The Shakedown (1929 film)

The Shakedown is an American sound part-talkie pre-Code 1929 action, comedy and sports drama film directed by William Wyler and starring James Murray, Barbara Kent and Jack Hanlon.

This sound film was released in two verisons a part-talking version for English speaking audiences and a Synchronized version for non-English speaking audiences. The International Sound Version survives in an Italian archive with the original synchronized soundtrack. This print of The Shakedown was converted into a silent version by the staff of the George Eastman House in 1998 and released on Blu-ray without the original soundtrack. The original part-talkie version appears to be lost.

Plot
Dave Roberts is a professional boxer who loses intentionally in fixed matches. Dave's life on the margins changes after he meets an honest woman and rescues an orphan from an oncoming train. As he cares for the woman and child, he must decide whether to continue his derelict ways or rebel against those who have been manipulating him.

Cast

 * James Murray as Dave Roberts
 * Barbara Kent as Marjorie
 * George Kotsonaros as Battling Roff
 * Wheeler Oakman as Manager
 * Jack Hanlon as Clem
 * Harry Gribbon as Dugan
 * Annabelle Magnus as Little Girl (uncredited)
 * George Marion as Screaming Fight Spectator with White Beard (uncredited)
 * Jack McHugh as Boy that fights Clem (uncredited)
 * Jack Raymond as Salesman (uncredited)
 * Harry Tenbrook as Manager's Henchman (uncredited)
 * William Wyler as Photographer at Fight Arena (uncredited)
 * John Huston as extra (uncredited)

Music
The film featured a theme song entitled "Dear Little Boy Of Mine" which was composed by Ernest R. Ball and J. Keirn Brennan.