Red Light
Red Light

Red Light

1949Movie83 minEnglish

Nick Cherney, in prison for embezzling from Torno Freight Co., sees a chance to get back at Johnny Torno through his young priest brother Jess. He pays fellow prisoner Rocky, who gets out a week before Nick, to murder Jess... who, dying, tells revenge-minded Johnny that he'd written a clue "in the Bible." Frustrated, Johnny obsessively searches for the missing Gideon Bible from Jess's hotel room.

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Insights

IMDb6.5/10
Director: Roy Del RuthGenres: Film-Noir, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller

Plot Summary

Johnny Torrio, a former racketeer, tries to go straight and run a legitimate trucking business. His past haunts him when his brother Nick becomes involved with the mob again, leading to a dangerous situation. Johnny must confront his old associates to protect his brother and his new life.

Critical Reception

Red Light is a moderately well-received film noir that is often overlooked. Critics and audiences at the time appreciated its tense atmosphere and solid performances, particularly from George Raft in a role that mirrored his own past struggles. However, some found the plot predictable.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its atmospheric depiction of the criminal underworld.
  • George Raft delivers a compelling performance as a man trying to escape his past.
  • The plot, while engaging, follows familiar noir conventions.

Google audience: Audience reception information is not readily available for this specific title on Google.

Fun Fact

George Raft, who plays a former gangster trying to go straight, had a real-life background that included connections to organized crime figures, which likely informed his portrayal.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

This is quite an intriguing crime noir, with George Raft as the owner of a trucking company out to avenge the murder of his brother - a priest. We know from the start who is responsible for the crime, so the film provides us with a front ro...
John Chard

John Chard

Army Chaplain Slain! Red Light is directed by Roy Del Ruth and adapted to screenplay by George Callahan from the story This Guy Gideon written by Don Barry. It stars George Raft, Virginia Mayo, Raymond Burr, Harry Morgan and Gene Lockhar...