Johnny Angel
| Johnny Angel | |
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theatrical release poster
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| Directed by | Edwin L. Marin |
| Produced by | William L. Pereira |
| Screenplay by | Frank Gruber Steve Fisher |
| Based on |
Mr. Angel Comes Aboard by Charles Gordon Booth |
| Starring |
George Raft Claire Trevor Signe Hasso |
| Music by | Leigh Harline |
| Cinematography | Harry J. Wild |
| Edited by | Les Millbrook |
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Production
company |
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| Distributed by | RKO Radio Pictures |
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Release date
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Running time
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79 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Johnny Angel is a 1945 film noir directed by Edwin L. Marin and written by Frank Gruber and Steve Fisher from the novel Mr. Angel Comes Aboard by Charles Gordon Booth. The movie stars George Raft, Claire Trevor and Signe Hasso, and features Hoagy Carmichael.
A merchant ship captain (George Raft) finds his father's ship – of the same line – derelict at sea, the entire crew having disappeared. From an unlisted passenger (Signe Hasso), the only survivor of the hijacking of the ship, he learns of a plot involving secret gold, and searches New Orleans for his father's murderer.
Mr Angel Comes Aboard was published in 1944. The New York Times described it as "a tale of adventure, mystery, treachery, and murder, that reaches a happy ending amid a welter of gore." RKO bought the film rights that year, with Jack Gross originally signed to produce and Pat O'Brien mentioned as a possible star.
In July 1944, George Raft signed to play the lead and the film was to be called Johnny Angel. Ray Enright was to direct. Eventually William Pereira became producer and Edwin L. Marin was the director, his first assignment under a two picture deal with RKO.Signe Hasso was borrowed from MGM and Claire Trevor hired to play the main female lead.
Hoagy Carmichael, who had just made his film debut in To Have and Have Not, was hired to play a small role and to sing "Memphis June".
Although RKO had low expectations for the film it was an unexpected hit, earning the studio a profit of $1,192,000.
Raft went on to make three more thrillers for RKO.
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Wikipedia