Plot Summary for
The Killers (1946) More at IMDbPro »

Two professional killers invade a small town and kill a gas station attendant, "the Swede," who's expecting them. Insurance investigator Reardon pursues the case against the orders of his boss, who considers it trivial. Weaving together threads of the Swede's life, Reardon uncovers a complex tale of treachery and crime, all linked with gorgeous, mysterious Kitty Collins. Written by Rod Crawford {puffinus@u.washington.edu}

The Swede (Burt Lancaster), is an ex-prize fighter who, after he's gotten mixed up with mobsters and a double-crossing dame (Ava Gardner), waits resignedly in his small-town hotel room for two hit-men to find and kill him. Director Robert Siodmak took the original Ernest Hemingway short story as its opening point and developed it in an elaborate series of flashbacks. Remade for television in 1964 by director Don Siegel ("Dirty Harry"), but it was deemed too violent for America's living rooms and got a theatrical release instead. Written by alfiehitchie

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