A composite of three re-edited episodes from the 1952 TV series, Gangbusters, released to theatres in 1957 as a feature film. Gang Busters (1954) was a similar effort.A composite of three re-edited episodes from the 1952 TV series, Gangbusters, released to theatres in 1957 as a feature film. Gang Busters (1954) was a similar effort.A composite of three re-edited episodes from the 1952 TV series, Gangbusters, released to theatres in 1957 as a feature film. Gang Busters (1954) was a similar effort.
Myron Healey
- John Dillinger
- (archive footage)
Jean Harvey
- 'Ma' Barker
- (archive footage)
Paul Dubov
- Alvin Karpis
- (archive footage)
Sam Edwards
- Fred Barker
- (archive footage)
Richard Crane
- Homer Van Meter
- (archive footage)
Tamar Cooper
- Bonnie Parker
- (archive footage)
Baynes Barron
- Clyde Barrow
- (archive footage)
Doug Wilson
- Charles Arthur 'Pretty Boy' Floyd
- (archive footage)
Jim Davis
- Police Captain Stewart
- (archive footage)
- …
Lyle Talbot
- Dr. William Guellfe, Plastic Surgeon
- (archive footage)
Sydney Mason
- Lieutenant Bill Baxter
- (archive footage)
Lash La Rue
- 'Doc' Barker
- (archive footage)
Ralph Moody
- Arthur 'Pa' Barker
- (archive footage)
Jeanne Carmen
- Paula
- (archive footage)
Aline Towne
- Shirley, Girl with Karpis
- (archive footage)
Regina Gleason
- Hope
- (archive footage)
Jeanne Bates
- Mrs. Ross Baxter
- (archive footage)
- Directors
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaAs usual for bottom of the barrel 1950's re-enactments, clothing. furniture, and even automobiles are strictly late 1940s/early 1950s vintage, not 1920s and 1930s especially in the Kansas City Massacre, although the names of notorious gangsters killed in the 1930s, such as Clyde Barrow, Bonnie Parker and Pretty Boy Floyd are tossed around like confetti.
- GoofsThough set in the 1930s, the film's sets, costumes and many of the cars seen in it are all from the 1950s.
- ConnectionsReferences Every Girl Should Be Married (1948)
Featured review
Revisionist Criminal History for Hooverites
`Guns Don't Argue' is essentially a docu-drama about the war against crime in the 20's and 30's, with particular emphasis on the role of the FBI in that process. It is very much pro-Hoover, pro-law-enforcement, and anti-criminal, and is also quite heavy-handed (often laughably so) in its narration and its portrayals of the criminal element. While offering an interesting counter-point to such romanticisations of the outlaw as Arthur Penn's `Bonnie and Clyde', this movie simply goes TOO far in the opposite direction, to the detriment of what real history it presents.
The worst revisionist moments are in the portrayals of the executions of John Dillinger and of Bonnie and Clyde (interestingly, consistently called `Clyde and Bonnie' in this picture). In reality, each was gunned down maliciously by lawmen who gave no warnings, having set up fool-proof ambushes and using patsies to bait their prey. The vigillantism of law enforcement officials in these days is a legacy America still must live down. In `Guns Don't Argue,' however, Bonnie, Clyde and Dillinger are somehow able to get off the first shots, and the implication is presented that they were given ample opportunity to surrender. Also notably lacking is any sense of the popularity of bank robbers among the American masses, especially after the stock market crash. Dillinger, particularly, was regarded with considerable reverence in the 30's, not the abject fear that this film suggests.
In another interesting twist on history (although a more informed criminal historian will have to bring out the true story), Lyle Talbot takes on a role out of Ed Wood's `Jail Bait' (1954) and is forced to perform plastic surgery on gangster Al Karpis at gunpoint. Those who have seen Ed's original will agree - his `surprise ending' was more effective than this rip-off's.
The best sequence of this movie, however, is that of the vicious `Ma' Barker' and her brood. The little old lady with a Tommy-gun is somehow the most powerful image of the film. The film is quick to point out that the only reason Barker's family attended church was because it helped them avoid jail sentences, of course. Ma' does spend a good deal of screen time in the kitchen, however, reminding us that 50's values cross race, class and even legal lines.
The worst revisionist moments are in the portrayals of the executions of John Dillinger and of Bonnie and Clyde (interestingly, consistently called `Clyde and Bonnie' in this picture). In reality, each was gunned down maliciously by lawmen who gave no warnings, having set up fool-proof ambushes and using patsies to bait their prey. The vigillantism of law enforcement officials in these days is a legacy America still must live down. In `Guns Don't Argue,' however, Bonnie, Clyde and Dillinger are somehow able to get off the first shots, and the implication is presented that they were given ample opportunity to surrender. Also notably lacking is any sense of the popularity of bank robbers among the American masses, especially after the stock market crash. Dillinger, particularly, was regarded with considerable reverence in the 30's, not the abject fear that this film suggests.
In another interesting twist on history (although a more informed criminal historian will have to bring out the true story), Lyle Talbot takes on a role out of Ed Wood's `Jail Bait' (1954) and is forced to perform plastic surgery on gangster Al Karpis at gunpoint. Those who have seen Ed's original will agree - his `surprise ending' was more effective than this rip-off's.
The best sequence of this movie, however, is that of the vicious `Ma' Barker' and her brood. The little old lady with a Tommy-gun is somehow the most powerful image of the film. The film is quick to point out that the only reason Barker's family attended church was because it helped them avoid jail sentences, of course. Ma' does spend a good deal of screen time in the kitchen, however, reminding us that 50's values cross race, class and even legal lines.
helpful•911
- Vornoff-3
- Jun 13, 2003
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- FBI räumt auf
- Filming locations
- Pacific Ave & Windward Ave, Venice, Los Angeles, California, USA(as Beverly Dr & 38th St, Sioux Falls)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 32 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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