THE KILLERS
US, 1946, 103 minutes, Black and white.
Burt Lancaster, Ava Gardner, Edmond O’ Brien, Albert Dekker, Sam Levine, Vince Barnett, Virginia Christine, Jack Lambert, Charles Mc Graw, William Conrad.
Directed by Robert Siodmak.
The Killers is based on a short story by Ernest Hemingway. The short story focuses on the unexpected death of a man for no seeming reason. Anthony Veiller (who won an Oscar nomination for his screenplay) develops the Hemingway story, exploring why a man might be prepared to be executed by gangsters.
The film structure is complex, beginning with the killers of the title (Charles Mc Graw and William Conrad) searching for Swede Andersson. He is played by Burt Lancaster. He seems willing to be shot by them. Because of an insurance connection, the investigator (Edmond O’ Brien) begins to piece together the story of Swede Andersson including his being a boxer, caught up with a femme fatale, Kitty Collins (Ava Gardner), involved in a jail sentence, an armed robbery. The film has a series of flashbacks as particular characters are able to remember and identify aspects of Swede Andersson’s life. The film builds to a climax with a confrontation between the investigator and the mastermind of the robbery (Albert Dekker) and the deceptive role of Kitty Collins.
This was Burt Lancaster’s first film and he made a striking screen presence and continued for over forty years as a top star. This was an early Ava Gardner film and she shows the strength of her beauty and presence, even as a femme fatale, skilled in deception. Edmond O’Brien? makes a solid investigator.
The film was directed by Robert Siodmak, German-born, who made films in Europe before coming to Hollywood and in the mid-40s made a series of striking films including The Spiral Staircase, Criss -Cross, The File on Thelma Jordan. In his later years he made more films in Germany.
The film was rewritten and remade with the same title in 1964, the first of the Universal telemovies but released in cinemas in some areas. It was directed by Don Siegel and changed the plot of the film where the killers themselves (Lee Marvin and Clu Gulager) investigate who hired them to do the murder (of John Cassavetes). Ronald Reagan and Angie Dickinson take the roles of the heavies and the deceivers.
1.The film and the post-world war film noir, this film’s contribution? Crime, betrayal, the femme fatale? The black and white photography, light and darkness, shadows? The film’s reputation?
2.A film of the 40s, the dates, the events? Post-war United States?
3.Black and white photography, light and shadow, the editing and pace? The musical score, the songs?
4.The structure, the basis on Hemingway’s story, the additions, the puzzle, the detective work, the build-up of the flashbacks?
5.The killers of the title, the initial going to the diner, talk, tying up the men, getting the information, going to the house, killing Swede?
6.The introduction to Swede, his willingness to die, fatalistic, his blaming himself for the past, the puzzle about his life and death?
7.Riordan, the insurance investigation, the handkerchief, the search, his secretary, gaining the information, his boss allowing him to pursue the investigation, a quest?
8.The garage attendant, friendship with Swede, trying to investigate his motivation, his quiet work at the gas station? Riordan and his friendship with Sam Lubinsky, their working the investigation together?
9.The landlady in Atlantic City, Swede’s attempted suicide, the presence of Kitty, her kindness to him – and his bequest to her in his will?
10.Swede as a fighter, the hard knuckles, the trainer, Lily and her support, going out, Colfax and his party, meeting Kitty Collins? Lily and her edginess? Lily and her love for Swede? Her marrying Sam? Swede and his fights, the trainer? His broken knuckles and his defeat? His having to leave the fighting business?
11.The nightclubs, Colfax’s group, Kitty, her singing, friendly, Swede and his attention to her?
12.Kitty, the incident of the brooch, the jewellery, the accusations against Kitty, Swede and the fight, accepting the guilt, going to jail for her? Her not contacting him?
13.Charleston, his evidence about Swede in jail, a good man, in the cell, their talk, philosophising, the stars?
14.Swede getting out, the new encounter with Kitty? Colfax a group, the plan for the robbery? Charleston not wanting to be in it? Swede accepting it?
15.The picture of the robbery, the planning, the detail, the shooting?
16.The double-cross, Swede coming, stealing the money?
17.Blinky and his attempt to confront Swede, wanting to get the money, his being shot, in hospital, his ramblings, Riordan listening to him, his revealing the robbery?
18.Dum-Dum, his part of the plan, shooting Blinky, wanting to get Swede? Wanting the money? His confrontation with Colfax and his death?
19.Riordan, his questions, visiting Colfax and his prosperity in Pittsburgh, tracking down Kitty, her making the appointment? His leading her on?
20.Meeting Kitty, the killers in the diner, Sam and the shootings, the killers killed?
21.The Colfax house, Dum-Dum’s? death, Colfax and his being shot, revealing the truth, the set-up, Kitty and her double-cross, deceiving Swede, taking the money, going to Colfax and marrying him? His dying and her plea for him to declare her innocent so that she could not be taken to court? His death and her failure?
22.The humorous ending, Riordan and his success, his boss, the premiums on insurance payments for the following year – and his being allowed the weekend off?
