The wait is finally over! It´s time for ‘Noirvember’ in 2024! I´ll start with a quintessential Film Noir. Robert Siodmak´s ‘The Killers (1946)’ is about the life, death and legacy of Ole ‘Swede’ Anderson (Burt Lancaster). The movie has everything to offer a real Noir fan can wish for. Doomed characters, a Femme Fatale, killers, betrayal, suspense, flashbacks, hard-boiled dialogues and a first class cinematography. Enjoy the ride!
One of many reasons, which catapults ‘The Killers (1946)’ in every Noir collection, is the outstanding and versatile cast. I’ll introduce you to the characters shortly. But also Robert Siodmak´s high end direction, paired with Elwood Bredell´s haunting cinematography, make this a movie a “Must See.” It´s based on a story by Ernest Hemingway, who contributes immensely to the on point pacing. Building tension through flashbacks is another gripping feature. The movie also captures the essence of post World War II intrigue and existential dread. The chemistry between Burt Lancaster and Ava Gardner is electric, adding layers to the story as Ole is obsessed with Kitty and his unconscious actions reflect his vulnerability and sense of fatalism. By the way … watch out for grim men wearing trench coats … they could be murderous …
Burt Lancaster as Ole ‘Swede’ Anderson. He had his cinematic debut with the ‘The Killers (1946).’ A long and successful career will follow. In the subsequent years, he continued playing leading roles in excellent Noir flicks such as ‘Brute Force (1947)’ and ‘Criss Cross (1949).’
One of the great ‘Femme Fatale’ of the Classic Noir Era. Kitty Collins is a manipulative dame and was portrayed by Ava Gardner.
Jim Reardon is a clever insurance investigator, who tries to solve the mystery behind the killing of ‘The Swede.’ Eddie O´Brien has more screen time than the top billed Lancaster and Gardner. He played many iconic Noir roles such as Hank Fallon in ‘White Heat (1949)’ or ‘Steve Connelly in Backfire (1950).’
Albert Dekker plays the role of criminal mastermind Big Jim Colfax. He hires ‘the Swede’ for an important ‘caper.’
Police Lt. Lubinsky (Sam Levene) is an old friend of Ole Anderson and helps Reardon to solve the case. Levene portrayed memorable characters in other Noir movies such as ‘Crossfire (1947)’ and ‘Sweet Smell of Success (1957).’
Jack Lambert´s facial expressions are his trademark. In ‘The Killers (1946),’ he plays a ruthless criminal named ‘Dum-Dum’ Clarke.
Charles McGraw as Al on the left and William Conrad as Max on the right. The titular killers only appear at the beginning and end of the movie. In between, they are just briefly mentioned.
The crew behind the robbery on the ‘Prentiss Hat Factory.’ Top left: The Swede (Burt Lancaster), Bottom left: Blinky (Jeff Corey), Center: Kitty (Ava Gardner), Center: Colfax (Albert Dekker), Right: ‘Dum Dum’ (Jack Lambert).
Rating:
‘The Killers (1946)’ climbed ‘Close To The Top’ on the ‘Rating Mountain:’
Thanks for reading.
What do you think about this post?
Please share your thoughts and ask questions in the comment section below, write an E-Mail to marcel@classicmovieratings.com or follow Classic Movie Ratings on ‘Instagram’, ‘X’ and ‘Facebook.’
