Lack of good storyline.

Am i the only one who thinks........Average?

A film with more than the usual spoiler issues. Talking about it in any detail feels akin to handing you a gift-wrapped present and saying, "I hope you like it -- It's a thriller about a diabolical secret experiment."

True to its essence, the characters remain on the same line and manage to entertain the viewer, each highlighting their own distinctive qualities or touches.

George Raft plays Gannin, a bookie who is, despite this, basically an honest guy. His pal, Hal (Harry Morgan) approaches him to say that some mobsters want in on his own bookmaking business. Well, these creeps turn out to mean business and when Hal refuses to cooperate, they murder him in a very vivid and brutal scene (one of the best in the film). Naturally, Gannin isn't happy but things are about to get rough for him as well, as the mobsters soon approach him as well. Now he could work with the detective (William Bendix) to expose these rats but, naturally, Gannin only likes to handle things alone. Does he possibly stand a chance?! Well, since it's George Raft, you certainly assume so!This film turned out to be a lot better than I expected. No, George Raft was just as stiff and unbelievable as he usually was in films. However, the plot offered some nice twists and kept me guessing. Plus the ending came as a HUGE surprise to me! Well worth seeing...almost deserving an 8...but not quite making it due to Raft's very ordinary sort of performance.Ironically, later Harry Morgan would play Bill Gannon on "Dragnet"...the show that helped make him a household name.

RACE STREET – 1948This is the last of a half dozen films done by George Raft and director Edwin L. Marin. In this one Raft is a San Fransisco bookie on the verge of quitting the racket. He has just opened a night club and is in love with a hot looking dame, Marylyn Maxwell. The plan comes crashing down when childhood friend, Harry Morgan is murdered. A group of thugs are offering "accident protection" to the local bookie crowd. Morgan refuses to cough up and he goes for a long tumble down a flight of stairs. In the mix now is another of Raft's childhood buddies, William Bendix. Bendix is however a San Francisco Police Detective. Bendix knows all about the heavy boys leaning on the bookies and wants help from Raft. Raft refuses to help as he intends to settle the score his own way. Raft however is not as bright as he thinks. The racket boys take him for a ride and tell him it is his turn to "join" the protection scheme. He asks for time to think the matter over. By all means, the mob tells Raft as they give him a right curb stomping. Bendix finds Raft recovering from his "friendly talk" in a hospital ward. Raft still will not help Bendix with any info.Needless to say the story continues with Raft seeking payback. A nice turn here is dolly Maxwell ending up to be not quite, the loving girlfriend. She is quite sharp looking in a non-blonde role. There are a couple of twists and turns in the film but nothing really wild.Director Marin and Raft both did better work on their earlier films, the under-rated NOCTURNE and JOHNNY ANGEL. Some nice cinematography though is featured throughout this one from, Roy J. Hunt. Hunt's work includes, I WALKED WITH A ZOMBIE, TRAIL STREET, THE DEVIL THUMBS A RIDE, CROSSFIRE, RETURN OF THE BADMEN, KILL OR BE KILLED and THE LAWLESS.Worth a watch.

George Raft is said to have turned down more than one role that ended up making someone else's career. Sam Spade in "The Maltese Falcon," for example. Yet the movies he did choose are for the most part flat and predictable.I like him as a tough guy. He does it well. "Race Street" is strictly routine. He won't pay protection money, with predictable results.Harry Morgan is excellent in a fairly small role. William Bendix, who always turned in a fine performance, is very good as a cop. And Marilyn Maxwell is the femme fatale.She's OK. But her performance is unexciting. We neither hate her nor feel sorry for her. Maxwell essentially executes a plot contrivance.

One of the best of the film noir movies was "Nocturne" directed by Edwin L. Marin starring George Raft. The two teamed once more in an attempt to recreate the magic of that movie. Though the result "Race Street" doesn't have the compactness nor the intricate story lines of "Nocturne," it is worthwhile film noir. George Raft while not a great actor had an aura about him that gave authenticity to roles such as that of Dan Gannin. William Bendix, perhaps the most underrated actor Hollywood ever produced with the possible exception of Bob Mitchum, steals the show as always. Marilyn Maxwell makes a dandy femme fatale and the rest of the cast do their part to make this one a winner.The cinematography of the San Francisco area is crisp black and white at its best. Who ever designed the stairs that Harry Morgan is thrown down to his death deserves special recognition. Later George Raft is beat up on the same stairs. They appear menacing with the cold drab look of death about them.The music is appropriate and the songs well chosen to capture the necessary mood of the piece. Even the title is a good one. "Race Street" may indicate horses since the film is about double dealing bookies but it is also a metaphor for the story.