IMDb >
This Gun for Hire (1942)
Watch It
Buy it at Amazon
Rent it at
blockbuster.com
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
blockbuster.com
BETA
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summaryplot synopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsThis Gun for Hire (1942) More at IMDbPro »
| Photos (see all 16 | slideshow) |
Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
13 May 1942 (USA) moreTagline:
Lover without a heart...killer without a conscience! morePlot:
Hit man Philip Raven, who's kind to children and cats, kills a blackmailer and is paid off by traitor Willard Gates in "hot" money... more | add synopsisUser Comments:
Great Classic moreCast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Veronica Lake | ... | Ellen Graham | |
| Robert Preston | ... | Det. Michael Crane | |
| Laird Cregar | ... | Willard Gates | |
| Alan Ladd | ... | Philip Raven | |
| Tully Marshall | ... | Alvin Brewster | |
| Marc Lawrence | ... | Tommy | |
| Olin Howland | ... | Blair Fletcher (as Olin Howlin) | |
| Roger Imhof | ... | Senator Burnett | |
| Pamela Blake | ... | Annie | |
| Frank Ferguson | ... | Albert Baker | |
| Victor Kilian | ... | Drew | |
| Patricia Farr | ... | Ruby | |
| Harry Shannon | ... | Steve Finnerty | |
| Charles C. Wilson | ... | Police Captain | |
| Mikhail Rasumny | ... | Slukey |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parentsRuntime:
80 minCountry:
USALanguage:
EnglishColor:
Black and WhiteAspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 moreSound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)Certification:
UK:A (original rating) | UK:PG (re-rating) (2006) | Australia:M | Finland:S | Norway:16 (1942)Filming Locations:
Los Angeles, California, USAFun Stuff
Trivia:
The movie's poster was as #17 of "The 25 Best Movie Posters Ever" by Premiere. moreGoofs:
Revealing mistakes: In the scene early in the movie where Raven shoots through the door to kill the female witness, the slide on his 1903 model Colt pocket automatic doesn't cycle and no empty cartridge is ejected, indicating that the pistol was loaded with a low-powered blank. moreQuotes:
Willard Gates: Raven... how do you feel when you're doing...[indicates murder headlines]
Willard Gates: this?
Philip Raven: I feel fine.
more
Soundtrack:
I've Got You moreFAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for This Gun for Hire (1942) moreRecommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| City of Shoulders and Noses | The Godfather | Out of the Past | The French Connection | Marie Galante |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| IMDb Film-Noir section | IMDb USA section | Add this title to MyMovies |












Phillip Raven (Alan Ladd) is a hit-man hired by Willard Gates (Laird Cregar) to execute the blackmailer Albert Baker (Frank Ferguson) and retrieve a letter and some documents for his unknown boss. When the work is done, Raven is double-crossed by Gates, receiving marked ten dollar bills. Gates delivers the list with the serial number of the bills to the police, expecting they find and kill Raven. Meanwhile, the performer Ellen Graham (Veronika Lake), who is the fiancée of the L.A Detective Lieutenant Michael Crane (Robert Preston), is contacted by Senator Burnett (Roger Imhof) and asked to help investigating Gates. She accepts the invitation, and is hired by Gates to work in his private club in Los Angeles. The police force, leaded by Det. Crane, chases Raven for the death of Baker; Raven chases Gates and his unknown boss, expecting to kill them for their betrayal; Ellen secretly chases Gates for the government. This is the beginning of a great classic. Alan Ladd and Veronica Lake have fantastic performances in this movie. Alan Ladd is magnificent in the role of a cold blood killer, needy of a friend, that loves cats. In order to show the personality of his character, there is a scene in the beginning of the story, where he almost shoots a crippled girl to eliminate any possible witness of his murder. Veronika Lake is wonderful and very gorgeous, inclusive singing two songs. I disagree with the reference of film-noir for "This Gun For Hire", since there is no "femme-fatale", no dirty cop, no weak man (other than Gates) or sordid motivation. Indeed it is a police story, showing a cold-blood hit-man without compassion, capable of killing without showing any emotion, hunting "worse guys" looking for his personal vengeance. My vote is eight.
Title (Brazil): "Alma Torturada" ("Tortured Soul")