Blackmail (1947 film)

Blackmail is a 1947 American film noir crime film directed by Lesley Selander and starring William Marshall, Adele Mara and Ricardo Cortez.^[1] The lead character is based on a pulp magazine hero Dan Turner, Hollywood Detective.

Blackmail
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Lesley Selander
Screenplay by	Royal K. Cole Albert DeMond (additional dialogue)
Story by	Robert Leslie Bellem
Produced by	William J. O'Sullivan (associate producer)
Starring	William Marshall Adele Mara Ricardo Cortez
Cinematography	Reggie Lanning
Edited by	Tony Martinelli
Music by	Mort Glickman (uncredited)
Production company	Republic Pictures
Distributed by	Republic Pictures
Release date	July 24, 1947 (1947-07-24)
Running time	67 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

Plot

A shamus is approached by an entertainment executive to stop a blackmail plot against him.

Cast

• William Marshall as Dan Turner
• Adele Mara as Sylvia Duane
• Ricardo Cortez as Ziggy Cranston
• Grant Withers as Police Inspector Donaldson
• Stephanie Bachelor as Carla
• Richard Fraser as Antoine le Blanc
• Roy Barcroft as Spice Kellaway
• George J. Lewis as Blue Chip Winslow
• Gregory Gaye as Jervis
• Tristram Coffin as Pinky
• Eva Novak as Mamie, the Maid
• Bud Wolfe as Gomez
• Tom London as Tom (uncredited)
• Ben Welden as Bartender (uncredited)

Reception

When released The New York Times critic gave the film a mixed review, writing, "Evidently the writers and/or Republic, the manufacturer, were convinced that some fast dialogue would enhance the rather confused goings on. But this yarn about a California playboy who becomes involved with shakedown artists and is aided by a brash, private investigator needed more than an occasional bright quip to keep things clear and moving."^[2]