This Gun For Hire

With this picture, Alan Ladd, who had been struggling for years for a big break, finally found the niche into which he fitted - and he fitted perfectly.

He plays the trench-coated, snappy talking tough guy, the mainstay of the film noir, yet his style is somewhat different to that of Humphrey Bogart. Alan Ladd has a much colder, calculating style - even though he's the good guy he's still not nice!

The plot, as you would expect from a Graham Green novel, is intricate (though simplified from the book). Alan Ladd is the lone killer, a paid gentleman without morals or, seemingly, compassion. He is double-crossed and set up by his employers, leaving him justifiably enraged and out for revenge.

This dark intrigue is the best thriller film Ladd ever made, subtly directed - yet still with aplomb by Frank Tuttle. This is Ladd's first teaming with Veronica Lake ('The Girl with the Peekaboo Bang'), leading to a successful partnership over the next few years.

At times, Ladd has to work hard to overcome his shortness - even little Veronica Lake towered over sensitive Alan - but his creditable performance more than compensates.

Review by Martin Hunt
Taken from EUFS Programme 1993-94