Shakedown (1950): cast, story & where to watch
1950 · Film · ★ 5.5
Released in 1950, Shakedown is a thriller, drama and crime film directed by Joseph Pevney, running about 80 minutes. “His camera Was More Deadly Than A Gangster's Gun!” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. Jack Early is a photographer who will stop at nothing to climb his way to the very top of the success ladder. On the strength of his sheer tenacity, he gets a job with a major newspaper, and it's not long before he's made a name for himself by charming a notorious crime boss, Nick Palmer, into allowing himself to be photographed. Palmer takes him under his wing, but Early decides to bite the hand that feeds him and sets Palmer and another crime boss, Colton, against one another.
Who’s in it. Shakedown stars Howard Duff as Jack Early, Brian Donlevy as Nick Palmer, Peggy Dow as Ellen Bennett and Lawrence Tierney as Colton, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 5.5/10, Shakedown has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Shakedown page.
If you liked it. Fans of Shakedown tend to enjoy The Dark Knight, Pulp Fiction, Parasite and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Shakedown (1950)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for Shakedown change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is Shakedown worth watching?
- Shakedown holds an audience score of 5.5 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy thriller, drama and crime. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in Shakedown?
- Shakedown stars Howard Duff, Brian Donlevy, Peggy Dow, Lawrence Tierney and Bruce Bennett.
- When was Shakedown released?
- Shakedown was released in 1950, with a runtime of about 80 minutes.