Watch Loan Shark

Loan Shark is a 1952 film noir starring George Raft as Joe Gargan, a tough-talking, no-nonsense loan shark in New York City. The movie opens with Gargan getting involved in a brawl with a group of street toughs who were trying to cheat him out of his money. From there, the movie takes us on a journey through the seedy underbelly of the city, where Gargan operates his loan shark business.

Despite his violent tendencies and brutal methods, Gargan has a sense of honor and loyalty to his clients. He takes pride in his work and believes that he is providing a necessary service to those who couldn't get credit elsewhere. However, Gargan's world is turned upside down when he falls in love with a young woman named Ellen (played by Dorothy Hart). Ellen is the daughter of a man who owes Gargan money, and she has come to ask for an extension on her father's loan. Despite his attraction to Ellen, Gargan initially refuses her request. But as the two become more involved, Gargan begins to reconsider his hard-line approach to his business.

As Gargan and Ellen's relationship develops, we also see tensions rising between Gargan and his former partner, Nick (played by Paul Stewart). Nick is a corrupt businessman who wants to take over Gargan's loan shark business and expand it into a lucrative criminal enterprise. Gargan, aware of Nick's intentions, tries to keep his distance but is eventually forced to confront him head-on.

The movie is a classic film noir, with all the usual trappings of the genre: shadowy cinematography, hard-boiled dialogue, and a cynical view of society. But Loan Shark also manages to inject some moral ambiguity into its storyline. Although Gargan is a violent criminal, the movie portrays him as a sympathetic character who is just trying to make a living in a world where opportunities are scarce. The movie also doesn't shy away from depicting the devastating effects that loan sharks can have on their clients, showing how they can trap people in a cycle of debt and despair.

Overall, Loan Shark is a solid film noir that delivers exactly what fans of the genre would expect. With its gritty realism and compelling characters, the movie is a testament to the enduring appeal of the classic noir style. George Raft gives a strong performance as Joe Gargan, and Dorothy Hart is equally impressive as Ellen, the young woman who softens his hard-edged exterior. Paul Stewart is also memorable as the slimy Nick, adding a layer of complexity to the story that keeps the audience engaged until the very end.

Loan Shark is a 1952 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 20 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4.