The Shakedown (1929 film)

The Shakedown is an American sound part-talkie pre-Code 1929 action, comedy and sports drama film directed by William Wyler and starring James Murray, Barbara Kent and Jack Hanlon.

The Shakedown
Theatrical release poster
Directed byWilliam Wyler
Written byCharles Logue
Clarence Marks
Produced byCarl Laemmle, Jr.
StarringJames Murray
Barbara Kent
CinematographyJerome Ash
Charles J. Stumar
Edited byRichard Cahoon
Lloyd Nosler
Music byJoseph Cherniavsky
Distributed byUniversal Pictures
Release date
  • March 10, 1929 (1929-03-10)
Running time
70 min
CountryUnited States
LanguagesSound (Part-Talkie)
English
Budget$50,000

This sound film was released in two verisons a part-talking version for English speaking audiences and a Synchronized version for non-English speaking audiences. The International Sound Version survives in an Italian archive with the original synchronized soundtrack. This print of The Shakedown was converted into a silent version by the staff of the George Eastman House in 1998 and released on Blu-ray without the original soundtrack.[citation needed] The original part-talkie version appears to be lost.

Plot

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Dave Roberts is a professional boxer who loses intentionally in fixed matches. Dave's life on the margins changes after he meets an honest woman and rescues an orphan from an oncoming train. As he cares for the woman and child, he must decide whether to continue his derelict ways or rebel against those who have been manipulating him.

Cast

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Music

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The film featured a theme song entitled "Dear Little Boy Of Mine" which was composed by Ernest R. Ball and J. Keirn Brennan.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Jackson, Bruce. "Huston, John". Senses of Cinema. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
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