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George Raft Collection

set the standard for the movie gangster of the 1930s, he also starred in Lux Radio Theater, The Cases of Mr. Ace, Martin and Lewis Show, the Bob Hope Show, Texaco Star Theater and more.

George Raft

31 old time radio show recordings
(total playtime 17 hours, 2665 min)
available in the following formats:

1 MP3 CD
or
20 Audio CDs


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Play a sample episode from March 16, 1942:

"George Raft in Lux Radio Man Power"



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Text on OTRCAT.com ©2001-2024 OTRCAT INC All Rights Reserved. Reproduction is prohibited.

George Raft
(1901 – 1980)

George Raft 1933George Raft set the standard for the movie gangster of the 1930s. (In his case, he could pull the gangster parts from real life.) Like many of the movie stars of the time, he also performed on radio. Outside of acting, Raft led a truly colorful life.

Though he enjoyed tremendous success in the 1930s into the early-1940s, a series of poor decisions saw his star fade in Hollywood. While he still appeared on radio in shows like the Lux Radio Theater, even starring in The Cases of Mr. Ace from 1945 to 1947, he acted mostly to B movies and guest starring roles on television. However, Raft was one of the first Hollywood stars to star in a television show in 1953.

George RaftThe George Raft Collection include appearances on the Martin and Lewis Show, The Bob Hope Show, Texaco Star Theater, and Lux Radio Theater, including all of the existing episodes of Raft's The Cases of Mr. Acee.

Eva and Conrad Ranft were the proud parents of baby George Ranft (later changed to Raft), born in either 1895 or 1901; take your pick. (There is some confusion about the birth year.) He was born into poverty in Hell's Kitchen, New York City. As a child, he was friends with future gangster Owney Madden, who also ran the famous Harlem nightclub, the Cotton Club. Raft also admitted to being a driver and a gunman for Madden. In a Saturday Evening Post article written by Raft, he admitted to being friends with several other gangsters later in life like Bugsy Seigel, Al Capone, Dutch Schultz, and several others.

Raft learned early in life that he had a talent for dancing, using that talent to begin dancing in nightclubs. Eventually, he started dancing in a speakeasy stage act. His success in the speakeasy helped earn him parts in the chorus on Broadway. Raft worked regularly on Broadway and also in London in the early 1920s.

During his time as a dancer in the early 1920s, Raft met several future stars including Rudolph Valentino and Fred Astaire. Astaire became a lifelong friend and often visited him on set. In his biography, Astaire stated that Raft did the fastest Charleston he had ever seen.

George RaftWith Madden's encouragement, Raft headed out to Hollywood. He immediately started getting small parts in movies. His first significant role, where he was first noticed was in the 1932 movie, Scarface. Raft was coin flipping gangster, Guino Rinaldo. He played the part so well that people thought Raft wasn't playing a part but was a real gangster, which wasn't far from the truth. After that part, Raft became a leading man, often playing a gangster, or a tough guy through the early-1940s.

Raft could have any part he wanted and was offered the lead in High Sierra and The Maltese Falcon but passed. Both parts went to Humphrey Bogart, launching Bogart's career as a leading man. He was also offered the lead in Double Indemnity and turned it down too (the part went to Fred MacMurray). Raft's career went down from that point. His last most recognizable role was as a parody of his gangster roles in Some Like It Hot.

In 1945, as his star was descending in Hollywood, Raft was offered the part of in The Cases of Mr. Ace as Eddie Ace, the owner of the Ace Detective Agency. He accepted the show which ran for two years though only four shows are available. In the show, Mr. Ace's cases come to life as he tells Dr. Gale, a female psychiatrist who is writing a book about the criminal mind, about his last case. The show always begins with Mr. Ace knocking on Dr. Gale's door.

In the summer of 1951, Raft took over the part of Rocky Jordan. He played the part until the show ended in June 1953 . The basics of the show stayed the same. Rocky, who was based on the Rick Blaine character in Casablanca, had the same types of adventures with ever present police officer Sam Sabaaya. However, Raft played the part as bar owner with a heart of gold and Chris the bartender narrates to the audience.

George RaftNotices in several newspapers and industry journals stated that the network intended to take the series to television which was why Raft was hired. The show never went to air with Raft in the lead role.

Like many stars of the era, George Raft also performed in radio plays. He performed in Lux Radio Theater plays like Cheating Cheaters, Manpower which was a dramatization of the movie he made with Marlene Dietrich and Edward G. Robinson, and several others. Raft also appeared on variety shows like Bob Hope, and interview shows like Louella Parsons.

Some of the most intriguing stories about Raft center around his admitted ties to real-life gangsters. He was a gunman and driver for Owney Madden of Cotton Club fame. When he worked the nightclub and speakeasy circuit as a young man in the 1920s, he came into more contact with well-known and lesser-known mobsters. He associated with these men throughout his life and never tried to hide it. He also didn't hesitate to use those contacts.

Hollywood legend says that Raft saved Gary Cooper's life. Gary Cooper was dating a gangster's moll at one point. The gangster, who was never mentioned in the research, allegedly put Cooper on a hit list. Raft heard about the hit and went to Cooper to talk him into breaking off the romance then called the gangster to talk him out of killing Cooper.

George Raft

Another Hollywood great, James Cagney, credits Raft with saving his life. Cagney was president of the Screen Actor's Guild from 1942 - 1944. During that period, the mob was trying to make inroads into Hollywood. Cagney waged a war to keep the mob out. After trying to frighten Cagney and his family into backing off, the mob sent a hitman to drop a heavy Klieg light on him. Again, Raft made a phone call and the hit was called off.

Though he used his connections to help friends, those connections came back to bite him on several occasions. He was denied a gambling permit for a development in Las Vegas because of his connections. Raft was also denied entry to the UK because of those same mob connections.

Raft married Grayce Mulrooney, who was several years older. The marriage did not work out, and the couple separated a short time later. Because she was a devout Catholic, Mulrooney refused to divorce Raft though he was involved with several actresses over the years such as Marlene Dietrich, Betty Grable, and Mae West. He begged his wife for a divorce to marry Norma Shearer, but she refused.

By his own admission, Raft made and lost several fortunes. Even though he was no longer in demand as a leading man, he still worked hard in B movies, guest starring on television, and even hosting at a casino he co-owned in Havana.

Enjoy these old time radio shows by one of radio's most colorful characters.

Text on OTRCAT.com ©2001-2024 OTRCAT INC All Rights Reserved. Reproduction is prohibited.

These classic recordings are available in the following formats:

  • Show Rating

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    COMMENTS

    Wooden as a board as an actor. Good dancer though

    Dan

    great as usual love all the old radio shows george raft was always one of my favorite actors i go walking 2-5 hours a day listening to my radio shows and walking and loving them all

    Thomas Verified Purchase

    great as usual love all radio shows and always will hopefully some day have them all

    Thomas Verified Purchase

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  • MP3 CDs are delivered by mail. These archival quality MP3 CDs are playable in your computer and many MP3 player devices.



    31 recordings on 1 MP3 CD for just $5.00. Total playtime 17 hours, 2665 min
    31 recordings on 1 MP3 CD for just $5.00
    total playtime 17 hours, 2665 min
    Add MP3 CD Collection to Cart

    1. 31 shows – total playtime 17 hours, 44 minutes
    2. 30 Minutes In Hollywood 370426 George Raft.mp3
    3. Bill Stern 481231 479 W George Raft.mp3
    4. Bill Stern 490923 517 W Pancho Gonzales.mp3
    5. Bob Hope 3955 511120 Bob Is Remodeling His House.mp3
    6. Cases Of Mr Ace 470618 Key Toboobie Trap.mp3
    7. Cases Of Mr Ace 470625 Aud Lost Package.mp3
    8. Cases Of Mr Ace 470625 Man Named Judas.mp3
    9. Cases Of Mr Ace Watch And Music Box.mp3
    10. Command Performance 420518 014 George Raft Deanna Durbin.mp3
    11. Democratic National Comittee Program 441106.mp3
    12. Fred Allen 440312 How Are You Doing Income Tax.mp3
    13. Its Time To Smile 430120 098 George Raft George Holley.mp3
    14. Louella Parsons 480926 George Raft.mp3
    15. Lux 360831 096 Cheating Cheaters.mp3
    16. Lux 420316 343 Manpower.mp3
    17. Lux 421130 373 Broadway.mp3
    18. Lux 430322 388 Each Dawn I Die.mp3
    19. Lux 430712 404 Air Force.mp3
    20. Lux 440515 439 Action In North Atlantic.mp3
    21. Lux 480510 615 Intrigue.mp3
    22. Martin And Lewis Show 511012 George Raft.mp3
    23. Private Eye W George Raft.mp3
    24. Rocky Jordan 510328 Man From Damascus.mp3
    25. Rocky Jordan 510711 03 Genakus Affair.mp3
    26. Rocky Jordan 510725 Valley Of Dead.mp3
    27. Rocky Jordan 510815 Man In Nile.mp3
    28. Screen Guild 390402 013 Mug Moll And Mountaineer.mp3
    29. Screen Guild 420125 101 Torrid Zone.mp3
    30. Sealtest Village Store 440323 038 George Raft Afrs 27.mp3
    31. Sealtest Village Store 451115 George Raft Jack Needs A New Suit.mp3
    32. Your Movietown Radio Theatre Bunch Of Keys George Raft.mp3
  • MP3 downloads are available instantly after purchase!



    31 recordings on 1 MP3 Collection Download for just $5.00. Total playtime 17 hours, 2665 min
    31 recordings on 1 MP3 Collection Download for just $5.00
    473 MB – total playtime 17 hours, 44 min
    Add Instant Download Collection to Cart

    1. 31 shows – 473 MB – total playtime 17 hours, 44 minutes
    2. 30 Minutes In Hollywood 370426 George Raft.mp3
    3. Bill Stern 481231 479 W George Raft.mp3
    4. Bill Stern 490923 517 W Pancho Gonzales.mp3
    5. Bob Hope 3955 511120 Bob Is Remodeling His House.mp3
    6. Cases Of Mr Ace 470618 Key Toboobie Trap.mp3
    7. Cases Of Mr Ace 470625 Aud Lost Package.mp3
    8. Cases Of Mr Ace 470625 Man Named Judas.mp3
    9. Cases Of Mr Ace Watch And Music Box.mp3
    10. Command Performance 420518 014 George Raft Deanna Durbin.mp3
    11. Democratic National Comittee Program 441106.mp3
    12. Fred Allen 440312 How Are You Doing Income Tax.mp3
    13. Its Time To Smile 430120 098 George Raft George Holley.mp3
    14. Louella Parsons 480926 George Raft.mp3
    15. Lux 360831 096 Cheating Cheaters.mp3
    16. Lux 420316 343 Manpower.mp3
    17. Lux 421130 373 Broadway.mp3
    18. Lux 430322 388 Each Dawn I Die.mp3
    19. Lux 430712 404 Air Force.mp3
    20. Lux 440515 439 Action In North Atlantic.mp3
    21. Lux 480510 615 Intrigue.mp3
    22. Martin And Lewis Show 511012 George Raft.mp3
    23. Private Eye W George Raft.mp3
    24. Rocky Jordan 510328 Man From Damascus.mp3
    25. Rocky Jordan 510711 03 Genakus Affair.mp3
    26. Rocky Jordan 510725 Valley Of Dead.mp3
    27. Rocky Jordan 510815 Man In Nile.mp3
    28. Screen Guild 390402 013 Mug Moll And Mountaineer.mp3
    29. Screen Guild 420125 101 Torrid Zone.mp3
    30. Sealtest Village Store 440323 038 George Raft Afrs 27.mp3
    31. Sealtest Village Store 451115 George Raft Jack Needs A New Suit.mp3
    32. Your Movietown Radio Theatre Bunch Of Keys George Raft.mp3
  • Standard Audio CDs are delivered by mail on archival quality media with up to 60 minutes on each CD and play in all CD players



    31 recordings on 20 Audio CDs. Total playtime 17 hours, 44 min
    31 recordings on 20 Audio CDs
    total playtime 17 hours, 44 min

    George Raft Disc A001

    1. Cases Of Mr Ace Watch And Music Box
    2. Private Eye W George Raft
    3. Your Movietown Radio Theatre Bunch Of Keys George Raft

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    George Raft Disc A002

    1. Lux 360831 096 Cheating Cheaters

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    George Raft Disc A003

    1. 30 Minutes In Hollywood 370426 George Raft
    2. Screen Guild 390402 013 Mug Moll And Mountaineer

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    George Raft Disc A004

    1. Screen Guild 420125 101 Torrid Zone

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    George Raft Disc A005

    1. Lux 420316 343 Manpower

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    George Raft Disc A006

    1. Command Performance 420518 014 George Raft Deanna Durbin

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    George Raft Disc A007

    1. Lux 421130 373 Broadway

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    George Raft Disc A008

    1. Its Time To Smile 430120 098 George Raft George Holley

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    George Raft Disc A009

    1. Lux 430322 388 Each Dawn I Die

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    George Raft Disc A010

    1. Lux 430712 404 Air Force

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    George Raft Disc A011

    1. Fred Allen 440312 How Are You Doing Income Tax
    2. Sealtest Village Store 440323 038 George Raft Afrs 27

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    George Raft Disc A012

    1. Lux 440515 439 Action In North Atlantic

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    George Raft Disc A013

    1. Democratic National Comittee Program 441106

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    George Raft Disc A014

    1. Sealtest Village Store 451115 George Raft Jack Needs A New Suit
    2. Cases Of Mr Ace 470618 Key Toboobie Trap

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    George Raft Disc A015

    1. Cases Of Mr Ace 470625 Aud Lost Package
    2. Cases Of Mr Ace 470625 Man Named Judas

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    George Raft Disc A016

    1. Lux 480510 615 Intrigue

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    George Raft Disc A017

    1. Louella Parsons 480926 George Raft
    2. Bill Stern 481231 479 W George Raft
    3. Bill Stern 490923 517 W Pancho Gonzales

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    George Raft Disc A018

    1. Rocky Jordan 510328 Man From Damascus
    2. Rocky Jordan 510711 03 Genakus Affair

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    George Raft Disc A019

    1. Rocky Jordan 510725 Valley Of Dead
    2. Rocky Jordan 510815 Man In Nile

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    George Raft Disc A020

    1. Martin And Lewis Show 511012 George Raft
    2. Bob Hope 3955 511120 Bob Is Remodeling His House

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00

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