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Rogue Cop is a 1954 American film noir directed by Roy Rowland, based on the novel by William P. McGivern, and starring Robert Taylor, Janet Leigh, and George Raft.Everett Aaker, The Films of George Raft, McFarland & Company, 2013 p 159
In a penny arcade, a drug dealer is stabbed to death by a man who claims the territory for himself, and Eddie witnesses the murderer flee. Mob boss Dan Beaumonte gives orders to Kelvaney to buy his brother's silence. Eddie refuses, and Kelvaney is unable to persuade Eddie's sweetheart, nightclub singer Karen Stephenson, to change his mind.
The ruthless Beaumonte brutally mistreats his moll Nancy Corlane, who then tries to help Kelvaney do what he has to do. Kelvaney exposes the fact that Karen was once a mobster's girlfriend in Miami. He gets her to admit that she's not in love with Eddie and is willing to let him go if it will save his life.
An out-of-town hitman named Langley is brought in to kill both brothers, but succeeds only in killing Eddie. His conscience aroused, Kelvaney goes after the mob leaders himself. He admits his corruption to superiors, but asks for a chance to bring them evidence that will convict those responsible for his brother's murder. In order to bring down Beaumont's entire syndicate, Kelvaney his prepared to tell what he knows about all of their illegal activities, even though this will implicate himself. Kelvaney succeeds in apprehending Langley, although he is shot in the process. He asks for forgiveness for his crooked ways on the way to the hospital
MGM bought the screen rights prior to publication in November 1953 and assigned Nicholas Nayfack to produce. Sidney Boehm, who had adapted The Big Heat, wrote the script.5% WAGE RISE SET FOR FILM WORKERS: Union and Producers Reach Agreement on 4-Year Pact Retroactive to Oct. 25 By THOMAS M. PRYOR Special to THE NEW YORK TIMES. New York Times 5 Nov 1953: 40.
In March 1954 MGM assigned Robert Taylor to star, with shooting to begin in May. Filming was pushed back on another Taylor film, Many Rivers to Cross.COLUMBIA ASKING RIGHTS TO MUSICAL: Lot Owns Drama Version of 'My Sister Eilean,' but Wants Title to 'Wonderful Town' Special to THE NEW YORK TIMES. New York Times 30 Mar 1954: 24.
In April 1954 Roy Rowland was assigned to directSCENARIST SIGNS TO BE A DIRECTOR: Richard Murphy Will Work in Dual Capacity on 'Gentle Wolfhound' at Columbia By THOMAS M. PRYOR Special to The New York Times. New York Times 2 Apr 1954: 23. Support roles were given to Janet Leigh, Steve Forrest and George Raft; the latter was making his first "A" picture in some years.Drama: Raft Sinister 'Rogue Cop' Star; Eighth Film for Stewart, Mann Set Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 3 Apr 1954: 17.
It was the last film Leigh made under her contract at MGM where she had been for eight years.JANET LEIGH SIGNS CONTRACT AT U.-I.: Actress, Leaving M-G-M After 8 Years, to Make 4 Films -- Also Seeks Columbia Pact By THOMAS M. PRYOR Special to The New York Times. New York Times 17 Apr 1954: 7.
Anne Francis was cast as Raft's moll. Francis described it as "the one part I've been waiting for" and it led to her being signed to a long-term contract by MGM.Actress' Tenacity Pays Off: Tenacity of Anne Francis Gets Results in Hollywood Hopper, Hedda. Los Angeles Times (10 Oct 1954: D1.
The film was banned in several states because police believed that depiction of crooked cops in the film would give juvenile delinquents bad ideas, spurring film critic Pauline Kael to suggest that there was "almost no subject matter left for the mass-audience" and that everyone knew there was "widespread police corruption."
It led to a brief comeback in "A" pictures for George Raft.
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