The Shakedown (1959 film)

Augie Cortona (Terence Morgan), a newly released convict, opens up a photographic studio that serves as a front for erotic photography and blackmail activities. He runs into trouble with a rival gangster, and bitter warfare erupts. Scotland Yard track down Cortona by employing an undercover female model Mildred Eyde (Hazel Court) to infiltrate the ex-con's set-up. However, Midred Eyde and Augie Cortona begin a romantic affair which complicates the operation. Eventually one of Augie Cortona's blackmail victims John Arnold (John Salew) is blackmailed too far and shoots Cortona several times until he is very close to death. As Cortona lays dying, he realizes that Mildred is an undercover policewoman. Miidred kneels down to comfort him but with his last breath Cortona says the word "Bitch" to her. The film ends with Mildred slowly walking away visibly upset. [2]

• Terence Morgan as Augie Cortona
• Hazel Court as Mildred Eyde
• Donald Pleasence as Jessel Brown
• Bill Owen as David Spettigue
• Robert Beatty as Chief Inspector Bob Jarvis
• Harry H. Corbett as Gollar
• Gene Anderson as Zena
• Eddie Byrne as George, Barman
• John Salew as John Arnold
• Georgina Cookson as Miss Firbank
• Linda Castle as Sylvia
• Jackie Collins as Rita Mason (credited as Lynn Curtis)
• Joan Haythorne as Miss Ogilvie
• Sheila Buxton as Nadia
• Dorinda Stevens as Grace
• Jack Lambert as Sergeant Kershaw
• Charles Lamb as Pinza
• Edward Judd as Bernie

TV Guide wrote: "the performances are all strong and believable, and fast-paced direction helps to gloss over some of the inadequacies in the predictable script."[2]

• The Shakedown on IMDb