Johnny Allegro

Plot summary

Johnny Allegro (George Raft) is a former mobster who has gone over to the other side and now works for the U.S. Treasury Department as an undercover agent. Allegro is asked to help get the goods on Morgan Vallin (George MacReady), a polished counterfeiter who is involved in a right-wing plot to bring down the American government by flooding the U.S. economy with bogus currency.

Cast

Production

The film was originally known as The Big Jump. Then it was known as Hounded.

George Raft signed on to make the film in July 1948. It was his first movie at Columbia since She Couldn't Take It (1935). Jane Greer was sought for the female lead. However Nina Foch, who had just enjoyed a big stage success with John and Mary, took the role.

Filming started in December 1948. Filming went for longer than intended, meaning Raft missed out on starring in The Big Steal. Some scenes were shot at Catalina Island.

Reception

The Los Angeles Times thought the film had "polish and novelty as a melodrama" but was still essentially a B picture. "Raft does well enough in a routine way although there is not too much illumination in this performance."

The New York Times said "nothing of any slight distinction" except a scene where someone is killed with a bow and arror "has been written into this low-grade fiction... Nothing with any vague resemblance to vivid acting is contributed by Mr. Raft, who has become one of the most indifferent and comatose actors extant."