Movie spotlight
Sadistic killer-for-hire Philip Raven becomes enraged when his latest job is paid off in marked bills. Vowing to track down his double-crossing boss, nightclub executive Gates, Raven sits beside Gates' lovely new employee, Ellen, on a train out of town. Although Ellen is engaged to marry the police lieutenant who's hunting down Raven, she decides to try and set the misguided hit man straight as he hides from the cops and plots his revenge.
A professional hitman, Arthur 'Slicker' Gillespie, is double-crossed by his employer after completing a job. Seeking revenge, he embarks on a violent path that intertwines with a nightclub singer and a químic engineer who are also caught up in a conspiracy involving industrial sabotage and a powerful crime syndicate.
This Gun for Hire was a critical and commercial success, praised for its taut direction, stylish visuals, and Alan Ladd's breakout performance as the brooding, morally ambiguous hitman. It solidified the film noir genre and established Ladd as a major star.
Alan Ladd's magnetic performance as a cold-blooded killer is the film's standout feature.
The film expertly uses shadow and atmosphere to create a gripping noir experience.
Veronica Lake provides a compelling counterpoint to Ladd's menace.
Google audience: Audience reviews frequently highlight the film's suspenseful plot, dark atmosphere, and the unforgettable portrayal of the hitman character. Many appreciate its classic noir styling and efficient storytelling.
None notable, though it is considered a landmark film in the noir genre and launched Alan Ladd's stardom.
The film significantly boosted Alan Ladd's career, making him a major Hollywood star virtually overnight. His quiet intensity and enigmatic screen presence resonated with audiences, leading to numerous leading roles.
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“Raven” (Alan Ladd) is a meticulously capable contract killer whom we meet bumping off not just a blackmailer, but an innocent girl who just happened to be with him at the time. His boss, “Gates” (Laird Cregar) rather foolishly pays him off...
I like Cats! So says the icy cold broken wrist killer! Phillip Raven is a hit man of no obvious moral fibre, he literally will kill anyone for the right price. After fulfilling a contract for the chocolate munching Willard Gates, he find...