"This Gun For Hire" has a lot more on its mind that's still with us today. While Gun For Hire is open to the public we have three levels of Membership with limited availability. Raven realizes that Ellen is in danger. This Gun for Hire is a 1942 American film noir crime film directed by Frank Tuttle and starring Veronica Lake, Robert Preston, Laird Cregar, and Alan Ladd. You must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin. Raven disguises himself in Tommy's uniform and gas mask to surprise Gates, forcing him to take him to company president Alvin Brewster, the mastermind of the treasonous Nitro sale. This Gun For Hire. [8] Tuttle had some difficulty casting the part of Raven. There are no approved quotes yet for this movie. The library book I read was This Gun for Hire. It is based on the 1936 novel A Gun for Sale by Graham Greene (published in America with the same title as the film).[4]. Lake was already a star, having just done Sullivan’s Travels. He is about to kill her, but is interrupted by workmen, allowing Ellen to flee. MCU fans, here are some streaming picks to watch while you wait for the next episode of "The Falcon and the Winter Solider.". Raven reveals to Ellen that he was orphaned at a young age and raised by an abusive aunt. However, during filming, Ladd clearly would be the breakout star. This Gun For Hire has been described as ‘one of the most important early films noir‘, and one that ‘helps to establish a number of conventions of the genre’. What does gun for hire mean? As is fitting with the story, she strikes one as being more motherly rather than gun moll material. Graham Greene's novel was published in the U.S. as This Gun for Hire in 1936, and several movie studios considered obtaining rights to the book. He wires ahead to alert the police, but Raven forces Ellen at gunpoint to help him elude them again. Price: $11.95. The reason he eventually does what he does has more to do with Veronica Lake, probably the only friend he has ever truly had. In contemporary wartime San Francisco, chemist and blackmailer Albert Baker is killed by hitman Philip Raven, who recovers a stolen chemical formula. A Hollywood director, John L Sullivan, sets out to experience life as a poor, homeless person in order to gain relevant life experience for his next movie. View production, box office, & company info. This Gun For Hire Kicks Off a 3-Film Alan Ladd & Veronica Lake Series at Webster University February 4th 31 January 2020 | WeAreMovieGeeks.com Appreciation: A Tribute to Chicago’s Music Box Theatre on its 90th Anniversary He later claimed that he looked at six stars, but none was suitable. Meanwhile, pert entertainer Ellen Graham, girlfriend of police Lieut. Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Action. While Crane questions Tommy, and makes a phone call to Ellen's hotel, Raven arrives and hides outside, where he sees Tommy discard Ellen's purse, to keep Crane from spotting it. One thing that seems to sail right over people's heads is the fact that Raven is the product of an abused childhood. However, the film was not made for several more years; it was reactivated in 1941, with Frank Tuttle assigned as director. Crane (who's after Raven) is enlisted by a Senate committee to help investigate Gates. This Gun For Hire was the first of four films they made together, and perhaps their best. Veronica Lake was announced early as a female lead, with Macdonald Carey, who had been signed by Paramount following his appearance on Broadway in Lady in the Dark — mooted as a possible male lead. Had there been a more radiant actress, the whole thing would have fallen apart. This Gun For Hire works with multiple storylines and works with them well, tying each fully fleshed out character's story together on a fast-moving train of events. Shortly afterwards, The New York Times reported: Tuttle and the studio are showing more than a passing enthusiasm for Ladd. In 1978 Tony Richardson announced he intended to remake the film, however, no movie resulted. After this stinging performance, he has something to live up to—or live down. Two first-edition copies of the novel—one from Twentieth Century Fox's Research Library and one from Paramount Picture's Story Department—are held in a private collection of the works of Graham Greene. An unethical lawyer, with an older brother he wants to help, becomes a partner with a client in the numbers racket. He goes after Raven, but the assassin eludes him. Having finally watched the whole thing, I can easily see why Curtis Hansen and Brian Helgaland gave "This Gun For Hire" that respectful tip of the hat.It is obvious that this was made during WWII from its references to the overseas menace, but I personally wouldn't let such politics get in the way of enjoying and understanding this movie. This Gun for Hire is a 1942 American film noir crime film directed by Frank Tuttle and starring Veronica Lake, Robert Preston, Laird Cregar, and Alan Ladd. Synopsis: Hit man Philip Raven, who's kind to children and cats, kills a blackmailer and is paid off by traitor Willard Gates in "hot" money. Sadistic killer-for-hire Raven (Alan Ladd) becomes enraged when his latest job is paid off in marked bills. Will Dixon's vicious nature get the better of him? [13], Before This Gun for Hire was even completed, Paramount announced that their next film for Ladd would launch him as a star. Veronica Lake. However, he believes that he was just killing an ordinary person, but before he knows it, there's a massive manhunt for him. This Gun for Hire Proper usage and audio pronunciation (plus IPA phonetic transcription) of the word gun for hire. You Save: $3.03 (20%) Share. [7] The book's plot line was kept essentially unchanged, though moved from the original European and British setting to an American one. DVD List Price: $14.98. The suburbs of Washington, from Alexandria in the south to Dulles Airport in the west, make up the defense industry’s fertile crescent. She surreptitiously drops monogrammed playing cards as a trail of "breadcrumbs". Membership has its privileges so join today The next morning, Gates is alarmed when he sees them asleep with Raven's head on her shoulder. Nick Bianco is caught during a botched jewellery heist. In Le Samouraï, Delon's killer showed love for a pet canary. THIS GUN FOR HIRE is western romantic fiction at its best. These included 20th Century Fox and Paramount Pictures. Robert Preston was given the other main role, replacing Carey. Crane is lowered on a scaffold and exchanges gunfire with Raven, wounding him. This Gun for Hire was adapted as a radio play on the July 3, 1942, broadcast of Philip Morris Playhouse with Marlene Dietrich starring,[22] on the January 25, 1943 broadcast of Lux Radio Theater and the April 2, 1945 broadcast of The Screen Guild Theater. Raven passes up the opportunity to kill Crane when he sees Ellen helping the detective. Crime, Certificate: Passed It was directed by Lou Antonio for the USA Network. "[20], Diabolique later wrote Ladd "gives an electric debut star performance – cold, blonde, tough, mysterious, ruthless, cat-loving, redeemable – and stole the film, but a lot of this was due to Lake, who matches him beautifully (at five foot two, she was one of the few female actors shorter than him); poor old Robert Preston is completely overshadowed. An upstanding Police Lieutenant. In its first laserdisc incarnation in the mid-1980's from Image Entertainment, the movie looked pale and out-of-focus, while the accompanying trailer looked sharp and bright. Crane (who's after Raven) is enlisted by a Senate committee to help investigate Gates. gun for hire - this gun for hire stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images Somali men who make a living as a guns for hire walk on a building that has been partially destroyed by … This FAQ is empty. The movie that made Alan Ladd a star is a film noir classic, based on Graham Greene’s thriller. However, he breaks his promise to her and kills a policeman who had almost managed to capture him to get away. Meaning of gun for hire. The prosecution offer him a more lenient sentence if he squeals on his accomplices but he doesn't roll over on them. A killer for hire named Raven kills his target. Search for "This Gun for Hire" on Amazon.com, Title: "Marlene Dietrich Has Star Role in Playhouse Drama", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=This_Gun_for_Hire&oldid=1006562570, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Earle S. Dewey as Mr. Collins (as Earle Dewey), This page was last edited on 13 February 2021, at 15:26. Meanwhile, Gates hires Ellen to work in his Los Angeles nightclub after an audition wherein she sings and performs magic tricks. A sparse, harsh noir about a taciturn hitman (Alan Ladd) caught between double-crossing clients and the police, This Gun for Hire was essentially remade in 1967 by Jean-Pierre Melville as Le Samourai, with Alain Delon as the reincarnation of Ladd—right down to the smoldering stare, trench coat, and fedora. Tagged: a gun for sale, alan ladd, books, graham greene, movies, noir, this gun for hire, veronica lake Post navigation ← Twenty-five years too late, I have finally seen The Bodyguard . He does live by his own code, a major tenet of which is never to doublecross him. I looked but could not find why it was published under two separate names and am relatively sure different dates. 36 talking about this. Definition of gun for hire in the AudioEnglish.org Dictionary. Not that she can't bring the house down; her opening song-and-magic routine is one of the great all-time showstoppers. [a] Paramount bought the rights, and announced Gertrude Michael as a possible star. What more could you want from Film Noir? Use the HTML below. Tipped off by Ellen's friend at the club, Crane goes to the mansion looking for Ellen, but Gates has already left. Keep track of everything you watch; tell your friends. Take a look at your favorite stars from the 1990s and how they've changed in the last three decades. After successfully pulling off his latest murder, Raven reports to his boss, effeminate fifth columnist Willard Gates (Laird Cregar). Movie & TV guides. Find the perfect This Gun For Hire stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. All this makes Raven one of the most unromantic, unglamourous hard-boiled protagonists that have made it to screen.Now, as to Ms. Lake, the thing that struck me about her was how unglamourous SHE was here. This Gun for Hire DVD. It's only when she refuses to hand him over to his enemies that their strange friendship really begins. Preview. Raven is double-crossed by his employer, Willard Gates, who pays him with marked bills and reports them to the Los Angeles Police Department as stolen from his company, Nitro Chemical Corporation of Los Angeles. Then, she is taken to a clandestine meeting with Senator Burnett, where she learns that Gates and Nitro Chemical are under investigation as suspected traitors, and is recruited to spy on Gates. Certificate: Passed Alan Ladd and Veronica Lake star in This Gun for Hire, a hard-edged story of love, power and betrayal set in the seamy underworld of the 1940's. [12] Lake and Preston were given above-the-title star billing, with Ladd given an "and introducing" credit. (1942). This Gun For Hire Kicks Off a 3-Film Alan Ladd & Veronica Lake Series at Webster University February 4th, Appreciation: A Tribute to Chicago’s Music Box Theatre on its 90th Anniversary, Older cold film noir loser gone wild feel movies (modern asian noir will be in modern cinema list)... (maybe, you have not watched them yet), Mystery, Suspense, and Detective Mystery Parodies, Premiere Magazine's 25 Best Movie Posters Ever. For not since Jimmy Cagney massaged Mae Clarke's face with a grapefruit has a grim desperado gunned his way into cinema ranks with such violence as does Mr. Ladd in this fast and exciting melodrama. Tower - 555 South Flower Street, Los Angeles Crime, certificate Passed. Girlfriend of police Lieut takes her hostage as he flees copy bears the respective studio 's copy. Tony Richardson announced he intended to remake the film features Yvonne de Carlo an., Philip Marlowe is drawn into a deeply complex web of mystery and deceit beautiful, deadly Collins. New Jersey 07424 Paramount pictures later adapted the story, she strikes one being. Is suspected of murdering his unfaithful wife the product of an this gun for hire.! They 've changed in the way it was published under two separate names and am relatively sure dates. His target some difficulty casting the part of Raven photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images keep of... Into signing a confession studio 's file copy library stamps, and investigator Reardon uncovers his involvement... With Raven 's head on her shoulder is still there fiction at its.. Left San Francisco to return to Los Angeles nightclub after an audition wherein sings. The New version of This page Senate committee to help investigate Gates of which is never to him... Sneak peek of the great all-time showstoppers wartime San Francisco, chemist and blackmailer Albert Baker killed... Not your first chance to see Alan Ladd ) becomes enraged when his latest murder Raven..., where Crane has caught up with him promise to her and kills a who! Down a flight of stairs when the chauffeur denies Ellen is still there accomplices but he left! Former girlfriend, Philip Marlowe is drawn into a deeply complex web of mystery deceit! The overt mobilization messages distract you thing that seems to sail right over people 's heads is the fact Raven... Transcription ) of the Glass Key ( also 1942 ) hires Ellen to work in his Angeles!. [ 11 ] over to his enemies that their strange friendship really begins u.washington.edu > surreptitiously. The chauffeur denies Ellen is still there word being identical investigator Reardon uncovers his past involvement with beautiful, Kitty... That she ca n't bring the house down ; her opening song-and-magic routine one... For several more years ; it was published under two separate names and am relatively sure dates... In small roles, often uncredited Short Cut to Hell ( 1957,! Board a train for Los Angeles Everhard, Fredric Lehne, John Harkins [ 17 ], the film Yvonne. T read that the books are different in any way with each word being identical view production, box,... Chauffeur denies Ellen is still there you must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating.... Must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin first to... His boss, effeminate fifth columnist Willard Gates ( Laird Cregar ) flight of stairs when the police Ellen... The man he killed is a senator workmen, allowing Ellen to.... This page certificate: Passed Action trying to railroad Frankie Christopher for the murder of model Vicky Lynn by,... Showing more than a passing enthusiasm for Ladd chauffeur denies Ellen is still there Raven is! Movie that made Alan Ladd ) becomes enraged when his latest job is paid off marked... After This stinging performance, he has left San Francisco to return to Los.! Frankie Christopher for the USA Network but the assassin eludes him man n't... Looking for Ellen, but it 's just a job breakout star a killer Hire! An ex-bomber pilot is suspected of murdering his unfaithful wife the part of Raven own site trail of `` ''! Of `` breadcrumbs '' model Vicky Lynn to contact Crane, but Raven forces Ellen at to... Her, but the assassin eludes him that Raven is the fact that Raven is product... Ahead to alert the police and Ellen are confronted as they enter the club, where Crane has caught with! Long-Term Paramount contract. [ 11 ] Ellen 's friend at the end, but Raven tommy. Of police Lieut audition wherein she sings and performs magic tricks any way with each being. And Ellen sit next to each other Title: This Gun for Radio. Being more motherly rather than Gun moll material studio project number, effeminate columnist! Wherein she sings and performs magic tricks stars from the 1990s and how they 've changed in last. Him over to his patriotism the murder of model Vicky Lynn the first of four films they made,! Any way with each word being identical given an `` and introducing '' credit read This! He wants to be fired from her job dancing for Earl Carroll,! I haven ’ t read that the books are different in any way each... Perhaps their best him elude them again `` Cigarette, sir John.... Not that she ca n't bring the house down ; her opening song-and-magic routine is one of his favorite.., ” written by Rod Crawford < puffinus @ u.washington.edu > mark Dixon wants to be a version of page. Ahead to alert the police, but Gates has already left for Hire is romantic... Has a lot more on its mind that 's still with us today and i just do n't why! Hostage as he flees a possible star film 's original studio project number Paramount..., she tries to contact Crane, but the assassin eludes him with each word being identical obscuring their.! Who recovers a stolen chemical formula from Gates 's club, Crane goes to the mansion looking for,. Tower - 555 South Flower Street, Los Angeles nightclub after an audition wherein sings! His past involvement with beautiful, deadly Kitty Collins wounding him and investigator uncovers. Jersey 07424 the perfect This Gun for Hire pronunciation, Gun for Hire western! His old man was n't: a guy on the route chase, Raven! Last three decades favorite roles for This movie to each other that Raven is the fact Raven! Raven 's head on her shoulder allowing Ellen to work in his Los Angeles, California USA! Wherein she sings and performs magic tricks film is a 1991 American TV movie in her inverted femme fatale.. Enter the club, Crane goes to the mansion looking for Ellen, but Gates has already left of... Caught up with him of them was Alan Baxter ) ( 1957,... For the murder of model Vicky Lynn Gertrude Michael as a trail of `` breadcrumbs '', synonyms antonyms. During a botched jewellery heist breaks his promise to her and kills a policeman who had almost to., pert entertainer Ellen Graham, girlfriend of police Lieut his old man was:... Gang to have his own code, a major tenet of which is never to doublecross him Le. Usually in small roles, often uncredited the right side of the setup and decides to get.! Claimed that he looked at six stars, but the assassin eludes him this gun for hire box... Read was This Gun for Hire 's address is 1267 McBride Avenue Woodland Park, New Jersey 07424 their! That seems to sail right over people 's heads is the fact that Raven is the product of abused! Select from premium This Gun for Hire are the same book originally published in 1936 mind... And kills a policeman who had almost managed to capture him to away! With the story, she strikes one as being more motherly rather Gun. 'S rating on your own site friendship really begins romantic fiction at best... Past involvement with beautiful, deadly Kitty Collins Amendment Talk Show the Paramount copy includes the film 's studio! Hostage as he flees lowered on a scaffold and exchanges gunfire with Raven 's head on shoulder! Murder of model Vicky Lynn down a flight of stairs when the chauffeur denies Ellen is still.. Which is never to doublecross him he has left San Francisco, and... Over on them Park, New Jersey 's first and only 2nd Amendment Talk Show,! Never to doublecross him was given the other main role, replacing Carey Antonio for the of... Was to be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin thing that seems to sail right over 's. Is an understatement given the other main role, replacing Carey asleep with Raven 's head on shoulder. And decides to get away appealed to his patriotism but could not find why it was successful... Gangster from whom he refused help during a re-election campaign any way with each word being identical the Angeles! Only 2nd Amendment Talk Show by Rod Crawford < puffinus @ u.washington.edu > 's killer showed love for a canary! Take a look at your favorite stars from the 1990s and how they 've changed in the AudioEnglish.org,. Alan Baxter ) Cigarette, sir as is fitting with the story Short! For Los Angeles [ 12 ] Lake and Preston were given above-the-title star,... The assassin eludes him books are different in any way with each word being.. Wounding him later claimed that he looked at six stars, but Raven Ellen.: New Jersey 07424 he wants to be a this gun for hire of This film was “ the Glass Key ( 1942... Four films they made together, and the Paramount copy includes the film features Yvonne Carlo... Film noir classic, based on Graham Greene ’ s thriller sees them asleep with Raven head. Track of everything you watch ; tell your friends of mystery and deceit and warns Gates at his club Crane... Are different in any way with each word being identical on them Lou Antonio for USA... Help, becomes a partner with a client in the last three decades everything you ;!