In 1932, George Raft, the suave, sharply dressed actor noted for his legendary celluloid gangster roles, was often seen on Sunset Boulevard, the heart of Hollywood’s Golden Age.
At this time, Raft was on the cusp of stardom, having just gained international attention for his memorial role in the iconic 1932 gangster film Scarface. Raft’s portrayal of the coin-flipping gangster was to become an iconic trademark. His base personality traits was such that Raft actually embodied the cool streetwise persona that made him a favorite in crime films.
His real-life background growing up in New York City’s tough “Hell’s Kitchen” neighborhood and his longtime friendships with real underworld figures gave him an authentic edge that many other actors of the era lacked.
In addition to the “reel-life” gangsters he mingled with on film, Raft was well-known for his association with notorious “real-life” gangsters such as Charles (Charlie the Blade) Tourine, Raymond Patriarca, Meyer (The Little Man) Lansky, and Benjamin (Bugsy) Siegel.
By 1932, Sunset Boulevard was bustling with major movie premieres, illicit speakeasies, and legendary restaurants and nightclubs, making it a natural backdrop for rising stars like Raft. Complimenting his tough-guy screen image,
Raft was also known for his impeccable style. When out and about, he was usually sporting a well-tailored suit, custom handmade dress shirt, and a snap-brim fedora atop slicked-back hair, which only helped exude a streetwise elegance. He could frequently be spotted strolling along Sunset Boulevard, where he’d mingle among Hollywood’s elite and with close friends like fellow actors Jimmy Cagney and Humphrey Bogart.
George Raft’s movie career soared all throughout the 1930s and ‘40s, making him one of Hollywood’s quintessential celluloid “tough guys.” But his enduring legacy is also marked by some of the famous roles he chose to turn down, including Casablanca (1942).
This glimpse of him above — taken in 1932 on Sunset Boulevard — captures a star on the rise, ready to leave his indelible mark on Hollywood’s gangster films genre.
Until next time…”The Other Guy”
