Jack Early (played by Howard Duff) is a protagonist in Shakedown.
An unscrupulous newspaper photographer who photographs racketeer Nick Palmer. He betrays Palmer by warning Palmer's henchman about a framing plot, gains fame for snapping Palmer's car bomb death, and is ultimately killed by Colton while capturing the murder on film. Nick Palmer (played by Brian Donlevy) is a protagonist in Shakedown.
A ruthless racketeer who dislikes being photographed but grows fond of Jack Early. He manipulates Early into framing his henchman Colton, only to be assassinated by a car bomb shortly afterward. Ellen Bennett (played by Peggy Dow) appears in Shakedown.
Harry Colton (played by Lawrence Tierney) appears in Shakedown.
Palmer's henchman targeted for framing. After Jack Early warns him of the plot, Colton eventually tracks down and kills Jack Early, though he is photographed committing the murder. David Glover (played by Bruce Bennett) appears in Shakedown.
Nita Palmer (played by Anne Vernon) appears in Shakedown.
Roy (played by Peter Virgo) appears in Shakedown.
Joe Downing (played by Jack Reitzen) appears in Shakedown.
Shakedown (1950) character relationship network mapped with AI analysis. Explore the connections, alliances, and conflicts between characters.
Characters
Jack Early
(played by Howard Duff) — protagonist
An unscrupulous newspaper photographer who photographs racketeer Nick Palmer. He betrays Palmer by warning Palmer's henchman about a framing plot, gains fame for snapping Palmer's car bomb death, and...
Nick Palmer
(played by Brian Donlevy) — protagonist
A ruthless racketeer who dislikes being photographed but grows fond of Jack Early. He manipulates Early into framing his henchman Colton, only to be assassinated by a car bomb shortly afterward.
Ellen Bennett
(played by Peggy Dow) — supporting
Harry Colton
(played by Lawrence Tierney) — supporting
Palmer's henchman targeted for framing. After Jack Early warns him of the plot, Colton eventually tracks down and kills Jack Early, though he is photographed committing the murder.
David Glover
(played by Bruce Bennett) — supporting
Nita Palmer
(played by Anne Vernon) — supporting
Roy
(played by Peter Virgo) — supporting
Joe Downing
(played by Jack Reitzen) — supporting
Sam
(played by Charles Sherlock) — supporting
Key Relationships
Sam → Nick Palmer
(Professional Henchman)
Roy → Nick Palmer
(Professional Henchman)
Joe Downing → Nick Palmer
(Professional Henchman)
Nita Palmer → Nick Palmer
(Family Spouse)
David Glover → Jack Early
(Professional Employer)
Jack Early → Ellen Bennett
(Romantic Interest)
Nick Palmer → Harry Colton
(Conflict Betrayal)
Jack Early → Harry Colton
(Alliance Informant)
Jack Early → Nick Palmer
(Conflict Target)
Story Analysis
A photographer becomes entangled in a criminal conspiracy and faces deadly consequences
