:
Veronica Lake,
Veronica Lake,
Robert Preston,
more...
:
Frank Tuttle,
Frank Tuttle
see all cast/crew...
: Not Rated
: Universal Studios
: Film Noir
: 81 min.
: English
: Spanish, French
see additional details...
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Though billed fourth in This Gun For Hire, Alan Ladd was catapulted to stardom in the role of Phillip Raven, a ruthless professional killer with a long-suppressed streak of decency. After successfully pulling off his latest murder, Raven reports to his boss, effeminate fifth columnist Willard Gates (Laird Cregar). He collects his $1000 fee, only to discover later that Gates has double-crossed him with marked bills. This was done at the behest of Gates' boss, crooked business executive Alvin Bewster (Tully Marshall), who wants no loose ends left around to connect him with a plot to sell poison gas to the Axis. As Raven ducks and dodges the police, detective Michael Crane (Robert Preston) is hot on the trail of Bewster and Gates. Crane talks his girlfriend, nightclub singer-musician Ellen Graham (Veronica Lake), into taking a job at Gates' nightclub. While on the train to the club, Ellen makes the acquaintance of the escaping Raven. Gates boards the train, spots Ellen innocently sitting next to Raven, and assumes that the two are in cahoots. Later, Gates kidnaps Ellen and spirits her away to his mansion, intending to do away with her the first chance he gets. Instead, Raven, still seeking revenge for being set up, bursts into the mansion in search of Gates. Having previously been impressed by Ellen's kindness, he rescues her, though he intends using her as hostage should the police catch up with him. As they hide out together in the rail yards, Ellen and Raven get to know each other. Learning of Raven's miserable, abusive childhood, Ellen tries to chip away his murderous veneer, hoping to reform him. But when the cops arrive, Raven reverts to his instincts, shooting his way out of his hiding place. As Crane escorts Ellen out of harm's way, Raven rushes towards a bloody showdown with Bewster and Gates. Based on Graham Greene's A Gun For Sale, This Gun For Hire was remade in 1958 as Short Cut to Hell, then again under the original title as a 1990 made-for-TV film. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
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| He's dynamite with a gun or a girl.
by eifert
July 9, 2004 - 8:18 PM PDT
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3 out of 3 members found this review helpful
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This Gun for Hire is a crime thriller with shades of film noir thrown in. The film stars Alan Ladd as a cold-blooded killer. His portrayal of Raven is the definition of anti hero. He kills without any remorse. In fact, he usually has to think of a good reason not to kill people. This is demonstrated at the beginning of the movie when he's spotted leaving a murder by a crippled little girl. He reaches for his gun then decides better of it. That same thinking, later in the film, saves Ellen Graham (played by Victoria Lake sporting beautiful long blonde hair - mimicked by Kim Basinger in L.A. Confidential). Lake has two musical numbers. She does them while performing magic tricks! They're cheesy, but I watched them in slow motion so I could catch the slight of hand. The songs are supposed to make her into an unattainable sex goddess (like "Put the Blame on Mame" did for Rita Hayworth in Gilda.) It doesn't.
The supporting cast is excellent. The heavy (literally and figuratively) Laird Cregar has a lot of fun trying to seduce Lake and at the same time running scared of Ladd. Marc Lawrence as his chauffer/thug is particularly slimy. He likes to torment his boss by explaining the dirty details of his work. His part reminded me of his uncredited role years later in Diamonds Are Forever.
A good double feature would be this and L.A. Confidential (TGFH is seen on TV in the film.) Remember the lines between Basinger and Crowe?
LYNN BRACKEN: You're the first man in five years who didn't tell me I look like Veronica Lake inside of a minute.
BUD WHITE: You look better than Veronica Lake.
Unless you like watching this kind of movie in Spanish, there are no extras on the DVD. Not even a trailer. The transfer is excellent.
"What's the matter? You look like you've been on a hayride with Dracula."
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GreenCine Member Rating
(Average 7.18)
56 Votes
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