had much charisma.the role called for a guy still living with his mother so hes a quiet nice guy not a drunk or cynicla type.