This Gun for Hire Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A hitman who likes cats gets double-crossed, teams up with a magician, and ends up saving America from evil cookie-munching industrialists; peak film noir logic.

🍿 This Gun for Hire: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Setup and Raven’s Double-Cross

Philip Raven, a professional hitman, is hired by Willard Gates to assassinate a blackmailer. Raven completes the hit but is double-crossed when Gates pays him with marked bills, setting him up to be caught by the police. This betrayal sets Raven on a path of revenge against Gates. The scene establishes Raven’s cold, efficient nature and the treacherous world he inhabits.

Ellen’s Undercover Mission

Ellen Graham, a performer and the girlfriend of Lieutenant Michael Crane, is secretly working with a Senate committee to investigate Gates and his potential involvement in treasonous activities. She gets hired to work at Gate’s club to gather information. Her investigation puts her on a collision course with Raven, as both are pursuing Gates for different reasons.

The Uneasy Alliance

Raven and Ellen meet on a train and find themselves in an unlikely alliance. Raven kidnaps Ellen to evade the police, but she convinces him that they have a common enemy in Gates. Their relationship evolves from captor and hostage to an uneasy partnership. This alliance forces Raven to confront his cynicism and consider a higher purpose.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Philip Raven (Alan Ladd): A cold and calculating hitman seeking revenge after being double-crossed, but harboring a hidden sense of compassion.
• Ellen Graham (Veronica Lake): A cabaret singer and magician who is secretly working undercover for a Senate committee to investigate treason.
• Michael Crane (Robert Preston): A determined police lieutenant investigating Raven while also romantically involved with Ellen.
• Willard Gates (Laird Cregar): A double-crossing executive who hires Raven and sets the events of the movie in motion.
• Alvin Brewster (Tully Marshall): The powerful and corrupt industrialist at the center of the treasonous plot.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Philip Raven: “I’m my own police.” – Raven declares this to Ellen, underlining his self-reliance and disregard for the law.
• Philip Raven: “Cats don’t need anyone, they are on their own, just like me.” – Raven explains his affinity for cats, revealing his loneliness and independent nature.
• Ruby: “What’s the matter? You look like you’ve been on a hayride with Dracula.” – Ruby says this line when Raven is looking disheveled and menacing, capturing the film’s dark atmosphere.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $500,000
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 This Gun for Hire Reviews

Personal Review

I just watched ‘This Gun for Hire,’ and I am blown away! Alan Ladd’s performance is mesmerizing. There’s something so compelling about his portrayal of Raven that it’s hard to look away. The scene on the train is incredible, I was gripped by the tension between Raven and Ellen. Veronica Lake is captivating, I loved her nightclub act and her scenes with Ladd had me hooked. Plus, the ending left me feeling strangely conflicted! It’s a must-see classic for any film noir fan.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic film noir”
  • “Those interested in early performances of Alan Ladd and Veronica Lake”
  • “Viewers who appreciate crime thrillers with morally ambiguous characters”
  • “People who enjoy films with a historical or wartime context”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Murder”
  • “Adult themes”
  • “Gun violence”
  • “Animal death (cat is killed)”
  • “Brief scenes of domestic abuse”

Professional Reviews

• ScreenRant: “This Gun for Hire blends crime, suspense, and burgeoning romance into a thrilling package. Veronica Lake’s charm shines, while Alan Ladd’s stoic portrayal of a complex anti-hero captivates, crafting a compelling narrative that resonates well after the credits roll. This classic has been compared to Bogart & Bacall films.
• CBR: “As a film that put Ladd on the map, This Gun for Hire deserves recognition. Its well-shot scenes and sharp pacing maintain suspense from start to finish. It’s essential viewing for fans of classic cinema, showcasing a time when action, drama, and moral ambiguity intertwined with captivating style.

Audience Reactions

Alan Ladd’s nuanced performance as the conflicted hitman is unforgettable.: Viewers praise the sharp dialogue, suspenseful plot, and stylish visuals.

The chemistry between Alan Ladd and Veronica Lake is electric and captivating.: Many consider this movie the best of the Alan Ladd – Veronica Lake pairings.

Overall Consensus: A quintessential film noir classic, known for launching Alan Ladd’s career and featuring memorable performances, despite some dated plot elements.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “This Gun for Hire marked Alan Ladd’s breakthrough role, despite having appeared in over 40 films prior in uncredited or minor parts. His compelling performance as Philip Raven led to the studio reshaping the script to focus on his character.”
• “Veronica Lake’s ‘peek-a-boo’ hairstyle, with long blonde hair covering one eye, became a national trend. The U.S. government later requested she change it, fearing it posed a safety hazard for women working in wartime factories.”
• “The film is based on the novel ‘A Gun for Sale’ by Graham Greene, but the setting was changed from England to the United States, and elements of wartime espionage were added to reflect the political climate of 1942.”

🖥️ How to Watch This Gun for Hire?

This Gun for Hire is available for purchase or rent on various platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check local listings for potential broadcast options. Availability may vary by region and provider.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed This Gun for Hire, you might like these similar films:

• The Glass Key (1942): Another film noir starring Alan Ladd and Veronica Lake released in the same year, showcasing their popular screen chemistry.
• The Maltese Falcon (1941): A classic film noir featuring a hard-boiled detective, morally ambiguous characters, and a suspenseful plot.
• Le Samouraï (1967): A French neo-noir film featuring a solitary hitman with a distinct code, mirroring Philip Raven’s character.
• Key Largo (1948): Features a tense standoff in a confined location and themes of betrayal and moral compromise.

🛒 This Gun for Hire Related Products

• Alan Ladd: The Complete Collection: A curated collection of Alan Ladd’s most iconic films, including ‘This Gun for Hire,’ remastered for stunning clarity and immersion. Dive into Ladd’s legendary performances with bonus features and director’s commentary.
• Film Noir: The Dark Side of Hollywood: This book provides a comprehensive look into the film noir genre. It features behind-the-scenes photos, director insights, and detailed analyses of classic films, including ‘This Gun for Hire’.
• This Gun for Hire: Limited Edition Poster: A high-quality, limited edition poster featuring the iconic imagery from ‘This Gun for Hire.’ Printed on archival paper with vibrant colors, this poster captures the essence of classic film noir.
• Film Noir: Graphic Novel Collection: Experience a thrilling comic book adaptation of This Gun for Hire. Relive the suspense, danger, and passion with new art. This collection makes classic noir accessible to a new generation.

🎧 Soundtrack

This Gun for Hire features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Now You See It, Now You Don’t” – performed by Veronica Lake (dubbed by Martha Mears)

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

4 Must Watch Underrated Film Noir Classics

Want to dive deeper into the world of film noir? This video highlights ‘This Gun For Hire’ as a must-see, alongside other gems you might have missed. I always find it interesting to see how these films influenced each other, you may too!

Hoiw did Alan Ladd die? #actor #western #history #cinemahistory #americanactor #movie #hollywood

Ever wondered about the man behind the iconic roles? This short video explores the life and tragic end of Alan Ladd, star of ‘This Gun for Hire’. Learning about the actors gives another point of view of the movie, give it a try!

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