It's always interesting to watch Robert Taylor at almost any phase of his 28-year association with MGM. In this film, they decided to shake things up a bit and cast him against type. Instead of the usual nice guy hero, this time he's a shady lawman.
We learn his character was once a good cop, during the early days of his career on the force. His family was proud of him back then. But Pop is now dead and the years have seen him agree to one too many payoffs from the mob. How else can he afford those nice suits and fancy wrist watches..?
Taylor couldn't go straight now even if he wanted to. He owes the local syndicate too many favors. The mafia kingpin is portrayed by George Raft with total panache and believability. Raft is really great in these kinds of roles, and he makes the most of his screen time as a second lead. There are memorable scenes with him and his screwed up moll (Anne Francis). She is part sass part hanger-on. She's a whole lot of trouble for Raft, trouble he doesn't need. After awhile he decides to get rid of her and you know what that means!
In addition to the main stars, we also have Janet Leigh as a nice gal with a sketchy past who happens to be dating Taylor's kid brother (Steve Forrest). Oh yeah, Forrest is a cop, too- the new fresh variety, still good. He looks up to Taylor, not realizing how crooked his older sibling is.
The drama escalates when the mob wants Forrest bumped off, since he won't change his testimony in a big case. His eye witness account of a crime will bring the heat down on Raft and Raft's cronies. When Taylor fails to convince the kid bro to go on the take with him and recant his story, it means certain death.
ROGUE COP is a noir version of one's chickens coming home to roost. In the best production code tradition, Taylor has to pay for his evil ways. And so does Raft. There's a climactic shootout at the end. It's rather spectacular as far as these things go. After the last shot has been fired, nobody's left standing.
We learn his character was once a good cop, during the early days of his career on the force. His family was proud of him back then. But Pop is now dead and the years have seen him agree to one too many payoffs from the mob. How else can he afford those nice suits and fancy wrist watches..?
Taylor couldn't go straight now even if he wanted to. He owes the local syndicate too many favors. The mafia kingpin is portrayed by George Raft with total panache and believability. Raft is really great in these kinds of roles, and he makes the most of his screen time as a second lead. There are memorable scenes with him and his screwed up moll (Anne Francis). She is part sass part hanger-on. She's a whole lot of trouble for Raft, trouble he doesn't need. After awhile he decides to get rid of her and you know what that means!
In addition to the main stars, we also have Janet Leigh as a nice gal with a sketchy past who happens to be dating Taylor's kid brother (Steve Forrest). Oh yeah, Forrest is a cop, too- the new fresh variety, still good. He looks up to Taylor, not realizing how crooked his older sibling is.
The drama escalates when the mob wants Forrest bumped off, since he won't change his testimony in a big case. His eye witness account of a crime will bring the heat down on Raft and Raft's cronies. When Taylor fails to convince the kid bro to go on the take with him and recant his story, it means certain death.
ROGUE COP is a noir version of one's chickens coming home to roost. In the best production code tradition, Taylor has to pay for his evil ways. And so does Raft. There's a climactic shootout at the end. It's rather spectacular as far as these things go. After the last shot has been fired, nobody's left standing.