SHORT CUT TO HELL

US, 1957, 89 minutes, Black and white.
Robert Ivers, Georgeann Johnson, William Bishop, Murvyn Vye.
Directed by James Cagney.

Short Cut to Hell is a version of Graham Greene's novel 'A Gun For Sale'. It was made by Paramount in the early '40s as an introduction to Alan Ladd, This Gun for Hire. The original screenplay, written by, amongst others, W. R.

Burnett (author of screenplays like The Asphalt Jungle, Illegal) has been updated to the 50s. The film has an unknown cast. It was directed by James Cagney, his only venture into directing.

It is a tough thriller, focusing on ruthless killers as well as the hit man. However, especially through the heroine, the audience comes to understand something of the hit man. The film is an interesting version of Greene's story.

1. A thriller? Entertaining? Interesting? Graham Greene's basic plot? Adapted to the '50s and to the United States?

2. Black and white photography, city locations? Editing and pace? Thriller techniques? Musical score?

3. The title and its reality for Kyle? (The original title: A Gun for Sale, film version: This Gun for Hire?)

4. The situation of the hit man, his being hired, the racketeers, the go-betweens? Kyle as a hit man? His ruthlessness? Lack of conscience? The killings? The double-cross? Kyle and his tracking down Bahrwell and 'A.T.'? His ruthlessness in tracking Bahrwell? Detection work, the train trip? His encounter with Glory? His forcing her to go with him? The interaction between the two? Her pity for him? His leading her, threatening her? The effect on him? The factory, the trap? Her acting as a decoy? The confrontation with Bahrwell and A.T.? His killing them? The gunfight with the police? His death? His short cut to Hell? The possibility of some kind of redemption?

5. The gangster background? The racketeers? Orders? Go-betweens? The planned murders? The attempt to have Kyle arrested? Bahrwell being pursued? Manoeuvres to escape? The confrontation with Bahrwell in the factory? The death of Bahrwell and A.T.?

6. Glory and her encounter with Kyle? Sympathy for him? Being forced to go along? her relationship with the police sergeant? Trapped with him? Acting as a decoy? Reunion with her fiance?

7. The atmosphere and its authenticity: victims, the train, the factory, servants, the butler?

8. Graham Greene's exploration of good and evil? Conscience? The need for redemption?