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 chauffeur/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.
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 chauffeur/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.