This Gun for Hire

Rating:
Summary: RAVEN A CHILLING SCREEN CREATION
Review: "This Gun For Hire" is a watered down, glammed up version of Graham Greene's novel A Gun for Sale. It represents the first of four cinematic outings that teamed sultry Veronica Lake with the stoically handsome Alan Ladd, a potent cocktail of personalities that proved to be much in demand over the next decade. Perhaps a tad heavy on sentimentality than most film noirs, the plot concerns Philip Raven's (Ladd) obsession with Ellen Graham (Veronica Lake) a nightclub dancer with a rough and rumble cop boyfriend, Michael Crane (Robert Preston). Ellen is supposed to be working on exposing Alvin Brewster (Tully Marshall), a chemical company CEO who sold poisonous gas to the Japanese. But an odd and Freudian driven relationship surfaces between Ellen and Raven when she senses his childhood pain and angst. Ellen becomes Raven's willing captive, in the process transcending his nightmares and making him more human. The very first scene in this film is so incredibly chilling it begs special mention. After having been double crossed by ne'er-do-well, Williard Gates (Laird Cregar), Raven (Ladd) contemplates killing an innocent little girl who has seen him. Even though the resulting decision is typical "golden age" morality, Ladd makes one believe, if only for a moment, that such cold blooded silencing might be possible.
THE TRANSFER: Universal's DVD transfer is remarkably solid and clean. The gray scale is very well balanced with deep solid blacks and whites that are almost pristine. There's a hint film grain and some age related artifacts. Also, some edge enhancement and pixelization occur, but nothing that will distract from a visual presentation that is a considerable improvement over previously issued VHS tapes. The audio is mono and very well represented.
BOTTOM LINE: There are no extras on this disc. Nevertheless, it is a good disc to add to your library of classic cinema.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting film noir that never really grips
Review: Graham Greene's intriguing novel had it's setting changed to World War II America and its plot altered to radiate a fashionable patriotic theme. Ladd plays a solitary assassin who becomes involved in a scheme to manufacture poison gas to the enemy. His employers set him up and Ladd then seeks revenge. What might have been a really terse thriller is slowed down by musical interludes, and a romantic sub-plot between Robert Preston and Veronica Lake. The World War II elements of the plot have not dated well. Outstanding photography by John Seitz (Double Indemnity, Sunset Boulevard) and an interesting performance from Laird Cregar as a conniving traitor who abhors violence and favors treachery and double cross are some of the plus aspects of this film.

Rating:
Summary: this gun for hire
Review: In the world of film noire I found all the elements here, with wonderful casting. Lake and Ladd are imbued with a gorgeous chemistry, there is an underlying element that suggests that if the circumstances had been different:they would easily have succumbed to each other. This is indeed Ladd at his best,he carries the subtle,seething world of hatred just beneath the surface, and the camera is fascinated by the intensity of his physical gestures, and facial expressions. In particular when he recounts the nature of the injury to his wrist, you get a window into how his mind works and what motivates him to be who he is. Lake is strong, and vulnerable and I see no mistep in her performance. This is a film that mesmerized me when I was much younger and I still find it to do so. Laird Cregar as Willard Gates is as oily as grease and I felt his performance too was a standout,a coward at the core but willing to have murder done on his behalf . I enjoyed the whole spy-thing interwoven into the plot, and as well very memorable atmospherics, especially the scene where Ladd and Lake are trapped in the railroad yards; the fog just added an extra dimension to the scene. I also found Robert Preston did a fine job too in his role as Lake's detective love interest with an understated performance, but with just the right touch of resolve to win through the day.

Rating:
Summary: A nice, slick bit of 40s movie-making
Review: This Gun for Hire was based on the Graham Greene novel A Gun for Sale and was considerably toned down and glammed up for the early 40s movie going public. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

I found this movie rather enjoyable, it is easy to see why Ladd and Lake were made into a screen team. They are supported by Laird Cregar as a plotting spy with no stomach for violence and Robert Preston as Veronica Lake's cop boyfriend. Alan Ladd steals the show as Raven, a killer for hire who really only likes cats. (as a cat lover, I was automatically more sympathetic to him) Cregar's Gates betrayed him to the cops and now he wants revenge.

Raven and Lake's Ellen, a nightclub magician, cross paths throughout the movie and she begins to strip down his tough guy veneer to reveal an abused childhood. Armed with her brains and a considerable amount of flag waving, Ellen tries to persuade Raven to give up his vengeance and uncover an Axis plot.

Ladd, Lake and Cregar are all marvelous but the usually wonderful Preston (best known for his smooth con-man in Music Man) isn't given much to work with and his cop character feels flat especially next to Raven.

This movie is really a must-see for any fan of 40's films and even with its flaws (I also found the final image to be annoying and totally against Lake's independant character), it is still a pleasant way to pass an evening.

Rating:
Summary: Over-rated....Lake and Ladd make up for a tired scenario
Review: This is the movie that made Alan Ladd a star, and his teaming here with Veronica Lake caused quite a stir back in 1942.

Sadly, THIS GUN FOR HIRE is really second-rate noir, a tired melodrama that really doesn't hold up, especially for repeat viewings.

Universal's DVD looks very similar to the old Image laserdisc release from a few years back. Not really any improvement

There's a lot of film-noir available on DVD, but this one doesn't live up to the hype. Skip it.

Rating:
Summary: A Tortured Soul Finds Peace
Review: This was the first time Alan Ladd and Veronica Lake were in the same film together, and when box office receipts exploded because of the gritty and tortured performance of Ladd as the killer Raven, Paramont knew it had a star. The chemistry of Ladd and Lake together was electric also, and Paramont also knew it had a couple. Ladd might not have gotten her in this one, but they ended up together in the other three films they would make and everyone loved it.

This was a dark and star making performance from Ladd. From the very first scene, as Raven stops on the stairs, gun in hand, to pause and decide if he should shoot the little girl who has seen him, he was a star. Raven has been double crossed by "Neptune Club" owner Willard Gates (Laird Cregar) and is out to settle the score. Ellen Graham (Veronica Lake) has a nightclub act and a cop boyfriend played by Robert Preston.

The government wants Ellen to help get the goods on Alvin Brewster (Tully Marshall) who runs a chemical company that has sold poisonous gas to the Japanese and also happens to be Gates's boss, the man pulling all the strings. But when Ellen senses the pain inside Raven and becomes his only friend, other than cats, we know the bad guys don't have a chance.

Doom follows Phillip Raven also though, his horrific chidhood slowly revealed to Ellen, his willing captive. She begins to reach Raven and make him human once more, maybe human enough to make the ultimate sacrifice for his country, and put his personal demons to rest. It was a teriffic turn from Ladd and one of his most memorable roles.

It's a good movie made great by Ladd's performance. It was also the beginning of screen magic for he and Lake. You have to see this movie if you like crime noir and/or you like Ladd and Lake, and how could you not? They were lightening in a bottle and the cork is blown completely off here....