The Shakedown is a 1959 crime-drama film directed by John Lemont, starring Terence Morgan, Hazel Court, and Donald Pleasence.
It was filmed in the United Kingdom and banned in Finland (known there as Häväistyksen kauppiaat).
Plot
Augie Cortona, a newly released convict, opens up a photographic studio that serves as a front for pornographic and blackmail activities. He runs into trouble with a rival gangster, and bitter warfare erupts. Scotland Yard tracks down Cortona by employing an undercover female model (Linda Castle), to infiltrate the ex-con's set-up.
Cast
- Terence Morgan as Augie Cortona
- Hazel Court as Mildred Eyde
- Donald Pleasence as Jessel Brown
- Bill Owen as David Spettigue
- Robert Beatty as Chief Inspector Bob Jarvis
- Harry H. Corbett as Gollar
- Gene Anderson as Zena
- Eddie Byrne as George, Barman
- John Salew as John Arnold
- Georgina Cookson as Miss Firbank
- Linda Castle as Sylvia (undercover model)
- Joan Haythorne as Miss Ogilvie
- Sheila Buxton as Nadia
- Dorinda Stevens as Grace
- Jack Lambert as Sergeant Kershaw
- Charles Lamb as Pinza
- Edward Judd as Bernie
Critical reception
TV Guide wrote, "the performances are all strong and believable, and fast-paced direction helps to gloss over some of the inadequacies in the predictable script."
External links
- The Shakedown at the Internet Movie Database